Bekay "I Am" Remix Contest Video

I participated in the Bekay "I Am" remix contest. The original track was produced by Alchemist. Check out the video! I was the second they reviewed in the video.

Bekay - "I Am" Remix Contest (Judging Roundtable) from Coalmine Records on Vimeo.

Free Download: Life In 3D Album Preview

I've decided to release a 4 track album preview of my debut release "Life In 3D". If you want to download it, the link is below. Please support me and purchase the entire album on iTunes by clicking http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=294319864

Here is the album preview to download for free: http://www.mediafire.com/?myfhydgzwwx

Track on JumpOffTV

I recently found out that one of my tracks was played in the background of JumpOffTV. Its a popular online hip-hop news channel. My friend actually was the one to discover it and called me. But at the end of the video they mispronounce my name at Malik, not Mal-ick...get it right!

Bay Area Producers Conference

This last weekend I competed in the iStandard Producers Beat Showcase at the Bay Area Producers Conference in San Francisco. There were 8 talented producers in the showcase. The top 4 producers advanced to the second round and then the top 2 competed in the final round for $1,000. Ultimately I made it to the final round and ended up winning the $1,000. It was a great night and I met a lot of cool people from the bay area and beyond (Paro Paro Beats came all the way from New York).

Studio Tour

This is a video of my studio! Check it out. I will be posting up a new battle video very soon from the Bay Area Producers Conference that happened this past weekend in San Francisco.

Hitmakers: Studio Tour from Malek on Vimeo.

Last Six Months In Review

This video I recently made to show everyone what I've been up to for the last six months! It's been a great six months and I feel like I've really worked hard to get my name out there even more! Check it out and let me know what you think!

Last Six Months In Review from Malek on Vimeo.

iStandardProducers Interview

This past month I was interviewed by iStandardProducers.com for their Member i.D. section. Click on the link below to check out the interview.

Here is the link: http://blog.istandardproducers.com/2009/06/malek-of-hitmakers-prod-june-2009-istandard-member-i-d/

Also, I just got back from my trip to Chicago so I will be putting up new stuff real soon.

R.I.P. Michael Jackson

I've been in Wisconsin this past week for vacation and now I'm spending the weekend in Chicago and as I was on my way to the hotel I find out on Twitter that Michael Jackson was rushed to the UCLA Medical Center after being found not breathing in his home. It wasn't reported yet as to whether or not MJ was still alive but people were already twittering that he was gone. I was hopeful that he would pull through but then I found out about an hour later that it was true...the king of pop was gone.

I remember growing up listening to Michael Jackson and Madonna only, so for the majority of my childhood his music was the only music I really knew. All of this is really sad and I don't think it's really hit me that its real. "Thriller" was one of, if not the, best pop album ever released and MJ truly changed music forever.

I'm going to enjoy my weekend trip in Chicago and I will update everyone when I get back, but definitely make sure to listen to your favorite MJ song for the next few days.

The truth...Accept it

I once read this, and I think it is crucial for all musicians trying to make it in this industry to read:

"You might get your first job without a network on sheer academic credentials and well done interviews, but nearly every job after that will be because of your network. It may be in the form of a referral, suggestion from a peer, someone you meet through your first job dealings, etc... but in almost every case you will find the next opportunity through your network. With that said, your network will only recommend you if you continually show competence in the roles you take on because they will not recommend poor or average performers as it is their reputation at stake too." -Anonymous

If you plan on making it in this industry, make sure you aren't only working on the music side of things. That is only half of the struggle. The other half is the business. Do your research and learn the industry before trying to jump head first into something you have no idea about. I hope this helps anyone and everyone, even those that are not trying to make it in the music industry. Good luck to all.

The future of Sampling

Am I dreaming or is this for real? I might be a little late to this, but I stumbled upon this video and my jaw dropped seeing all the possibilities with this program. It shows how you can take a sample and divide chords from that sample into individual editable notes just like controlling sounds in MIDI. This is crazy! Check it out and let me know what you think.

Skyzoo's "Strung Out" Remix Contest

I took part in Coalmine Records and Skyzoo's "Strung Out" remix contest. I was in the top 5 for the original (non-sampled) entries, but unfortunately I was not chosen as the winning track. However, I still wanted to post this video because my track was reviewed in the video. I was going to post my remix of Skyzoo's "Strung Out" but I think I might keep the beat and try to get it placed. Shout out to Matt Diamond for the opportunity man. I appreciate it. Look out for me in future contests. We'll be doing business in the near future.

Also, if you want to jump right to my remix on the video, its at 6:54 or so!

Foundation Fridays (Part 8): The "Strung Out" Remix Challenge - Judging Panel from Coalmine Records on Vimeo.

'Stop' vs. 'Walk'

This weekend I went to San Francisco to visit my college roommate from freshman year and also crate dig, of course. We were on our way to one of our friends' place when I saw this sign. I thought it was real cool and decided to take a picture of it. If you look close enough you see that both the 'Stop' and 'Walk' signs are lit up at the same time. I know a lot of people don't really look into things too much, but I found this sign to be symbolic.

I just graduated from college with a bachelors degree in business law and have been struggling with what I am going to do with my life - do I go to law school, get a job, or focus on music. Obviously, for now, the first choice (law school) is ruled out because I would've had to apply back in November if I were attending law school in the fall. As for getting a job, luckily I have a job set up for the next year, which not too many fresh college grads can really say right now. I will be starting my job in late July or early August, so right now I feel I have two months to make something of my music and see what I can do this summer before I start working 9 to 5.

Music will always be with me and I know regardless of what I do I will always make music - it's just a matter of how much time I will be able to devote to it. So I leave you with this, if you had the choice to 'stop' or 'walk' your dream with no idea of the future, which would you do?

Intro...

Whats up world,
Its Malek of Hitmakers Productions. I decided to start a blog to keep everyone updated on what's going on with me, as well as what is going on in the world of hip-hop and beyond.

Background: I am a music producer from California, and recently have been getting my name out there. On November 11, 2008, I released my debut production album "Life In 3D" which has created quite a buzz online and I hope it only gets bigger. The album displays all the styles of production I specialize in because I know the importance of being a versatile producer.

This past December I competed in the Red Bull Big Tune national finals in New York City and placed top 4 in the nation. During my trip out to NYC a camera crew was following all of us and made a short documentary on the Red Bull Big Tune which was aired on BET last month.

Just earlier this month (May), I went to Sha Money XL's One Stop Shop producer conference and was selected to compete in the beat showcase. There were 10 producers overall and I ended up placing 3rd. I cannot complain about any of the exposure I've been getting in the past year and I know its only going to get bigger and better. So follow me on my journey...