Producers who know their Hip-Hop history and therefore, their place in it, are dwindling in the numbers. In the fight to stay relevant, it’s admittedly getting more and more difficult to mix in the old with the new on an album that will sell copies and gain respect from other peers. Canadian beatsmith Marco Polo continually does all of this, especially on his last album Port Authority 2: The Director’s Cut. It’s tough to find a record that your body won’t naturally rock to on the first listen on the project. We reached out to Marco and had the opportunity to get his thoughts on creating the project and how he sees himself as a part of the bigger picture.
You can purchase the album HERE.
Why and how did you get Michael Rapaport to narrate the album?
I met Rapaport through Masta Ace. Over the next few years I would see him around at events and say waddup. Then he followed me on Twitter shortly before my album was done and I messaged him about being part of my album. He was feeling the Rakim “What’s Wrong” track I dropped at the time and was more than willing to get on the new album. It was the icing on the cake for me. Shouts to Michael Rapaport, the Hip Hop junkie!
You have such a huge variety of OG’s in the game featured on this project. How did you go about picking the artists?
For my albums I reach out to people I’m a fan of. Also, new artists that I haven’t worked with that I dig. Shylow is responsible for The Doppelgangaz, Reach & Invincible being on the project. He put me onto to all of them. He’s like my A&R at times as I’ll miss tons of stuff when I’m zoned out in the lab.
Is there any style of production you shy away from or are not ready to tackle yet? No Lil B or Yung Lean collaborations?
I don’t shy away from anything. I’m capable of doing whatever. I just gotta feel it when I’m on the MPC. I’m into tons of different music and appreciate when something is good whatever style it may be.
When producers or DJs put out projects like this, they choose to take care of all the scratches. But you put a bunch of other DJs on there. What’s the purpose for showing such love?
Because I’m not a DJ. I wish I was nice like DJ Revolution, Shylow, DJ Premier, DJ Romes or DJ Linx. But my speciality is making the music. I have the greatest DJ’s in my camp so my approach is always hire the best man for the job.
There were a few surprises on this album I didn’t see coming, like Malcolm & Martin and The Doppelgangaz. How did the collaboration with Malcolm & Martin happen?
Malcolm & Martin is family thru DJ Revolution who’s like a big brother to me. KB and Styliztik Jones are incredible MC’s and song makers. That’s a group that deserves to be known way more then they are. I always try and put acts on my album like that. Even if 30 more people get up on them or The Doppelgangaz (who Shylow put me up on) it’s a move forward.
I feel like aspiring producers should just play this album and take notes. From the skits to the production to the overall structuring, it’s a complete project. Will you ever consider yourself a “tenured professor” in the school of Hip-Hop?
Thank you very much. I always feel weird about teaching art because there is no right or wrong way. I’d be down to share what I do with a class eventually but I’m still learning and growing every day. Sh*t can’t stay the same and I feel a something different for the next album.
How live do you plan on making your shows? Any surprises planned you can hint at?
Touring for this project is being worked on right now. I might bring an MC with me on the road. I might just rock solo MPC sets with live beats and breaks. This will all reveal itself in the upcoming months. Definitely look out for me in Europe, U.S., Canada and down under in 2014!
Bryan Hahn (@notupstate)
