Pritt Interview (King Of The Beats DVD Creator)

Meet The Producers - Where are you from?

Pritt - I'm from Birmingham City, UK.


MTP - Describe the music scene out there?

P - Well to be honest, I don’t really follow the scene here to much. Im more into the whole Hip Hop scene. So I just look for things that interest me.


MTP - How long have you been involved in HIP HOP?

P - Ive been involved in Hip Hop since 1983. I was really into art and Kung Fu back then, so seeing Graffiti blew me away. It was natural for me to get into it. My older brother, who is well into his 40’s, was into comic books very deeply. I was up on characters like Lizard Zen back then, because I seen the original. Being also into Kung Fu and watching Breakin, I thought wow, that’s right out of a kung fu film. And all the older guys were doing it. So I got into it to be part of the crowd and plus it was free. You didn’t have to go anywhere because you could practice anywhere. I got into music later. Back then, hip hop music was just the soundtrack to breakin. It was only after the electro era that I really got more interested in music.


MTP - Tell me about "King Of The Beats"..

P - Haha, I slept on that for a minute. In 97, I met up with Legendary Graff Artist the Artful Dodger. Now hes someone I looked up too. We talked. I had already been filming Jams for some time but, he kind of inspired me to make a film. So at that time I was really digging hard, running all over the country. Lots of people I met ,via record buying, had now become respected producers. So one day I was at Juliano’s crib (Record King - the guy out of the Creators) and we were filming. He’s a real confident guy and was like "you can take me anywhere and I can find records." It sparked an idea in my head. Which gave birth to my concept of King of the Beats.

Now to get a few things straight, I come from the B-boy attitude. KEN SWIFT and I have to come correct.. So when I did it.. I made sure that the idea had to be the best and most hardcore concept out there. So that’s why the format is the way it is. Now at that point, there was no beat battles, producer battles, etc. What happened was, I let one magazine write about it and they wrote a real brief article. So people new about the film but didn’t get the whole concept. Its only when they see it do they like go fuck?! In 2002, I heard they even started an event in NYC called the same thing. Its funny because, all the 3 judges were people I actually gave the original film too when I was out there the year before.

My mistake was, I never got onto forums because I didn’t know how much it was talked about. People have found out how to contact me have I found out. There are few factors why I'm coming back doing it though.

#1 - My film "THE MEN & THEIR MUSIC" is taking so long

#2 - I seen so many copies (Biters) of it

#3 - Just because I think really the scene needs it


MTP - Do you make beats? If so, what was your first piece of equipmenmt and what do you use now?

P - Well, when I started making beats I used tape to tape on my sisters Hi-fi. Then in 88, I used to go to my friends place who had a crappy computer and we were able to sample and loop stuff on it. Then my friend ,DJ Sparra (DMC Champ), taught me the AKAI 900-950. You can see all the pics on my www.nu-skratch.com site. So with that and a tascam 4 track, I was able to make beats. Listening back, I thought I was hot stuff but really its embarrassing. There wack but its all part of the learning curve.


MTP - Do you collect records?

P - I live to buy and collect records. I'm not a collector like Jay or Biz, who pretty much do it full time. I love to collect records. There was a time when all my school dinner money and every penny I earned went to records. I still like to get out there when I can every month. I'm caught up in films and family now. I like to buy music with grooves, samples and loops. I'm into all sorts of old music. To me rock, west coast, funk, soul, world, jazz, is hip hop.




MTP - How do you feel about the diggin culture?

P - I love digging and I think if you want to be a respected hip hop producer you got to dig. It’s a beautiful thing to find a record and hear a beat or groove that makes you go damn!!!!!. One of the reasons I do King of the Beats is to encourage it. Over here a lot of record shops are closing, so we got to encourage people to by vinyl and keep the artform alive. I personally don’t like being shown stuff by people who sell records for diggers. It takes the fun out of it. Plus, its just the way I am. I like to think I found it and be the first to find it. Even though people might already have it. But to know that I found it /discovered it. Its pure right.


MTP - Have you ever been in/to a beat battle before?

P - No, Ive never been in a beat battle before. Im in King of the Beats 2 to show that I can do it. Thats the only time you will see me in one. The beat battle format thats out there really doesn’t do much for me.. with no disrespect. I'm more into the whole digging scene, the looking and the task of making. Ive checked some stuff on youtube and you got guys who do what I call MPC gymnastics. Playing a MPC like a piano with super fast fingers. To me, its about the finished piece. It rare you hear someone come with a beat that can match the quality of large Professor, Premo, Pete or Marley Marl. Good music stands the test of time. And Ive just not heard any one match that.


MTP - Whats your thoughts on the whole keyboard vs.sample beat discussion?

P - I'm into samples. No keyboard music. I know and accept that, in the studio Keyboards are used to enhance the track. That’s cool. But as for making a hip hop record with no samples, I'm not into those keyboard beats.


MTP - How do you feel about the beats that are used in music today?

P - There are producers out there doing it. I don’t like to follow trends. I like people because there good. For instance, DJ Spinna ,for a minute, was hot stuff. People were all like Spinna, Spinna buy anything Spinna. Now people don’t talk so much about him because the next producer has come along. Well Spinna is still just as hot today as he was when we first heard of him. I think people got into the culture of making beats for the sake of it. Or because its cool. I want to see people who put there heart and soul into their music and feel it.


MTP - Do they play a variety of Hip Hop on the radio in the UK?

P - They do ,but to be honest, I don’t listen to much on the radio. I used to back in the 80’s and 90’s. its just not the same here as it was. But there are some good quality shows going on.


MTP - What is the worst studio session you have ever been involved with?

P - Honestly not with anyone famous. But with my friends band, in Wolverhampton. It dragged on and nothing got done. I was pissed !!!


MTP - What projects are you currently working with?

P - I'm Currently finishing King of the Beats 2 and already got the illest line up for part 3. And I'm getting the last bits of footage completed for "THE MEN & THEIR MUSIC" DVD. Now, how many people you know work on a film or record for 10 years these days? I promise this to not disappoint. I'm also working on "The EN4CERS" DVD. Its a look at 3 of the most important people in UK Hip Hop history. DJ Pogo, Cutmaster Swift & DJ Billy Biznezz.


MTP - Whats something the readers may not know about you?

P - Well, I did everything -- making films with no money while working on minimum wage for 7 years. Doing 60 hour weeks. You don’t see lists of names in the production credits. Nothing like that. It’s the hardest and the most guerrilla tactics in hip hop.

I was behind the HIJACK film, the first ever hip hop film to look at a serious artist. Disregarding the bling and fabulous bullshit that’s poisoned our culture.

That there was a time I almost joined ultra but I couldn’t afford to leave the country.

That I'm always looking for people who want to take part in my films.


MTP - Whats your contact info?

P - www.myspace.com/keyfigures


MTP - Any last words?

P - Don’t follow trends. Keep Hip Hop alive and pure. And BUY KING OF THE BEATS 2 when I drop it. I need the cash to make part 3 and 4. you know how it is!!

KING OF THE BEATS 2 TRAILER! (featuring DJ Priority)