MADCIPHAS - PRODUCERS

STREET LEVEL PRODUCTIONS

Mad Ciphas sat down with up and coming producers, Marcus and Nick reppin= Street Level Productions from Sweden (Europe) and we discussed their whole history, movement and what the future holds for them. Get familiar with their name because you will definitely hear a lot about them in the near future.

What's good Street Level Productions?
A lot of things are going in the right direction with the music. We're doing great stuff with St. Laz & Pottersfield and also teaming up with you guys for a Mixtape that's going to be fire. It's beautiful.

Why did ya'll choose the name Street Level Productions?
We had a record store from mid >90s to 2000 that was called Street Level Records. We started that store because we felt none of the stores that existed could deliver and keep the good quality Hip Hop in stock. A lot of Hip Hop legends like Lord Finesse, Pete Rock, Biz Markie & people like Dilated Peoples and DJ Evil Dee came by to pick up records and they all gave us mad props for the concept of the store, which was to keep quality Hip Hop in stock no matter if it was new/old/indi or major also old soul, funk, jazz and breakbeat records. So when we started to make beats together in >99 it was natural to keep the name Street Level.

When and how did you guys meet?
We met each other through mutual friends around '84. Actually, the first time we met was in a break battle with some of Nick=s friends. Than we noticed that we both had the same love for the music.

What made you want to work together?
We have a solid friendship and the same love for the music.

Who were your influences growing up?
We both where in to Grandmaster Flash, Cold Crush and the whole old school era but production wise the first influences was Marley Marl & the whole Juice Crew, Bomb Squad, Native Tongues, DJ Premier, Dr. Dre, Pete Rock, RZA, DITC, EPMD. Also, DJ Cash Money and Jazzy Jeff were huge influences on Nick since he is DJ as well.

What is the underground Hip Hop scene, if any, like in Sweden and in Europe?
Unfortunately it is pretty dead; there are some people that are doing their thing.
We didn't like the direction the scene was going some years ago so we took distance from it to do our own thing. The scene in France is big and in the UK there is a new generation of emcee=s with their unique style.

How does the overseas Hip Hop scene compare to that of the United States?
It wouldn't be right of me to compare it since I haven=t been to well connected with it the last years, but every now and then you hear something good. Of course it's influenced by Hip Hop in the US because that is where it originated from and people grew up on. Some people try to put another twist to it but it tends to fall short.

What kind of equipment do you use to make beats?
MPC 2000 XL, Records, live Bass and some plug ins.

What routine do you get into before you start a beat?
We listen to a lot of good music everything from '60s Soul, Jazz, Funk, Rock and new Hip Hop.

Do you use sample in your beats?
Yes

If so, what do you look for in a sample?
Emotions, if it touches the soul we use it. It could just be a piano sound to a big loop that we chop into pieces.

Which artists have you worked with?
St. Laz & Pottersfield, Joell Ortiz, 354 (D-Block), Tajal (Hieroglyphics), Half-A-Mil (R.I.P.), Garcia (Miami), and UN and Vice Raw. Props to St. Laz, who helped to get a lot of emcee=s on our beats.

Which artist collaboration are you most proud of?
Were proud of all of the above but to have a verse from Half-A-Mil (R.I.P.) it=s an honor. If he would have been alive and with the right machine behind him, he would have been huge. Props to St. Laz again. We're doing an album with St. Laz & Pottersfield that's going to be fire.

Which artists would you like to work with in the future?
Saigon, Nas, Jadakiss, Ludacris, Papoose, Tru Life, Eminem, MOP,
Ghostface, Mary J. Blige, Jay-Z and an emcee called Godwon from the south. The list could go on and on. We really like to work with up and coming artists that are hungry.

Who are the nicest emcees out in Sweden?
My man Ale got mad potential if he just focuses. Also, Form One and Ken.

How about the nicest emcees out in Europe?

Can't give a fair answer on this one but Dizzie Rascal (UK) is nice.

How did ya'll find out about Mad Ciphas?
I read an interview about ya'll on a site called Hitquarters.com.

What about the Mad Ciphas movement made ya'll want to work with us?
You gave us mad love from our first contact, fast and professional response. The whole movement feels like a positive thing for Hip Hop and like I said before we like to work with up and coming artists and ya=ll got that covered.

What's coming up for SLP in 4-5 years from now?
It=s better to keep quiet on this one; otherwise it is not going to happen. All we can say is that we going to be one of the solid production team on top of this game.

For more information on Street Level Productions (SLP) or if you want to buy beats holla at us at slp@madciphas.com.

If you would like to be featured in our up and coming producers section and you are looking for exposure send us your beats for review to our New York office address; Stalin c/o Mad Ciphas, PO Box 264, New York, NY 10034 or for more information contact us at info@madciphas.com.