EINZTEIN (July 2008) | Interview By: Eddie Gurrola

       Dubcnn recently sat down with up-and-coming producer Einztein for an exclusive interview.  A protégé of Fingazz, Einztein is currently working on his first solo mixtape called "Skull-N-Bones," and in this piece, he tells us about how he first got into the music, what he aspires to do in this industry, and his background.  He also talks about linking up with Damizza and the rest of the Baby Ree camp.  Read on to find out about all of these topics and much more!



 

As always we have both the transcript and the video for you to check and please feel free to send any feedback regarding the interview to: eddie@dubcnn.com
 

Interview was done in July 2008.

Questions Asked By : Eddie Gurrola
 

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Dubcnn:  We're right here with Einztein. What's going on man?

What's hood pimp!  I'm good, and all I can say for myself is that I feel really blessed right now.

Dubcnn: Tell us about how you first got interested in hip-hop...

I would have to say that it all started in the mid 80's. I grew up pop-lockin', breakin', and taggin' on walls. During that period in time, I was influenced by all of the movies that had to do with the hip-hop, breakin', and graffiti culture. Movies such as such "Beat Street," "Wild Style," "Breakin," and "Krush Groove" were great.

As time went by, the West Coast gangsta rap scene came into effect, and that was the style that I wanted to pursue as a producer. I was able to relate to all of the lyrics because of where I grew up.  I was raised in a Barrio in Indio, California named The Res.  All of the daily incidents that would occur in my hood, everything that I saw and heard, I would hear in the music.  So it was natural for me. And the reality is, I do come from a background of family that are deep in the Chicano Gangster Barrio lifestyle, so I feel that I'm just being me.

Dubcnn: When did that love for hip-hop turn into making your own music?

When I first heard "Nuthin But A G Thang," produced by Dr. Dre, that's when I said to myself, "Fuck! I really got to do this."  So from that point on, I began to craft my style. Then I set my goal, and that was to become one of, if not the, first Chicano West Coast hip-hop producers in my time. Due to the fact that I am musically inclined because of my family background, I'm not just a producer who samples and makes simple beats. I truly feel that my style is unique because I am a drum major. I also play keyboards, guitar, and bass. So I just put it all together and came up with my inventions. And I would also like to add that I am a music composer as well.  My first project was an album titled "New Beginning" with an R&B singer named AG Adrenaline, who he also happens to be my little brother.  I wrote and produced nine tracks on that album. I'm currently in the studio working on records for many artists.

Dubcnn:  Fingazz has taken you under his wing.  How did you link up with him?

First off, I would like to give Fingazz mad love and respect for taking me under his wing. The way that we linked up was, a friend of mine who goes by Brown Boy (who performed the song "Superman") went to Streetlight to record a track with Fingazz. Brown Boy showed Fingazz a track that I produced, and Fingazz was very impressed.  He asked Brown Boy for my number and he got in contact with me.  It all began from there. By the following week, I was at Streetlight, showcasing my beats to Fingazz, and before I knew it, Fingazz took me under his wing. And 'till this day, I rep Streetlight to the fullest.

Dubcnn: Tell us about some of the advice Fingazz has given you about how to work in this industry...

Fingazz is a fuckin' monster in the studio. He would always tell me, "Make sure that you polish a turd into a diamond." That means that when I'm producing, if it wasn't sounding good at the moment, to work on it until it sounded like a hit.  He would also tell me to make sure that my mixes are fuckin' right dead on point. When a track leaves Streetlight, it has to be radio material - a straight fuckin' banger, a hit. And of course, he's also taught me the usual street smart stuff.  You know, keep it real, never burn bridges, and make sure that when you say you are gonna have a track or a mix done, have it done. Keep your word, you feel me?  And most importantly, just be yourself and your talent will take you in the direction that you want to go.


Dubcnn:  Right now, you're working on your mixtape called " Skull-N-Bones." Tell us about the concept behind this project...

It pretty much states that I will be producing music till I'm Skull and Bones. It's gonna be my first mixtape that I will be releasing later this year.  I am excited to say that I got some pretty well-known artists on it from the West Coast hip-hop scene.


Dubcnn:  Who have you been working with on this project...

As a matter of fact, I just started.  But so far, the artists that I have been working with are Fingazz, Damizza, Bigg Steele, Diamonique, Young De, Sage Baby, Dirty Birdy, Fresh, & Toni Corleone. There's more to come.  Any willing artists that want to get featured on my mixtape, please send me your demos.


Dubcnn:  What do you hope that hip-hop fans will get out this project at the end of the day?

I hope that they realize hip-hop is not about color or what race you are.  Music is one race and we are all mentors in other peoples' eyes. But really, at the end of the day, I want people to say, "Fuck yeah, this is shit is dope!" Everybody can relate to it, cause it has the hood shit, R&B, and the club bangers.


Dubcnn:  I know you've been working with Damizza. Tell us about your relationship with him...

It all started when I was on Myspace posting bulletins, and Damizza was posting bulletins as well. Then I replied to one of his bulletins and asked him, "What would it take to get him a feature on 'Skull-N-Bones?'" He replied, "Send me the track and the title, and I will lace it down." And at that moment, I felt very blessed, cause we are talking about Damizza here, a highly respected producer from the West Coast. For those who don't know, Damizza has produced hits for Mariah Carey, Snoop Dogg, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Nate Dogg, Ice Cube, and that's just to name a few cause the list just goes on and on.

Now back to my relationship with Damizza. He hit me up on Myspace shortly after he laced his vocals on the track for my mixtape, and he gave me a project to remix a song. I don't want to say the name of the song, because it still has the finishing touches that need to be added to it. And to be honest with you, he just sent me another project about a week ago. Once again, I can't explain how I feel right now, because everything that I have dreamed and visioned myself doing is happening. And I would really like to thank Damizza for having faith in me and accepting me under his wing, just like Fingazz accepted me. I'm tied in with two of the most respected hip-hop producers from the West Coast, which is where I belong because it's my home. Now throw your muthafuckin' dubs up!


Dubcnn:  What other projects can we expect to see you on in the near future?

Anything that is off and poppin' and is sent my way.  If any artists and producers want to test me, then bring it 'cause I let my music talk for me. And as soon as I finish "Skull-N-Bones," I will begin my next project.


Dubcnn:  If people want to check out more of your music, let them know where they can get at you...

Oh yeah, fo sho. Check out my music at My Myspace. And I hope you all will enjoy what you hear.


Dubcnn:  Thanks for taking the time out of your schedule for us Einztein! Is there anything else you want to say to all of the fans on Dubcnn?

Yes I would.  I just want to say thank you for taking your time to read my segment here on Dubcnn. And I would like to shout out Fingazz, Damizza, AG Adrenaline, Lup Dawg, my boy DJ Sinner, and the homies from Guilty. And last but not least ,my hometown Indio Califas!