The SMKA Experience » Blog

Murder He Wrote: 10 The Hard Way w/ SMKA

SMKA — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:25:44 +0000

DAMN… this dude Gavin can write his ass off!!! And he is finally taking it upon himself to start his blog back up. CNN by day, Super Writer by night… follow his blog at Murder He Wrote

Enjoy the 10 questions and answers from Mike & 808 Blake….

READ WHOLE ARTICLE HERE

It’s a rainy Thursday afternoon in Atlanta and Mike Walbert is sporting a nice shiner on his right eye, while lounging in the SMKA studio. To his right, partner-in-crime and production wunderkind 808 Blake is Facebook stalking. Believe it or not, this is as slow as the days get for the two high school best friends and business partners who four years ago decided — at a Chick-fil-a — to showcase 808′s production talents via a lending them to other up and coming artists in the Atlanta scene.

A few months after that fast food pow wow, l was living in Chicago and got a call from 808, along with Mike and their third co-founder 7King. They had an idea of putting together what they would call, “The SMKA Experiment Vol. I”,” an album featuring artists from all over the ATL, but produced mostly by 808 and 7King. The fellas asked for my help in finding some new names and others they might not have heard of quite yet to collab with for the project.

In the 1,460 some odd days since those conversations we all grew up. And by grew up I mean I got balder, slimmer and landed a corporate J-O-B. As for SMKA, their own growth has been undeniable and the fabric that ties their city’s Hip-Hop community together has in some ways been single-handily made tighter and stronger by these guys.

They’ve managed to produce two more “Experiments,” (fourth one on the way) collab’d with everyone from the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra to George Clinton and they do it all out of the guest house at Mikes’ parents crib. Oh, and they sure as hell didn’t need me for any more artists recommendations because they were all going out of their way to find SMKA. I could go on for days about 808 and Mike, (who once went with the last name Walberg instead of his actual “Walbert”) but as they would tell you the music does most of the talking.

READ WHOLE ARTICLE HERE

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Affix Music: Featured Music Provider = SMKA (w/ Interview)

SMKA — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:13:26 +0000

ABOUT AFFIX
Affix Music—Urban music licensing made easy

Affix Music is an Atlanta-based music licensing company specializing in placing independent Urban music in Television, Film, Advertising, Games and Digital Media. We bridge the gaps between music creators and media clients.

Affix provides opportunities for music creators to increase their income and gain exposure without sacrificing rights ownership or independence. Our preclearance system and user-friendly web platform connect media clients with authentic, relevant Urban music while solving specific creative and legal issues that greatly simplify the licensing process.

AFFIX INTERVIEW (full interview here)
At Affix, we’re not only proud to represent SMKA’s music for licensing, but we’re also big fans, so we jumped when offered a chance to sit down with 808 Blake for a candid, one-on-one Q&A.

Q. What is Urban Music to you? How does your music fit into the Urban genre?

A. We try not to define our music. When you start labeling yourself, or music, then you have put a limit on to what you can do. We try and create music we like and music that we feel like making on any given day. My experiences play a big roll in the music I make. It just so happens I grew up in Decatur, so I grew up listening to Outkast, 8ball & MGJ… I guess I just identify with “urban” music.

Q. How has the perception of Urban Music changed over the years to the general market?

A. Urban Music has made its way to the top of the charts. Urban Music sets trends. It defines a culture.

Q. Is there something or someone in mainstream media that is getting Urban Music right?

A. It’s funny cause there really is a strong disconnect between popular brands, and what is current in music and Urban culture. The coolest thing I have seen recently was a Coke commercial/song with Cee-Lo and Janelle Monae, who are two of the most creative people in music. I was pretty happy when I say that. And I think the song was called “Open Happiness,” so that didn’t hurt.

(FULL ARTICLE HERE)

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Washington Post – “Click Track”

SMKA — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 17:04:53 +0000

Yelawolf: “Deer Mama” (prod. SMKA)

Found: the only rapper besides Eminem who doesn’t like his mama. You can tell because Yelawolf got famous and only bought her a Chevy. From Atlanta production duo SMKA’s just-out mix tape, “The 808 Experiment, Volume 2.”

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We are looking for writers/bloggers…interested?

SMKA — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 04:34:44 +0000

Hello All,

We are looking for bloggers to help add pieces/stories and manage the websites content. Since the readers are growing fast we need to bring in a few people to help manage the blog.

You must…
… Live in Atlanta
… Like hip-hop
… Be a decent writer

You Will Get…
… Access to hip-hop events
… Write whenever you want

(if interested contact: smkaproductions@gmail.com — Subject Line “BLOG WRITER”)

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Affix Music: Featured Music Provider = SMKA (w/ Interview) ABOUT AFFIX Affix Music—Urban music licensing made easy Affix Music...

Goodie Mob Commercial (Sept 19th) By Motion Family

SMKA — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 03:59:31 +0000

Motion Family is shooting 4 commercials for the Goodie Mob reunion concert on Sept 19th. This is 1 out of 4 featuring Big Gipp… Also check out www.motionfamily.com/blog for updates.

Goodie Mob x Big Gipp x Sept 19th from Motion Family on Vimeo.

photo by Diwang Valdez (of Motion Family)

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