If you know Hip-Hop like we know Hip-Hop, then you know all about producer Domingo. His resume runs deep and then re-runs. From Eminem to Kool G Rap. From Three Six Mafia to Big Pun. From Big Daddy Kane to G-Unit. The list really goes on and on… and on. Now, the rap maestro has released his second full-length album, called Same Game, New Rules. The album cover evokes a Monopoly of Hip-Hop and includes a varied assortment of dope lyricists. AllHipHop caught up with the oft-reclusive, enigmatic producer and got his take on Hip-Hop, the new album, police brutality and even the hot boy of the day, Bobby Schmurda. Oh, and there’s the matter of how Fat Beats distribution didn’t work at all.
Looking at your album cover and seeing the whole game board concept is there anything symbolic about the cover and title of your new album?
The whole conceptual idea of Same Game New Rules along with the artwork is a statement in itself. The music industry is a monopoly game with the artists being the real estate that the label owners try to acquire. Labels take these artists and build up their real estate and capitalize on it by renting them out to people those people being the fans.
The title of my album is broken down into Same Game meaning it is the same game of music as Hip Hop the way I produce it. New Rules means 2 things. New Rules to the way I am going about releasing my music to the masses by doing it independently with the #NoLabelJustUS movement and cutting out the labels. 2nd meaning of New Rules is bringing forth new talent that is really good and up and coming like Chris Rivers, Nutso, Joey Fattz, Bamboo, Nuff Sed,Demorne Warren, Detane, Kon Boogie, Kemikel Ali, These artist have extreme amounts of talent that need to be heard and they are part of the New Rules concept.
What are some of the stand out moments on your album like something with a message?
I definitely have to say the song Machine Gun by Ras Kass because it fits the times we are going thru right now with all this police brutality going on in America dealing with the Eric Garner, Michael Brown situations this song really hits home on that beccause as you see they are rioting in Ferguson and rightfully so because it is time for this to stop. Ras Kass broke it down and gives truth to a lot of these things. The intro is clip from Mandela singing in African “Hand me my machine gun” some people might not understand it but that is whats being said.
If we keep it Hip Hop I would say the M.O.P, GP100 song “We Put It Down” is one of the favorites on the album of a few people that heard the album it is raw NYC Gritty East New York to Brownsville Hip Hop. I also have the video out for this song.
I feel really good of how the album came out overall because it has something on there for every Hip Hop head that appreciates that authentic Hip Hop sound.
What made you decide to put this album out yourself with out any help from a company?
Actually the album was supposed to come out thru Fat beats distribution we did a deal for them to press and distribute the album but there was definitely a lack of communication between me and the owner where as I gave it good thought and really did not need them to do anything for me when I can do it myself and keep 100% earnings where as they were doing the pressing and wanting 50% of everything…I thought why do that this is what I been preaching about keeping your talent profit contained to yourself so that was my ultimate decision and it was mutual between us because the artwork scared them and acceding to the owner the staff didn’t know how to market the album. It’s not love lost at all we didn’t end it on a bad note I will probably let them distribute the CD’s of the album anyway but this time I control it.
We Put It Down – Domingo Feat. M.O.P & GP100 (Official Video) Cuts by Dj Cazz – Same Game New Rules
What’s your take on Hip-Hop coming out of New York now, being that you helped create that Golden Era Classic sound?
That’s kind of hard for me to accept when its coming from the city that set the hip hop trend and now we imitate the style and sound of other regions. I am not going to knock their hustle but there has got to be more to it then a dance when it comes to Bobby Schmurda. Hopefully the person who signed him can give him the right guidance on music to make good songs after the dance phase wears thin. For now those rappers with other regions on their mind and in their music can stay in that lane because there is other lanes of artists on the NY hip hop scene that rep NY the right way such as Joey Badass, Nutso, Chris Rivers, Demorne Warren and whoever else reps that genuine NYC Hip-Hop.
Click the links below to buy Same Game, New Rules:
