KURT KOBANE (May 2011) | Interview By: Chad Kiser

   Dubcnn sits down with multi-platinum producer Kurt Kobane, formerly of Death Row Records and who has produced on projects like “Too Gangsta For Radio”, “Suge Knight Presents: Chronic 2000”, Snoop Doggy Dogg’s “Head Doctor”, and 2Pac’s “Until The End of Time” among others.

With all past obligations and contracts having expired, Kobane has started his own imprint, Hitsylum Inc., to bring new sounds, talent, and a fresh energy to the masses who have grown tired of mediocre music. Once thrust into the role left vacant by former Death Row CEO Suge Knight’s incarceration in the early 2000’s, Kurt Kobane gained invaluable experience heading up the once powerful west coast label which helped shape, train and prepare him for the next level which has arrived.

Having worked with iconic artists such as 2Pac, Jodeci, Snoop Dogg and others, working closely with labels like Cash Money, Ruff Ryders, and making connections with top executives at Universal and Warner Bros. to name a few, Kurt Kobane & Hitsylum will tap into the untapped, lucrative Midwest markets of talented artists, writers, and beat makers.

Dubcnn recently caught up with the former Death Row producer to discuss what he’s been up to these last few years, working with 2pac and other Death Row-related topics, as well as his latest protégé Awal and his Hitsylum projects.

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Interview was done in May 2011

Questions Asked By: Chad Kiser

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Dubcnn: We’re catching up with former Death Row producer Kurt Kobane. Kurt, what have you been up to since your time at Death Row?

I’ve been busy doing things to prepare myself to become a true stay-in-the-music biz guy like a Quincy Jones, Dick Griffey, Clarence Avant, Jimmy Iovine or L.A. Reid.

Dubcnn: Take us back to how you were initially brought in to Death Row.

I had left a meeting with Warner Bros. so I had a demo tape with me; I went to Lakewood Mall and had a chance meeting with Suge Knight. Preparation meets luck! [Laughs]

Dubcnn: While at the iconic west coast label, you worked with 2Pac, Devante, and Danny Boy. Who else was around at that time that you remember working with?

We were all one big recording family, contributing everywhere, I was one of the last brought into the family that got hand picked by Dr. Dre to work on some stuff, thanks to Nancy Fletcher, one of Dre’s go to vocalists. It’s hard to get Dr. Dre to bob his head, but I did to the track I had that he was tripping off this real bass sound I had coming out of this keyboard nobody knew about called Ensoniq SQ-1.

Dubcnn: In an interview I read that you had done, you said that Bad Boy Killaz was supposed to be on a compilation project you guys were putting together. What compilation was it, and what can you tell us about that specific project?

Bad Boy Killaz, I feel, sparked Hit’em Up. It was done a day before Hit’em Up for a compilation Suge was putting together, but there’s no specifics on it.

Dubcnn: Given the nature of those Bad Boy disses, Dr. Dre disses and whatnot, what are your thoughts now, looking back on those times with Death Row.

All the dissing stuff, at first I looked at it as competitive hip-hop; it wasn’t real hate or dislike to me, I never had a problem with anybody. I personally don’t know. I’ve seen label mates get caught up in the dissing heavy like dummies. of course you ride with your team, but some of these dudes would have killed their brother if Suge said so. [Laughs] To me I think it made Suge not trust you ‘cause if you will turn on your own blood, what will stop you from turning on him? There was a time when Suge had a problem with DJ Quik, and a lot of dudes wanted to ride on Quik to prove to Suge they were down for the label, but not me. Quik taught me how to use the MPC, and gave me drum sounds. He was a good dude, so I wasn’t on that bandwagon. At the end of the day all those dissing dudes have no career.

Dubcnn: Where do you think 2Pac would have taken his career, and what insight can you give us about the rumors of ‘Pac leaving Death Row?

It’s well documented on ‘Pac and the rumors about him leaving Death Row, but I never saw signs or heard any talk of it. I heard him talk about Makaveli Records a lot the day we went to Las Vegas, but those were ideas that never developed. If ‘Pac were alive I think he would be an Oscar-winning actor because he was bigger than just being a rapper.

Dubcnn: Do you still speak with Devante? If so, any talk of you guys doing something together again?

I’m working on re-connecting with Devante right now! We have a mutual musical friend. i feel me and D can re-energize R&B for a new, younger audience.

Dubcnn: Catching up to the present, you’re working with a new artist by the name of Awal. Tell us a little bit about him for those of us who haven’t heard of him.

Awal is from Wisconsin, and I discovered him while he was still in high school. He was also part of group called ‘Tha Few’ that I helped get signed to Universal Records a few years back, which is the only rap act out of the whole state to be signed directly to a major, no middle label. The group disbanded and I developed him as a solo artist. To me he is my Snoop Dogg/Eminem to Dr. Dre. In the studio he can’t be stopped by anyone. He is a black Eminem mixed with the street game of Rick Ross. He can talk about personal problems and real-life relationship issues like Em, but turn around and make a hood anthem like Jeezy. He will not only connect with the hood, but on a global market with pop acts, watch! He has two singles ready to go, one with Sean Kingston and another with Ray J.

Dubcnn: Did you produce the song that was featured on the AllHipHop.com mixtape?

That Allhiphop mixtape song was unmixed and a demo version we threw out there just to do it.

Dubcnn: You have a new label, Hitsylum, Inc. that you’re running. What can people expect from you and Hitsylum in the near future?

Hitsylum is the future business model, it’s Apple Inc, Interscope, and Facebook all in one. It’s very, very well planned and created to adapt to new technology as a label and production company and publishing company.

Dubcnn: What are some of the upcoming projects Hitsylum has coming out?

Hitsylum private studio is in the heart of Santa Monica along with Interscope, Universal and other industry buildings, so expect all kinds of projects. I have great talent scouts and talented people I know all over the country, like my boy Gerald Armour. He introduced me to the hottest, young, male R&B singer and future star Brendon Jovan; I got hits I’m getting ready for him. I found another next level hip-hop artist named Fyastarta, both of them are out my hometown of Carbondale, Illinois.

Dubcnn: With Hitsylum, who will be distributing the projects?

Distribution right now is Universal, not exclusive, but it’s all a part of this new business model I won’t disclose right now.

Dubcnn: Have you encountered any negative feedback from within the industry because of your early affiliation with Death Row and Suge Knight?

I never had any negative feedback because my energy was never negative. At the label, on some real talk, Suge always told me to stay away from bullshit and drama. My fist don’t make no money for the label, my fingers playing them keys do. He got niggaz to take care of the drama stuff!

Dubcnn: What do you think of Suge Knight’s serial run-ins with the law, and people challenging him in public?

It’s weird to see Suge in some of the situations he’s in now, but he’s human and just a man, but the nigga is a real gangsta though, don’t get it twisted.

Dubcnn: What’s your relationship with Suge Knight like these days, if any?

I last talked to him in 2006 on New Year’s Eve, i called him and we didn’t talk about music business or anything, but how’s your family doing, have a good new year, and that was it.

Dubcnn: Nate Dogg recently passed away, what are your thoughts on his legacy and what he meant to not only west coast music, but music overall?

Nate Dogg was the best chorus/hook writer in the rap game hands down. He needs his own category at award shows like the Nate Dogg Award for Best Hook!

Dubcnn: What final thoughts would you like to leave with our readers?

Death Row was my school and I was a student. I may not have been the star athlete; I was the nerd in class learning everything. Nerds run the world well, and this music nerd has a PhD in the music business, and Hitsylum is my invention to infuse into a global market. Keep up to date with us on twitter at twitter.com/kurt_kobane and twitter.com/awal3204.

Dubcnn: Kurt, thanks for your time and we look forward to seeing great things from you and Hitsylum.

Thank you!