Just Blaze Interview: The Business of Beats
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- čas přidán 24. 07. 2024
- Justin Smith, known as music producer Just Blaze, who produces for artists such as Jay-Z and Eminem, talks with Lee Hawkins about his role in VH1's DJ show, "Master of the Mix" and the lucrative business of beat-making and production. Plus he shows step-by-step how he built the beat for hit song "Higher."
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One thing I like about Just Blaze is that he came from an educated, suburban, middle class family and though he makes records for a lot of hood folks over the past 20 years, he wasn't seduced by street culture, he never lost sight of who he is. He is very comfortable in his own skin. It's OK to be an intelligent, articulate Black man.
Ha Ha "everyone from Jay Z to Eminem" Massive variation of there!
Man...Just B has come a long way since then. He has matured enormously & is very business oriented & very professional. I remember when he was real ghetto & unpolished--not that there's something wrong with that--but when you get to his level & work with the caliber of artists that he's worked with, you have to be very professional. You rub a 7 figure engineer working in a multimillion dollar studio the wrong way, you WILL not see too much work headed your way. You do it right? And you'll say things such as he speaks of like: "My accountant, bonds, investments, net worth, etc." Beautiful words indeed....
Was the zoom into his hands at 3:00 meant to emphasize the aggressiveness lol
Blaze is one of the most modest Celebs...Ever
this man is CLASSIC. Some of his hits/BEATS are timeless.
The cat interviewing Blaze is the manifestation of Tom Dubois.
That suit is just.. funny.
Just Blaze is one of those names that is just respected in the hiphop community and in music in general. He's not super "out there" and he remains true to himself. Gotta love that. I hope his protege iamProfessorO can follow in his footsteps because that kid has something special with his beats.
Btw...just a small point of education on copyrights - they last you lifetime + 75 years, then they become public record
Just Blaze is a classic example of how being smart/intelligent as a black man is NOT a bad thing like some people in the black community make it out to be. The man said he wrote his first computer program at only 9 years old. Any black men that come across this video work hard and educate yourself in AND out of the classroom because knowledge is power. Dont fall into that trap of thinking that being dumb or stupid is cool and appealing to others cause its not...
+Conscious African
Peace brother!
More and more balck people are waking up, specially the men
WestCoast Facts
This was quite informative. I love the transition music has made over the years. I'm proud to be a part of it. #Seanblaque
Just Blaze is gone go down as a top 5 producer ever
I love watching producers make beats. It's just awesome how they put their beats together.
Man to me he's like the Clapton of the MPC, but I started writing code at 9 years old too. I have a whole new love for that guy cause of this.
Just Blaze stays around because he is passionate. The host is a fool, Just is a leader of a movement. Thank you sir!
Why is James Bond interviewing Just Blaze?
I remember when i first heard this.....i was blown away...
One of my top 10 hip hop producers! JUST BLAZE
VERY INFORMATIVE AND ENCOURAGING INTERVIEW.
Just blaze has always been great!!!
Nice interview: Super talented and one of my favorite producers.
Very interesting video.
To all the young people who "just do it for fun," pay very close attention to your BUSINESS side. It should be called BUSINESSshow, instead of Show Business.
Even though he is one of my top 10 producers. It is a shame those classic producers today have to adapt their sound to fit in or sell. I would never ever comprize my art to sell. A true artist will always create what they want no matter if it will sell or what people demand. Some people will like it anyway. You don't have to sell out.
I'd have to disagree, self survival/preservation of wealth is more important than withholding some perceived egotistical image of yourself. If you already have enough money to live the lifestyle you want to live, then yeah, keep it real and enjoy your art any way you want but if you have to change your style so that you can make it to the top, get a bigger pay cheque to do the things you want to do, then that comes first.
DreamteamTA But money is the root of all evil. It makes you do anything possible. It blinds you. Most people who sold their soul create worthless art because they forgot to put creativity and their talent first. Materialism kills this world. Value your spirit, your talent, love, people...all the things that matter. But money is just material. You can't take it with you when you die. What use is it to gain all the wealth on the earth but lose your soul?
Money is not the root of all evil, greed is, they are 2 totally different things. Money is actually a great source of happiness and this has been scientifically proven. Money can be used to buy music equipment, vacations, shelter, and food. Money can allow you take care of your parents when they're older so that they can retire early, money can help you yourself retire early, money can make your life and the life of your loved ones easy and enjoyable, heck money can be used to donate to others so that they can have a better day and a safer tomorrow. Money itself is just a tool, if can be used for good just as much as bad, that just depends on the person. You have to keep in mind, the human soul is just a concept but self preservation is real. As much as you would disagree, I would change my styles to make more money, I dont need other peoples approval of my music, I can easily go home and make my own music my OWN way and enjoy it for myself but if someone is paying me to do a project a certain way, it will be done to their liking without prejudice.
Royalsteven *The love of money*
Amari Brown
I put God and my soul/spirit above anything mortal and not everlasting.
I like Just Blaze's Sample production, over his non sampled based production... Just my opinion...
Miliano Supreme I agree but one can't sample all the time cause some artist don't want sample beat so he still have to master the art of not sampling all the time.. I think he and Kenya its in the same level or I could be wrong but I know they're not like Havoc who focus on just one way of sampling even though he's a genius.. both Just and Kanye are my favorite
Hey.... That was really cool interview... I started with a Tandy 1000 and programming basic. I was horrible in Pascal. The early financial connection was really cool. Although the two kats at the end were cool, y'all should have put them on a separate video and not as part of this interview. In either case, the Just Blaze interview was really cool and I agree with the other poster informative. Nice work.
best interview....real transparent....thank you
Great inverview. Thanks for posting!
Why doesn't it surprise me that Just was going to school for computer programming? Clearly a smart dude. It's appropriate that he started making beats on a computer and not an mpc like most cats back in the day. Just is a cool nerd lol..
Whow, what a interview!!
Great interview.
Great video.
"Its hovi baby", my fav just blaze beat
Great interview man.
Great Interview WSJ
Just Blaze is an amazing Black man! If you're a young Black man you should completely dedicate every part of your life to what Mr. Blaze is showing you. Listen to his passion for learning. He made (and I'm assuming taught himself) how to code-at age 9. I'm guessing his IQ is above 120, but that doesn't mean everybody can't have his work ethic and drive to achieve what he wants. If music isn't your passion put his philosophy towards whatever good, productive passion you have.
I'm White(Disclaimer). It's in my best interest(not really) for you to ignore me. There have to be losers to be winners. This is a fact. If someone says otherwise their stupid or idealistic, and I for one am tired of Blacks having to be the losers for other ethnic groups ( it's not just Whites who typically succeed) to be the winners. PLAY TO WIN. It's not called acting White. It's called playing to win -so you're not the loser.
Lol just stfu and watch the video. He's a smart dude and leave it at that.
If I just left it at that then I'd feel bad when his own race destroyed itself,--like I didn't do anything to stop it.
Jory Harris You don't know enough black people.
+Jory Harris
Thank you but no..
We'll become great by ourselves, we don't need or want the support of white people to feel like we can achieve greatness.
quirks aside this was useful content... thanks also to Just Blaze for sharing a lot of his background info...
wow this is amazing to know how such a big bass beat came out
Mad respect!
Just blaze is talented. Good video wsj.
JustBlaze is an OG
Much Respect!
Good info
awesome
what program is he using
Legend.
big up to all the creators
Sick Producer! Respect from Latvia!
Lee Hawkins, you continue bringing THE PAIN, .....good interview
My favorite record of 2013 #Salute 2 my Brother @justblaze
Super, Super, Super
Thank you
Studio etiquette 101...never ask someone how much their drop cost or beat cost...unless they reveal it themselves
yall gotta hear this man track call exhibit c b jay electronica
this man knows how to make a beat drop
sick
WOW!!!! So eye opening... #respect
That guy interviewing is HIGH AS HELL LOL
how just blaze make such good music with those lil ass ears. Just fuckin wit you blaze.
Love Ableton Live +Reason 6= Rewire ***Hot Beat***
wasn't looking at the screen when this started and I've never heard his voice before, comes on and I'm thinkin wtf is Cuba Gooding Jr doin talkin beats? hahah
His work with Flying Lotus is crazy
Legend
Carleton from fresh Prince at end in purple shirt???
"that bass" when he talked about snares haha.. dumb (3:00 ~)
Lol it is a snare you dumb ass -_-
let him act clever, np
Oh okay sweet
+Phil Gallardo Instrumentals He was actually talking about everything pertaining to drums. Kick, Snare, Hi-Hat, Crashes, Percussions, etc etc. As a hip-hop producer, ALL the drums are important. So when he said "that bass" he wasn't far from the truth (considering that a kick is actually called a Bass Drum) and the kick and snare do have low frequencies pertaining to bass. Because Just Blaze was referring to all the drums. Make drums, make melodies and then make the drums harder. I know I'm a year late. lol
Chris Wellz wow take it easy bro :D
Genius.
Just Blaze is the real deal! :)
This wuz an Amazin Interview
yes.
+warnutztheloser that was some amazing spelling dude! well done
+mrtrackharrasser No Doubt Kid
Just Blaze is a fucking legend
Just got heat....
haha, Lee Hawkins seems like a cool dude!
14:55 software etc is now gamestop
very intellectual interview
I like how it's clipping the entire time.
oh!!! Video Music Box name drop = why I fox w/ Just Blaze
Just Blaze One Up
Just Blaze is a smart dude.
what he say at3:10
This shit is dope
when Blaze explains the making of a beat you get the vision that it's something made from out of this world. then when you hear the beat, it's hot, but it's no where NEAR the explanation lol. still respect dude for everything he's done though. it's just funny listening to him explain the beat making process.
Dope interview. Btw, No excuse for hating.
"What are the last 2 effects he's using on his vocals" !!!
Mainstage uses instruments from Logic.. I use Logic. I think its a great program
Blaze always gives an intricate explanation about the beats he makes. then you hear the beat and there's no complexity to it. shout out to Blaze though. keep gettin' it.
Noticed that as well but on another interview he says he only uses Logic.
The key word here is CHANT. Using the drum and chanting is a spiritual form of worshiping in Africa and African history it's tribal.
THE 'INTRO' OF ANY SONG IS THE EQUIVALENT OF THE 'FIRST IMPRESSION' , WHICH WE ALL KNOWS CARRY THE MOST WEIGHT. ITS THE INITIAL ATTENTION GRABBER. FOR INSTANCE, ANYONE WHO LIKES THE TEMPTATIONS' CLASSIC SONG, 'ITS GROWING', THE INITIAL 6 SECONDS 'INTRO' PIANO KEY NOTES ARE FOREVER STUCK INSIDE YOUR HEAD. CHECK IT OUT!
A beat is a beat simple or complicated. And he's prolly mastering his own tracks!
With out Engineers, Mixers, and masters! It's all shit! Love the craft and all those involved!
he hella look like cuba gooding jr!
UtahJazzedUp BrianB yooooo i never notice that.
fucking awesome
"Ableton" !!!
Very articulated
dudein the bowtie looks like a vampire lol
i hate they never mention the sound designing and stuff
Ableton Live!!
legend
Sounds very similar to A$ap Rocky ft. Skrillex "Wild in the night" I thought that was a cut up mix until he broke it down. :P
It looks like this was the same skeleton beat Baauer used in Kung Fu (look at the project file)
Can you say SELLOUT!
JERZEY!