Producer J. Brookinz

Hot Fiyah!

Naptowns's Finest Hip-Hop

by T.J. Reynolds

Welcome to the first installment of Hot Fiyah, an online column devoted to Indianapolis' burgeoning Hip-hop scene. We'll be bringing you regular episodes featuring interviews with some of the best local artists, and offering you downloads so you can listen for yourself.

In this inaugural episode, we chatted with J. Brookinz. A talented producer who has worked with a diverse range of Indy rappers, Brookinz has lately garnered national attention by winning a Boot Camp Clik remix competition, and releasing the Jay-Z remix album "American Gangster: 80's Style".

Hot Fiyah: What was the first hip-hop album you owned?

J. Brookinz: I can't remember the first...but the most memorable album purchase that comes to mind would have to be It was written by NAS...from the first moment of actually having it our (me, my brother, my cousin, and his friend) possession was like we were invincible...the world was ours...we went around bumping that mug downtown in a ugly a** Toyota Previa...classic!

What was the most influential album you've ever heard?

J: There's two...one that turned me out as a youngin'...and another that turned me out as a teenager...#1 Fugees-The Score...thanks to my brother (who bought all these tapes and cd's) I was introduced to one of the greatest Hip-Hop albums ever...it was like a movie on wax...#2Mos Def- Black on Both Sides...quite possibly the closest thing to Hip-Hop Perfection!!!

Can you describe Indianapolis/Indiana Hip-hop?

J: On the Verge...Artists are becoming more comfortable with being themselves and listeners are becoming more receptive as a result.

What constitutes success with your music?

J: People enjoying the music I make...and becoming rich for doing something I would do for free!

Do you think an emcee should know how to freestyle?

J: No...it helps but I know some dope emcees that can't freestyle a lick!...I ain't gon' name no names...unless....hmmmm....maybe next time!

Who does your production/what is the process?

J: I handle all the producing...I sit down (after I'm in the mood!)...and let the music tell me how it wants to be made.

So you start by listening to music until you hear something you want to sample/flip?

J: Yes...Most times...or I make a melody or a sound and just build from there.

Do you hear what you want to do with the song immediately, or is it more of a process?

J: Both...I usually hear a sample I like, and deep inside, I just know, I'm going to murder that!!! Sometimes the process of actually finishing the beat takes long time to finish. On the song "American Gangster" (last song on my remix album American Gangster 80's Style) I heard that sample (Howard Jones-"Everlasting Love") and I just knew I wanted to use that for A.G. At first, the tempo was killing me...it was like 105 bpm's...but that Ho Jo record matched perfectly...so I commenced to chop like a Ginsu. The end result was a remix that I was really proud of!

How did the idea for the American Gangster 80's Style come about?

J: It was the first idea that came to mind. The original American Gangster album was all 70's inspired so naturally the next decade was my decade...the 80's...the film was set around the heroin trade...so in my version it would focus more on cocaine and our governments special recipe of cocaine...crack. When you listen to my album there are some skits in the form of old 80's PSA's about cocaine and cracks influence on the time. They still can be used even today!

Were the beats for the American Gangster project preexisting?

J: Only one, so I didn't cheat...and I'm not tellin which one...but here's a hint... the sample sets it apart from every other track... and not by artist or sound...only a TRUE MUSIC GURU WILL BE ABLE TO CATCH IT!!!

Do you usually start from scratch when you do a remix, or match it to a beat?

J: Here's a personal jewel: When doing a remix...MOST of the time...it is ALWAYS better to make a beat from scratch, IMO. It gives you a chance to find something extra to mesh in with the track. Take "Roc Boys" on my album for example...I could have just found a beat that matched tempo and slapped the vocals on there...but when I was listening for samples and I heard that "Put it on the Ritz" by Taco...in the song he says "Come let's mix where Rocafellas walk"...I almost lost it!...I chopped it up and threw it with that Roc Boys...and the rest as they say...

What producers in the game do you check for? Who influenced you early on?

J: Checking for...in the game...The Neptunes (guilty pleasure)...anything those two guys attach there name to I usually like...there are a lot of guys out there making hot beats...but to be honest I don't really listen to a lot of Rap anymore...for my producing peers in the city...I try to stay on top of what they're doing...believe me... I keep an ear open for these guys: Son of Thought, Who is Louis, Firearms, Young Peso, Dario, Joe Harvey, N.O, Jack Hustle, Jam P, and some others.

J: As far as an early influence...DJ Premier is the biggest influence...he is the first person I started to consciously connect producing to! He was my God of the Beats!

What has been the favorite reaction or comment you've received since putting out the A.G. remix album?

J: In person, my guy Kufi (of Black Gnostics) I had never really been introduced to Kufi but we hung out at all the same spots...the night of the release... Tues. at Coaches (downtown on Penn. plug,plug, shout out to DJ Metrognome and DJ Limelight), we did trivia to give away an album...I don't even think Kufi won the trivia...but he ended up getting the album...anyway...Thurs. night at the Casba in Broad Ripple I saw him chilling outside...so I asked him how he liked the album...he paused...then he shouted "You J. Brookinz!"…

Stunned I was like "Yeah!" then dude hugged me...like 8 times...that kinda stuff let's you realize that you're doing the right thing!

Anything else to add…?

J.Brookinz vs Jay-Z American Gangster 80's Style available for free download at this link

http://www.zshare.net/download/55829380dc25df/

be on the look out for J.Brookinz presents..."Grey Granite Amplifies The Killers" coming soon!!!

Rocco mixtape coming soon

stay in the KNOW go to http://www.myspace.com/jbrookinz