Posted on June 16, 2010 - by Mel

Interview: Producer Chris J.

The light dims. Cameras flash. Goosebumps follow as you see your favorite emcee take stage for the hit record you came to see performed. I’d say this would be the industry standard formula for one hell of a night in Hip-Hop, but what are we missing? …. People like Chris J. Lets face it, what would your favorite record be without that beat? I had the pleasure of interviewing with up and coming producer Chris J. who’s currently residing in NYC. The former Dallas resident tells all, so be sure to watch the interview for the full length exclusive one on one.

I’m pretty sure there’s a good chance you’re still fairly new to a lot of people other than your credits and friends, why don’t you introduce yourself for the record and future fans.
I go by Chris J. I’m from Dallas Texas, 21 years old and been doing music full time for 2 years now. I produce Hip-Hop, Pop, and R&B. I’m a song writer and sing my own records as well.

What do your production credits consist of?
Well first I got to give a shout out to Slate Stone out in Lubbock Texas. I went to Texas Tech University there and had two records on his local album. That jump started it from there. I have a record called “Party’n and Drink’n” with Cali Stylz who’s on N.A.R.S. Records with producer Danja. For the people who don’t know who Danja is, Danja was Timbaland’s protege. There’s a local artist in Dallas by the name of Dynamic, I’ve done two records with him recently. I also have a couple records with Youtube sensation Maria Zouroudis that will hopefully see the light of day.

What are some of your major influences in production?
Well definitely Timbaland, he’s my biggest influence. He’s the reason I started. I remember I was watching the video to Missy Elliot’s “I’m Really Hot ” off of her “This Is Not A Test” album, it was track six, that’s how much I studied it. The song was simple, two notes in the hook, crazy drums of course, but I remember listening to the record and that desire just popped into me. I’ve studied everybody though, The Neptunes, Just Blaze, Timb, Dre, Alchemist, 9th Wonder, Harvey Mason Jr, and Teddy Riley.

For the listeners that you’ll inspire with your music, we just got to know, what does the lab consist of?
Being in NYC your tight on space so you don’t get to use the huge stuff. I run an M-Audio Axiom 61 key USB keyboard, two Rocket 5 monitors, a MacBook Pro, and I run Logic and Protools both. I know Protools well enough to use it, but I’m more comfortable with Logic, it’s a beast, so I do all my recording in Logic.

I understand this isn’t your first interview. You had a close up on Timbaland’s blog, “The Timbaland Buzz” thanks to the production you did on a single for Cali Stylz, and now this interview. How on schedule do you feel your success as a producer is?
I feel like I’m just starting. Like I said, I’m 21, I spent two years in college, so I feel like I’m just starting to commit myself to doing music. You hear stories like Kanye who spent three summers in his room doing nothing but producing and thats hard for me because I’m real out going, so people are real important to me. I feel like I’m more focused and more committed now than before, so I feel like I’m right where I’d like to be. I produce because I love the music, not to please other people. So I’d say my success is right on schedule.

Your production on that particular single was said to have a Danja feel, how do you feel about this comparison to the Timbaland affiliated producer?
That actually was the biggest compliment ever! Hopefully Danja sees this, but growing up I remember there was a magazine called Scratch Magazine, all for producers. It was only in publication for a couple of years, but there was an article with Timb where you actually first learn of Danja, and I swore I was like, if Danja can be Timbaland’s protege, then I can be Danja’s protege one day. I did that record on Reason so it was a huge compliment to be compared to him.

Well that raps up my questions for you Chris, Shout outs?
Shout outs to Maria Zouroudis, Jimmy Cozia, Jay Hats, istandardproducers.com, all my boys back home, Dynamic, Donald Woods who’s got his music video coming out next week, check him out, drummer for grammy nominated singer Ayiesha Woods, who did I forget…. family, friends, if I forget you I’m sorry, Nikko, everybody I’ve worked with, there’s to many people to name, I love you all.