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The Winner
- Hi CHOP, congratulations on your first win!
Can you shortly introduce yourself to our readers?
CHOP: Hello and and thank you for featuring me on Beatmakology this is the first time I have won the weekly battles and it means a lot to have the props from the good people of STBB Forever.
My name is CHOPFYT I make beats, rap and mix I am from Southampton which is a small city in the South of England.
I have been using the name Chopfyt for about 4 years the name comes from a character in L Frank Baums World of OZ which I was reading at the time the character is made up the discarded 'meat parts' of the Tin Men of OZ. I had previously used the name Shank Carvin but dropped it as it sounded to violent and didnt really represent me very well.
How did you learn to make beats?
CHOP: I used to write rhymes in school and got bought turnatables when I was a teenager but the first time I became interested in producing music was playing Dance/Hip Hop eJay in the late 90s. Towards the end of secondary / high school my friend John taught me how to use Fruity Loops and Cool Edit. After spending a long time researching at MPCforums.com and using the display MPC in a local music store I bought an MPC2500 and havent looked back. I make all my beats on that same machine nearly 12 years later! It has helped me create lots dope music and two albums with my rhyme partner Demi/Demigod as Soul Junkies.
What equipment or software (DAW, VST’s etc) and production process did you use on this track?
CHPO: I only use my MPC to make beats. I have never really got my head around any proper DAW software and thats not some 'vinyl only' snobbery Im just happy with current set up and work flow. I use my Traktor KS2 to play samples into my MPC and record straight into Adobe Audition where I add vocals and use the mastering and FX suites which are really dope and always have been, dont sleep Cool Edit heads know!
What was your approach to get started?
CHOP: I played through the samples and knew I would be able to get something from the Annihilation samples. I really liked the movie so I had imagery and a tone in mind, I played the samples messing with EQ, FX and pitch on the KS2 then recorded them. Once in the MPC I chopped a bit more and started layering making sure to hit lows and highs and a few trademark touches like delays. I then used the other Jazz sample (I rarely use blues or jazz if a battle pack only offers that biz its a sure fire way to drop me out) and pitched it way down for a half time rhythm in the back. I then added drums but no breaks for a change just hits this round.
Are there any interesting aspects about the track you’d like to share?
CHOP: I wrote and recorded the raps on my Birthday which was a good way to spend the day off and to get the win was a great surprise present to end the week. The inspiration for the rhymes comes from Annihilation if you have seen the film I hope you could recognise some of the plot, imagery and themes from the lyrics which you can find in writing on my Soundcloud page.
Any recent projects/collabs going on?
CHOP: Any recent projects/collabs going on?
Yes! I am currently working on a new Soul Junkies album with Demi we have just put out a new song called 'Fields of Green' its a collab with Granny David and is actually one of his STBB entries from last year. We have about 10 tracks recorded and have another 4/5 in progress we hope to have the album finished by the end of the year we will be working on videos, features and other promotional material this year too. And of course Ill be fighting it out over at STBB Forever and not battling at MPC Forums (haha!)
Peace
Links
https://soundcloud.com/chopfyt
https://souljunkies.bandcamp.com/
https://www.youtube.com/user/thesouljunkies
Cheers Joa
- Sure thing man!.. thanks for this little Q and A
Interview by JoaGymshoe for STBB Forever and beatmakology.eu
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