REBEL SOUL: BIG SNIPE BEATZ
INTERVIEW REAlifE PHOTOGRAPH @kontra.vers.e
Self taught producer Big Snipe took a chance on himself and has built an impressive resume, working with both up and coming and legendary hip-hop artist. He prefers to collaborate with “bars” over “hype”. The Atlanta based producer has honed his craft in the trenches over the years with his signature sound And soulful beats. In his own words, “Picking the right sample with the right drums is essential.” Validated caught up with Big Snipe to discuss his earliest memory of hip-hop culture, his production style and what he has planned next.
“To me that is the foundation. Grabbing a sample and making something brand new out of it is what the culture was built on. That's why I make sure that my hi-hats on my drums have a mean swing. When my drums swing, it’s a representation of my own personal rhythm.”
- BIG SNIPE
VALIDATED: Being based in Atlanta, Georgia but born in New York around the golden age of hip-hop, what’s your earliest memory of the culture?
BIG SNIPE: I can remember watching the video for “The Symphony” with Kool G Rap, Big Daddy Kane, Craig G and Masta Ace on Video Music Box. They all bodied their verse, and that was so inspiring to me.
I also remember chilling on the block listening to “The Bridge is Over” from KRS-One, and I was like KRS is killing this. And don’t forget Rakim with “My Melody”. That is a classic!
VALIDATED: What was it about hip-hop artist like KRS One, Rakim and Big Daddy Kane that grabbed your attention as a child?
BIG SNIPE: Back in those days everyone had their own style. KRS-One held it down for the BX (Bronx), his wordplay and vocabulary was mean. Rakim held it down for Long Island, His knowledge and delivery were crazy. Then Big Daddy Kane held it down for Brooklyn, his style was smooth for the ladies, but his flow was insane.
VALIDATED: As a teenager you and a friend started a group called “Rebel Soul”, what can you tell us about the group?
BIG SNIPE: Back in the days before I started producing, my best friend Eddie and I started this rap group called Rebel Soul. We used to battle cats around the neighborhood. We wanted to give people that rebel flow, but also have that soulful sound from instrumentals from Pete Rock and J Dilla.
VALIDATED: As an artist, you gravitated towards the soulful sample sounds of groups like A Tribe Called Quest, Brand Nubians, and Pete Rock & CL Smooth. What was it about that soulful sound that you related to?
BIG SNIPE: It was the samples they were selecting that caught my ear, I always say when you listen to a beat, it will tell you what to write about. The beat always talks to you first before anything.
VALIDATED: What role did your wife play in your decision to pursue music production?
BIG SNIPE: My wife is the one who encouraged me to start making music in the first place. One day we were riding out and talking about what I loved to do. As I was thinking about it, I was listening to music in the car and dissecting the track with my hands, like I usually do. She was like, “what about music?” That was like my light bulb moment, and right then and there we went out to Guitar Center to check out equipment. She was very supportive and always encouraged me to keep going even when I wanted to stop. She would come out and support me at different beat battles I had around the city.
VALIDATED: Without any formal musical training, you taught yourself to make beats, how difficult was that process?
BIG SNIPE: It was a very difficult process! I remember I used to ask other producers I knew to show me how to make a beat. All they would say is, “It's so hard to do.” So I went to YouTube and started teaching myself. I would stay up all night and watch YouTube videos and practice every day. I was determined to learn the process of making music and being great at it. I would participate in beat battles to get my name out there and to get feedback from the crowds and judges.
VALIDATED: You’ve made a name for yourself producing for artist such as Raekwon, Sheek Louch, DJ Kay Slay, Vado, Loaded Lux, Gunplay, Mysonne, Young Chris, Smoke Dza, Ar-Ab, Hell Rell, Oun P, and Termanology to name a few. What was you first placement and how did you get the opportunity?
BIG SNIPE: I made a lot of my contacts throw social media. DJ Kay Slay gave me my first placement on two of his mixtapes. I got a song on “The Rap Attack Mixtape” called “Street Stories” featuring Termanology, Hell Rell, and Oun P. Kay Slay also put me on the “50 Shades Of Slay” mixtape, which I did a song called “Anger Management” featuring Loaded Lux, Young Chris, and Gunplay. In addition, I also did a song with Raekwoncalled “The Biz”. Then Sheek Louch started vibing to the track and put his Flava on it and called it “Gorilla Biz”.
VALIDATED: Your music is derived from hip-hop's "golden age" with soulful samples and swinging drums, what does that era of hip-hop mean to you?
BIG SNIPE: To me that is the foundation. Grabbing a sample and making something brand new out of it is what the culture was built on. That's why I make sure that my hi-hats on my drums have a mean swing. When my drums swing, it’s a representation of my own personal rhythm.
VALIDATED: Who are a couple of producers that influenced you and what if anything did you “borrow” from them?
BIG SNIPE: My influences include some of the greatest. Producers like J Dilla, Pete Rock, 9th Wonder, DJ Premier, Nottz, all influenced me because they all bring something different to the table, but it’s all soulful. Picking the right sample with the right drums is essential. That’s why I respect all of them. I’m still a student in this game so I’m learning every day.
VALIDATED: You produced tracks for Texas artist See Green’s recent project “Soul of the Streetz”, what are your thoughts on the album?
BIG SNIPE: The chemistry between See Green's artistry and my production are crazy. Some people had said that the way we bridge two generations of hip-hop together is "a breath of fresh air". It's soulful beats with an artist that's saying something real. It's also been said that the “Soul of the Streetz” Project is a masterpiece. It's pretty cool to hear that considering I executive produced this project. We wanted to give people soulful tracks and content when it came to the bars. See Green handled that part all the way!
I have to add that, even though we lost V-Boy Swerv earlier last year, we did some great work with him too. V-Boy Swerv was a dope lyricist. He and See Green did a track called “Ammunition” that I also produced.
VALIDATED: What’s next for Big Snipe?
BIG SNIPE: The first project was called “The Comfort Zone” and it’s on all streaming platforms. So go check that out! Currently, I'm working on another instrumental project. I'm also, working with soulful artist Keni Myles on an R&B album. The first single I produced with Keni, “So Free”, is already out on all streaming platforms.
VALIDATED: What’s your social media contacts and website?
BIG SNIPE: My Instagram is @big_snipe_beatz and my website is www.rebelsoulproduction.com.