Nothing Less Than Jake


The other Half Of The Legendary Conmen
Mr Jake One Himself,
One Of My Favorite Producer
Brings His Truth To The Table



The Digger Turned Super Producer who produced tracks for too many mcs
from Andre The Giant To Curtis and HIs GGGGGG Unit
Passin' By De La Soul, El Da Sensei, Freeway, SuperNat, Doom, Dilated And Many Others
Is A True Underground Artist
Who Can Hit You With A Smooth Layback West Coast Sound
As Well As A Raw Dirty New York Hip Hop Beat
Jake Is Versatile
Jake Is The Man Considered By Many
As One Of The Next Super Hot Producer To Watch This Year

You Want To Know All About
His Inner View Of The Industry
His Undefeatable Love For Music
His Album Comin' This Summer

Open Your Ears Wide.

You Got To Let 'Em Know Jake!
_________________________________

First Thing First Can You Introduce yourself to the ignorant kids?

Jake One
great collectro
from Seattle, WA.

How Long Have You Been A Hip Hop Activist?

Probably since kindergarten


Whenever the Furious Five album with "the message" came out.







What's your point of view on hip-hop culture,our culture, nowadays?
and on hip hop production? (it s all about keyboards,they gettin scared to sample)

I think the kids are still super into it but the music has changed into something most people in my generation can't really fuck with. 
There is still good records being made but you gotta search for it.

When Did You Start Diggin?

91 is when I even became aware of it.
1991 Total Eclipse

Probably didn't really go super hard until I met Preme in 95 and he put me up on game.
Jordan 95/45

Who Made You First Became a vinyl Junkie?

I've been a music fiend my entire life. My dad would take me to the stores on the Ave and he would get me a couple records when I was like 5 or 6. I remember him getting me Rick James "Street Songs" at a store on Union because I didn't cry at the dentist one time. lol






Did Supreme got you hooked on diggin?


I was already making my little beats and blindly buying records before I met him but he definitely took me under his wing and showed me a lot about diggin.


Would You Be Able To Count Your Collections?



Maybe 10K. I'm not even sure. I have em scattered in different places. I've been starting to get rid of some stuff over the years though. Running out of room.


Your favorite diggin story?

Probably driving down the bay with Moss and Attic
two super hot canadian producers
and getting stuck in a flood.

Your ugliest diggin story?

I don't think I ever take it that seriously.
Maybe making some dumb ass trades when I was younger.

Do You Still Dig Or Is It Over?

I dig if I go to a different city or country but for the most part its all about ebay,
record mania and place like that on the net these days.

Apart form records do you collect any othe stuff sneakers, whatever?

I collect sneakers but I'm trying to stop.


definitly looks like you're trying!!!

The Conmen serie which is almost ten years old (yeah we're gettin old) is still bangin in heavy rotation at home what made you decide to do this serie with supreme? what was the idea of those tapes?

I think Muro had come out with a tape and we basically wanted to do something as good as his.
I did a lot of the first one on a 4 track and burned out a lot of rare records in the process unfortunately.

I haven't heard them in years. I gotta find my copies.
well Get Them Here!!



Who Are Your Favorite Break Mix Djs?

My favorite break mix dj's are
Soulman,

Muro

and
Rev. Shines.

J Rocc

is the best I've seen playing that type of stuff live though.


And Get J-Rocc Last Tribute Mix To Dilla Here

You're still makin dope ass crates mixes like the one you did for baghat and the next one you GOT to do for masscorporation... is it your favorite type of mixes?

Its fun to go through all the records you've bought and compile em. Every record I have has some sort of memory attatched to it and the mix is like a collage of that for me.


Any chance of a conmen reunion los veteranos back in business?

I would do it. Just would have to find time to do it. I'm pretty busy working on various stuff and Preme dj's 6 nights a week.

How does it feel to be the super producer that name seems to be on everybody's lips this year? (i mean this,even non hip hop people from paris know jake one)

Its cool. I've been at it for a long time and its cool to get the accolades. Its actually not as exciting as I thought it would be. I'm more exciting about doin something from the ground up at this point after working with all these established artists.
My album that is dropping this summer
is the most complete work I've done in my career and it will be cool to stand on my own with it.


Did it changes anything in your life, I mean you're still someone easy to reach
You're still a low profile/Humble type of guy

What's up with the bling bling and bitches?


lol. I buy stupid records like Placebo instead of jewelry. I'm pretty much doin the same things that I've been doin my entire life. Playing basketball, hanging out with my friends. Lots of regular stuff. Every once in a while I go into the studio with big artists and its cool to see how the other half lives.

What Is Your Studio Configuration?

Pretty much
the ASR 10,
Pro Toolsand a bunch of vintage keyboards.



Is The Asr 10 your favorite tool for makin beats?

Definitely.


You've been producin for many sides of hip hop from young buck/50 Ggggggggg Unit

To The Unbelievable master piece rock KoKane Flow


How is it to work with a superstar like curtis/50?

It's cool to have my music exposed to the masses because of him.
I haven't actually worked side by side in the studio with him yet.


How did he get in touch with you?

Thru my manager Sha Money (xl)


After producing tracks for curtis do you sell Your beats more expensive?

Unfortunately the industry is kinda tanking right now so it's getting harder to get any money out of labels right now.

Most Of The Time, Do the Artists want something special or you make them listening to tons of beats and they pick up one?

Depends on who it is. Sometimes I make stuff specifically for a artist but for the most part I make what I feel and then figure out where it goes after.



Is it the same approach to produce for a major act like curtis
and for a more underground act like evidence weatherman lp?

Evidence choose from the same beats as 50 did for his record. I don't really think in major or underground terms. I think all my stuff sounds pretty underground even if I'm working with a mainstream artist.


Do you prefer workin with mainstream hip hop superstars or feel more comfortable with underground acts ?

It all kinda depends on the artist. I've worked with underground guys who were dickheads and mainstream artists who were cool. I just want to make something that's dope to me at this point. All the rest of it will take care of itself.

You're workin on new de la album right now am i right? What are The Other Projects You're workin' on actually? If it s not classified of course?

I've done two for the new record but they are just starting so we'll see what happens.
I don't like putting stuff out there about stuff I'm working out because you can jinx yourself.

I did two songs on the new G Unit mixtape Bodysnatchers, "Like a Dog" and "Baby Come Back".

Can You Named us your major influences in music as a producer/digger

Producer wise
Jay Dee,

Nottz
,

Denaun Porter,

Primo,

Pete Rock,

Alchemist,

Sir Jinx
,

Bomb Squad,

Dre,

I could go on forever.

What's the future of Jake one?

Putting out the "White Van Music" album this summer.
Its pretty much a big advertisement for what I do.

I got songs with
MOP,
Freeway,

Here Is A Track Of The Last Freeway Album Produced By Jake

MF Doom,


Little Brother
and many others.

One last word for the kids?

AR 5 coming soon. 100 dollar plus records only! lol

One Last For The Road
Supreme Got A Question For You:

Are You gonna take him as the dj for the Red Bull "Big Tune" beat battle tour this year?

lol. Big Tune already has a dj DV One.










Ok, So Now That You Know More About Jake
You Got To Hear More About Jake

So Here Is A Mass™ Best Of Jake Tracks

The Old To The New,The New To The Old All Classics
It's In Two Parts You Got To Get Both To Get It All
JAKE
BEATS


Plus His Dope Instrumental Lp From 2003

Tale Of The Tape

You have read this article Interview / Jake One with the title . You can bookmark this page URL https://truehiphopspot.blogspot.com/2008/02/nothing-less-than-jake.html?m=0. Thanks!

Jeez Time Goes By Fast...Happy Belated First Birthday CRDS



I was thinking that it was February 2007 when Cold Rock Da Spot first jumped on the scene, with a lean and a pocket full of green but it turns out it was January 7th 2007,sorry but I haven't had much time to do new posts lately, but I will get around to it.

Here are the links for the first four CRDS Fat Tapes

the crds fat tape volume 1

http://coldrockdaspot.blogspot.com/2007/12/happy-2008-and-first-comp-of-year.html

http://sharebee.com/b51125b0


the crds fat tape volume 2

http://coldrockdaspot.blogspot.com/2008/01/crds-fat-tape-volume-2.html

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=ZW4BKI4U

the crds fat tape volume 3

http://coldrockdaspot.blogspot.com/2008/01/crds-fat-tape-volume-3.html

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=C8J8KTK2

the crds fat tape vol 4

http://coldrockdaspot.blogspot.com/2008/01/crds-fat-tape-volume-4.html

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=ZQQOZCP0




and a MASSIVE thanks to my blogger family and all of the CRDS fans I have got to know over the year, mad props to all of my readers, you are what makes this blog what it is....so thank yourself and get your own birthday cake* haha.

Peace

Jaz

*There isn't actually any cake, I was just joking lol

Don't forget about my new Radio Show
Late Night Underground
Saturday Nights
1-3 am (New Zealand time)
www.radioactive.fm for the live feed
You have read this article CRDS Fat Tape with the title . You can bookmark this page URL https://truehiphopspot.blogspot.com/2008/02/jeez-time-goes-by-fasthappy-belated.html?m=0. Thanks!

A Soul Supreme

So I'm Back Again With This Interview thing
today I have a little talk with legendary mr supreme
half of the conmen (jake one is next on the line)
legendary beat digger with an estimated collection of approximately 60 000 pieces!

brother has an undisputed love for music

So Today Kids You Got To Learn
that it s not only about how many records you got
or how crazy you can turn a party out...

No, today it s all about soul
real original deep fried soul
so from veteranos to wheedles groove
come and take a trip inside the soul of Mister Supreme
The Man lives for music
from bein' a world reknown digger
to a prolific dee jay that make you nodge your head constantly in da clubs worldwide,
He's also a musician/producer as half of the sharpshooters (R.I.P.)
and even maintening true funk soul alive
by resurrecting classic funk bands from seattle
with the wheedle's groove project

You Got To Read This To Know The Truth
Preme Is Involved Too deep In Music 
Deeper Than You'll Ever be
26 hours a day
every day all day

It's All About Music
Supreme Music

And If You Don't Trust My Mass Words On This
Here Is A Supreme Introduction By Mr Super Producer Swizz Beatz Himself
___________________________________________________

First Thing First Can You Introduce Yourself To The Ignorant Kids?
Hello ignant kids! I am dj Mr.supreme



or simply Preme for short.





How Long Have You Been A Hip Hop activist?

Hmm... Never looked at myself that way but I guess I am.
100% purist hip hop kid (Now man) to the bone. Was exposed to the culture in 82' while visiting NYC for the summer.

What's your point of view on hip-hop culture,our culture, nowadays?

Well it has changed so much and is there anyone to blame for it? It really sucks now a days as to what most 25 and younger consider "Hip Hop". They got it twisted. I can't blame them though as in all honesty the last 20 years have been pretty bad as far as what is portrayed or shown through mainstream media. A lot of the creativity is gone due to sample laws. business etc. The culture is pretty much dead as NAS stated and has been for a while.
and on hip hop production? (it s all about keyboards,they gettin scared to sample)

I touched on that a bit in the previous statement. I mean almost eveyone thinks they are a producer now. I go to these new jack john come lately cats place and they will have a keyboard and a computer and thats it. No records at all, maybe some cds but that's it. Then play me some shitty crappy keyboard track that is god awful. Where is the soul?

When Did You Start Diggin?

I have always bought records. As a kid with my very first allowence I went to the record store and bought a record.
I bought some of my very first breaks around 84'.
Baby Huey & the Babysitters
and Bob James "Mardi Gras"

Jimmy Castor Bunch Lp

and
The Incredible Bongo band

These were my very first break records I bought at 14 years old.
Those were just beats to cut up for my bboy squad though.
I didn't know I was digging or even aware of what that was at that point.
Over the years I would buy stuff but my limit was $8 so any record that was more then that got left behind.
I noticed around 93' that a lot of the records I would see all the time were dissapearing and were no longer availabe.
Record shop owners would tell me how some japanese or british guys came in and bought every copy they had etc.
It was at that point that I started "digging" as it's known and started up'ing my $8 a record spending limit.
I started to pick stuff up because I knew if I didn't I probably wouldn't be able to down the line.
My motto at that point was get it when you can instead of I should have got that.

Your collection Is Incredibly Vast Like 60 000 Pieces or more (!!!!!!!!)
Do you have a special crib only for your crates?

Like your own private fort knox.

Funny you say that because about 4 years ago I came home one day and I felt like I lived in a fort!!! I mean the were honestly records from the floor to ceiling in every inch of the house and I had enough and couldn't live like that any longer. I went and got a storage warehouse and now it's packed floor to ceiling. I have about 1000 tops at my house now.

Soulman Credits you and beni b as the two guys who made him understand that it's not just about buying records it s all about diggin.
how deep are you involved in that diggin madness?

Pretty deep I would guess. I used to go out daily and leave early in the morning and go out hitting junk shops, etc. anywhere that had record and wouldn't get back until the middle of the night. I mean I would drive to other states and even fly to other countries. I honestly have to say that Beni B was a HUGE influence on me and so was Soulman. Those two are no joke. The only thing that has changed now is i don't even have to leave the house. just jump online and dig and trade with other djs, dealers, etc. I spend a lot of time online these days.


Who Made You First Became a vinyl Junkie?

No one really, Like I said I had been buying records since I was kid and at one point in high school while still living at my mothers place I came home and took a look at my room and it was filled with records to the point I couldn't walk in. So I guess I'm a self made monster?! Lol...
check out little preme

Who Would you credit as the father of diggin?

It has to be without no doubt
Clive Campbell aka: DJ Kool Herc and Bambaataa
They were doing this eons b4 others were.

As far as currently
DJ Shadow
is serious with his and a very good dude.

Dante Carfagna
is as well and his knowledge is out of this world.

Soulman
,

Muro
,

Gerald Short,

Keb Darge
and the list goes on.

There are a lot of cats with the illiest shit that don't get shine or people just don't know about them
like Chris Veltri from Groove Merchant.
Lots of japanese cats and so on.

Your favorite diggin story? (like the craziest one)

I have a few but the one I
will talk about here is
I was at a thrift store one day and walking towards the records and there was a mentally challenged kid in a wheelchair with a portable record player and he had a 45 in his hand.
When I got by him he dropped the needle down and "Champ" by the mohawks came on!!! I was like huh? He didn't like it and handed it to me.




your ugliest diggin story?

Not sure but i do remember I was out with Jake One one day and he said do you ever notice that thrift stores smell like shit? I said yeah they do. 5 minutes later we roll up on this thrift store and no joke, as soon as we walked in it smelled like someone had unloaded a fresh pipping hot loaf on the spot!!! It was pretty nasty man.

would you pay any price for a record?


Any? Highly doubt it. although I have no problem dropping up to a few grand for a piece I really really want now days. I did see the SALT "Hung Up" 7" for $3K but just couldn't bring myself to buy it at that price.

is there a particular record you would kill for? like the hard to find you've been dreamin of?

No. I pretty much have every single record that are MUST HAVE'S to me. However I will say I have never ever had a copy of the "Black Out" sounds of 70's lp. Although have actully had a chance to get it about ten times. I have always been a day late on that one. So if anyone can get me a copy out there please hit me up.




apart form records do you collect any other stuff
sneakers, whatever?

Yeah sneakers for sure

Blaxploitation stuff,
movie posters,
pimp books,
movies,

cazal glasses,
boomboxes,

portable record players,



45 adaptors,

stuff like that.

You're Also An Overbooked Dj Playing in many Clubs over the world Even Been To Ibiza: Yes and most def trying to again! Tell the right promoter or booking agent to holla. See the thing with me is I have done a whole lot of stuff. More then the average DJ and have never ever had a manager or a booking agent. You now have these managers and booking agents and that is why you have the same djs all the time.
Like Am, Steve 1nder, Vice,
etc.
A lot of them have the same management.
You have SKAM and few others out there who I have not contacted nor have they contacted me as of yet.
I haven't made that effort but with all that is going on with me now it's time.
I can't handle it all by myself any longer.
There is actually a dude from my city that is managing a few friends of mine and running shit in vegas.
His hands are full but he does an awesome job and I'm looking to get on with him as far as management goes. I just haven't officially got with him on it.
(you got to come to paris) I will most definetely be playing in Paris.
you produce tracks for tv shows: Yes I have tracks on different television shows and commercials. Most recently was featured on HBO's "The Wire" soundtrack.
you produced comps: Yes "Wheedles Groove" and a few others.
he also forgot to mention his absolutely remarkable disco 12" edits EP called "love saves the day"on respect records that you should definitely buy,i got two copies of this at home

you're extra prolific Huh? I am???
what is you favorite activity between all those?
Man at this point in my life it's being home.
Being able to have some peace and quiet and relax. I'm pretty busy most of the time.

Can You explain Us What Was Conception records and why did it stop?

Conception was my record label I owned and started along with 2 partners. We had a solid run and released some great stuff. We originally had a deal through Sub Pop which was famous for Nirvana and mud honey some seattle rock grunge bands. They dissolved our agreement early and we went over to Nu Gruv for distribution who went bank rupt a few months after we were with them. They owed us a lot of money and also kept a lot of our product. So it was a difficult situation and we all split up around that time. I decided it was a done deal.


you used to have that so called acid jazz band( even though i hate the term acid jazz),the sharpshooters dope funk jazz band how deep were you involved on that project?

very deep in fact 50% deep haha, it was just me and dj sureshot and that's it.

is it finished with the sharpshoooters?

Yes, he has moved to Los Angles Ca. and I still currently reside in Seattle, Wa.










Now That It's All About Soul Gorilla what's the future of soul gorilla?




We are a marketing and promotion co. as well as music fashion etc. We are working with neo soul artist Choklate who is amazing
and rap group Dyme Def

who just debuted in the billboard charts last week.








Also, doing a b-boy documentary with the world champion Massive Monkees crew.

and working on a Wheedles Groove album and documentary.


The Conmen serie which is almost ten years old (yeah we're gettin old) is still bangin in heavy rotation at home what made you decide to do this serie with jake one?

That was my man and we were always hanging out, making beats and stuff together at that time.

what was the idea of those tapes?

Really there was no idea or approach. I have always made tapes like that just for me to listen to. I think we got back from digging one day and we just did one just because!! That was volume one and that one took off so we ended up doing 5 all together.
We just wanted some ill shit to listen to. It's amazing when we look about at how far ahead of time they were, I mean a lot of that shit hadn't been sampled or disovered yet.

you're still makin dope ass crates mixes like the one you did for baghat

and the next one you GOT to do for masscorporation... is it your favorite type of mixes?

Yeah it is by far my favorite type of mixes because I personally love the breaks and samples so much. I have no problem dropping a Masscorp. exclusive at all........

any chance of a Conmen reunion los veteranos back in business?

Not sure but probably not. As you grow older with families and responsibilites it's just not as easy as it was back then when we just had the time to do it and it was more of a hobby. Jake One is a super producer right now from everyone like 50 cent, de la soul to mary J. Blige, freeway etc. Plus he has an album dropping. he is that dude. I'm proud of him and always knew had a great talent and ear for it. But you never know. I actually want to start doing some dj stuff with him soon. maybe the both of us will come to paris or something?



Can You Named us your major influences in music
as a producer/digger?

Marley Marl and DJ Premier
first and foremost.

Then
Pete Rock, large Pro


and a handful of others.

you were planning to actually re-record the original artists from wheedles what's up with that project?

Yeah in fact that album is actually almost finished. There is gonna be a dvd that comes with and that is the video sample of the you tube that is posted here above. Here is a track from that project:


It's pretty ill. Ural Thomas is on it. The Hill bros. Patrinell Staton, Ron Buford. It's really an amazing line up.


what's the future of mr supreme?

I think no matter what I will always collect records that is never gonna change. I will probably dj for a year or two more then quit going at the rate I am now and just do a few events a year and enjoy life.


one last word for the kids?

Do your homework on this stuff. I know it's ALL available very easy on the internet now. Which is great becuase you can find and enjoy great music. Just do what you can to learn and know about it and preserve it and save it from oblivion.

shoutouts?

Anyone that has ever supported me, influnced me and provided me with great music/records. All the usual suspects. And the person that took the time to read this. That would be you!


and since next on the line for this interview is your long time partner jake one do you have a question you would like to ask him even an ugly one?
Haha, yeah I have a great one! Ask him if he is gonna take Mr.Supreme as the dj for the Red Bull "Big Tune" beat battle tour this year


Some Mixes By Supreme And Jake One Will Come Later On these days
even though you can find some in here already
rememeber it s all about diggin...
You have read this article Interview / Mr Supreme with the title . You can bookmark this page URL https://truehiphopspot.blogspot.com/2008/02/a-soul-supreme.html?m=0. Thanks!