G-Unit’s Sha Money
XL presented the first annual One Stop Shop Producers Conference, which took place
in Phoenix AZ, Feb 10-11.Producers
from the United States, England, Germany and even Africa attended the two-day
event, which featured a number of panels, workshops and beat battles.Seasoned
veterans like DJ Premier, Hi-Tek, Alchemist, Havok, Fredwreck, No ID, and others
gave several hundred aspiring producers tips on navigating through the creative
and business side of the production industry."I
was nominated for a Grammy for my work with Christina Aguilera, but I chose to
be here, that’s how important this is," said DJ Premier, who was also honored
at the conference. "Its important to share what we’ve learned with a new
generation of producers coming into the business."Producers
attended several panels, which included informative workshops on topics like how
to find management, what A&R representatives seek in a new producer, how producers
collect royalties and get compensated and tips for sonic engineering."When
you make music its meant to have an effect on the listener," seasoned Chicago
producer No ID explained. "Mixing and recording are important to the feel
and emotion of your song and as a producer you have to know the importance of
a good mix."Super
producer Swizz Beatz gave aspiring producers tips via a live satellite feed."They
can’t change the game without us [producers]," Swizz Beatz said. "Break
the rules and make the rules. That beat that cats said was wack might be your
biggest hit. I went through it 100 times."Swizz,
who also noted the importance of unity, announced that there was no beef between
he and G-Unit rapper Tony Yayo.An
argument between Swizz Beatz and Tony Yayo on a Busta Rhymes video shoot allegedly
sparked a fatal shooting in 2005, which took the life of Busta Rhymes’s bodyguard,
Israel Ramirez."The
vibe among the producers was one of unity, which is rarely seen in this day and
age," added Shady A&R guru Riggs Morales. "Some future legends will
come from this event, guaranteed. There was camaraderie at the event that hasn’t
been seen at any hip-hop event in recent years."Morales,
along with A&R’s like Lenny S. (Def Jam), Conrad Dimenche (Bad Boy), D-Prosper
(G-Unit), Dave Lighty (Jive Records) and others explained their duties as A&R
representatives and what steps producers can take to succeed from a production
stand point. A
consistent theme throughout the week was a producer’s work ethic. Each
of the established producers explained the struggle to achieve their goals in
the music business."I
used to take trips to New York to see [Talib] Kweli with the MPC60 and I would
just the shop beats. It’s about how much you love the beats and the music, and
how hard you are willing to work."For
Havok, production became a necessity, because of his stature in the rap group
Mobb Deep. "Rapping forced me into production," said Havok, who revealed
"Shook Ones" was his favorite production."People
were charging us $50, $100,000 for a beat," Havok explained. "I knew
I had it in me, so it was a natural progression and a smart business move for
me and the Mobb."Other
notables in attendance like G-Unit’s Young Buck, Tony Yayo, Olivia and Lloyd Banks
mingled with the producers and snapped pictures.Industry
veteran Wendy Day of Rap Coalition attended the conference.Day
herself frequently produces events designed to educate burgeoning artists and
producers about the pitfalls of the music business."It
was beneficial for me to learn from such key producers and managers," Day
continued. "I don’t often get to attend an event as an actual attendee, so
I really enjoyed this event. It was affordable and worth every penny I spent."The
weekend was highlighted by a beat battle judged by Young Buck, Tony Yayo and others,
where numerous producers had their music rated and critiqued by an all-star panel
that included In the end, producer Soul
Nana took first prize. The
producer now has the option of signing with Sha Money XL’s Money Management. Soul
Nana’s music will also be played directly to 50 Cent, who is working on his new
album, Before I Self Destruct.