For All Masters

Back at you with another conversation with one of rap's most illustrious producers! Dame Grease made a name for himself right out of the gate as the man behind some of the biggest rap records of the late '90s. He looks back on how it all started, from "If You Think I'm Jiggy" to "Get at Me Dog" and the landmark It's Dark and Hell is Hot album. Dame talks about his experiences working with the likes of Slick Rick, French Montana and even Tricky! Plus, he updates us on the status of Max B and DMX. Something for everybody in this interview, not one to miss!

I'll readily admit: I don't necessarily have my finger on the pulse of what's going in the rap world outside of the Northeast. Honestly, it's all a little blurry for me once you get past Pennsylvania. So to capture my attention from all the way out in South Carolina, it takes a special kind of artist. By somehow incorporating Jean-Claude Van Damme and the Ninja Turtles into one of the most brutal choruses in recent history, Just Rich Gates had me at "BAHHHHHHHH!" But for someone so at home over Lex Luger production, you may be surprised to learn just how well-versed Gates is in the sounds of New York. We discuss the differences between Merk City and The Big Apple, his work with A-Mafia & Waka Flocka Flame and the legacy of Freaky Tah.

If DJ Uneek's beats sound like a Brooklyn street corner in the winter of '95, it's for a reason: because the dude was really there. From DJing for M.O.P to putting out mixtapes that ruffled feathers at the Bad Boy office, Uneek shares his inside knowledge of the game and its evolution over the last 2 decades. Most recently he produced "Home T.E.A.M," which absolutely everyone reading this ought to be familiar with. We ask him about the recording session for that record as well as his relationship with Troy Ave & Mr. Muthaf*ckin' Exquire. Later on, we take it from BK to Beantown to speak to Miss JayDee, host of the Beats, Rhymes & Life show on UNregular Radio, representing Boston to the fullest!

Maino's accomplished career has been the fulfillment of a dream. Inspired by the classic mixtapes of the 90s, he left the prison system after serving nearly a decade, setting out to make an impact in the music industry from his first day of freedom. Now just days before the release of his newest album, "The Day After Tomorrow," we take Maino back on a trip through time to the year 2003. Running through his earliest freestyles and features, he talks candidly about the excitement, even nervousness, of those first recording sessions. We reminisce over the rappers that came up alongside him nearly a decade ago, and how his survival instinct kept him from slipping into irrelevance.

Like so many others who were there, I was fascinated by Jeromes Dream: the 3-piece from Connecticut that sparked endless debates on messageboards and bidding wars on eBay. The raw emotional fury manifested in their elusive records and blink-of-an-eye live sets was unlike anything I had ever seen or heard before. It had been over a decade (and several musical lifetimes) since I last spoke with Erik Ratensperger the former drummer for JD, and later The Virgins. Yet despite the lapse of time or difference in paths taken, the commonality of growing up within the hardcore scene of the late 90s framed our conversation in a mutual understanding. Reflecting on the vinyl, the VFWs, the basements and the friendships, Erik obligingly answers all of the questions I've harbored since high school.

Straight from the block, take this opportunity to get familiar with an emerging star; Brick Star Boy to be exact: Avon Blocksdale. The Ron Keysley to Troy Ave's Harry Powder if you will, Avon's recent appearances on the deluge of freestyles coming out of the BSB camp have the streets and the net taking notice. We cater to both here at ForAllMasters, so it's only right to bring you more of that dope boy swag you've come to expect.

You'd be hard pressed to meet a rapper as humble as Tom Gist. Paradoxically, you would find it even more challenging to name another lyricist as talented. Embodying the work ethic of the independent artist, and bodying every record he gets on, are equal parts of this Harlem-bred MC. From his days battling under the alias Arrogance to his breakout appearance on Cam'ron's Public Enemy #1 mixtape, Gist gives us the story behind the struggle. We get the word on his work with Ransom, the Diplomats, the Gistmatic mixtape, and what it is that motivates one of rap's most underrated.

Delaware stand up! Custo calls in to talk about his Most Valuable Hustler mixtape and challenge a few of our preconceived notions about The First State. Drawing influences from the North and the South, Custo matches lyrical substance with hard beats to represent for Newark. In the second half of the podcast, Anthony from Lawless Years and I discuss our favorite songs of 2011. We riff on our eclectic top 10 and reach a consensus on who had the biggest year of all; controversial opinions all around!

Long overdue, our first female guest on the podcast is former Femme Fatale and Lord Finesse collaborator: Marquee aka La Femme Markita! Having racked up an impressive résumé of songwriting credits and features over the years, Marquee has probably gone bar for bar with your favorite rapper at some point in her career. We go over her stint at Die Hard Records, the fallout with Trackmasters and of course that famous freestyle with The Firm! We also take the opportunity to discuss what progress has been made for women in the world of hip-hop. Look for Marquee in Jewelz the Director's upcoming Big L documentary "Street Stuck."

Having blessed every relevant DJ of the past 15 years with freestyles, Bathgate was a mainstay of the mixtapes, back when they still meant something! Working with both Just Blaze & Kanye West on his unreleased debut "Dear Rich America: My Story to You," his street tales and witticism drew numerous comparisons to Jay-Z: a gift & a curse. FAM asks Bathgate how he's managed to overcome such obstacles, his writing process, and some of his most memorable collaborations. We attempt to cover everything from his first appearance on a Ron G tape (*check out ForAllMasters.com for the audio!) to his recently released "Sinner's Prayer." In between, we discuss how his music and the game in general has changed over the last decade.

It takes a lot of heart to overcome getting shot and losing a limb at an early age. I would argue it demands even more determination to go from hustling CD's hand-to-hand to having your own mixtape hosted by Green Lantern. But that's just part of the life story of Frankie Krutches, who had his rap career thrust upon him following a show-stopping cameo in Cam'ron's "Hey Ma" video. Krutch lays it all out for us openly and honestly. Later on, Anthony from LawlessYears.com gives us his review of the Araabmuzik show that went down in Providence on November 1st. Check out ForAllMasters.com for exclusive music from Krutch and more!

Instilled with a tireless work ethic, DJ Kool Kid set his sights on the mixtape world at a very young age. Now 15 years and hundreds of mixes into his career, The Hood Legend shares his experiences with us. From traveling the world to breaking new artists: Kool Kid has seen it all, done it all. We learn about his best-selling tapes, as well as his unusual television connections. No bit of mixtape minutiae goes uncovered, with stories ranging from the famous DJ Big Mike to the lesser known rapper of the same name. There's even something about a studio session with N.O.R.E, Mariah Carey, and some keg cups of wine?? And if you thought he was one of those DJs that only played exclusives, check out the live mix he did just for us at ForAllMasters.com!

ForAllMasters.com takes it to the street with Brooklyn's own Troy Ave for this "Powdercast!" Over lunch, Harry Powder himself breaks down some of the dopest cuts off his Bricks in My Backpack 2: from the collab with Prodigy to the deceptively hard "Beautiful Face," by far one of the year's best mixtapes. Beyond that, we touch on topics like credit reports and marketing with an artist whose stock is rapidly on the rise. We even reflect on some of the pitfalls our favorite rappers fall into. No shots though, just a dirty martini on the rocks!

Another swatch from the tapestry of music history, "The Controversial" MC JX released his album Black in Time in 1990 at a pivotal moment in hip-hop. The positive Afrocentric message of the late '80s was getting drowned out by the predominantly violent and materialistic tone that would become the prevalent theme in mainstream rap music throughout the 90s, continuing to this day. This shift in climate, combined with the powerful forces within the industry who objected to such a vocal advocate for the Nation of Islam, limited his widespread impact to this one record. Now over 20 years after it's release, we spoke to Jason X about the album, the industry, and the unification of different races and cultures through hip-hop.

Pardon me for geeking out a little bit on this one, but one of my favorite rappers ever, Cormega, was kind enough to give FAM a call this week! With 2 decades worth of experience in the rap game and a catalog of acclaimed albums, Mega is set to drop his new double-disc "Raw Forever" September 27th; an exciting, ambitious project he recorded with a live band. Of course, we get into the defining moments and proudest achievements of his exalted career, but it was simply impossible to mask my enthusiasm in asking him about his classic albums and unreleased rarities!

Shifting focus from the old school to the new school, FAM gets real with two buzzworthy young MC's: Boston's Black EL & Northeastern Pennsylvania's Gino Lispi. Both are skilled lyrically, and each blessed with the inherent positive energy necessary to confront the challenges that face a hungry, up and coming artist. Get an inside perspective on the scenes in their cities, the importance of live performance, and in the process - discover some fresh new music! Another honest conversation about hip-hop with the people who make it, brought to you by ForAllMasters.

Taking a break from his schedule DJing 7 days a week for Albany's Jamz 96.3, the Grammy-nominated DJ Iroc provides FAM with possibly our most captivating interview yet! A member of the Bad Boy camp throughout their beef with Death Row and the passing of the Notorious B.I.G, Iroc was present for some of the most pivotal moments in hip-hop's history. You'd be hard pressed to find a single relevant artist from the 90s that did not contribute to one of his classic mixtapes. He lets us in on the secrets of his hustle and shares stories ranging from touring Japan with Big L to getting into a car chase alongside (who else?) Fat Joe!

In this episode, ForAllMasters.com touches down in Brooklyn to visit the Mixtape Librarian himself: Tapemasta. Without a doubt, the authority on all things related to mixtapes, having amassed a collection of recordings numbering well into the thousands; Tape gives our listeners (and this self-proclaimed connoisseur) a real history lesson! Sharing our passion about this often overlooked aspect of hip-hop culture, he speaks at length about the important role the mixtape has played both in the music industry and in his own life. True to form, you can also expect to hear plenty of shoutouts! Listen and learn.

Recorded on a side-street in the Lower East Side, ForAllMasters posts up in G-Bo the Pro's SUV to revisit his last collaboration with DJ Double R - Tape #25 "It's Been A Long Time." It's been roughly 14 years since it's release, but G-Bo's vivid memory provides the perfect commentary track to this classic tape. An innovator in the world of mixtapes, G-Bo breaks down how he and Double R set themselves apart from the pack, through their blends and the "Tu Madre" genre the created. Plus, we get another great Fat Joe story and more 4-track talk, all the usual components you've come to expect from ForAllMasters.com!

And now for something completely different. Primal Scream collaborator, remixer to the stars, producer extraordinaire: Jagz Kooner joins us (at 2 a.m. London time) to field our questions concerning his remarkable body of work. His ethics shaped by punk rock, his mind expanded by hip-hop, Jagz' distinctly aggressive approach to crafting electronic music has garnered requests for remixes from artists such as Oasis, Massive Attack and Garbage. Jagz gives us some background on a few of our favorite records and talks about his most recent experiences, like DJing at Glastonbury and recovering from internet suicide!

In this episode, we cover everything from the South Bronx to Inglewood! FAM sits down with Bounce Squad West's Shady Ray to discuss his upcoming "Code Red" album and the phenomenal "It's Always Sunny in New York" mixtape. Recorded at Mad Bull Studio in Harlem, we were also fortunate to catch up with the accomplished producer, Big French, DJ Doo Wop's longtime engineer. He shared some incredible behind-the-scenes tales from the making of 95 Live! On top of that, DJ McBoo drops in to educate us on the early days of Boogie Down Productions Check out ForAllMasters.com for exclusive music from Shady Ray!

Coming express through your chest, all the way from Phoenix, the First Lieutenant of the Universal Flipmode Squad: RAMPAGE skype'd it out with us for this highly animated edition of For All Masters! Between revelations on his relationship to Public Enemy and the making of classic records like "Wild for da Night," Rampage reminds everyone that his grind never stopped. With a new mixtape out, Remington Steele, Ramp continues to feed the streets that rawness; and he leaves no doubt whatsoever on the status of Flipmode!

We went OT on this one! Rapper/DJ/Producer Red Handed joins us all the way from Oklahoma City to talk us through damn near his whole career. The BX-native bestows story after incredible story on his experiences from going 3 rounds with Jay-Z to touring Japan with Foxy Brown. We even chop it up about the best studios and restaurants in New York City. A must-listen for anyone who ever wondered: What happened to 1 Life 2 Live? "Handed, Cubano, whatever the name," it was impossible to edit this interview down to just a half-hour. Enjoy!

In this installment, the big homie Phace invites us into his home-studio to reminisce on the glory days: when music was released on vinyl and rappers had to actually meet to do a song together. A renowned ghostwriter (on the low though, shh...), Phace discusses what turned him off about the industry and inspired him to get his money behind the scenes. He reveals what transpired between him and Canibus to trigger the diss tracks that made him hood-famous. And just what it is that makes Jamaica Queens such a breeding ground for battle-rappers.

In this edition recorded earlier this year, ForAllMasters traveled up to Albany, New York to catch Brooklyn's own Bad Seed in the studio. While recording for his next project, Seed broke down some of the mature concepts on his Intelligently Ignant album and explained why he's an advocate for adult-contemporary hip-hop. Aside from having completed over 600 records, The Bad Seed has had some truly incredible experiences over the course of his career. He describes to FAM the feeling of performing to riotous crowds in Sweden and hearing Flex drop bombs on one of his songs. But always known for his sense of humor, Seed also puts us on to how to properly analyze a female's twitpic and treats us to some of his famous celebrity impressions!

Welcome to ForAllMasters! In our first installment, we take it uptown to the Bronx, home of the comic-voiced Snaggapuss, an original member of DJ Doo Wop's recently reunited Bounce Squad. FAM catches up with him to talk about his two-decades-long career: from recording on 4-tracks to meeting Dr. Dre, to comparisons with other rappers, and instances where even he admits his punchlines went a little too far. Snagg also lets everyone know what the newly re-energized Bounce Squad is currently working on for 2011, and even blessed us with a few tracks exclusively available at ForAllMasters.com!