Mixmaster of the Month:
Floyd the Locsmif
About
Floyd:
Keeping
alive the tradition of authentic hip-hop beats, Floyd the Locsmif channels
the energy found in the 1960s and 70s-era jazz, soul, and funk crates
that he frequently raids, making him one of finest producers to emerge
from the south. Hailing from the humble town of Fitzgerald, GA, Locsmif
currently crafts his one-of-a-kind beats down in Atlanta - the unofficial
southern "Mecca" of innovative hip-hop - where he stays true to his name
by unlocking the conventional limits of soul and hip-hop music production.
Considering himself a "musical locksmith," each of Locsmif's unique rhythmic
creations are almost never identical. From his "pause mix" experiment
tapes of the late 1980s, to his first sampler investment in 1993, Locsmif
continues to bless eardrums with a different sound experience, using his
signature "chop style" of production and sometimes lush, almost classical,
soul music.
Alongside DJ Jamad (Afromentals/The Aphilliates), Locsmif entered the
mixtape scene in 2004 with the highly-acclaimed "Outskirts: The Unofficial
Lost OutKast Remixes," an OutKast remix CD, consequently expanding
Locsmif's fan base and laying the foundation for his widely received Divine
Dezignz series. In early 2005, Locsmif's "Divine Dezignz #1: Discovery,"
a collection of his original soul and hip-hop instrumentals, made its
debut at iTunes and was featured on three consecutive iTunes Street Official Mixtapes. Adding upon the success of "#1:
Discovery," Locsmif secured a national distribution deal with Fontana
through High Wire Music to release "Divine Dezignz #1.2: Re-Discovered."
Whether it's jazzy soul or "overground" ruggedness, Locsmif's clientele
includes Atlanta's own Cee-Lo, 50 Cent (for which the Locsmif-produced
"Maybe We Crazy" from 50's video game Bulletproof soundtrack snagged Best
Original Song in a Video Game at Spike TV's 2006 Video Game Awards), Diggin'
In The Crates Crew member OC, J-Live, Swamp Headz, Stahhr tha FEMCEE,
Sol Uprising, 4IZE of Disturbing the Peace, Slick & Rose, John Robinson
a.k.a. Lil' Sci, Platinum Pied Pipers' Waajeed, Mellotone Recordings artist
Fantab, and CYNE. Locsmif's versatility in the music marketplace has landed
him spots on various mixtapes and compilations such as Shaman Work Recordings
2005 Beatology Vol. 2, a commission to produce the soundtrack to Coca-Cola/Nestea's
national "Ice'n" campaign, which promoted the launch of NesteaIce.com
in May 2005. Additionally, Locsmif hosted a weekly Hip Hop mix show segment
called In The Loop on Sirius Satellite Radio and has been a featured guest
DJ on Shade45's "Rep Your Set" show.
Next
up for Locsmif is the release of a new mix CD called "Interludes and Essentials."
A
few questions for Floyd the Locsmif:
1.
Tell us about some DJs you admire.
My first DJ influence/idol was my Dad. He taught me how to pause mix
and what elements make a song timeless. Then came DJs like Magic Mike,
Jam Master Jay, Cash Money, and Down Pat. Later, Premo and Pete Rock because
they DJ'd and primarily made beats, which is what got me really excited
about getting involved with the technical side.
2. Who are some of your favorite artists?
My favorite artists tend to change, but the consistent ones have been
Bob Marley, anything by J-Dilla (r.i.p.), Ahmad Jamal, and Madlib (YNQ).
Double click on "mixmaster" on the player below
to hear music from Floyd the Locsmif.