A few weeks ago on my 'songs of praise' show over on Space Invader Radio I played the tune, Brisa, and was delighted to receive a comment from the band, Nicholas Kopernicus to say thanks. Was chuffed to say the least and to top it all off Jason (guesting below) told me he had the speakers out his street in Brooklyn playing my show with folks hanging out and chilling to the sounds. That's the beauty of the internet! Needless to say I was even more chuffed when he agreed to talk about his musical influences for our series.
He came at it with gusto as they say and has delivered an extensive view of the sounds that he grew up with as he made his journey to where he is today. Special.Much thanks to Jason for taking the time out to share these thoughts and feelings. Enjoy.
********************************************************************************************************************************************************Hello Cubikmusik music family, My name is Jason "classicbeatz" Minnis and I'm producer/pianist/songwriter based in Brooklyn, NY. Thanks for checking me out.
A little discography?
My most recent project is an instrumental album with guitarist Seon Gomez. We call ourselves Nicholas Kopernicus and our debut album Audiocentric is in all major digital stores . The music can be described as a mix of afro-beat, soul, jazz and funk (and anything else dope). In 2008 I released an underground hip hop album with MC/Producer Ash Holmz. We call ourselves Smash Brothers and the album is called Fear factor. Why am I talking?
A couple of days ago Cubikmusik hit me up and was gracious enough to ask me to do a guest post. After reading some of the dope features, I quickly realized that I was out of my league. I'm not going to even try and compete with some of he dope musicians/producers/Dj's that have been featured. Instead, I'm going to try take you on my own personal musical journey and show how my influences have evolved. I also want to give “musical snapshots” of various periods of my life. Hopefully you like what you read..if not.. well .. kick rocks?
Where it all started(Florida boi)
Well first off ,I'm from the South(southern united states for cats outside the US). I was born and raised in South St. Petersburg ,Florida(Tampa bay area). Like most southern American cities 'St. Pete' has its ups and downs. It has a rich cultural heritage, especially in the African American community. But it also suffers from segregation and classicism. In some areas, poverty, drugs and gangs are rampant, while other areas of the city reflect a picturesque view of the American dream. As with most places in the USA, your version of St.pete depends on your paycheck & skin color
*best BBQ in the world, grandma's house
These early influences & contradictions help shape my personality and the music that I listen to. From an young age I had two musical callings, Classical Piano & hip hop. I know it sounds like an unlikely pairing but for me it made perfect sense. It wasn't unusual for me to listen to local mixes of the Jam Pony DJ's, or southern hip hop luminaries like Ghetto Boys & UGK and then turn around and practice Chopin, Debussy or Rachmaninoff on the piano for hours. There was never any differentiation for me. As with the contradictions of my environment, it all seemed normal.
Southern Contradictions play list12 Player's Ball
Mazurka in a minor
Growing Up
As I got older, my musical pallet go wider. Also things were changing around me,due to continued police brutality in the black community, South St.pete had major riot. This event(as well as other factors) influenced my family's decision to move 10 miles north. While 10 miles may not seem far to most, it might as well have been the moon to me. It was a huge culture shock. All of a sudden I was introduced to grunge and alt rock from kids at my high school. Sonic youth, Green Day and Sound Garden stayed in my play list right along with 8ball& MJG, Jay-Z & Biggie.
Jason's teenage grunge list
pearl jam - jermy
Green-day - basketcase Soundgarden - black hole sun Stone Temple Pilots-Vaseline
Around this time I discovered my dads old records and became "aware" of how dope soul music is. I've heard the soundtrack of the 60's & 70's in my household my entire life but I had never really paid it much attention. Aretha, Curtis, Marvin & Stevie, as well as Black Urhu ,Bob Marley. seemed to be talking to me. They all seemed to understand the turmoil and identity crises that I was going through This new discovery along with the "Dead Presidents" movie soundtrack awakened the inner 70's revolutionary inside of me. While my boys were rocking to P-diddy and getting jiggy. I was listening to the originals
Jason's Militant playlist
James brown- Big payback
Black Urhu -Sponji Reggae Nina -Young gifted and black LIVE Issac Hayes – walk on by
College
When I attended to Florida state University yet another world opened up. I joined an historically black fraternity named Phi Beta Sigma. One of the things that all historically black fraternities and sororities do is stepping which is a form of rhythmic dancing that dates back 80 years. Stepping taught me the value of "feeling" the rhythm as well as performance. Nothing compares to performing on stage in front of thousands of people We were nice!!! and we toured the entire south rocking shows (here is a video clip of a show from NYC) *strolling with my fraternity brothers, Step show outfit
I also began expanding my hip hop tastes as well. I discovered the genius that is J-dilla when I was a sophomore in college. I was always aware of his work(pharcyde, The Ummah) but Slum village vol 2, and Common's like water for chocolate really opened up my ears. Freaky drums, Yes! Jazzy Rhodes YES. To me Dilla took the richness of old soul and modernized it while maintaining its original flava.
At Florida State your pretty much forced to interact with different types people. I was fortunate to be around folks that put me on to Good alternative music . A roommate put me on to Radiohead (kid-A), and Ive been hooked ever since
Jason's College playlist
Outkast-BOBDownload 08 B.O.B. Cee-lo -Evening news
>Common/slum village - theolonious
>Radiohead-Everything in its right place D'Angelo- Africa
Alone in West Baltimore
After I finished college at Florida state I moved to Baltimore for graduate school. This is point in my life where I began to take music seriously. I had always kept up with my piano playing and dabbled in songwriting, but the isolation of graduate school and the grittiness of Baltimore forced me inwards. After rocking ATliens until the wheels feel off, I finally bit the bullet bought an MPC2000xl and began the crazy journey that is production. I had absolutely no idea what I was doing at the time(i still don't ) and looking back I think that was one of the definitive experiences of my life. Figuring out stuff on my own with no guidance forced me be creative and develop a unique process as well as confidence. When you're in those situations you either become frustrated and give up or find away to make it work. *west Baltimore beginner setup
With that being said there there was always one group of producers I always admired and looked to for guidance. Organized noise!! These dudes have produced so many hip hop gems. From Outkast -ATliens(which is my fav hip hop album of all time) Goodie mob,TLC to other Dungeon Family acts like Cool Breeze, Slim Cutter Calhoun and Witch Doctor. As far as hip hop production is concerned , these guys are my biggest influence.
Jasons favorite Organized noise/DF songs Dungeon Family - Follow the lights Outkast-Mainstream cool-breeze-watch for da hook Goodie Mob- Still standing Outkast, Erkyah Badu, cee-lo- In due time
The Africainzation of jason?
In 2005 I took the first of 2 trips to Africa(Kampala, Uganda). Needless to say , this was a big deal. When I stepped off the plane in Kampala Uganda, I was the first person in my family to set foot on the African continent since my forefathers were brought over on slaves. This had a huge impact on my psyche. The music, environment and culture were amazing. Upon my arrival my senses were overwhelmed with the rhythms and sounds of African music. While there are huge cultural differences between Africans and African Americans, the rhythm in our music has managed to stay consistent throughout the generations. Because of this, the music that I heard while in Uganda was strangely familiar and new at the same time. When I got home I immediately dove head first into the vast ocean that is African music, old and new.
*Nile river, Lake Victoria, Ugandan dancers
Africanized playlist...
Fela kuti – Expensive sh*t
Siji -yearning for home Cheikh lo- sou Cedric IM brooks- Ethopia Karl Hector & the malcouns - sahara swing
Wrap up
I can't front, Ive been blessed with a wide range of life experiences. Due to time constraints I've had to leave a lot off stuff out. (Band camp, piano lessons, Brooklyn,saxophone practice) But hopefully I given some insight into the major experiences that have shaped the music I make. Personally I think you can hear a lot of my “world” influences on Audiocentric album and you can hear more of my southern hip hop influences on the fear factor album . These experiences are working their way into my new project as well. Who knows how that will end up ;)
Either way, Thanks for taking the time to check me out.
Jason “classicbeatz” Minnis
********************************************************************************************************************************************************
Nicholas Kopernicus www.facebook.com/nkopernicus (<--stays updated) www.myspace.com/nkopernicus www.twitter.com/nkopernicus [email protected]
My personal www.myspace.com/classicbeatz classicbeatz@gmail.com
Smash Brothers www.myspace.com/smashbrothersmusic [email protected]
He came at it with gusto as they say and has delivered an extensive view of the sounds that he grew up with as he made his journey to where he is today. Special.Much thanks to Jason for taking the time out to share these thoughts and feelings. Enjoy.
********************************************************************************************************************************************************Hello Cubikmusik music family, My name is Jason "classicbeatz" Minnis and I'm producer/pianist/songwriter based in Brooklyn, NY. Thanks for checking me out.
A little discography?
My most recent project is an instrumental album with guitarist Seon Gomez. We call ourselves Nicholas Kopernicus and our debut album Audiocentric is in all major digital stores . The music can be described as a mix of afro-beat, soul, jazz and funk (and anything else dope). In 2008 I released an underground hip hop album with MC/Producer Ash Holmz. We call ourselves Smash Brothers and the album is called Fear factor. Why am I talking?
A couple of days ago Cubikmusik hit me up and was gracious enough to ask me to do a guest post. After reading some of the dope features, I quickly realized that I was out of my league. I'm not going to even try and compete with some of he dope musicians/producers/Dj's that have been featured. Instead, I'm going to try take you on my own personal musical journey and show how my influences have evolved. I also want to give “musical snapshots” of various periods of my life. Hopefully you like what you read..if not.. well .. kick rocks?
Where it all started(Florida boi)
Well first off ,I'm from the South(southern united states for cats outside the US). I was born and raised in South St. Petersburg ,Florida(Tampa bay area). Like most southern American cities 'St. Pete' has its ups and downs. It has a rich cultural heritage, especially in the African American community. But it also suffers from segregation and classicism. In some areas, poverty, drugs and gangs are rampant, while other areas of the city reflect a picturesque view of the American dream. As with most places in the USA, your version of St.pete depends on your paycheck & skin color
*best BBQ in the world, grandma's house These early influences & contradictions help shape my personality and the music that I listen to. From an young age I had two musical callings, Classical Piano & hip hop. I know it sounds like an unlikely pairing but for me it made perfect sense. It wasn't unusual for me to listen to local mixes of the Jam Pony DJ's, or southern hip hop luminaries like Ghetto Boys & UGK and then turn around and practice Chopin, Debussy or Rachmaninoff on the piano for hours. There was never any differentiation for me. As with the contradictions of my environment, it all seemed normal.
Southern Contradictions play list12 Player's Ball
Mazurka in a minor
Growing Up
As I got older, my musical pallet go wider. Also things were changing around me,due to continued police brutality in the black community, South St.pete had major riot. This event(as well as other factors) influenced my family's decision to move 10 miles north. While 10 miles may not seem far to most, it might as well have been the moon to me. It was a huge culture shock. All of a sudden I was introduced to grunge and alt rock from kids at my high school. Sonic youth, Green Day and Sound Garden stayed in my play list right along with 8ball& MJG, Jay-Z & Biggie.
Jason's teenage grunge list
pearl jam - jermy
Green-day - basketcase Soundgarden - black hole sun Stone Temple Pilots-Vaseline
Around this time I discovered my dads old records and became "aware" of how dope soul music is. I've heard the soundtrack of the 60's & 70's in my household my entire life but I had never really paid it much attention. Aretha, Curtis, Marvin & Stevie, as well as Black Urhu ,Bob Marley. seemed to be talking to me. They all seemed to understand the turmoil and identity crises that I was going through This new discovery along with the "Dead Presidents" movie soundtrack awakened the inner 70's revolutionary inside of me. While my boys were rocking to P-diddy and getting jiggy. I was listening to the originals
Jason's Militant playlist
James brown- Big payback
Black Urhu -Sponji Reggae Nina -Young gifted and black LIVE Issac Hayes – walk on by
College
When I attended to Florida state University yet another world opened up. I joined an historically black fraternity named Phi Beta Sigma. One of the things that all historically black fraternities and sororities do is stepping which is a form of rhythmic dancing that dates back 80 years. Stepping taught me the value of "feeling" the rhythm as well as performance. Nothing compares to performing on stage in front of thousands of people We were nice!!! and we toured the entire south rocking shows (here is a video clip of a show from NYC)
*strolling with my fraternity brothers, Step show outfit I also began expanding my hip hop tastes as well. I discovered the genius that is J-dilla when I was a sophomore in college. I was always aware of his work(pharcyde, The Ummah) but Slum village vol 2, and Common's like water for chocolate really opened up my ears. Freaky drums, Yes! Jazzy Rhodes YES. To me Dilla took the richness of old soul and modernized it while maintaining its original flava.
At Florida State your pretty much forced to interact with different types people. I was fortunate to be around folks that put me on to Good alternative music . A roommate put me on to Radiohead (kid-A), and Ive been hooked ever since
Jason's College playlist
Outkast-BOBDownload 08 B.O.B. Cee-lo -Evening news
>Common/slum village - theolonious
>Radiohead-Everything in its right place D'Angelo- Africa
Alone in West Baltimore
After I finished college at Florida state I moved to Baltimore for graduate school. This is point in my life where I began to take music seriously. I had always kept up with my piano playing and dabbled in songwriting, but the isolation of graduate school and the grittiness of Baltimore forced me inwards. After rocking ATliens until the wheels feel off, I finally bit the bullet bought an MPC2000xl and began the crazy journey that is production. I had absolutely no idea what I was doing at the time(i still don't ) and looking back I think that was one of the definitive experiences of my life. Figuring out stuff on my own with no guidance forced me be creative and develop a unique process as well as confidence. When you're in those situations you either become frustrated and give up or find away to make it work.
*west Baltimore beginner setup With that being said there there was always one group of producers I always admired and looked to for guidance. Organized noise!! These dudes have produced so many hip hop gems. From Outkast -ATliens(which is my fav hip hop album of all time) Goodie mob,TLC to other Dungeon Family acts like Cool Breeze, Slim Cutter Calhoun and Witch Doctor. As far as hip hop production is concerned , these guys are my biggest influence.
Jasons favorite Organized noise/DF songs Dungeon Family - Follow the lights Outkast-Mainstream cool-breeze-watch for da hook Goodie Mob- Still standing Outkast, Erkyah Badu, cee-lo- In due time
The Africainzation of jason?
In 2005 I took the first of 2 trips to Africa(Kampala, Uganda). Needless to say , this was a big deal. When I stepped off the plane in Kampala Uganda, I was the first person in my family to set foot on the African continent since my forefathers were brought over on slaves. This had a huge impact on my psyche. The music, environment and culture were amazing. Upon my arrival my senses were overwhelmed with the rhythms and sounds of African music. While there are huge cultural differences between Africans and African Americans, the rhythm in our music has managed to stay consistent throughout the generations. Because of this, the music that I heard while in Uganda was strangely familiar and new at the same time. When I got home I immediately dove head first into the vast ocean that is African music, old and new.
*Nile river, Lake Victoria, Ugandan dancers Africanized playlist...
Fela kuti – Expensive sh*t
Siji -yearning for home Cheikh lo- sou Cedric IM brooks- Ethopia Karl Hector & the malcouns - sahara swing
Wrap up
I can't front, Ive been blessed with a wide range of life experiences. Due to time constraints I've had to leave a lot off stuff out. (Band camp, piano lessons, Brooklyn,saxophone practice) But hopefully I given some insight into the major experiences that have shaped the music I make. Personally I think you can hear a lot of my “world” influences on Audiocentric album and you can hear more of my southern hip hop influences on the fear factor album . These experiences are working their way into my new project as well. Who knows how that will end up ;)
Either way, Thanks for taking the time to check me out.
Jason “classicbeatz” Minnis
********************************************************************************************************************************************************
Check out just one tune as influenced by the above sounds and feelings. Impressive stuff.
buy: iTunes Amazon
Contact Hit me upNicholas Kopernicus www.facebook.com/nkopernicus (<--stays updated) www.myspace.com/nkopernicus www.twitter.com/nkopernicus [email protected]
My personal www.myspace.com/classicbeatz classicbeatz@gmail.com
Smash Brothers www.myspace.com/smashbrothersmusic [email protected]
Comments