Mazaroddi - US Hip-Hop Producer Interview

September 2009

Interview with Mazaroddi, a hip-hop producer from New York who is also the CEO of Crimestreet Records. In 2008 Mazaroddi and Crimestreet Records won the Upper State Independent Awards and have been tipped as a crew to keep your eyes on!

How did you get into the hip-hop scene?

I was born into hip-hop, still is hip-hop and will leave this world hip-hop!

When I was young my cousins from the east-side of town had a crew called the Koolin Out Crew (K.O.C.), they had a nice buzz did a lot of shows in the hood and for sorority groups on the Syracuse Campus. They opened up for various locals and majors like Run-Dmc. I rolled with them hardbody watching and learning more about music and doing shows.

I understand you used to rap with a crew called M.O.C. during the late 1980's?

M.O.C. was formed and based from K.O.C. but meant The Mello Out Crew, the DJ from K.O.C. (DJ Rapp Skii) rocked with us, he also is my cousin.

Where does the name Mazaroddi come from?

LOL… I hear that a lot because there's a rapper named "Maserati Fox" but growing up I had so many names:

• Roddi B
• Roddi Bazzare
• Roddi Rod
• Roddi Beats
• Beat Grinda

The Roddi thing was sticking and when I started making beats I wanted sumthing flashy, like beatsmiths names are spunky they stand out, so I just came up with Mazaroddi Music.

How long have you been making music and what made you get into production?

Aww man, it's funny because there were groups everywhere back then! Battles every weekend! What made us kinda different? Brothers would rock off two instrumentals on turntables but my cousin A.D. (Alphonso Davis) was big on drum machines, TR-909 KOSS and DR 808's, so he would make all the beats DJ Rush (a.k.a. Chris Millhouse R.I.P.) would scratch and write all the rhymes. Originally I rapped but after Chris's death M.O.C. split, A.D. went into the military and it was just me… that was like 1986.

I fell off for a long time but stayed close to my cus Rapp-Skii and when K.O.C. broke he was still djing and I was his record man, like I used to flip the records for him when he needed them.

In 2000 I bought a small drum machine, nothing major, a DR GROOVE 202 LOL… I still got it. Then in 2004 I attended School Of Hearts for production and I was back… so I would say since 2004.

How would you describe your sound?

My sound always has a drummy sound, I'm big on drums… I like the MPC!

What are your musical influences?

Lord Finesse, Pete Rock… aww man, too many to name! Right now I like Fab, Nas and Kiss.

You are now the CEO of Crimestreet Records, when did you start this label up and which artists do you currently represent?

To me it wasn't really a label but people kept saying we move and act as a label. I guess we started in like 2005, that's when I built my studio and I rep all the talent around me… I work with everybody if they are willing to work with us!

How hard has it been to set up your own label?

It's kind of tuff… just a few out the crew put in footwork and I did a lot of reading, networking, distributing, etc on my own.

Man it's tuff, but it's fair! Being that me and my wife run a t-shirt business I have a sense of how to talk to people and run a business, it's fun and it's a learning process.

What has the publics response been like for the label and its releases so far, are you recieving airplay and support in the clubs?

There's a few DJ's that love Crimestreet's work and they still play joints. People thought I was crazy because I would get phone calls saying "They playing your song" and I would be like "ok". I don't go out much but my people that do, they hear it! And yes, we had sum airplay on Z-89's "Ear To The Streets" show hosted by DJ Runnamuck at 6 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays nights.

I believe the story behind Crimestreet Records is a little different in that you run a non-profit studio and have even funded shows and CD's for people with your own money? Do you have any reasons behind why you do this and do you recieve any help from anyone else?

I think the real reason behind this is that I never looked at it as a label, I think it turned into that over time. I worked with mainly family and it started growing and growing, in which a group was kinda formed… we started turning heads and networking which got us to Manhattan. We were promoted by All Biz Microphone Bully, he heard our music and invited us out. We did 2 shows in Manhattan.

Money was never really a issue because I showed them how to flip the music so we would make money back off our cd's and music.

If anyone out there wants to get involved somehow, either musically or financially, how can they get hold of you?

My e-mail is always a good option (jerrodblackmon@gmail.com) and i have several sites:

• Mazarrodi - MySpace
• Mazarrodi - MySpace
• Mazaroddi - Twitter
• Mazaroddi - Facebook

I have read a story about how you tried to bring two rival gangs together in 2005 through music with a CD called "Hood 2 Hood", are you able to tell us a little about that?

Wow, how can I make this short? I can't!!! We had a rash of violence going on, I wouldn't really call them gangs so I'll say hoods and one of my cousins was from the other hood but he could rap… he was nice. I was trying to figure out a way to stop the violence. There was crazy talent from my hood and their hood and I knew that a lot of young guns expressed themselves through music so what better way to do this with free beats and studio time?!? I stepped to them with the idea to make peace through music and it partially worked. Some of the cats didn't want to come to the studio because of where it was located but some did and I got tracks from the others… "Hood 2 Hood" was formed.

Is gang rivalry still a big problem is some parts of the States and New York?

Actually, I'm from Upstate N.Y. and they tried 2 label these kids as gangs but really it was just family who grew up together in different parts of the city… hoods from what I gather. Young guns would just protect their hood which would result in violence.

At the end of 2008 Crimestreet Records won the "Upper State Independent Awards", has that award led on to other things yet?

I think the award got us recogonised more, people were saying "These cats are really talented". As for me as a producer, I started really getting noticed because the award drew people to listen more and I always did 98% of the production, mixing, recording… you name it. I did notice other artists wanting to collaborate more, checking my beats and wanting production.

Have you ever worked with, or do you have any plans to work with any artists from overseas?

I have received a couple collaboration offers. This cat name Young Woods, he's from South-East Amsterdam in the Netherlands and he's on the "Ride Out Remix" the on the "Unfinished Business" album.

I also did a track with a young lady by the name of Carlene Graham and she's from London, United Kingdom

I feel some of the new stuff should not be labeled as hip-hop, they should come up with their own name and identity leaving hip-hop for what it is and has grown to become!

Mazaroddi

What are your feelings on the hip-hop scene in the US at the moment?

I don't know, it's hard to tell. I think that the music kind of all sounds the same. Like the auto-tune stuff has the same feel, everybody can't do it and I won't do it… it has 2 have a balance. I feel some of the new stuff should not be labeled as hip-hop, they should come up with their own name and identity leaving hip-hop for what it is and has grown to become!

What would you say has been your greatest achievement so far?

Being recogonised as a respected producer, the love I received and the ability to create! Two Awards in '08… and the love I have for hip-hop.

What equipment do you use to produce your music?

• MPC1000
• An Apple Macbook
• 3 Yamaha Keyboards
• An old ass Pioneer turntable with mad vinyl
• Ensoniq Synth
• Yamaha Workstation

I have been working with Logic, most of the work on the "Unfinished Business" album I did using samples and Logic.

Who are your favorite artists out there at the moment?

• Nas
• Jay-Z
• Fab
• Kiss
• Ti
• Jeezy

If you were given the chance of being able to collaborate with anyone you choose which other artist would you most like to work with?

Wow! Present, ummm, I would have 2 say either DJ Premo, Jay-Z, Nas or Kiss. Old school… KRS-1, Rakim, Lord Finesse or Da Beatminerz.

Do you have a favourite tune of all time?

One of my favorites would be "Reminisce" by Pete Rock " CL-Smooth.

What was the last record or CD you bought?

Awww man! Does mixtapes count? LOL! I bought a joint by DJ Rob E Rob, he did a whole CD dedication to Mary J Blige. CD was fiya!!!

Do you have time for other interests outside music?

Man there's no sleep for a general! Me and my wife run a t-shirt business from our home also. I have a great deal of love for the business.

What can we expect to see from Mazaroddi and Crimestreet Records in the near future?

Definitely more music, more collaborations, another album… keep tabs on Crimestreet.

Anything else you would like to add?

I would like to give a big shout to Canned Goods for looking out on the interview. To inspiring artist and producers, if you're gonna choose this music game no your rights… read as much as you can about the business. Always protect ur work and stay humble!

Peace take care of yourselves and each other… Mazaroddi.

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