50 Cent - Straight To The Bank (Shift-Key Money Grabbin Edit)
Hello world, it’s been a while.
Work and other commitments got the better of me, but it’s about time I put something new into the blogosphere.
So, what better way to re-introduce Grey Shading, wide eyed and enthusiastic, to a new breed of bloggers and talent? With this modern re-work of a song from three years ago, of course!
This is one of those tracks that probably shouldn’t work, but does. Shift-Key subvert the original, laying down a skippy, feel good beat with a gorgeous synth that paints a totally different picture to the original’s hard-hitting one-upmanship. Now, let me get the image of 50 Cent skipping to the bank with a lottery ticket out of my head, and replay.
Five Questions-Autumna
I love hearing what other people have to say about music, both listening to it and the craft of creating it. The Five Questions series that I have been pushing lately has really given a diverse array of answers and given me the insight I wanted from various producers, every single time I get to interview somebody new I’m exited for a different reason.
With Autumna, I just couldn’t wait to find out about his thought process and ideology when it comes to producing, as he has been creating some of the most wonderfully dark sound-scape’s I’ve heard in recent times.
Do you have a musical background?
I don’t have a background in the sense of an education, I did however always have music around. My father was, and still is, a jazz fanatic. As early as I can remember there was always jazz music playing. Growing up I spent a lot of time at my grandparent’s, there the soundtrack was classical music, my grandfather’s passion. Without a doubt those two genres had a profound impact on me and how I listen to - and think about music. Gradually I became obsessed with music myself, with excursions into alternative and hip hop, to finally submerse myself in electronic and experimental sounds. Of major influence was the discovery of labels such as Warp, Ninja Tune and Wall of Sound.
When did you first start producing music?
I first got into producing about 14 years ago with two friends, playing around with Rebirth and Fruity Loops. Making mashes with simple beat and bass lines, cutting in self recorded guitar samples, field recordings and our own voices. Unfortunately none of that material survived, not to my knowledge anyway. After a hiatus of about 9 years I decided it was time to ‘do something with music’ again and got behind the computer. The impulse was that I wanted to create my own sound-scape’s to put under spoken word recordings. Using other people’s sounds had become restrictive and I wanted something that was completely my own.
How has your sound developed since then?
What was initially intended as backing for spoken word, started to lead a life of its own. Before I knew it I was making ‘tracks’. Gradually the drive to have something finished as soon as possible transformed into a more and more minute and demanding motivation. It is fascinating to be able to translate sound from a mental image - an idea - into something you can actually hear, an ability which took some time to develop. A point is reached where you enjoy the process as much as the end product. You spend the time to fine-tune that process to guarantee the best possible outcome.
What really inspires you?
I derive my inspiration from interaction with daily life. The basis of a track - the core idea - can offer itself through a book, a movie, a photograph, a conversation, a word, a feeling, a sound, a view …
Finally, what kind of equipment/software do you use to create your sound?
I’m not a gear head and use pretty basic stuff. The last five years I’ve been using Reason 4, which runs on a fairly old PC, but gets the job done. I cut, mangle, bend and break samples in either Goldwave or Wavepad Sound Editor on the laptop. To record voices, make field recordings, …, I simply use my cell phone; laptop built in mic or an old dictaphone – they provide a texture that I’m really fond of. To play in synths etc I use an old Miditech keyboard.
Five Questions-SUBD∆iO
I’ve been really enjoying Subdaio’s own brand of sample based Hip-Hop/Trip-Hop lately, so I caught up with him to ask Five Questions.
Do you have a musical background?
I believe that I do have some sort of musical background. Since I was a child, I have been surrounded with music and talent coming from my mom who has been singing all her life and painting and also my grandfather, who was offered a chance to become a background singer for Bollywood movies. I do not know why he didn’t accept the role…I could have been famous without doing anything!
But in all seriousness I think my musical background has definitely developed from my mom and my grandfather.
When did you first start producing music?
I went through various cycles before I started producing music! I actually started playing around with music when I was 11. I had this really awesome DJing program that my uncle gave to me and I (would) just spend hours mixing and looping songs from Missy Elliot, 50 Cent, and a little bit of Bhangra.
That was a small DJ phase I went through, but then, when I was 14, I was introduced to Mixcraft, where I learned to make my own tracks, using some of their loops that were provided on the program. It was really fun to be honest. I spent so much time playing with loops making house and dub tracks.
After sometime I started looking into how producers made their tracks, and when I was 16, I bought myself an MPD18 off Amazon, downloaded a cracked version of FL Studio 9 XXL Producer Edition, and that is where the magic started.
So I think it is safe to say that I officially started producing music when I was around 16 years old, as a junior in high school.
I still use FL Studio. I am absolutely in love with it.
How has your sound developed since then?
My sound is changing all the time to be honest! I first started by just making raw hip hop beats-like something out from the 90’s-with the Lonnie Liston samples and other jazz artists. Now I am just experimenting with everything.
I don’t really know how I can describe my sound. A lot of people say its “trippy” and “flowy” because I tend to slow down the sample and filter/reverb the living shit out of it (laughs) but I don’t really know.
I just call it experimental hip-hop I guess. I am still developing though.
Every time I sit down to make a beat, I learn something new where I can improve my craft. The thing about me is that I really have a short attention span. I cannot sit down for like 5 hours to make music. I also aim for perfection in my sounds so both of those opposite qualities don’t really mix well. I just really try to make the perfect beat. I always have this bar or goal that I set for myself when it comes to making my music. But to get to the point, my sound is still developing as each day passes by.
What really inspires you?
I would say the one person who inspired me to make music was J Dilla. He inspired me to go by an mpd and chop up samples. Ever since I heard the beat “Don’t Cry”, I just fell in love with the craft and I kept thinking that I can do something like that too. I have a list of people who inspired me so I will just put the list down!
I just use music as a way to escape reality and stress, and to also express myself, so I would say my mood is also a big inspiration, if that makes any sense?
List O’ Peeps: J Dilla, MF Doom, Flying Lotus, The Gaslamp Killer, Samiyam, Nujabes, Kanye West, Madlib, Washed Out, Toro y Moi, 88-Keys, Clams Casino.
Finally, what kind of equipment/software do you use to create your sound?
I just keep it simple. A pair of Sony XB-500s, MPD18, FL Studio 9XXL Producer Edition, Audacity, and a dying Acer laptop!
I do have a mac book where I use garage band at times because I love Kotu Chords…but like I said before, FL Studio is my go to program. I might just try boot camping my mac for FL because my Acer is literally on the deathbed, or maybe get a Sony Vaio, who knows, but there you have it!
I’m not going to get into a debate about whether it’s OK for people from the UK to rap in American accents. This is a great tune, with smooth production from X1 and effortless flow in the raps from everybody involved.
Source: SoundCloud / astroniggas
New snippet from Subdaio, due to come out in full on an upcoming EP. I’m loving the switch up from slow motion crawling beats to a more uptempo version.
The track samples Jamie XX’s Hot Like Fire remix, which I used to be pretty in love with. I actually wouldn’t have noticed if I hadn’t read the description, but I just thought I’d throw it out there for those who are interested.
Source: SoundCloud / *SUBD∆iO︻╦╤─
Lapse-Left Behind
This is a beautiful reworking of an original piano piece by Sorrow. Lapse layers crisp, skipping drums and sliding waves of sub bass to an already sublime piece of music, to create a wonderful track.
The EP is out on the 25th of November and should provide some cracking remixes in addition to the original, and I’m hopefully going to get an interview with Lapse soon, so keep your eyes peeled for that!
