Block Mccloud Interview
Block Mccloud is a Co-CEO of Producer/artist for Brooklyn Academy Productions Inc. He is a Brooklyn Born Serial Killer that loves big butts and beer, blunts and beats.. Basically, he loves Hip Hop.
Let’s give our readers who may not be too familiar with Block Mccloud some background. First, where did the name Block Mccloud come from?
Block is short for Buildin Block which was my first name in the game, you may have heard my on the Lyricist lounge Album Vol. 1. “Cypher Outside the Lounge” and “Famous Last Words” with my group, WordA’ Mouth. Mccloud is from the movie “The Highlander” on account I’m always high and my lyrics are immortal, classic material.
How would you define your style?
You can’t, that’s the beauty of it, although my voice is quite unique. Basically I’m wit, intelligence , stupidity and ignorance, with a touch of adobo for flavors. I’m known for insulting the shit out of people. I’ve been compared to Big Pun, Nas, and Tupac.
How did you get into producing?
Necessity. We was working on a demo back in the day and the engineers kept falling asleep cause we’d work till 6 am no problem. Every time they passed out, me and Will Tell would take over the boards and bang out a song. That’s where it all started, then we just invested in equipment cause we got tired of renting. Now we have two Pro tools studios, one in Brooklyn, one in Staten Island.
Can you break down your science of production a little bit and what is involved in the making of a Block Mccloud beat?
Fire and Rain. Passion and Pain. That’s what goes into each beat. My beats tend to be theatrical, probably why we’re getting a lot of work on TV and in Movieland.
How would you describe Block Mccloud sound to those unfamiliar with your music?
Melodic Medieval Madness, that’s how and the beats POP.
How radio-friendly do you want to be, while you’re producing in the studio? How clean do you want it?
I’m not really thinking radio anymore. What’s radio. Most of it sucks. I naturally tend to make catchy songs and choruses. They call me Captain Hook. Done stuff for Jean Grae, Thirstin Howl and Sadat X Soul Purpose, Diabolique, and of course, Brooklyn Academy and Word a Mouth, Pumpkin Head. Never ever clean, that’s what edits are for.
How hard has it been to reach the point where you can call hip-hop your 9 to 5?
Put it like this, I still can’t, doggy. I’m still hustling side jobs, manual labor shit, and dealing to keep the boat afloat, although things are finally starting to click and there are enough things on the table to look forward to where we will be very comfortable, it’s been 15 years brother. Like my partner Will says” I paid so much dues I’M BROKE!”
What’s it like when you dig up a sample and before you can get it out there you hear another producer sample the same track?
That always sucks, matter fact recently Mobb Deep did it with that “Blinded me with science” sample. That one hurt cause I dreamed the beat before I made it and then a month or two later, I heard it on the radio.
What kind of equipment did you use to record?
Right now I’m rocking with Reason and Recycle but I also use the Triton, ASR, and I’ve used the MPC 2000XL, EPS, and MC50 sequencer.
What parts of the song do you start with when making music?
Usually a melody original stuff or Sample, then the drums. Sometimes I flip the script though.
What do you believe are your strengths and weaknesses production wise?
My strength and my weakness is that I’m complicated and deep. Some beats are mad busy and it works but in hip hop I’ve found that the KISS theory always works best. Keep It Simple Stupid.
How much does a Block Mccloud beat go for?
Depends on the buyer, although our rate never goes below a G, we understand that every deal is different and some artists have access to a greater budget than others. You gottah stand your ground though, friends may get the G price but I just charged a good friend $5000 per beat because I knew the budget was there and wouldn’t really hurt em.
Have you noticed a growth in your work as a producer?
Definitely, working with a bunch of great producers around me, like Will Tell and Black Panther, has given me a great environment and exposure to constant banging beats. Our company is tight and that lil friendly competition keeps everyone on point and constantly growing as producers.
Out of all the tracks you’ve released, can you pinpoint one or two as particular favorites?
I’d have to say “Nothin U Could Do” off the Ecko Unltd/Open Mic released Underground Airplay Vol.1 CD and Skeme Team’s Hidden Agenda album. The beats on the latter album were mad dark and hardcore and are tracks that im particularly proud of. For those people out there that have never heard Block Mccloud, what would you personally recommend? I recommend they go to Sandbox Automatic and look up Brooklyn Academy, Skeme Team and The Will Tell Comps. Also check out my single I did through Uncle Howie Records feat. Killah Priest, Jean Grae and Pumpkinhead .
Tell us about the Will Tell Compilations, how did they pop off and should we expect more?
When will and I merged companies we basically decided to release united production compilations so you may not, but the newer versions are under the titles “Soundscam”( never released exclusives)”Academy Awards”(Classic material) and “Academics”(a lot of featured artists). All are produced exclusively by Will Tell , Black Panther and Block Mccloud.
What’s a typical day in the life of Block Mccloud. What do you like to do in your spare time when you’re not in the studio or touring?
I spend every possible free second with my son Lil leg-o and my daughter Isabella…and of course Mrs.Mccloud.
Any last words or shout outs?
First of all thank you for trusting me around your women, Just want to thank those that have loved and hated me in the past, both are a fuel that feeds my Desire to destroy you. I will eat your children and cook your pets. It’s the quiet before the Storm. Mccloud is forming. Brooklyn Academy for ever!!!
EL.FIN
Online:
myspace.com/blockmccloud
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