Haastattelussa East Palo Alto -tuottaja-räppäri ProHoeZak (ent. C-Funk), joka kuului Rated X -räppiryhmään. Hän julkaisi debyyttialbuminsa ‘I’m Out 2 Stoages’ vuonna 1992. ProHoeZak on tuottanut hittejä muun muassa Snoop Doggille, Sean-T:lle ja Celly Celille.
- What’s up, ProHoeZak? How are you today?
I’m doing great! Feelin’ clean, like the vaccine.
- Where are you from and how was life growing up?
I’m from East Palo Alto, California. As far as how life was growing up there, I feel it was pretty cool, but at times pretty tense considering it was the murder capital back in 1992. Being in the middle of crossfire, seeing friends get killed and locked up was pretty stressful, but I seemed to come out on top. Shit, we’re from the same city as Stanford College, so you know that wasn’t going to last long.
- Do you remember around the age that you started to explore music?
I started at 10 years old, getting piano lessons from my favorite uncle, Clarence. This is where it all started back in 1980.
- What did you start doing first, producing or rapping?
Pop locking, DJing, rapping, and then producing.
- For those who have not heard your music before, how would you describe your sound?
You can’t really describe my sound; I am a multi-genre entertainer. Hip hop, R&B, and Rock. I’ve been in the game for 33 years. I’ve seen and done it all.
- Who influenced you most as a producer?
It’s too many to say, but I will say I was coming up when hip hop started, so I was working with some of the greats already in the background. Like my longtime friend, the late Greg Hump (Shock G/Humpty) Jacobs, my cousin Flavor Flav, etc. I had my first record deal when I was 18 and produced my first album, Rated X (And Then Came), plus many for that particular record label in my young years. I would say I was an influencer at the same time I was being influenced and working with the greats.
- Where do you find most inspiration? Any new perspectives coming out of quarantine?
My kids are my inspiration. As far as the quarantine goes, I got some hibernated slappers in the vault, pandemically speaking.
- Can you tell us a little about your studio set-up?
It’s got a pretty nice mothership of equipment and devices. I am sponsored by AKAI, so I use all of their products such as the MPCX, Live I & II. I produce with multiple DAWs such as Reason 12, FL Studio, Logic Pro, Pro Tools, and Maschine Studio. I have Behringer synthesizers, analog drum machines, and a Moog that Snoop Dogg got me, along with a shitload of VSTs.
- How was it to work with Snoop Dogg?
Put it like this: Snoop Dogg is the coolest artist I’ve ever worked with in my 33 years of producing, and I’ve worked with the best. He’s a great dude and very down to earth. I’ve waited 20-plus years to work with this man, and now it’s paying off.
- Which have been your most memorable moments in your musical career so far?
When I performed on Jay Leno and Good Morning America back in 2003 when I was in the rock group Sugar Ray.
- Aside from music, what sorts of things are you into?
I own a few businesses, from clothing to cannabis. I broker many deals in scrap metal and consult for some clients.
- What is your next big project? Any big plans coming up?
I have many production projects and artists I am working with, such as Mount Westmore, Snoop & Def Jam’s Project Algorithm, Kurupt, Daz, DJ Quik, E-40, Suga Free, Kokane, Too Short, Lil Duval, Teddy Riley, and my own compilation.
- Any last words?
Yes, if anyone is looking for beats, go to my website https://www.beatsbypro.com and check out my clothing line ‘Location Unknown.’ Follow me on Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter under the name ProHoeZak. PS. Stay away from my baby momma!
Haastattelu: J-P / Fileerausveitsi
