I was always fascinated as a little kid by music…plus its in my blood. I had a gang or relatives that sang and played instruments. My dad had mad crates of jazz and R&B records...I used to sneak and make pause loops when he wasn't home.

What equipment did you start with?

If you wanna go way back then it was some records and a dual cassette boombox....When I was 16 or 17 I ran into this computer program called SAW...its kinda like Cool Edit or Pro Tools...there was no metronome or nothing like that...id have to cut and paste the hi hats and all that shit...I didn't get Fruity Loops till 2000 or so...bless from the ALLIES put me on to it when I was at WSSU

What did your first beats sound like?

OOOHHH....maan...they SUCKED! Well...not all of them. They were real choppy, plus I was real experimental. I went from sampling, to playing them out, and back to sampling where I stayed. However, there is one beat that I did recently without sampling. You will hear it in time.

How has your sound changed?

I have a much better handle on music theory and a warmer sound. However it still has that edge. Sometimes I can make a beat that's dirty, driving, and bouncy. Then I can turn around and make a beat that's clean and smooth. I've also learned how to be more versatile. For the most part, I kind of perfected my technique, but the sound ain't where I want it to be quite yet...I'm just getting warm.

What equipment do you use now?

Fruity Loops and Cool Edit...a turntable and a gang of records

How long does it take you to make a beat?

Anywhere between 15 minutes to an hour...

How do you know when you're done with a beat?

When the song is finished....As a producer you gotta do the complete package before you call it a finished product.

How and what sounds do you look for in a sample?

Anything that stands out to me...I'll hear a record and hear how chord progressions are...stop it for a second...imagine a chop or loop with drums...think of what kind of bounce I want to give it...if it works there...i get it poppin. Sometimes I might get a change of plans while I'm still workin the beat...but that's just how it works out sometimes.

What's the best sample you've ever found?

I'm not telling till the record comes out...sorry

How did you get down with the Justus League?

It's a looooong story...I met Chaundon when I was still in high school when I was workin at the NCCU radio station. Then he introduced me to Pooh, Tay, 9th and Mike Burv. Ran into 9th again when i was in college, we both moved back into raleigh/durham around the same time. 9th introduced me to the rest of the League, me and Boog formed the Away Team and then me and flash was voted in...

What made you want to get down with them?

For the most part, we all had the same intrests. I was rollin wit niggas before the Listenin was finished. It kinda worked out. We a family at this point. For real.

When people think Justus League, they think 9th Wonder, does that ever get tiring?

Nope...I like to see myself as the secret weapon. While he's kickin in the front door...I'm sneakin in the back window, and we both ready to tear shit up. Just wait...

What MC's in the Justus League are the most slept-on?

I believe, LEGACY, Sean Boog, Joe Scudda, and Pooh was there till his album came out... things are coming around if u ask me...the truth will show in time.

What's up with the Away Team?

The Away Team is me and Sean Boog...he does the raps...I do the beats...on some Gangstarr shit...The album is called "National Anthem" that drops on May 17th, the first single is called "Likka Hi (Last Call)" which should be out in the next few weeks...we also have a single out right now called "The Shinin" b/w "Let Off A Round".

How did you link up with Desi Relaford?

My manager Big Dho hooked that up...Desi came to the crib last month tho...he's a real cool cat...he can come around whenever.

You've worked with Sean Price, what's that like?

I had a ball workin with that dude...he's likely to do or say anything. He showed niggas mad love and we gave it back...all them Boot Camp niggas...I love workin with them dudes...

How do your beats complement his style?

He's real aggressive, and the beats can be the same way, my favorite thing about him is how he can take a beautiful pretty ass beat...and turn it to an anthem...

Who would you like to work with next?

I wanna work wit Styles P, Busta Rhymes, Ghostface, and some others…

What's the last beat you've heard by another producer that amazed you?

It's a kid outta Jersey named Ill Mind…he impresses me amost every time

What's coming up for you?

The Away Team "National Anthem", L.E.G.A.C.Y. "Project Mayhem", Little Brother "The Minstrel Show", Sean Price "Monkey Bars", Smif-Wessun "Reloaded" Chaundon the Back Twista "No Excuses", be on the lookout for Joe Scudda, The A.L.L.I.E.S., these cats from Boston that are real dope...NBS...be on the lookout for them...

How can Heads reach out to you?

Talk to my manager...Big Dho...dho@hallofjustus.com

By Brian Kayser