If you missed part one of our exclusive interview with DJ Fokis and would like to download the exlclusive audio as well, you can do that by clicking here.
As a form of our appreciation to DJ Fokis, we kindly ask anyone viewing this interview to personally express their gratitude to DJ Fokis on his MySpace, which can be viewed here. Click here to listen to what DJ Fokis had to say about StreetHop.com.
StreetHop.com: Can you tell us more about how you got into producing? Was moving from deejaying to producing a big jump for you?
DJ Fokis: Producing was funny, it kind of just happened. I got a copy of Fruity Loops and I started fuckin' around with it. I had a rap artist loan me his MPC2000XL and it was history from there. I was cranking out beats; I was like a diamond in the rough. I was chopping samples, making melodies, and I made a couple of CD’s for local artists here and there.
I knew I had a goal with producing when my song aired on one of Chicago’s top radio stations. The song was called "Foundation" and it was done by the artist Spree Isreal. The song was so good that people mistook the production to be done by Spike -N- Jamal, a production duel in Chicago that did Monica’s "So Gone" single.
DJ Fokis: What haven't we covered (laughs)? …Porno
StreetHop.com: (laughs)
DJ Fokis: Yeah man, porno. But not being in porno, hell nah. I got plans of merging the porn industry with the mix tape game. I have been in talks with some major adult film stars about doing a series on my Pure Product mix tape series called "Tha Money Shot". I would have them host it and tell some crazy ass stories during the intros, interludes, and outros. It’s going to be crazy, bet the house on that one!
StreetHop.com: Sounds really interesting (laughs). When can we expect this “merging” of the two industries?
DJ Fokis: Pretty soon. I want the timing and the numbers to be just right because the game can be funny on how they accept new shit.
StreetHop.com: Yeah you’re definitely right about that. Going back to producing, a lot of people say that Fruity Loops isn't “good enough” to be used in the in the music industry because of its weak synths and MIDI sounding drums. How do you feel about Fruity Loops being the starting point in your producing career? Do you feel that it’s worthy enough to be used by producers everywhere? Should it be?
DJ Fokis: I would say it can be a nice “get in and smash” task but you got to know what you are doing. I know I do a lot of things that fit the expectations of the music-industry and non-industry, but I make sure I do what I do well. Too many cats don't have patience and they move at the wrong time and then get all tight faced on why they ain't making any profit.
Even when I was using Fruity Loops 3 people would tune up the face like "Fruity what" (laughs). Cause the name was the most off-brand title to use for a producing tool. I can say Fruity Loops has stood the test of time, Justus League member 9th Wonder is smashing with it.
On my end, I have worked in both worlds with software and hardware producing, the SP1200 to the MPC 4000. The MPC series versus Fruity Loops, MPC in my opinion gives off a warmer sound on your drums. But with the unlimited filters and effects, it's up to the producer and the amount of skill and time they have to make the drums pop out. I still go bonkers when I hear the drums on a 9th wonder track. They do hit hard.
StreetHop.com: What advice would you give to anyone who’s just starting out as a music producer? In your opinion, what makes a good music producer? Do you think it’s possible for someone to get into the music industry using FL Studio?
DJ Fokis: Fruity Loops as a beginner tool is a good start. I've seen cats spit out $10,000 on equipment and don't know how to count bars. I know with anything that I have taken an interest to, I can say just have patience, and practice your ass off if you want to be good at it. If you can be a master on the shittiest equipment that you had to scrape together every dollar to get but you were excited about having that shitty piece of equipment no matter what other Deejay’s or producers thought, just imagine when you keep plugging away at that piece of equipment and you start see money off it. Then when you go get that new hot shit you gonna be untouchable.
DJ Fokis: Overall, everything has a starting point. Don't lose focus. Screw what others may say about your sound or your goals because I never thought I would be doing what I am doing now if I had listened to that crowd. What makes a good producer is being able to be on the same page as the artist they met no less than 30 minutes ago. The chemistry you have with that vocalist, MC, or songwriter has to be there. You can't expect to get good chemistry from a lazy person with a proactive busy person.
One thing that everybody in the industry doesn't talk about is the art of building healthy business relationships. That has been my creed since I started linking up in this game. If you get an A&R's sidekick or email address, don't wait until you got a song to give to him or her cause they are not going to listen to someone that’s only interested in getting a deal off of them.
I think it is possible for a producer to get in the game from using Fruity Loops. Just look at what 9th Wonder is doing. Dude is crazy with it. But the thing that separates him from the others who use FL from hindsight is his passion and how he treats this music, a job that he loves. I mean dude says he takes lunch breaks and shit when he's in the studio making beats (laughs).
StreetHop.com: What can we expect from DJ Fokis in the near future?
DJ Fokis: You can expect a lot from DJ Fokis and the Pure Product mix tape series. 2007 is going to be a real productive year for me and my circle. Chicago doesn't have that major presence so I’m going to be a pioneer to make that happen. I mean, we got affiliates in my town but it's not like L.A., N.Y.C. or A.T.L. with headquarters or departments, whatever.
StreetHop.com: Any last words you would like to say to the fans?
DJ Fokis: It's funny to say “fans” but that’s the way of the world (laughs). But I would like to say thanks for all the attention and support so far. I know a lot of characters have counted out Chicago for making moves, but we gonna make it happen. Fuck that we got next statement. Big ups to FnF crew, RLMG Real Life Music Group, PHLI clothing, ASIS Magazine, Spin Club Radio, Death Row Records, Entire south side of Chicago, all the local college radio stations.
DJ Fokis: DJ Fokis "Bull of Tha Industry" out. Thanks for the love Streethop.com.
As a form of our appreciation to DJ Fokis, we kindly ask anyone viewing this interview to personally express their gratitude to DJ Fokis on his MySpace, which can be viewed here. Click here to listen to what DJ Fokis had to say about StreetHop.com.
StreetHop.com: Can you tell us more about how you got into producing? Was moving from deejaying to producing a big jump for you?
DJ Fokis: Producing was funny, it kind of just happened. I got a copy of Fruity Loops and I started fuckin' around with it. I had a rap artist loan me his MPC2000XL and it was history from there. I was cranking out beats; I was like a diamond in the rough. I was chopping samples, making melodies, and I made a couple of CD’s for local artists here and there.
I knew I had a goal with producing when my song aired on one of Chicago’s top radio stations. The song was called "Foundation" and it was done by the artist Spree Isreal. The song was so good that people mistook the production to be done by Spike -N- Jamal, a production duel in Chicago that did Monica’s "So Gone" single.
DJ Fokis: What haven't we covered (laughs)? …Porno
StreetHop.com: (laughs)
DJ Fokis: Yeah man, porno. But not being in porno, hell nah. I got plans of merging the porn industry with the mix tape game. I have been in talks with some major adult film stars about doing a series on my Pure Product mix tape series called "Tha Money Shot". I would have them host it and tell some crazy ass stories during the intros, interludes, and outros. It’s going to be crazy, bet the house on that one!
StreetHop.com: Sounds really interesting (laughs). When can we expect this “merging” of the two industries?
DJ Fokis: Pretty soon. I want the timing and the numbers to be just right because the game can be funny on how they accept new shit.
StreetHop.com: Yeah you’re definitely right about that. Going back to producing, a lot of people say that Fruity Loops isn't “good enough” to be used in the in the music industry because of its weak synths and MIDI sounding drums. How do you feel about Fruity Loops being the starting point in your producing career? Do you feel that it’s worthy enough to be used by producers everywhere? Should it be?
DJ Fokis: I would say it can be a nice “get in and smash” task but you got to know what you are doing. I know I do a lot of things that fit the expectations of the music-industry and non-industry, but I make sure I do what I do well. Too many cats don't have patience and they move at the wrong time and then get all tight faced on why they ain't making any profit.
Even when I was using Fruity Loops 3 people would tune up the face like "Fruity what" (laughs). Cause the name was the most off-brand title to use for a producing tool. I can say Fruity Loops has stood the test of time, Justus League member 9th Wonder is smashing with it.
On my end, I have worked in both worlds with software and hardware producing, the SP1200 to the MPC 4000. The MPC series versus Fruity Loops, MPC in my opinion gives off a warmer sound on your drums. But with the unlimited filters and effects, it's up to the producer and the amount of skill and time they have to make the drums pop out. I still go bonkers when I hear the drums on a 9th wonder track. They do hit hard.
StreetHop.com: What advice would you give to anyone who’s just starting out as a music producer? In your opinion, what makes a good music producer? Do you think it’s possible for someone to get into the music industry using FL Studio?
DJ Fokis: Fruity Loops as a beginner tool is a good start. I've seen cats spit out $10,000 on equipment and don't know how to count bars. I know with anything that I have taken an interest to, I can say just have patience, and practice your ass off if you want to be good at it. If you can be a master on the shittiest equipment that you had to scrape together every dollar to get but you were excited about having that shitty piece of equipment no matter what other Deejay’s or producers thought, just imagine when you keep plugging away at that piece of equipment and you start see money off it. Then when you go get that new hot shit you gonna be untouchable.
DJ Fokis: Overall, everything has a starting point. Don't lose focus. Screw what others may say about your sound or your goals because I never thought I would be doing what I am doing now if I had listened to that crowd. What makes a good producer is being able to be on the same page as the artist they met no less than 30 minutes ago. The chemistry you have with that vocalist, MC, or songwriter has to be there. You can't expect to get good chemistry from a lazy person with a proactive busy person.
One thing that everybody in the industry doesn't talk about is the art of building healthy business relationships. That has been my creed since I started linking up in this game. If you get an A&R's sidekick or email address, don't wait until you got a song to give to him or her cause they are not going to listen to someone that’s only interested in getting a deal off of them.
I think it is possible for a producer to get in the game from using Fruity Loops. Just look at what 9th Wonder is doing. Dude is crazy with it. But the thing that separates him from the others who use FL from hindsight is his passion and how he treats this music, a job that he loves. I mean dude says he takes lunch breaks and shit when he's in the studio making beats (laughs).
StreetHop.com: What can we expect from DJ Fokis in the near future?
DJ Fokis: You can expect a lot from DJ Fokis and the Pure Product mix tape series. 2007 is going to be a real productive year for me and my circle. Chicago doesn't have that major presence so I’m going to be a pioneer to make that happen. I mean, we got affiliates in my town but it's not like L.A., N.Y.C. or A.T.L. with headquarters or departments, whatever.
StreetHop.com: Any last words you would like to say to the fans?
DJ Fokis: It's funny to say “fans” but that’s the way of the world (laughs). But I would like to say thanks for all the attention and support so far. I know a lot of characters have counted out Chicago for making moves, but we gonna make it happen. Fuck that we got next statement. Big ups to FnF crew, RLMG Real Life Music Group, PHLI clothing, ASIS Magazine, Spin Club Radio, Death Row Records, Entire south side of Chicago, all the local college radio stations.
DJ Fokis: DJ Fokis "Bull of Tha Industry" out. Thanks for the love Streethop.com.
