You are in: HOME
| Who needs the Mekanix? |
|
|
|
| by Minister of Information JR | |
| Tuesday, 12 June 2007 | |
 Tweed the Great and Dotrix 4000 of The Mekanix at a recent photo shoot A lot of today’s Bay Area rappers are rapping over “scraper music,” when they need to be trying to do like Beyonce and upgrade to at least some “Cadillac or Lexus bump,” because dope lyrics without a slappin’ beat equals a dud. That’s why we had to feature the Mekanix, because a lot of the new local music on KMEL, KYLD, KPOO and KPFA needs some work, so y’all musicians out there might want to spend some change and get some “go-fessionals” to work on the engines to your songs. The Mekanix are one of the top production squads in Bay Area Hip Hop, made up of Dotrix 4000 and Tweed tha Great. I’ve known these dudes a long time, and their music has always slapped. And like V. White said in a past interview, they don’t be having “no guff ball shit.” A lot of times, producers like to get so creative wit’ their beats that they lose the streets. This has not happened to D.O.T. and Tweed, who have dope and innovative sound formulas that keep you guessing about what kind of equipment they are using, and have super long resumes, which make up a who’s who of the Bay Area rap scene, past and present alike. I wanted to do this interview because we rarely get to hear from producers, because they’re the non-talking half of hit songs, so I had to give voice to the Mekanix, who have been the silent partners on hella hood hits over the years. Check out the Dotrix 4000, as he gives us a little history and info on what the Mekanix have been working on, in and under the hood ... MOI JR: How did the production squad known as the Mekanix start? D.O.T.: In 1999 we both worked on a project with a local artist, and we both admired each other’s styles and said we would collaborate at a later date. In 2000, we hooked up and produced from top to finish “The Hittaz” on the Payroll`s debut album, “Ghetto Storm.” It was then that we figured we needed a name for us both to produce under; thus began The Mekanix. MOI JR: As a producer, what is more important to the ears of youngstas today, in your opinion, the beats or the lyrics and why?  The Mekanix: Tweed and D.O.T. MOI JR: Who are some of the artists that y’all are working with now, as well as in the past? D.O.T.: As of right now, of course J Stalin is our artist, and we have an R&B singer by the name of Nate. Artists that we have worked with recently include Beeda Weeda, G Stack of The Delinquents, Kaz Kyzah of The Team, Eddie Projex, Velquan, Esinchill, Askari X, Heem Team, Jimmie Reign. In the past, we have worked with everyone from Digital Underground, The Mob Figgaz, The Luniz, Keak da Sneak, T Luni of Cydal, Mystic, Chris Webber, Dru Down, Mac Dre, PSD, Pretty Black, FM Blue, Mistah FAB, Laroo, Casual, Planet Asia, Big Rich, San Quinn, Messy Marv, Bavgate and a host of other artists. The list goes on and on. MOI JR: Who are y’all’s top five producers in Hip Hop? Why? D.O.T.: #1 Timbaland, #2 Dr. Dre, #3 Battlecat, #4 Rick Rock, #5 The Neptunes. We love a lot of producers; this is just off the top of the brain. Why? They all have their own styles and push the envelope to create new shit, not just one hit wonders. MOI JR: What is next for The Mekanix? D.O.T.: The Mekanix’ debut album, “The Monkeywrench,” the Zoo Ent/Demolition Men mixtape, “Unda the Hood,” The Go Boyz album, “Everything Must Go,” featuring J. Stalin and Kaz Kyzah, “Nate” the EP, the new J. Stalin album, “The Prenumptual Agreement.” We just wrapped up G Stack presents albums, The Dotrix album, “The Diktator,” Eddie Projex’ album, a Husallah album, Vellquan`s “A Bible” and four or five videos, a couple of documentaries and a couple of other surprises. MOI JR: How do the people stay in contact wit’ you? D.O.T.: www.myspace.com/thaMekanix or holla at Kenny Tweed at the club. Serious inquiries can call Zoo Ent at (510) 485-1519. P.S. If it don’t make dollars, it don’t make sense. Shout outs to Block Report Radio, the whole Zoo Ent and staff, G Stack the Purple Mane and the whole Yay Area! One! Email POCC Minister of Information JR at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , and listen to the Block Report at hiphopwarreport.com or myspace.com/blockreportfilm. |
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
