Music Producer, Apollo Brown
Tonight is the night the people decide who’s champ. Not just for the new regime in Detroit politics but more importantly for all his supporters, Apollo Brown descends upon the Atlanta Opera Night Club stage at the Red Bull Big Tune 2009 Finals to show how the Detroit flava knocks for blocks and blocks from the boombox. Wondering if he’ll lose out to an 8-0-8 kick-driven-lovin-audience, Brown does not plan on changing his vintage “sound” simply to appease the masses. Instead, he wants to win on his good merits alone, like something we call skills. Before he left to parlay in the “A” on last Friday, Apollo Brown graciously took time out from his busy schedule to kick it with The Detroit Hip Hop Examiner, Lilmissdottie:theWordStylist.
Red Bull Big Tune 2009 Nationals in ATL
Was this your first time entering the Red Bull Big Tune competition?
AB: No, this was actually my second time. I entered last year as well for the 2008 competition. I was put out in the 2nd round though. It was my first time and I didn’t know what to expect, so I don’t think I brought the right selection of beats.
How did you get the name Apollo Brown?
AB: After a 2 year hiatus of not making any music at all, I decided to get back on it. I was discouraged and unmotivated for a long time with the route that the sound of hip hop was going, so I basically quit this sh*t. When I decided to start back at it, I wanted a new name to start fresh with. I entered a beat showcase in ’06 as Apollo Brown and it stuck. Apollo is the Greek God of music and Brown is just strong last name. I wanted a moniker that was more like an actual name. Detroit emcee “Finale” actually helped my name decision.
How did you get started producing?
AB: I started playing around with “making beats” back in 1997-98 on this Windows 98 manipulation software called Voyetra. I always had a weird love for the actual sound of the music. While everyone would say “that song was dope”, I would be saying “that snare and that sample was dope”. I graduated to making music on Cool Edit 2000(a program not made for production) with my old production partner Bronze Nazareth. We taught each other and challenged ourselves on how to get better. I still considered myself a “bedroom beat maker” though. I didn’t start getting serious and actually “producing” music until around 2003 when my catalogue was healthy.
Who were your major influences when you started?
AB: DJ Premier was my ultimate influence in music. He is the GOAT to me when it comes to production. Hard drums, thick chops, static, and that timeless boom bap sound is what I gravitate towards. I also looked up to legends like Pete Rock, Dilla, Da Beatminerz, and DJ Muggs.
Who are some of your major influences now?
AB: I still have the same influences that I had when I started. I can add a few to the list that have come on the scene more recently like 9th Wonder, Alchemist, and Black Milk.
How did you begin to prepare for the regional battle?
AB: I didn’t really prepare too much. I had no motivation to even make beats at the time. I was actually in a 3 month hiatus when the battle came up and I had to force myself to make a couple joints for it. Mainly just play some beats I already had in my catalogue.
When did you have that feeling that you were going to win the Regional competition in Detroit?
AB: Before the battle, I watched the crowd come in to try to figure out what type of music they were nodding their heads too. Jeezy or Gucci Mane would come on and cats would go crazy. As soon as Dilla or Nas came through the speakers, everyone was back to talking with their people. I was like, damn, I have no chance! That’s real hip hop to me. I didn’t think I had a chance of winning until I realized that the crowd took to my sound. By the 3rd round, I felt I was in a zone.
Has anything major happened to you since you won the Regional battle?
AB: I’ve been working with a lot of artists that are making noise in the game. I don’t think it was because of the battle though. But since the battle, I’ve signed a couple deals and met a few people in the industry that will be instrumental in my career real soon. Hopefully Apollo Brown will be a household name soon among those who listen to real hip hop. Stay tuned….jpg)
What was the winning beat?
AB: There’s really no one winning beat. Each round consists of 2 beats and a possible 3rd for a tie breaker. The crowd decides based on the beats and energy as a whole.
What inspires you to craft a track?
AB: I get inspired by hearing some good hip hop. Good music makes me want to go to the lab and create something. I get even more inspired when I come across a real nasty sample to chop up.
What are some of the misconceptions about hip hop producers?
AB: I don’t know, that’s a good question. I think misconceptions are different for each producer and their reputation.
How have you been preparing for the finals?
AB: Preparing for the finals was basically the same as preparing for the Detroit battle. I just have a little more motivation now. I made about 6 new joints to take with me to Atlanta. Alot of people were wondering if I would change my style up for Atlanta though. Ummm, hell no. Atlanta, being the “commercial” capital that it is, is going to GET some of this hard, static-filled, boom bap Detroit sh*t that I got, even if it is just for one round! There are no snaps here
If and when you win the finals, one of the perks is to record with an A-list emcee. Who are your top choices?
AB: Last year, C-Sick picked Nas to record with at Red Bull studios. To be honest, if I won the Red Bull this year, I would pick Nas as well. When Illmatic first came out, I was fortunate enough to buy the album off the shelves. That album was crazy influential in not only hip hop but in the way I listen to music. My choice is obviously not money motivated at all, it’s the nostalgia and the chance to work with a legend in the game.
In Cleveland by way of Detroit City, I’m in my second childhood. I go by the moniker of Apollo Brown. I produce songs, not "beats". I'm not a fan of commercial music; can you even call it hip hop anymore? I love grittiness in my sound, a little static is even better, and I firmly believe that the starving artist is the best artist. Creating habitually good music for about 8 or 9 years now, I've seen alot, heard alot, met alot, and haven't been impressed with alot. It's just me and my ear, my ear and my music. I've produced for alot of cats whose names I’ll leave blank for now but currently working on some Producer/Emcee collectives around the way in and outside of Detroit. I concentrate on making the type of sound that "I" like, the sound from my favorite era of hip hop, 1991-1996. In my 28 years of age, my mood changes, and I create whatever comes to mind. I don't have much to say so I speak through music that I call "wordless testimony". Whether grimy, hard, or feel good music, my sh*t is gonna speak to you. And 10 times out of 10, you're gonna wanna speak back in some way, shape, or form. Yeah, I guess it does sound cocky, but being that I'm my number one critic, I guess i'll hold the title as being my number one fan. I like to sample any and everything that grabs me. I like to chop, cut, and filter samples to make my own melodies. I hate "keyboard beats" with a passion! I make music to incite the scrunch face and the natural head nod motion, NO, I don't want you to dance. I make music to provoke the talented MC's thought process, not his woman's new 2 step…
For more info: Follow us on Twitter as we reveal tonight's Red Bull Big Tune 2009 Naitonal Finals winner from the road to Atlanta. www.twitter.com/apollobrown or www.twitter.com/lilmissdottie
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