Producer Spotlight: G.C.

For our one of last Producer Spotlights of 2009, I wanted to showcase someone that I personally believe in 110%. I first got hip to G.C.’s production about a year and a half ago during one of our weekly remix contests. Soon after, I became his manager and have worked with G.C. on countless projects this past year. Since we are releasing his first compilation mixtape today [download], it was only right to give G.C. the spotlight and let you know the man behind the beats.

Hit the cut to get to know G.C…..

Where you reppin:

I was raised just north of the DC border in Silver Spring, MD. I represent the MD/DC/VA area, although I currently live in Utah.

Introduce yourself:

I am a hip hop head who has a deep love for boom bap drums and sick samples. I feel like my love for what the legends of the production game have done has deeply influenced my game, and I hope it shows in my music.

Where did the name G.C. come from?

Ok, I think this story is worth going through. When I started to emcee back in 1996, I was in a group called “The Chinese Connection” (Yes, Bruce Lee was and STILL IS that DUDE!)…what up Frank! Anyways, I met up with another emcee who told me, “Man you shouldn’t have the name you have, you’re more like the Golden Child! And you spit like a cobra…you should be Cobra the Golden Child!” I ran with it (I didn’t know better), and when I joined my first pseudo-professional group, the “leader” of the group was like, “I’ll battle you for the name Cobra…” I wasn’t about to battle the guy who I thought was going to be signing me just for a name I had no vested interest in, so I dropped Cobra and left it as The Golden Child. Over time, people started calling me G.C., and the name just stuck.

Main musical inspirations:

I think my main production inspirations came from the heavyweights – Preem, Pete Rock, Large Pro, Muggz, Alchemist, RZA, Lord Finese, etc. My musical inspiration came from a number of avenues. Wu-Tang Clan and all their affiliates were a major influence on my musicality growing up. I used to emcee, and O.C. was one of my first lyrical inspirations, which got me really deep into DITC – another heavy sampling influence. Portishead and Massive Attack are also high on my list – particularly the way they seemed to manipulate between samples and free space. (Listen to Portishead’s “Biscuit” and pay close attention to the second kick drum, particularly in the first couple measures. The drum seems to descend into some sort of space, and about three measures into the verse they include a really faint piano sample over top that just fits so perfectly between the cymbals!) There are many others, but those are some of the key ones.

When did you fall in love with hip hop?

I had always been a fan of hip hop to a degree, but the day the tables completely flipped on me was the day a friend of mine introduced me to Enter the 36th Chamber in his basement. That day will forever live in infamy!

Current projects we should be looking out for:

I have a project coming out in February that is a solo emcee/solo producer venture with K. Sparks called A Day In The Life. The production is nuts on this album; I am very proud of this work! I am also working on a beat tape tentatively called The Play Room…I am not going to discuss the details, but the concept is so dope; I cannot wait to let y’all check it out!

Previous work that we should know about:

I recently completed another cohesive solo emcee/solo producer venture called $5 Cover with MaG [download]. This album was very well put together and is definitely worth downloading. I also recently did an EP with Tokyo Cigar entitled Before There Was Fire… The Cave Kingz [download]. This was yet another emcee/producer project (I hope to bring back this dynamic in hip hop, it provides a wholeness to an album you can’t get with cherry-picking) and definitely worth downloading. Other tracks are floating around the internet, but I have produced for Fokis, Punchlyne, Jermiside, Malicious, Trav Williams, etc.

What’s your equipment setup like?

I wish you had asked me this question 5 years ago! LOL Well, I used to have a complete production studio with a couple keyboards (Roland XP-30, MOTIF 6), turntables, mixing boards, mic, and digital production setup. I have since been forced to downsize (life happens) and I am currently working on a digital platform. I use Fruity Loops 8 (been using it since FL3) for sequencing, instrumentation and mastering, and I use Sound Forge for sampling, looping and additional effects.

If you had to pick one song that defines your career to date, what song would that be?

I would have to say “Bring the Ruckus” from Enter the 36th Chamber. The moment that song hit, it reshaped my future, paved the path I am currently on, and became responsible for allowing me to be having this interview with you right now. In the words of Ason, “Wu-tang is for the Children!!”

Why should the readers and fans give you a shot and listen to your music from here on out?

I think that I bring back a flavor that has been missing as of late. For those that remember, 93-96 was the golden age of boom bap hip hop. Everything mainstream sounded underground, it was all about massive group tracks and features, the beats were simple yet so hypnotic and dope (check out Group Home’s album or “Real Live Shit” for some key examples)…I think that essence has been lost by most of the industry. My goal is to fuse the essence I spoke of with a current twist on every song I produce.

If you could only take one record on a deserted island with you, what album would that be?

I’d have to say Jay-Z – Reasonable Doubt. That album is flawless front to back, and I never tire of listening to it.

What’s next for you?

It’s always about moving forward. I still have a ton of singles and projects I am working on, and always looking to work with new talent.

Any shout outs or last words?

Big shout to the homie Kev for believing in me and what I represent, big shout out to all the emcees and producers I grew up with, all the artists I have worked with, all the music sessions with Tokyo and some Chinese Food (what up Mayflower – love your General Tso’s!)…and to all the fans, thanks for listening and appreciating what I do.

• G.C. on MySpace
• G.C.’s Artist Page on HiPNOTT Records

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