M. Rell

www.hiphopbase.net

click here for the website interview
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Tuesday, 20 November 2007

"A lot of people say my music sounds like it would belong in a soundtrack for a movie. I like to give my music a feeling, a theme if you will."

Interviewd By: Teks

Teks: Whats going on my dude? Introduce yourself...let the people know who your are where you're from and what you represent.


M.Rell: NOTHING MUCH MAN JUST RELAXING, APPRECIATE YOU TAKING THE TIME OUT TO INTERVIEW ME. I GO BY M.RELL, IM A PRODUCER BORN IN NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, GREW UP IN CHESAPEAKE VIRGINIA, SHOUT TO THE 7 CITIES; AND NOW CURRENTLY LIVING IN TAMPA FLORIDA.I AM ALSO THE OWNER OF SO SIK SOUNDZ LLC AND ESTABLISHED FASTLANE RADIO


Teks: I was just wondering, rumors had it that you first started making beats off a Playstation Video Console (Hahaha) how was that experience? How do you feel it helped you with your production today?


M.Rell: Haha. wow. yea i see you did your research! yea i started when i was about 16-17 back in 2001, a little after 9/11. it was a time of depression and sadness. i was walking in blockbuster with one of my boys one night and i saw MTV music Generator( shout out to kevin for lending me the 5 dollars.) i dabbled with that a little bit but didnt really get into production as a career until early 2002. i was cranking out atleast 5-7 beats a night on my playstation. i had the craziest set up!


Teks: Do you remember the first beat you ever sold, and how old were you?


M.Rell: the 1st beat i ever sold was my junior year in highschool. i sold a beat in the school lunchroom on the spot for about 20 bucks. I use to walk around school all day with headphones on listening to my beats and other instrumentals that I would study production from.


Teks: What equipment do you currently use?


M.Rell: right now i mainly use my Triton LE and program my drums on fruityloops. i have Gigz of drums stored away in my hardrive so i think im good for now. i also use objects around the house and record them live. alot of those sounds are mixed in well some things that you might not even catch in the track.


Teks: What equipment would you recommend young producers to go out and urchase, just to basically understand the fundamentals of producing?


M.Rell: i always get that question from young producers. I say to purchase a midi board first. that piece of equipment is very important. Also get yourself some VSTS , a drum sequencer and your own custom drums. with those tools you will be good to go.


Teks: How would you describe your style in Beat Making?


M.Rell: hmmm good question... a lot of people say my music sounds like it would belong in a soundtrack for a movie. I like to give my music a feeling, a theme if you will. I try to direct the listener in a certain direction and allow the music to tell a story. i think each instrument should bond a special chemistry with the next to bring the track to life, and thats what i try to do with each track I've produced.


Teks: You have a long resume for working with tons of mainstream artists in the game today, what do you feel differs yourself from other producers they might of worked with?


M.Rell: well first off, imd eaf in my right ear so that right off the back sets me aside from the rest haha.I also have many different styles that i can produce. Im panamanian so i grew up listening to not only hiphop, r&b and pop, but i mainly grew up listening to salsa, reggae, merengue etc. my father loves music just as much as i do and he collected cds and would play music almost every day. it drove my mother insane especcially when i started making music myself.


Teks: (R.I.P) To Stack Bundles. How was the experience working with Stack, and what was your reaction to his passing away?


M.Rell: first off i want to give my respect to Stack Bundles. i personally never got to meet him. I was scheduled to meet him back in 2005 at a studio session. I was in Jamaica Queens, New York at the time at Desert Storm South ( shout out to M1llerstime) with my team but he had a show that night and got caught up. We would speak from time to time over the Internet but never got to work in the studio. he did however release two of my records " I'm That N***a" Ft Big Cas and "Lullaby" and i am honored that he chose my tracks to record those remarkable songs to... R.I.P. Stack.


Teks: Knowing Hot Rod and the way he just grew and made a name for himself to the hip hop industry, How is it knowing that your the person who that pretty much opened the doors for Hot Rod to walk through and sign with G-Unit?


M.Rell: I've known Hot Rod since late 04 early 05. he was grinding and doing his thing well before i met him. We recorded atleast a solid 12-15 tracks before the G-Unit deal. it was myself and another producer and close friend of mine by the name of Lab Ox ( who produced 50's late "Part Time Lover" record) that were working with him on his demo and indie album. I found out about the deal when Rod called me while i was at work and he was just getting off the plane heading to 50's crib.he told me about how 50 had called him the day before and he had hopped on a plane the very next day, but i figured he was joking. later on that night he emailed me a picture of the G-Unit chain and i knew it was for real. 50 had selected 2 records from his demo to be on his debut album, one of which was mine and that felt great, especcially when i got the call from Sha Money concerning the record.


Teks: Do you have any other artists that your currently working with?


M.Rell: well right now I'm working with my 1st artist Prime Legend out of the Mirimar, FL area. we are currently working on his debut Indie project as well as shopping material around. Prime has the potential to be a serious threat in the industry. Im not the type to brag though i just let the music speak for itself, so you be the judge. Im also working heavy with my man Nickelus-F out of Virginia. he was the 106 N Park Freeestyle Hall of Famer back in June i believe. ( check for week 5 of his series, he's repping a so sik soundz tee) we've done plenty of records as well.i got my man Big Steve out of Chesapeake thats working on his project also. Of course im working with Hot Rod and G-Unit, submitting material for the new G-Unit album, as well as the Lloyd Banks and Spider Loc projects. also working with Young Leek, who just recently signed with Jr. Rotem and Sean Kingston over at Beluga Heights, we got a craaazy record called "So Delicious" ft Young Steff thats amaaazing. i cant wait to release that one. Also working with my man Nyce over at Infamous Mobb, look out for the album i have 2 records on there. going back and forth with reps over at Atlantic, Def Jam and Poe Boy so hopefully the 08 season will be the year for myself and my team.


Teks: Tell me about your current projects?


M.Rell: well right now im mainly focusing on getting my track catelouge up for the 08 season. i would like to get more into the pop/ R&B scene; Wil.I.Am. type feel. those type of records move me. I have crazy dance/pop records that would blow your mind! of course the Prime Legend project, (producers send your beats to Primesosik@gmail.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it if your interested in being on the album) im also preparing to release a mixtape that ive been putting aside for years now, but now i feel is the time to drop something and show what i can do.


Teks: what is your opinion on Hiphop right now? Do you feel hip hop is dead?


M.Rell: i dont think its dead. my ideas would take a century to explain so let me try to make it real brief. i think that the industry is changing, cleansing itself sort of speak. getting rid of all the germs, bad music, bad vibes all of that. so in order for that to happen things need to change. record sales are dropping because of the digital takeover for one, but also because the quality of music isnt up to par. i think hip-hop is growing and evolving, new styles are being developed, new genres of music being recorded and so on. not only that but technology is changing which effects music as a whole. the way i see it, cd's will soon be extinct the way tapes are today. so in order for things to get better, things needed to change, for better or for worse, in order to evolve.


Teks: What other major producers have you works with?


M.Rell: Lab Ox is my right hand man. i respect him greatly. i also chop it up with my man Rook from the Justice League. they've produced records for G-Unit, Jeezy, Mary J, Rick Ross and more. Tre Holla is another producer out here that is on the rise, watch out for him he's a natural.


Teks: What Emcee's do u currently listen to? Who do you feel is holding down hip hop right now?


M.Rell: hmm to be honest, right now im bumping that Wil.I.Am album, Timbaland"Shock Value" , and im still bumping that Fly Or Die NERD album. im also bumpin The Killers "Sam's Town" album. that is an amazing piece of work. as far as MCs holding down hiphop i have a few, Prime Legend and nickelus F 1st off. you should deff check them out, see for yourself. also feeling 50Cent, his new mixtape is bananas.im also feeling Hot Dollar and Flo-Rida. those two guys have a bright career ahead of them.


Teks: when your in a session? What motivates to know exactly the sounds your looking for?


M.Rell: it all depends on where you want to take the record. is a song about relationships? is it about pain and struggle? or is it just about having fun? i think that has to be determined first before entering the studio. and prior to recording the record, that mood has to be set. if its going to be a live record the immediate surroundings in that studio should be live and upbeat. i think artists should apprach these records the same way actors take on a character in a movie. your playing a part in that 3 minute scene and your lyrics are the lead role. not only should you deliver the lyrics but your lyrcis should blend with that current mood to paint a complete picture. thats the way it should be approached for production as well, i try to think big at all times.


Teks: If you were to sit down and imagine. Where would you see yourself in the next 5 years?


M.Rell: aww man, probably buying a house in Panama up in the jungle somewhere, away from everyone. that would be great... haha. other than that I would be doing what i can to help others. unfortunantly in this country, in order to be valued and heard you have to be "somebody". i see music as a way for me to do the other things in life that i would like to do. I just want to live as righteous as i possibly can. no drama, no beef no nonsense im done with all of that.


Teks: Where do u see hiphop in the next 5 years?


M.Rell: Hip Hop is already a culture that has been accepted worldwide and it is only going to grow bigger. i mean think about it... if JayZ and Beyonce where to have a child, think of how craaazy he or she could potentially be! now thats the era I want to be in! haha


Teks: I appreciate you taking your time out, and respect what your doing for the community and prospects of hip hop. So do you have any final words?


M.Rell: follow your dreams, and i mean that. dont let anyone tell you otherwise. Read Knowledgable books as much as you can. You have no idea how picking up a book can help you with your everyday life. Im reading one right now that has changed the way i view life. know what you want to do in life whether its music, or painting . Just make sure it is what you want to do , makes you happy, and be the absolute best at it. Remember great things happen to those who work for it, its not going to be handed to you. I want to thank my Family for supporting me 100% and also my team for holding me down, H-Dollar, Axel, Cal Repken , John Mclane, Millz and everyone else who believes in my music and supports what i do. and last but not least, check out my radio show FASTLANE RADIO every wednesday and saturday nights at 8pm. you can tune in @ . its the wildest show ever! hands down! BANG BANG!

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"you only live once, failure is not an option!..."

M. Rell

enjoy yall!

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"you only live once, failure is not an option!..."

bagaric1

which track for Rods album. I bet its Roll with me. THat shit is crazyyyyy

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I love counting dirty doe, I might never see 30 tho.

G Units that Gang

I just read that...

Yo Props son... Keep working hard...

I'll try to tune into the radio shows now..

West Kept Secret

i didnt know u produced heaps for hot rod - major props for that. lookin forward to hearin the llyod banks and spider loc joints.

M. Rell

appreciate that my man!

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"you only live once, failure is not an option!..."

King Of The South

What Up M.Rell

Naturalbornalkaholik

props man
do you know when hot rod's album is commin out??

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Very Bad News

lol hot rod...dude, 50 cent is selling 1.1 mils in usa, G unit album will ahrdly go Gold, What the fuck are u expecting from Hot rod or Spider?


0 cent iant even investing money into that, watch G unit album Flop, their 2 singles went nowhere, they had to push the album, they wanted to drop in Dec and they didnt even get the radio play lol...

After G unit Flo, yayo will show us how it is to sell in 2008,coz he still thinks its 2005 and his 700 000 is gonna repeat itself, lol, he will ahrdly do Young Joc, Twista or Chamilionere's albums, 50-130 000 max.

Wake up people, G unit is Dead, everybody is dead, only Niggaz are:

Snoop, Game,Luda, Jeezy, Em,jay, T.i, Busta,Nas that were able to sell over 1 million copies Worldwide in 2006-07

50 and Kanye Are breaking 2 mils, in the world..

Imagine what yayo or Hor rod are gonna do, look at Ringtone rappers, Sean king, Mims,Bossie, Hurricane, all them, they are 200 000, and they have shit all over the radio, What the fuck is Yayo gonna do? 50 000?

Jarome

propz on the interview Rell, keep doing your thing, that joint with Flo-rida and T-Pain is pure heat dawg.

Good lookin'

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My heart's torn from the pain of bein' forced to watch the game.
I'd rather die gettin' my hustle than live my life on the lane.

West Kept Secret

this gotta be raskae?

hot rod will easily go gold. the dude has talent which is more than i can say for anyone on BWS.

G-unit album will not flop. it will be number 1 everywhere. it will go plat quicker than curtis cause the unit will come with some hard singles not the wack stuff interscope wants to put out.

wat fukin two singles u talkin bout? feel good is just for a mixtape and they havent said anythin bout wanna lick which i doubt will be a single cause its just 50. the first single will have buck,yayo and banks on it.

Gunit is not dead. they are unstoppable and stay winning.

M. Rell

thanks homie!

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"you only live once, failure is not an option!..."

Plazma204

im not going to read that too long but still it might be good so work hard my bro

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Konvict Muzik

igetmoney01

all i have to say is....

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KillaCam2007

Nobody gives a fuck.... yo shits whack, you produce for nobodies and try to sell ur beats on a forum...

kingjanjic

agree with that, hip hop is dead but only niggas selling r

Eminem, 50, jay z, t.i, jeezy n luda, NO ONE ELSE WILL GO PLATIUM AGAIN in usa atleast, maybe with worldwide sales cuz look at timberland he at 3 mill worldwide n 700k usa, sean kingston is at like 500k world wide,homie get off usa's dick, niggas still sell world wide u no that? usa econmy is down, who is buying albums therE? the money is in the world,

KillaCam2007

never...........

West Kept Secret

nobod gives a fuk bout u. lmfao is cameron even alive? that will teach him for messin with the unit. his career is over. deal with it.

MC B STREETZ

propz M. RELL

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"I'M A LOUDMOUTH NIGGA BUT MY RUGER SILENT" -TONY YAYO A.K.A TALK OF NEW YORK
"ALL YAYO ENEMYS ARE ALL OF MY ENEMYS" - MC B STREETZ A.K.A YAYO'S NINJA

nymikey20

good looks on this

KillaCam2007

yeah.... his career is over.... Public Enemy #1 was like the most downloaded mixtape of the year... and he got a big ass article/review for it in the NY Times....


News flash fucktard HHBoard is the only place in the universe where G-Unit is still popular

heartless monster

propzz 4 the interview m.rell

Entreprenegro

^^^^^^^^lol........M. Rell totally avoids the hot rod album question.

Maybe because we all know that shit aint never comin out.

West Kept Secret

cameron is the bigest joke of the hip hop community. i even have more respect for doja than that useless faggot. cameron bitched out like the little girl he is when the unit went hard at him. where is he? the little bitch still hidin. he scared he goin to get shot or something by some real gs. at least gayme actually made some disses towards the unit and publicly spoke about the unit.

news flash - 50 cent sold more records on 1 album than cameron did in his whole career. lmfao. cameron is a nobody. he doesnt even get a mention on here cause no one gives a flying fuk about him. bow down before king 50 and almighty unit who destroyed wat was left of camerons wack career.

bostonrap

heard a few tracks by him that he did with rain and cory gunz