Producerville.com interviews 4th Disciple

Originally published way back in October 2007 - here is our interview with legendary Wu-Tang producer 4th Disciple.

1. For those who haven’t made a beat yet, but want to start…

It’s best to study other genres of music, get into the minds of composers as you would get into the mind of an artist who is painting a picture. As far as gear goes, start with whatever is available, even if it’s just a beat machine or Casio keyboard. I made the best out of nothing when I was coming up in the world of composing.

2. Hardware versus computer programs…

To be honest, there was a point in time when I was against computers and software, but now I use just about nothing but software. It’s cheaper and you can be more flexible with your creativity plus I can see the music and have better editing features, plus the plug-in game cuts the cost off a lot of outboard gear. I have sold most of my hardware studio equipment in place of computers and software, but I kept my tube compressors and pre-amps. Everything else is gone, digital mixing consoles, efx modules etc.

3. To sample or not to sample…

Do what you feel.

4. What separates an amateur track from a classic…

To me personally it takes originality. Also I suppose it would have to stand the test of time, but true hip hop beings know a classic when they hear it. It’s something you can feel.

5. If you get “producer’s block” and get stuck…

Just fall back, watch some movies, read a book or something. Get yourself into other things outside yourself. This will generate a new spark of energy from you obsorbing new enlightments of self and the surrounding environment or worldly environment depending on what it is that you get yourself into.

6. How to get artists to listen to your input in a recording session…

Well if that happens you must not have any respect as an individual, or problem with self expression.

7. Somebody flips your same samples, should you get revenge??

I don’t worry about those type of things. The samples do not belong to anybody anyway but the original composers, but it wouldnt be right if it where someone you knew personally or through a business proposition who had heard a sample from your beat that he had no knowledge of before you had played or presented, then he or she decided to jack it, or if it was a sample everybody was familiar with and someone decided to flip it the same way you flipped it unless it was just a basic loop. That should be a producers crime with a producers fine.

8. Should a producer need a manager?

It can help, but you still must have an idea of what it is that you need and expect.

9. When trying to sell your first beat…

1) Know your rights. 2) Know your worth. 3) Know your potential.

10. The future of hip hop production is…

Pure in revolutionary form, which it all ready exist as.