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Production

One of my many passions is music production. When a song has the perfect blending of lyrics and beat, it captures your attention and makes you feel it. When you can take your own inspiration and experiences and turn them into music, it only amplifies the power of those experiences. Some of my favorite producers are, in no particular order, Dr. Dre, Eminem, The Runners, Swizz Beats, Akon, Scott Storch, Stargate, The RZA, Hi-Tek, Drumma Boy, Ty Fyffe, Kanye West, The Neptunes, Timbaland, Danja, Jonathan "JR" Rotem, will.i.am, Just Blaze, Mario Winans, Mike Elizondo, Dawaun Parker, and many more. The real inspiration for me is the unique sound that each producer brings to the table, and the way that each producer is shaping the ever-changing music industry.

Several songs inspire me to produce, because of the creativity of the beats and the blending of lyrics.
These songs are:

Young Jeezy - Go Getta (Featuring R. Kelly) [Produced by the Runners] - This song has very unique drums in the background, and they also sampled vocals and synthesized them to make the verse beat. When this is combined with Young Jeezy's low, raspy voice, and R. Kelly's smooth, higher pitched voice, it combines to make, in my opinion, the song of the year.

The Game - Let's Ride [Produced by Scott Storch] - Another incredible song from 2006, Storch uses a MIDI controller to control several outboard hardware synths. He starts out with a piano section, and then switches to a violin section that sounds flawless, all on top of a boom-boom-space-clap-space-boom-boom-clap beat. Overall, it meshes incredibly.

Eminem - 8 Mile [Produced by Eminem] - It's hard to think what's more incredible, that Eminem managed to become a rapper based on the trials in his life, or that he learned how to produce by simply watching Dr. Dre. Regardless, Eminem definitely puts together a winner on this track, with the great piano work, along with background train and other work noise. You really feel like you are in Eminem's shoes, listening to the desolation that Detroit had become in the late '90s.

2Pac "Makaveli" Shakur - Hail Mary [Produced by Hurt M Badd] - Written and recorded in only 30 minutes, this song not only shows the lyrical ability of the late Tupac Shakur, but it also shows his ability to use beats that match the mood. Featuring everything from church bells to an eerie sounding synth, this song makes you feel 2Pac's darkest days, and you cannot help but become lost in the power of it.

The Game - How We Do (Featuring 50 Cent) [Produced by Dr. Dre] - Finally, a song by the master himself, Dr. Dre. The lead single from "The Documentary", The Game makes his G-Unit debut with a bang, taking the charts by storm. The hard hitting beat and synths of this song give it the ultimate 'gangsta' feel, and while listening to it, you almost feel invincible. Even without lyrics, the song remains just as hard-hitting, which is telling of Dr. Dre's musical prowess.

Beyonce & Shakira - Beautiful Liar [Produced by Stargate] - Okay, not one of my typical artists, but very good nonetheless. Stargate, a Norwegian production duo, makes a really stellar beat for this. It features guitar work, with some horns in the chorus. Overall, it blends really well, and even has an Egyptian/Middle Eastern feel to it. Beyonce and Shakira also sound really nice together. Not to mention the music video is pretty steamy. Overall, definitely worthy of its chart position.

Design and Code copyright by Eric Shafer. All Rights Reserved. All music copyright by the respective artist. Images used via Fair Usage liscense.