New School with a Tru Skool soul is the only way to describe this upcoming PA DJ turned Beatsmith. With Influences like Premo and the knack to bang beats catching instant headnods, its no wonder why they call him DJ ILL Skill. Having won the February edition of the iStandard Producers Showcase in Philly, ILL Skill tells the people why he makes beats and elaborates on some advice that RZA once gave that keeps him motivated.
What’s up DJ Ill Skill, tell the readers a little bit about yourself and what you do.
1st I wanna say thanks for the opportunity. Ive been DJ’ing for 6 years now and always wanted to be a DJ throughout high school. Originally I am from NY and moved to PA around the age of 10. Being a native New Yorker just taught me alot, because when I was comin up it was during the early 90′s things in hip hop were just gettin started. Especially for NY hip hop. So as a listener and having access to dope records and cats who would put me on to new shit, I just feel like my listening experience is so broad that it allows me to be versatile when I produce. Ive been making beats for 4 year come June. But without being a DJ 1st I would have never produced.
Congratulations on winning the March edition of the Philly iStandard Producer showcase, how’s was the response been in regards to your music and what have you been working on since?
Wheew, im gonna have to be blunt on this one. I haven’t heard a peep from anyone at all! Not one email or call. But the response at the show was more than I could’ve asked for. The thing is Ive been crafting my skills for 3-4 years not playing anyone shit, except my close peeps who encouraged me to enter this battle. So never playing shit in front of people I was a little intimidated but when I got up on stage things felt right. I thought if I didnt see people nodding their heads, they just didn’t get where I was going, but instead people gave applause so I couldnt have been more happier. Thats the reason I do this shit. I want to draw emotion out of people. Right now the game is flooded with the keyboard sound so for me to come in with some other shit and be felt, I couldn’t ask for more. But for now I’ve been paying my dues, making beats in my room as if the contest never took place, I got way more heat on the way. The catalog is deep. RZA once said…’even if aint nobody buyin your beats yo, it dont mean nothing, cause when they start buyin’em, you gonna have a 100 to sell, believe me’. Thats something I live by…i’ll be back!
As a new producer, what are some of the frustrations you have with trying to get into the industry?
Getting into the industry is tough, no question. I love this shit till the death. If I never make it, i’ll still be up in my room making beats, and thats on the real. If others choose not to recognize the skill then theres nothing I can do but try and convince them. Without opportunities like iStandard Producer, J-Hatch and Don Di Napoli, I would still be just another guy who makes beats. Not having any outlet is what I think makes it tough. Espeically for us producers its either you know someone of stature who can help boost your career or you have something like iStandard. What makes it tough too is that there are too many people who ‘make beats’. Before I started doing beats I knew like 3-4 people that made beats, now I know 20 and everyday someones tryin to add me on myspace sayin they make beats. With everyone grasping for the same goal and flooding the gates its tougher for those who have something to get ahead.
I know your a young dude with an old soul, your a tru hip hop guy, who were some of your musical influences that made you follow this career path?
I dont want to sound cliche, but when I was in the 10th grade, which was 10 years ago (1998) this year, I was a DJ Premier stan. Premier was releasing so much material during those years of 94-2000 I didnt have enough money to keep up with the releases (Thank god for blank cassettes, what you know about that??). He just had this sound that captured what a hip hop was supposed to sound like. If I had to show someone who never listened to hip hop what dope beat sounded like, I would always play them some Premier shit. His cutting style and technique over the tracks is what influenced me to become a DJ. When he cut ‘Da Youngstas’ on Mass Appeal….that shit was so crazy to me. As DJ now I realize how much finesse it takes to really complete those cuts. Primo’s scratching is what got me into DJing and his slamming beats are what got me into making my own. From 94-2000 if I saw a release with DJ Premier’s production on it, I bought the artists whole album. You knew you were copping some ill hip hop. But without DJ Premier you might not of ever heard of me! Premier inspires me to do what I do, even the new shit.
Picture a celebrity beat battle, pick the winners.
Premo vs Pete Rock
Aww this is tough….shit…Prem got’em I think, the slamming drum pattern might take P-rizzle out
Large professor VS J Dilla
Wheeew….Large P or Dilla, this is my freebie, I’m callin it a draw. This 1 is too tough
Swizz VS Dre
Swizzy depending on what day he bumps into Dre. 1990 Dre might give swizzy a run for his money.
Timberland VS Palow the don
Timbo got’em…Palow has some joints but Timberland has that vet experience he would turn it up.
If you had 1 perfect track, tell me 3 emcees you have to have on it?
Nas, Pharohe Monch, and Scarface or OC
What are you currently working on?
Always workin on new beats…get at me!
Where can people find you online?
imd93@hotmail.com
www.myspace.com/dj_illskill (Personal Myspace)
or
www.myspace.com/illskillbeats (My beats)
Any shouts?
Scarecrow, The CEO, Elementree, Real Deal, Jimmy Jam and the rest of the fam.
Dope interview fam! iLL skiLL is that Realnezz