The Beatenderz:
Serving Up Beatz

Migs: Let our readers know who the Beatenderz are and how it was started?

DJ Tecnine: We are a team of producers stretching down the east coast from NYC to Philly, all the way down to home base in Miami. We currently consist of 4 producers/dj's, 3 of which are partners, being Djtecnine of Miami (originally from Jersey City) a DJ for Wu-Tang Latino, Dre'Ski of Philly, and Dj Pistolero (formerly Dj Pistol Pete) of NYC and he is also Bumsquad DJ. Recently added to our roster of producers is White Beats also from NYC. The Beatenderz were actually formed during the making of our latest project "Da Unsigned Album" in late 2007 by Dj Tecnine and Dre'Ski. The project started out as a way to showcase our beats along with some of the hottest unsigned hip hop talent in the country. Originally we we’re representing ourselves as individual producers collaborating on a CD, but then we figured it would be better to unify and do it a one team. So one night after a few weeks of brainstorming a few hundred names, DJ Tecnine thought of the name Beatenderz while mixing himself a drink at home, ironic isn't it. If a bartender can mix it up and keep people happy, so can we. So DJ Tecnine created the logo he envisioned sent it to Dre'Ski who loved the idea. So after some more preparation for the project DJ Tecnine called upon his long time DJ partner DJ Pistolero who is more like his big brother for some assistance on the project. After a short deliberation, it did not take long before he became a partner with us. We have rocked shows along side some of the top names in the industry, from the Sugar Hill Gang, KRS ONE, Big Pun, DJ Red Alert, Funkmaster Flex, Cypha Sounds from MTV, reggae sensation Sean Paul, and so on, even Akon used to freestyle at DJ Tecnine's house after school back in Jersey. We are not new to this game at all, we just been on the back burner ready for the right time to set the game on fire, and now is the time. With a combined amount of over 40 years experience we are a sure thing.

Migs: What current and future projects are you catz working on right now?

Dre-Ski: Well our latest project is called "Da Unsigned Album" it's a mixtape featuring some of the hottest unsigned hip hop artist in the country as I was mention earlier. We have artist such as Skryptrs from NJ, and LSP from NC who have been featured on Green Lantern's and Dj Lazy K's mixtapes. We also have on it Sgt Over from NJ, Burg Brigante and Volcan from Team Duece. Some hot new breakout artists to lookout for on the cd are Solo Mob from Chi-town and OBX (o-becks) from San Antonio, TX. All the artists on the CD are very talented, just some stand out more than others. Our new project spawned off "Da Unsigned Album" when the President (Rayroq) and VP (Anthony) of Wu-Tang Latino listened to the free online version CD and were overwhelmed by what they had heard. They called up DJ Tecnine and offered the Beatenderz a deal to do an unsigned artist mixtape album to be distributed by Wu-Tang Latino. We decided to drop the CD in June about two months after the April 29th release of Wu-Tang Latinos debut album. The project is to consist of all unsigned Latino hip hop artist, and all beats will be produced by us. We want to give talented unsigned Latino hip hop artist a chance to be heard. There are plenty of unsigned Latino hip hop artist out there that are not getting the recognition that they deserve. We still got slots open if anyone is interested; just contact DJ Tecnine for more details. We are looking for the best of the best, point blank.

Migs: What do the Beatenderz bring to the table that other production crews don't?

DJ Tecnine: We all have our own unique style. There is no sense in having every producer on the team sound alike, we all bring to the table our on flavor and this gives MC's more of variety to choose from you feel me. We grew up on hip hop and have seen it evolve into what it is now so we have a great understanding of what hip hop is. I say our combination of talent is what really sets us apart from other producers. Our sound is unlike any other, we do it differently. We make original tracks and we also sample, it's all the years of experience and the way we put it together that makes us different.

Migs: What would you say is the Beatenderz style? And where do you draw inspiration from as far as the sound of your beats?

Dre-Ski: Our style is everything. We create, we sample; we simply do it all. You got to remember there are four of us with our own style so there is not one set pattern or style. Everyone is free to go with their own personal flow. We have no boundaries.

Migs: What is the scene like in Miami right now as far as real hip hop goes?

DJ Tecnine: The hip hop scene is to me is very motivating. I know for me it is. Every time I see a Ferrari or Lambo go by it reminds me to continue working harder. A lot of mainstream rappers have migrated down here to live and record. I see why, it’s like a small paradise even if you are broke ass. I have run into many talented artists out in the past year and a half I have live out here, yep, that’s right. Miami is a great place to collab with other artist.

Migs: Who are some artists that you would like to work with in the future?

Dre-Ski: Artist we would love to collab with. I would have to definitely say Ludacris, Jay Z, Nas, Talib Kwali, Mos Def, Snoop Dogg, R. Kelly, KRS ONE or Rakim would be great.

Migs: What influence do you think Myspace and the internet has had on hip hop especially for an up-in-coming production crew such as yourselves?

DJ Tecnine: Don’t get me started on Myspace. I would say Myspace has a both positive and negative effect on hip hop. The reason I say that is because now everybody want to be a rapper, and let’s face it, not everyone is cut out for it. It’s a flood of wack rappers on Myspace. We get hit up by hundreds of MC’s and we only deal with a certain few. An artist has to have something special to contribute to stand out in the flood, that is why we stand out. We produce hot beats, the artist we deal with even though most are unsigned they are very talented. We like to rep the artist we deal with, and we are not gonna rep wack artist you feel me. Myspace is a big tool, if you use it correctly. It takes a lot of promotion to get where you want to be. DJ Tecnine got his position as a DJ with Wu-Tang Latino through Myspace. All the artists on “Da Unsigned Album” are from Myspace. Dre’ski just did a hot track with some kat named Profet from the UK through Myspace. We are trying to do this on an international level. The President and VP of Wu-Tang Latino, Rayroq and Anthony listened to “Da Unsigned Album” and were very impressed at the talent right under their noses, they called DJ Tecnine and offered the Beatenderz a shot to do an unsigned mixtape album under the Wu-Latino label featuring unsigned Latino hip hop artist. So Myspace does have a positive impact if you know what you’re doing.

Migs: Where do you see hip hop in the next 5-10 years? Do you see it going back to the golden era or do you think it will stay stagnated and sound the same as it is now?

DJ Tecnine: Wow, hip hop in the next 5-10 years. I honestly don’t know, hip hop has a surprise in store every time around. Right now I think hip hop has gotten wack in the lyrical aspect. The producers are doing their thing and the artists are just not up to par. It’s all candy rap now is on some Charms Blow Pop, Fruity Pebbles bullshit. We had this conversation not to long ago. Someone brought up the fact of who is to blame for all these wack artists on the radio and the conclusion was; the A&R’s. As far as hip hop going back to the golden era, that’s a tough one. Most these young artist now have no idea about the golden era. Most of them couldn’t tell you who Kool Herc or Big Daddy Kane are. To them Tupac and Biggie are old school. Old school to us is the Sugar Hill Gang, they’re cool people and they are still rockin. Who else, let’s bring it back to the days of Eric B and Rakim, Special Ed, Mc Lyte, Jungle Brothers. Ask a young kat in the street who Kool Moe Dee is, to them LL and Ice T are actors that used to rhyme if that. I don’t think hip hop will stagnate. Hip hop was supposed to be just a fad that was going to die out, 30 years ago. Now every other thing we see on TV has some kind of rap, from McDonald’s to cell phones. Hip hop revenue is up in the billions, it’s not going anywhere so it must keep changing.

Migs: Is there any advice that you can give to the younger heads trying to get into the game?

DJ Tecnine: The younger heads getting into the game need to know where the game came from first. They need to just go through the archives, pull out mom and dad’s old cd’s and records. The internet is a wonderful tool. Find out from the older kats what were the hot joints from the 70’s on. As we all know hip hop is derived from all different types of music from R&B, disco, blues to rock. Hip is more than what you hear on the radio. Hip hop has over 30 years of history, so that means a lot of catchin up for the younger heads. I you love hip hop you won’t regret this advice.

We want to thank Legacy Magazine for the interview. It was a pleasure… Keep bringing the real hip hop to the world. Check us out at www.beatenderz.com or hit us up on Myspace.



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Interviewed by Migs for LegacyMag.Net
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