Producers Corner: Vanderslice Interview




Hailing from Phoenixville Pennsylvania is super producer Vanderslice. Known for his collaborations with producer Stu Bangas including their debut project "Diggaz With Attitude" on Man Bites Dog Records, as well as his work with notable artists such as Vinnie Paz, Ill Bill, Evidence, Apathy, Roc Marciano, Copywrite, Matt Maddox, AOTP and much much more. 2014 sees his debut solo project "Everything's Awesome" on his newly formed label Stones Faux which is a combination of  two of his favoorite labels, Stones Throw and Def Jux. With a distinct sound and nothing but bangers in the deck, Vanderslice is and will be a sought after producer for years to come.





OK-Tho:
So where does Vanderslice come from?

Vanderslice:
Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. It was once a quaint suburb of Philadelphia. Now it's getting out of hand they made us pay for parking this year.



OK-Tho:
Does anyone or has anyone ever asked if you are associated with singer John Vanderslice?

Vanderslice:
It's a constant struggle, I've been the butt of many a John Vanderslice jokes. I take it in stride. We’re not related though.



OK-Tho:
Lol. How old were you when you made your first beat?

Vanderslice:
I want to say 19. I started making beats in 98 into 99. My cousin and I rapped and we were tired of rapping on instrumentals. I bought a Boss SP 202 and started looping up the ends and outros of Gangstarr songs and patch worked together instrumentals for us to rhyme on. It was just a natural progression from that point on.



OK-Tho:
Dope. You met Stu Bangas on eBay and started working together after that. At that time, were both your beats similar in style back then?

Vanderslice:
Yeah it was back in 2008. He was selling a Library record that had a slick piano loop on it. It eventually became a song I did with Blaq Poet and RA the Ruggedman called "Butcher Shop" some years later. He sent me a message, I did a little research, and I heard the project he dropped that Statik hosted for em. We started trading breaks and the rest is history.



OK-Tho:
You're from Phoenixville Penn, was the local Hip Hop scene big out there or did you have to travel to Philly?

Vanderslice:
There's no scene here. I'm sure there are people doing things in their bedrooms and what not. I didn't do much in Philly either though. All my early releases were in New York actually. Access Immortal and I dropped "Shades of Reality" with DJ Next over at Early Spotter records before he left and started Amalgam Digital.



OK-Tho:
A lot of underground Hip Hop artists came from Penn, were you inspired mostly by artists like Jedi Minds, High And Mighty and Reef?

Vanderslice:
No not at all, my inspirations from Philly are all from an era long lost. I remember seeing the RAM Squad at Gotham. Where even being there was a badge of honor, it wasn't sweet in the slightest. I miss those days. Hip Hop is entirely too safe now. Ruggedness was one of my favorite producers out period, so was DJ Miz. The Man They Call Lux, 100x Posse, Tainted Minds. Guys who were extremely talented but rarely broke out of the tri-state due for one reason or another are always a constant reminder and inspiration.




OK-Tho:
What artists did you work with before collabing with Stu?

Vanderslice:
Access Immortal and I dropped "Shades of Reality" as previously stated; I did the intro and interludes for Awar's "Glory Days" before that. It was a constant progression Ive worked with Roc Marciano, Twin Gambino from Infamous Mobb, Un Pacino from that same camp, Termanology, Vinnie Paz and the Army of The Pharaohs as well. Stu and I didn't link up until 2011 for "Blaq Poet Society", I was working on my own record at the time and put it on hold to finish up "Blaq Poet Society".



OK-Tho:
Man Bites Dog records approached you guys to do an album for them, what was that process like, especially being your first major project?

Vanderslice:
It was awful. I regret ever doing it. They actually approached Stu to do a record with Jakki da Motormouth cause Stu was working with Copywrite and that somehow manifested into "DWA". I try and am as genuine and honest as I can be.. and I can't say my door was being kicked in with investors willing to put money behind my music but it lowered the bar considerably and all I gained from it was a valuable lesson. The album was wrapping up and the label had a self-imposed deadline so we were just doing songs to do them, and it honestly reflected in the experience overall. It was a cold album with no identity. I would never make music that way ever again.. for any amount of money.



OK:
Wow, interesting. So do you play any instruments?

Vanderslice:
No. That's why I have my man Green Steez, he's the method guy. He's a Scott Storch level talent without the money, fame, charisma, or drug problem. Being a producer is much more than making beats. Having someone who can play keys, play guitar, and bass can change the sound significantly. It's all about the layers. I always try and listen whenever I hear Dr. Dre speak and he had a whole studio of players and the end result is nothing short of amazing.. That's the best blueprint in the business. We're on some Diet Dr. Dre shit!



OK:
Haha. What are some of your equipment you use when making beats?

Vanderslice:
I use an MPC Renaissance, Pro Tools, and a bunch of old dusty records.



OK:
You’re a producer who has a really great buzz for someone who doesn't have a huge discography. Are you picky on who you work with?

Vanderslice:
I'm not sure how to answer this question.. I wouldn't say I’m picky but I would also say there's no buzz. I send beats to people on all walks of life and NO ONE picks em. A&R's, DJ's., Promo guys, artists themselves, and all. I think we've been fortunate in the regard that we don't rely on placements or buzz to make our moves. We have a tight knit team and pool our resources from selling records, beats, samples, and what not to fund our own ventures. I don't mind investing in myself it's been working out great so far. It also provides a certain freedom. Especially being I am the absolute worst networker of all time. I'm just thankful we have the support of a growing fan base, I’ll take that over the buzz any day.



OK:
Do you just make hundreds of beats at once and then go back and fix them or do you do one beat at a time and craft them?

Vanderslice:
I try and make one keeper a day. It averages out to about 7 - 10 a month. We focus on quality over quantity, which could also explain why we can't get anything done. You have to flood people to get one song done. We ain't on it like that.




OK:
Name 5 albums that are masterfully produced from top to bottom?

Vanderslice:
Gangstarr - Moment Of Truth

Smif n' Wessun -  Dah Shinin

Quasimoto - The Unseen

Dr. Dre - The Chronic

Curren$y and Alchemist - The Covert Coup



OK:
You’re big on vinyl and vinyl sampling. How many records would you say you have?

Vanderslice:
I actually don't have a huge collection. I keep quality over quantity and there is a constant turnover. I sell a lot of vinyl. I only keep records that I like and records that are worth over a certain amount of money. It's almost like a retirement fund. I may only have 1500 - 2000 at one time, but I can randomly grab a record and there's something special on it.



OK:
When you crate dig is there a certain genre you search for?

Vanderslice:
It depends on what I’m doing and where I’m digging. Certain areas in the US have certain things. I am extremely fortunate that one of my closest friends happens to be the best in the business. Gene Brown has a travelling circus of ridiculous records and he'll show up with a car full of bangers at any given moment. So if I’m in the field it depends where I’m at. The further west you go into the Midwest passed Ohio and shit has all the rare Detroit and Midwest soul stuff. If you go a bit south into Kentucky you find a bunch of Christian rock heat and gospel records. The area dictates the records.



OK:
I hear you used to (or still do) spit here and there? Even though it was only for your enjoyment, do you think you will ever release a project of yourself just for shits and giggles?

Vanderslice:
Yes I am ABSOLUTELY droppin a rap EP in 2014.. It may be dated but I already jacked the Iggy Azalea hook for "Fancy".. for a song called "I'm So Gangsta". Keepin it real is passé, we're here to entertain.



OK:
Word, def looking forward to that. Seeing that Stu is a big Redskins fan, are you into sports at all, if so what teams?

Vanderslice:
I can't say I am into sports. I was a big Clippers fan until they banned my favorite owner.



OK:
Haha. You worked with a ton of heavy hitters in the game, did most of these collaborations come from artists getting in touch with you or you getting in touch with them?

Vanderslice:
I have a few valuable relationships and some people show love, others got paid. I don't shy away from that either like most people. I'm not embarrassed to say I invest in myself and my records. Freddie Gibbs don't fuck with Vanderslice... He has no clue who I am. I would rather be honest and say I paid em and he gave me an AMAZING song and an honest effort than tell you he and I were hanging out. I think it's a level of professionalism. I don't work for free for anyone, so I don't assume anyone would work for me for free either. There's always a trade of service be it beats, cash, sexual favors for all the ladies.. and so on.




OK:
Lol. Your new album "Everything's Awesome", does anyone ever ask if it’s related to the Lego Movie song lol?

Vanderslice:
They jacked that name off my Twitter. My shit is called "Everything's Awesome" (There's is "Everything Is Awesome") and has been in the works way before that shit dropped. I was hoping to get sued by someone. It worked wonders for Dangermouse.



OK:
You started a new label Stones Faux, which is a cross of Stones Throw and Def Jux. Is there a chance you will sign any artists to the label?

Vanderslice:
No it's a faux label.. It's not real. My next record we're doing a pen and pixel cover. It's coming out on Faux Limit records. It's all purely conceptual and 100% independent. No scans... no bar code... dodging sample clearances, cease and desists, and everything else that has crippled the music. Fuck all that shit. DIY till I die I say.



OK:
That's pretty dope tho, to make up faux labels for different releases! So what upcoming artists would you like to work with?

Vanderslice:
I'd like to work with Iggy Azalea but only so I could coax her into sitting on my face. How is she fuckin with that 6th man NBA journeyman BUM Swaggy P.. The Lakers are trash. Talent wise Freddie Gibbs is my favorite rapper out. We have 3 songs done so I’m content without being complacent at the moment. I'd like to work with Vince Staples I think he's really dope, and there are always legends. I'd like to do a song with Styles P and Jadakiss on some back n forth shit. I'd like to do something for Slaughterhouse as well.



OK:
You got your new album dropping, you worked on the new AOTP album, what else can fans expect from you in the future?


Vanderslice:
Yes "Everything's Awesome" is available over at www.ihatevanderslice.com It's a collection of instrumental work with some features littered about. It has verses from Freddie Gibbs, Evidence, Awar, Maffew Ragazino, Twin Gambino, Apathy, Celph Titled, and my man Merkules. Merkules and I are working on a project. No said date yet but we're working. He's an amazing rapper out of Vancouver. My first international action.



My dear friend and long time collaborator AWAR are putting out a full-length project called "The Winning Team". That is our best work to date. The beats, the features, the people involved were all passionate and it shows when you listen. We got Freddie Gibbs, Roc Marciano, King Los, Latoiya Williams, BJ The Chicago Kid, Troy Ave, and our long time friend Has-Lo. I did all of the beats, save for two. "Rotten Apple" is produced by our friend Jaisu from Scotland, and "Reincarnation" is produced by Trox who is on the fast track to being "that dude", study up. That's coming sooner than later in a month or so?



Steez and I are starting to work on our new record, which I alluded to earlier. It's called "Fiscally Disabled". We have exactly one song done. It has Freddie Gibbs on it. And it's called "My Neighborhood". It's the hardest shit we've ever done. It's the closest thing to the No Limit Era you're gonna get whenever we drop it.  We have plans for some other features and we're gonna put the home team on as well. But I’ve said too much already. For now go to www.ihatevanderslice.com and buy "Everything's Awesome". It's on cocaaaaaine white vinyl. Cause everything we drop is straight DOPE. Thank you for your time.


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