Makin' Moves: 5 Questions for SkillzBeatz [Interview] - HipHopCanada.com

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Makin’ Moves: 5 Questions for SkillzBeatz [Interview]

Posted Nov 5th, 2012 by @KassKills | 1 Comment

Vancouver, BC – Riding from his success as a producer/DJ back home in the London, Skillzbeatz has brought his talent and knowledge of the industry to Vancity and is teaming up with some pretty awesome people. Working with the likes of Tonye Aganaba, Eliza Smith and Tre Nyce to name a few, Skillzbeatz is making moves in more than a few areas. From his online promo company Urban Hit Promotions to his upcoming label SubTrack Records, there is no where else for this UK born gentleman to go but up. We have a few words with him so get the goods after the jump.

HipHopCanada: Who has been a major influence on you as far as producers?

Skillzbeatz: My influences are pretty varied. I come from a hip-hop background to begin with so it was the likes of 9th Wonder, DJ Premier and guys like that. Over the years I’ve steered away from sampling and into composition of hip-hop and I have to say I love the tracks that J.U.S.T.I.C.E League produces. Another side to me and what I’m known for these days is bass heavy production from Dubstep and Drum & Bass. I also take a lot of inspiration from my good friend Erb n Dub who is so talented and also people like Flux Pavillion and Pendulum.

HipHopCanada: You are originally from London but are currently settled in Vancouver, what encouraged you to make the move?

Skillzbeatz: It’s been a crazy last few months with big changes. Actually, my folks moved to Vancouver about 5 years ago so naturally I started to visit them a lot and in that time I grew to love the city. There is such a great vibe and the music community is second to none so it was a pretty easy decision to make. I love London and I hold the city close to my heart but I couldn’t resist the beauty of Vancouver.

HipHopCanada: You’re working on launching a new label, can you tell us about that and who you have your eye on?

Skillzbeatz: The new label is almost ready to launch, it’s called SubTrack Records. Myself and my partner are developing a brand that is quite different and the main focus is on bass heavy genres of music – this is an area I’m pretty well developed in but with my large network in more urban genres I wanted to fuse the two together. There are a few things in the works at the moment but to get an idea of the style of music check out the remix of “Love Again” I did for the amazing Tonye Aganaba.

Skillzbeatz

HipHopCanada: You run Urban Hit Promotions and work with a number of artist, what is that like and what kind of success have you had?

Skillzbeatz: I live and breathe Urban Hit Promotions. This is a company I set up a couple of years ago and initially it was my cheeky way of being taken more seriously as a producer. I’d contact people to tell them about Skillzbeatz from that name. I already had a great network of successful artists and DJs in the UK so I started to promote for them too and it didn’t take long for the name to spread like wild fire. Before I knew it I was getting contacted from all over the world and had to start building a team. I have been striking up partnerships with some incredible companies and people such as Billy Danze of M.O.P and his company We Build Hits, Sidewinder which is a big UK music organization, Beat Culture in the UK and the list goes on. Even now I’m in many talks with new companies around the world. We have a strong push at the moment with Canadian talent so I urge any readers to check us out as we offer free promotion to anyone we feel has great talent. The free promo is via social media but with a 51,000 following on Twitter it’s a good way to get heard outside of Canada.

HipHopCanada: Thanks!

Interview conducted by KassKills for HipHopCanada

www.skillzbeatz.com | www.UrbanHitpromotions.com

Twitter | @Skillzbeatz

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Posted by @KassKills

Born in Ontario but raised on the West coast, Kass is currently located in the wonderfully diverse East side of Vancouver. With a passion for all things creative KassKills is a hair stylist by day and HipHopCanada's West Coast Regional Editor by night. Along with that she takes on the role of stylist and social network sweetheart to her media productions company, Team Heartbreak as well as occasional writer for Abort Magazine. Throughout her journey she has had the opportunity to interview and photograph some amazing artists including Sheek Louch, Noreaga, Black Milk, Kool Keith and JD Era.