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Interview With Hip Hop Producer EthyOne From Iceland

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31 May 2004 No Comment

Nyambz recently got in touch with Iceland’s EthyOne to talk about the Freshbreeze production company, favourite producers, making beats, his graf, Crate Diggin and more…

Nyambz: Who is EthyOne?

ethyOne: ethyONe is pretty easy-going guy from Iceland who is hooked on hip-hop and making music

Nyambz: Tell us about FreshBreeze?

ethyOne: Well, it started as Balzematics production company, he was producing for few mc’s in U.S, but then “ToneTact” joined and they started selling beats n, shit (i´m not sure, I hardly knew it existed then…) Then I came along and “hopped on the train”, and right after that a few Icelandic rappers joined, and then the goal was to get a studio up and running. And that’s where we stand now. I think Blaze is heading to the states though, well just see how it all ends.

Nyambz: Why the name ethyOne? How did you get it?

ethyOne: Well, I got into Graff back in 99′, and had to find a tag… So I was just brainstorming, hoping to find one with nice letters, and “ethyOne” came up! It doesn’t mean anything.

Nyambz: ha, Aight! Ever been high when you made a beat?

ethyOne: Nope! I don’t smoke. Heard that it increases you creativity, so it would be nice to try that…

Nyambz: Is hip-hop an accepted culture in Iceland? Does the public support hip-hop?

ethyOne: Well, most of the “public” doesn’t support hip-hop, but it isn’t against it either.

Nyambz: What inspires you to make beats?

ethyOne: Well, really often it’s just listening to Looptroop. EmmBee is definitely the best producer ive ever heard. Also, the “need” to make better beat than the last one I did is really intence. And, ofcourse, finding some dope sample.

Nyambz: Aight! So what can we expect from you in the next couple of years! What do you wish to accomplish?

ethyOne: Getting my own 12” out. Solo Instrumentals and songs produced by me. That’s a dream that I hope to fulfil soon.

Nyambz: Musician or Crate Digger?

ehtyOne: I´m a Crate digger. Only sample, but have been playing with some synths lately, but that doesn’t make me a musician. Also, I do play the bass myself, using just the keyboard in reason and syth sound, amazing how tight that sounds sometimes.

Nyambz: How often do you go out crate digging? 

ethyOne: I try to go as often as I can, which is once a week or so. Just depending on how much free time ive got.

Nyambz: Aight, So what type of records do you look for?

ethyOne: Funk/Soul/Jazz mostly. But I live in Iceland so I can’t exactly call the old Thrift shop a goldmine. It’s pretty hard finding something good.

Nyambz: On Average, How long does it take you to make a beat?

ethyOne: really depends on what ideas i have for the samples. Sometimes it takes 1 and 1/2 hour, sometimes few days, but on average it takes about 4 hours I think… Hard to tell, I loose every sense of time when ive sunk down to production

Nyambz: Aight! Nah thanks a lot for your time, any last words?

ethyOne: Check out www.freshbreeze.org

INTERVIEW CONTRIBUTED BY NYAMBZ

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