|
Black Milk Interview
interview 0505 added 06.04.07 words:
The Last Skeptik
technical:
Spoon
Hands down, Black Milk is the most sought after, talked about artist of recent times. Effortlessly blending underground headnodicity with mass appealing bounce, Milk rips up the mic and MPC. UKHH’s resident beat conductor, The Last Skeptik caught up with the Detroit native to ask some brief questions…
How would you describe yourself, as a producer or emcee first?
I'm a producer first.
You seem to have been mates with the best in Detroit hip hop, is the scene so closely knit that everyone's accessible to work with?
Everybody is cool and everyone is kickin’ it with each other on the regular.
I know by now you must have had enough of the Dilla questions and comparisons, so what musicians outside of hip hop have influenced the way you make music?
Old school soul artists like Willie Hutch, all the old Motown stuff, Marvin Gaye, Prince... you know, all the legendary, timeless artists.
Is the production process very different when you are working within BR Gunna, as to when you make beats alone?
Yeah, it's different because it's just two different vibes in the studio.
When I'm workin’ with myself, I'm in my own zone. When I'm working with Young J, I gotta pay attention to his opinion, too, and I always have to worry about what he's thinking about it. You can be more experimental and free when you're working with yourself. With that said, I'm not doing any BR Gunna shit right now.
"...I'm also doing most of the Sean Price / Guilty Simpson album
..."
'Sound The Alarm' is a banger - any more collaborations with Guilty Simpson in the pipeline?
Yeah, I'm doing a few tracks on his new album, and he's on the remix to "Sound the Alarm." I'm also doing most of the Sean Price / Guilty Simpson album...
Tell us your lab set up.
MPC 2000XL, Pro Tools, MicroKORG, Old Records, Ensoniq keyboard. That's about it.
From what I've heard from the LP, and been playing on my show - its packed with tracks that would sound sick in a club. But with the current major label monopoly on clubs and radio play (especially in the U.S) - have your tracks been getting much love out there?
It's actually charting on singles charts in the US. It gets love in the hip hop club. As far as mainstream, who cares?
"...[I’m] actually charting on singles charts in the US. It gets love in the hip hop club. As far as mainstream, who cares?
..."
What future projects have you got planned?
The 'Caltroit' project with Bishop Lamont from Aftermath Records, I got joints on Pharoahe Monch's album in May, Phat Kat in April, the Guilty & Sean P album I mentioned earlier and then new joints with Slum.
What cereal would go best with Black Milk?
Cinnamon Toast Crunch. That's my favourite.
Black Milks new LP, 'Popular Demand' is out now on Fat Beats...
-
The Last Skeptik
Related Links:
 
|
