Features : Spunkbigga

Conversation With Spunkbigga
Pete Rock isn't the only Hiphop producer to rep Money Earnin Mt. Vernon. Free Hiphop Now talks with Spunkbigga about his 15 years plus producing for the likes of Tragedy Kadafi, Cormega, Lil Cease, G Dep, Fat Joe, Masta Ace, The Young Gunz, Memphis Bleek, & Foxy Brown. Working for hire over stacking dollars in royalties.

FHHN: In as few words as you can sum up your story thus far of who you are with 15 years in the producing game...?
Spunkbigga: I started with Eddie F and the Untouchables like 91 and I’ve been doing my thing ever since. Been signed to Timberland beatclub and Binks Oneshot Deal production company also. (Bink produced Lights Camera Action). Basically, I did a lot of work in the late 90's. Early 2000, 2003. The game is shiesty feel me. I did a lot of stuff you don’t know about. I Ain’t Rockin Wit You by Foxy Brown and Total. Bonnie and Clyde, Foxy and Jay Z.

FHHN: So what you're saying is that you've contributed to some pretty well known tracks but somehow managed to get shafted on the credit for producing them?
Spunkbigga: Yes sir. Almost forgot, Memphis Bleek, Your The One with Rianah. From his last album.

FHHN: So do these works fall under this whole idea of work for hire. You make some bread one shot. In the future no royalties.
Spunkbigga: Exactly one shot cash up front and cats take credit for your work.

FHHN: Do you have any regrets?
Spunkbigga: Yep.

FHHN: Honestly, when these deals happened was it on behalf of your being naive to the business or was it more so I gottah get this paper by any means?
Spunkbigga: I got to get this paper by any means my dude. Didn't care about the royalties back then. But I got royalties still coming in from other joints and that’s what’s opened my eyes. Did a lot of records in my time feel me.

FHHN: I'm sure if you've developed a reputation and have been producing for as many years as you have you have a wealthy network of folks interested in what you do. How do you go about locking down new projects?
Spunkbigga: Relationships with record personality feel me. I know a couple of people that still know I got it and always call me for tracks even if it never comes out I still make money to feed my family.

FHHN: What would you say have been some of the most prominent changes over the years as far as the way record labels handle seeking production for their artist since you began over 15 years ago?
Spunkbigga: Man when I started out it was like record label a&r's will just holla at my manager and we would set up a meeting to play tracks. But now, its like lets put it out on his or her mixtape, see how it does or send me an mp3 of your tracks online. These young label people don’t see the game the way the pioneers use to see it. They all just follow the trend instead of settiing their own. I’m not knocking anybody out there, but listen to the shit that’s hot and believe me, there’s somebody with experience behind it and the over night one hit wonders come and go as fast as they got here because there’s nobody behind their music pushing it the right way.

FHHN: Currently, you're working on a Tragedy Kadafi effort. Are you producing an entire album?
Spunkbigga: Nah, I wouldn’t even if I could because it’s over kill to me. Just a few joints and keep it moving.

FHHN: With the stuff you're doing with Tragedy Kadafi are you very hands on in studio or is it more or less he's sorting through possible tracks and snatchin up the ones he wants?
Spunkbigga: Yeah just snatching up what he wants because he already told me what he needs,for example They Forced My Hand by Cormega and Tragedy. I produced that record and he just told me to give him a classic like that one.

FHHN: What's your definition of a producer? Clarify for those that seem to get it confused with beatmaker.
Spunkbigga: A producer is a person who can go in and take charge of a project when the artist isn't present. A producer can contribute to the song musically and lyrically. I’m also a great mc and I’m very good at coming up with hooks for tracks not just mine but for other producers. A beat maker does the beat gets paid and that’s it.

FHHN: Do you produce for any other genre then Hiphop?
Spunkbigga: Yep r&b. To tell you the truth whatever you need I can do it because I’m that confident with my skills. I’ve worked with Donnell Jones in the studio and intro and Mary J Blige.

FHHN: Can you drop a little knowledge on shopping your production to market for new producers?
Spunkbigga: Yeah well my method is, have someone who knows your music and loves your music repping for you. You don't wanna shop your own stuff unless you’re the type that doesn't trust anyone. Build relationships with artist and their PR people because that’s most important. If you’re just a cat that’s out to make money they won't fuck with you. Nowadays record labels wanna pull you in and find out what you know about the artist. What you like about the artist. Main thing, don’t hold back any of your shit let it all be heard, because saving certain tracks for certain artist will only end up never being sold… I use to say, this is for Jay Z and this is for Camron. Fuck that, who ever comes with the cheese gets the beat.

FHHN: One last question. What are your production weapons of choice?
Spunkbigga: I used to use the sp1200 but now it’s the asr10 all the way baby... I use Reason with Recycle to chop the samples up also...