Out Da Box TV is proud to bring you a very special episode with Music Legend “ROY AYERS”. We got a chance to meet with Mr. Ayers during his recent visit to NY, where he was gracious enough to speak on some interesting topics. One of the key subjects discussed was Hip Hop Sampling of his music, which Roy explained he was happy with and in support of. He also spoke on why other musicians have been resistant to support sampling of their music, and shared some insight behind their reasoning. Now at 70 years of age, Roy is still performing and putting out new music. He explained that he enjoys doing it and feels the creative energy he had when he was younger. It was truly a pleasure to be in the presence of such an impactful artist. Everybody, from A Tribe Called Quest, to Pete Rock, Erykah Badu, Mary J Blige and so much more, have been influenced by this man. Although he’s famously know for his singles “Everybody Loves The Sunshine” and “Searching”, Roy’s vast catalog is filled with an abundance of great music, making him one of the most sampled musicians of all time. In meeting him, what I found extra special is his humble personality, he has a vibrant energy that speaks strongly in this interview. Ok, I’ll stop rambling now, and just let you peep for yourself. This was truly a wonderful experience. We hope you are inspired. Enjoy!

Hip hop’s golden age began in 1986, the day Rakim stepped to a microphone to record “Eric B Is President.” Only 18 years old (though he sounded considerably more worldly), Rakim (real name William Griffin) had a smooth, effortless flow that brought a cool melodicism and high intelligence to the MC game—he gave both fire and ice, set within the wiry frame of his serious features. Even those who didn’t get the Five Percenter reference wouldn’t have bridled at his nickname, God. His partnership with his DJ, Eric B, yielded four great albums and numerous classic singles before Rakim split for a solo career. Despite initial success with 1997’s The 18th Letter, he endured several frustratingly fruitless years signed to Dr Dre’s Aftermath, working on an album that never came. Now Rakim back in his native New York, the city where his immense influence is most clearly audible, notably in other NYC wordsmiths such as Nas. As recently as 2012, The Source named him the greatest MC of all time.

Nardwuar interviews Questlove for the second time. This is a long interview (46 minutes), but A LOT of jewels are dropped. Enjoy and be educated.

Virginia Beach producer Danja joins Dave Pensado and Herb Trawick via Skype on the 111th episode of Pensado’s Place. Among other topics, Danja discusses his work with Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears, working alongside Timbaland and having an open mind when it comes to making beats. Enjoy and be educated.

Note: Danja’s interview starts at the 10:00 mark.

Part 3 of our interview starts with Scarface asking why white contemporary singers sell more albums than their black counterparts. Scarface proceeds to say that he heard an executive at a tv network that deals with music say that they are now going to target the network for a young white audience. Facemob is concerned that the new generation doesn’t know who Kool Herc is and soon wont know who people like KRS-One and himself are because they are being written out of Hip Hop history. “If you gave a fuck about this culture in any shape form or fashion you would not put the shit out that you put out. You would slam the door on artists that came in there with that shit!” Check out the interview for the rest of what Facemob has to say!

Previously: Scarface Interview on Hard Knock TV (Part 2)

For over 25 years emcee and writer Big Daddy Kane has become a staple in the great annals of hip-hop giving the world such hits as “Raw,” “Ain’t No Half Steppin’”,”Smooth Operator,” and “I Get the Job Done.” The Brooklyn, New York native was part of the legendary Juice Crew formed by the legendary Mr. Magic and producer Marley Marl which introduced a cadre of lyricists that would become a insturmental part of rap that included Roxanne Shante, Kool G. Rap, Biz Markie, and Masta Ace.

Throughtout Kane’s long career he’s been blessed to collaborate and perform with the likes of Quincy Jones, Teddy Riley, and Patti LaBelle just to name a few.

Currently, Kane collaborated with the Get Lifted Crew featuring soul vocalist Show Tyme in a project called Las Supper which is doing well on the charts. Kane and Show Tyme are bringing back the classic elements of hip-hop and soul music that are lacking in many of today’s artists and in commercial music. Las Supper’s CD “Back To The Future” really is a fresh and innovative approach of where music should be going, from and love and respect perspective.

For upcoming tour info on Big Daddy Kane or to order a copy of Las Supper’s “Back To The Future,” please visit him online at officialbigdaddykane.com or lassupper.com.

In the fourth installment of Classic Recipes, the legendary DJ/producer Marley Marl explains and demonstrates how he produced and mixed the lead single off Biz Markie’s 1986 debut album, Goin’ Off. Enjoy and be educated.

The King of the South continues his interview with Nick Huff Barili of Hard Knock TV. Watch part one here.

In part 2 Facemob talks to Nick Huff Barili about the current state of Hip Hop saying that he loves Kendrick Lamar but that older white executives that are in control of Hip Hop are not in touch with the streets and don’t care about the culture. Scarface goes on to say that he thinks its a conspiracy to make black people look stupid and brainwash a generation of hip hoppers with “this crud”. Scarface’s advice to upcoming artists is to uphold the integrity of the craft and not to let the executives dictate our culture. Scarface references how Chuck Berry and Robert Johnson helped found rock and roll and blues but how now both those genres are predominately white and have forgotten their black roots. He goes on to point out that its hard to name many all black rock bands making music today.

As the conversation topic changes, Facemob talks about recording and touring with Tupac who used to open for him. Scarface says Pac would have rode on a lot of people out now like Mitt Romney and that Pac was going to politicize his fan base before he was killed. Part 2 of this interview ends with Facemob sharing a story of the last time he spent time with Pac which was when they recorded the track Smile.

Styles P. joined the crew for this week’s episode of The Combat Jack Show. Here’s what was discussed:

The Ghost came in and rocked through his most of his storied history with the Lox, Diddy, DMX, Tupac, Mary J. Blige, the East West Coast beef, how D Block’s legendary lyrical beef with Roc-a-fella almost spilled out into the streets and more. P also shed some real grown man tears reminiscing about the Notorious B.I.G. as he rolled that real pungent. Tune in and get all this work. His latest album ‘Float’ is available for sale now.

This is one of the best Scarface interviews I have seen. Please check it out!

Facemob talks to Nick Huff Barili about his writing process and how the first words are the most important because they set the tone of the verse. Surprisingly, he admits that doesn’t like listening to his own rhymes. Scarface talks about how the birth of his son in 1998 was a moment of clarity that helped him get a new perspective on life. As the interview continues Scarface addresses rumors that Rick Rubin originally didn’t want him to be part of the Geto Boys. Facemob says that the only way he would record another Geto Boys album is if Rick Rubin produced the whole album, if not there will not be another Geto Boys album. Scarface confirms that Mind Playin Tricks On Me was his song and was supposed to be for his solo album but that it went to the group and that Willie D added his verse later on. The title was inspired from something his Grandmother said and the lyrics dealt with a lot of the paranoia caused by Scarface’s heavy drug use. Scarface looks back at that time and is glad that he “got out of that shit because I don’t ever want to go back in there. I was in a part of my brain that was spooky…I was in a real fucked up state of mind. To the point that I just wanted to die. “