SMKA: 4 Letters You Should Know // Greedmont Park Interview

Popular Music and Culture Blog “Greedmont Park” Interviews SMKA:

Super Market Knife Attack. Not exactly the explanation of the noted acronym you were expecting, right? Their voyage into the music realm wasn’t ordinary, so don’t expect any conventional qualities emblematic of these ATLiens. Landing in 2008, SMKA began their mission with injecting bizarre compositions and supernatural rhythms into speakers around their new homeland. The formulation of an unforeseen project soon went underway, resulting in the creation of a celestial phenomenon: The 808 Experiment. With their captivating procedure in place, they lured in the proficient prey needed. Amongst those that fell under the charm were A.leon Craft, Gripplyaz, Hollyweerd, Yelawolf, Jay West, Tanya Morgan, & Niko Villamor. Entranced by the entity’s intriguing productions, the Homo sapiens assisted in the succession of their masterpiece. Who’s the brain behind this unearthly movement, you may ask? Existing as Kyle “7King” King, Blake “808 Blake” German, and Mike Walbert, the uncanny beings have effectively begun their imprint of a venerable empire. In a current encounter, I was able to delve beneath their compact surface and discover the truth behind the profound mission.

SMKA (Super Market Knife Attack). Where did the moniker derive from?
-What’s the story behind the name?

808 Blake: It was actually the headline on CNN. Basically my homeboy Turb, came up to me and was like “Yo I have the perfect name for your music.” He was like I was watching the headlines and I saw the title Super Market Knife Attack. After a few times of saying it fast and some herbal refreshment it kinda just stuck with me. I began using it as a moniker in my beats and just sorta adopted it as our official title.

When did SMKA form?
- How did you all meet and band together?

808 Blake: June of ‘08. Myself, Mike, and Kyle all went to the same high school. Mike and I hooped together throughout high school and had always been cool. Kyle who is two years older than us came back from USC,and he and I began collaborating on a lot of music right around 2005. Seeing that we wanted to take our music to another level decided that we needed to bring someone in on the business side of things, which is why Mike, who was an entrepreneur major at USC, seemed like a good fit.

The 808 Experiments have been a success and garnered much attention. What exactly inspired the 808 Experiments?

808 Blake: We wanted a platform to be able to showcase our production and the amazing (and often overlooked) talent in Atlanta.

Is a Vol. 3 currently in the works? What can we expect from SMKA this time around?

808 Blake: We have officially begun the process of Vol 3. Basically, we have been looking for specific artists around Atlanta that we would like to work with, and have begun trying to find the best production for them. I’m looking forward to Vol 3 because since Vol 2 we’ve been able to work with a much larger pool of artist. I am especially excited about the level of success that artists who have been featured on “The 808 Experiment” projects have had. We want to use these albums to showcase some of the next big artists that may not be getting a lot of shine.

What upcoming projects can we expect?

808 Blake: As of right now I am finishing up two Projects: Aleon Craft’s “Solar Hop Chronicles” and an alternative group called the Soviet Rockets. I am looking forward to finishing Crafts project because it has been a work in progress for over a year. What’s been really cool is that over that year we have experimented with so many types of sounds and genres. It is a true testament to Craft who continues to expand his imagination and creativity. We’re gearing up to release his first single “Donkey Kong” which he has been performing live for a while, so I hope people will enjoy it… as well as the whole Solar Hop Chronicles. The other project is a group called the Soviet Rockets, which I am executive producing. The cool thing about them is that they are two very musically gifted people. There are two people in the group, Slavik and Laren. Slavik is an amazing classically trained concert pianist, and Lauren is gritty, jazz singer. They have really pushed me creatively to places I have never been. The sounds and ideas we were able to create, and capture, have elements of jazz, alternative, blues, electro. It’s been fun working with them because their mindset is the completely different from what you may see in hip hop… so it was a refreshing break from the norm.

Will future 808 Experiments always be based around Atlanta artists or will it venture outside of these boundaries?

808 Blake: There will always be a place for up and coming Atlanta artist, but like Vol 2. I wanted to continue to expand to other regions of the US, as well as other countries. We want to help take Atlanta artist’s music outside of Atlanta, but also invite other talented artists to share their sound with the city of Atlanta. It works both ways.

What is the ultimate goal for SMKA Productions?

808 Blake: We hope to continue to work with new and exciting artists and stretch the boundaries of creativity. We want to continue to work on full projects with artists. Call me old fashioned but there is always something cool about seeing a producer and artist align for a full project. I believe you’re able to sift through some of the outer layers of an artist and find who that person is, what their feeling at the time, and those are the moments when great music is formed. We also want to develop more artists and become involved in the creation of an artist’s sound, look, marketing strategy and help them achieve their goals as an artist. Too many artists get into music because the love making music, but don’t have a plan, or strategy, in place that will let them reach their goals. We also want to continue to explore music production outside of hip-hop. We hope to score films, produce for commercials and work on new and interesting project. We are really just getting started…so ask me that questions in 5 years and I’ll have a better answer.

Where do you envision the team in the next ten years?

808 Blake: I am interested in scoring films. I love how composers such as Bill Conti, John Williams, and Isaac Hayes had the ability to convey emotion in scenes through their music, I can’t wait until I can one day see my music played on the Big screen.

As “babies in the game”, what do you feel has been/will be your biggest challenge?

808 Blake: I think being counted on as a Go to producer. I seem to always have a fear of not being prepared. So I hope that when my time comes that I have built enough of a foundation to have staying power because as quick as it comes is as quick as it goes.

What unique qualities do each of you contribute to the production team?

808 Blake:I’m pretty much all over the place with what I hear and what I try to put out. I believe if there is one thing I was blessed with it has to be a very good ear for music. I spend hours on hours listening to music and critiquing. Mike brings the hustle side, he is an entrepreneur and is always looking for new opportunities. He is also always thinking about how best to brand the music, and company. Kyle brings a live element to the team. He plays guitar for B.o.B’s band and is an amazing guitarist, as well as a very good engineer…so he is able to take sounds he creates and distort them to his liking. We also have Artist Sensey who does all of our engineer work and he brings an excellent work ethic as well as a completely different sound as producer.

From the very beginning of the project, you all wanted to create a fresh idea. What differentiating factors do you believe that SMKA has brought to the game?

808 Blake: I think we are all striving hard to blur genres in today’s age, especially within hip hop you hope to push the boundaries. We hope to have a hand many facets of music. We also have opened our doors to so many different artists, which has allowed us to learn from each person and take something away from each session. I doubt there are many producers out there who worked with as many artists as we have in the past year or so…and I don’t just mean sending beats out and getting placements.

Explain a SMKA recording session.
808 Blake: Usually a pretty comfortable and light hearted setting. It’s very important for the artist to be 100% themselves. Not only do we want to create good songs, but it’s also about building relationships with these artists. We have a good time. Talk shit, shoot hoops… when Pill came through and recorded “I Ain’t Given Up,” he came through around 1pm, we talked, kicked it, went through some tracks, then went outside and hooped. He would record a verse, then we would chill, write a verse, then chill…by 6pm we have an amazing track.

How do you plan to expand SMKA beyond music production?

808 Blake: We are putting together the pieces right now to not just do music production but to be able to do full scale branding for artist including, Music production, PR, Concert promotion and artist development. There is a LOT we want to do. We just want to make sure when we do something, we do it right.

Where does SMKA see the future of music evolving to?

808 Blake: I think music as an ever evolving art form, so it’s hard to fully see the direction. I just hope that I can play a role in its evolution.

From day 1 to now, how have you evolved?

808 Blake: I mean as producer who sampled 90% of the time, to now I sample around 5% of the time… there is some growth, but also the types of music I am creating. I grew up on southern rap but now I’m playing with sounds that are alternative, or jazzy. I’ve also have improved building melodies. I still have so much more to learn

How did the opportunity with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra come about?
- What inspired the collaboration?

808 Blake: It was an amazing opportunity for us. We were approached by the ASO to remix/sample a piece there were performing in their Concerts for Young People series. They wanted an Atlanta production company, and we fit the bill. The idea was to teach kids about melodies and classical music. There were 18 shows performed live, with A.leon Craft, to over 50,000 students. The collaborations was also picked up by CNN.

Building a production company in an unique light, as business manager of SMKA, do you feel that you instilled a certain blueprint towards the team’s success?

- What certain techniques did you apply to get the company up and running to garner attention?

Mike: The first thing I wanted to do was LEARN everything I could about the business. And to be honest, I am still learning, and will always continue to learn. I’ll let you know when I have it figured out. The music business is a sexy business, but it’s also an interesting (a.k.a bad) time for the industry. I hoped to build a business around the future of music, not what it once was. We are molding constantly to find a business model the fits around our core competencies. Marketing is obviously important in music. Often times, the most important. Just look at the “pop” stars out there. If you market yourself well you’ll have a chance to succeed…so at the core of everything we built our music production company around a marketing concept. I’ll just leave it at that.

When you look for artists to bring in and work/record with, exactly what qualities are you looking for?

Mike: One of the most important things we look for is passion. We don’t want to work with artists who aren’t serious about being an artist. We are also looking for artists who we feel have above average talent, and would stand out in a crowd…no matter what genre they are in.

What products/projects have you been creating for SMKA lately?

Mike: The one I am working on right now: The Atlanta Stargazing Tour. I am working on about 1,000,000 things at a time…all top secret.

What has the experience been like touring/producing with B.o.B.?
- How did you two meet?

7King: 3 words: A MAZE ING. haha. But really it’s been wild. I’ve been in the band the longest and it’s been crazy to see everything go from touring in a van and no one really knowing you to touring in a huge tour bus, private jets and luxury hotels girls chasing our limos after shows…. All from essentially one song. An amazing song to say the least tho. We met at the A3c festival a few years back when “haterz” was buzzing. I then worked at guitar center where I would occasionally see bob and talk about music with him and taught him a couple things on guitar, which he was learning at the time. Then one day I was at work and got a call from him: “Kyle I want to put together a band but not just like some “Jay-Z hires a band” band but a real rock band. Can u play a show?”
Me: ” ummm yes?!”
B.o.B: “dope! We got a show in 2 weeks. U ever heard of South by Southwest?”
Me: ” ummmm yes?!”
B.o.B: “DOPE LETS DO THIS!!!”
And that was that…..

Upon your return to Atlanta, what significant knowledge did you gain while in Los Angeles?

7King: I chose USC mainly on the fact that it was in Los Angeles ( and cuz I got a scholarship. Haha) but I really wanted to delve into the music scene in la cuz of it’s history and culture. And that’s just what I did. Played in any band that I could. Eventually got an MPC and learned pro tools to get a better understanding of music production. Spent many hours at studios just watching and practicing at home. Once I got back to Atlanta I felt totally prepared with the knowledge I had acquired and wanted to put that to use in my own ways. Thus got together with my old hs friend 808blake and started SMKA.

You are very influenced by live musicians. Exactly which musicians inspire you?

7King: Well I could turn this into a list of dope bands to see live but essentially artists that put on the best shows are the one that respect their craft and wear their hearts on their sleeves at a show. U can always tell who a session musician and who is a live performer. For me it was all about the passion and spontaneity of a live show. And usually good artists embellish their songs for the live show to make them more entertaining.

What event/factor formulated the birth of your infatuation for music?

7King:Grew up on hip hop but got into rock about 7th grade and thus birthed my “infatuation”. Although, I taught myself guitar based on the jazz theory I learned in HS playin jazz trombone in the jazz ensemble. STP, Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Deftones, Sevendust, Weezer were all early influences as well as classic rock ( Jimi, Zep, etc). I just remember the raw energy given off by bands at live shows (way more fun than traditional hip hop shows) and wanted to be on stage to have the ability to express my soul and connect with fans. The idea that hundreds of people can be in the same room yelling at the top of their lungs but everything is still cool is a crazy concept.

808 Blake: There probably wasn’t one defining moment. My father and sister have always been avid music fans, but each w/ distinctively different tastes. My dad was big into soul, funk and R&B while my sister enjoyed alternative during it’s boom in the 90’s. And of course, I always loved southern hip hop growing up in Decatur. I would go to the Candler Flea Market at least twice a month with my older brother and get the new DJ Jelly mixtapes. I guess when I got into my freshmen year in college I really found a love for how music was put together and I basically spent my whole freshmen year in my room dissecting how songs are formed and then trying to emulate them.

Growing up which artists did you keep in heavy rotation?
-In what ways have they inspired you?

7King: I’ve been a fan of the roots for a long time, deftones as well. Taking back Sunday, glassjaw, finch, outkast, radiohead are some bands that I can “just press play” with.
These bands struck a chord with me because of the passion evoked from the music. They’ve shown me the plethora of ways to say the same thing. These bands really helped “push the envelope” in different ways for their respective genres. Overall the live show is what’s most important and all of the bands have amazing live shows.

808 Blake: Of course Outkast, Goodie Mob, but I also loved the southern bass all stars like Raheem the dream, Kilo ali. On the other spectrum I enjoyed the music created by Norman Whitfield during his run at Motown, I also got into alternative music w/ Nirvana, Foo fighters, Red Hot, Cake Edie Brickell, and Presidents of the United States of America.

What’s your “greed”?
- What can’t you live without?

7King: The simple answer is something that rhymes with “greed”…. But I’d say I can’t live without music. It’s the internationally understood language. Music connects people that might not even speak the same language. How else could jayz perform in germany in front of 100k people and have the ENTIRE crowd throwing the diamond up?!

808 Blake: I really feel bad if a couple days have gone by and I haven’t done any music. It really has become like a drug and I go through withdrawal without it.

At what age did you start creating music?
- What was your source of influence that made you choose music production as your craft?

808 Blake: I started creating my own music at 18. My homeboys in high school had begun rapping over instrumentals and due to the fact that I wasn’t much of a rapper I wanted to find some way to be a part of what they were doing, so I decided that I would handle the production side… what started as a hobby caused me to miss classes, and I basically lock myself in my dorm until I had a somewhat decent sound.

What advice would you give to aspiring producers?

808 Blake: Work, work and work. There is no real short cut to doing this especially in the climate that music is in now. You have to always be working trying to be better than you were the next day. Also patience, nothing ever happens overnight you have to keep working each day and eventually things will likely fall into place, but I again must reiterate that w/ o a disciplined work ethic it is pretty tough.

What factors go into a production session for you?
- What inspires the sounds that you create that day?

808 Blake: I’m generally all over the place when I am creating. Some days I let my mood dictate the sound for that day, other days I spend hours listening through thousands of sounds until I hear something that grabs me and will usually build from there. That’s the beauty of creating, there isn’t one specific way to do it.

Beautiful isn’t quite the correct word to exemplify the creations they have masterminded. SMKA’s spacecraft has permanently landed and takeoff anytime soon is incredibly unlikely.

~ Brianna Giddens

READ FULL INTERVIEW HERE