You Oughta Know: Shatek

You may not know him by name yet, but if you listen to Hip-Hop you’ve definitely heard his beats knocking from club speakers to 808s in the trunk. Shatek is a music producer hailing from Queens, NY who has worked with the likes of 50 Cent, DMX, Cassidy, DMC and most recently Fabolous and Drake on the Throw It In The Bag Remix. Vitalize Entertainment’s BOOM BLOG loves to spotlight talent that deserves to be on your radar. We got a funny feeling that Shatek is about to make some major unearthly moves in the next year. Just remember where you heard it first…Check it out.

BB: How long has music been a part of your life?  

Shatek: Since I was about 12 or 13, music has been in my life…well the thought of making it at least. 

BB: Can you play any instruments live? 

Shatek: *LOL* nah not at all, I wish I could. 

BB: What’s your creative process in making beats?

Shatek: Well, I either get a melody in my head or hear a sample that will trigger something for me to get in a zone. 

BB: Anything you do in particular that you do to make sure the beats sound like your own? Like a signature sound. 

Shatek: I always, and I repeat ALWAYS make sure my drums hit extremely hard, sometimes even over the melody; as well as a great intro. I feel every great beat has a great intro. I usually catch the listener by surprise. 

BB: So your discography is impressive. Which of your beats is your favorite so far? 

Shatek: I must say so far the record “X Gon Give It To Ya” is by far my favorite, as well as the most gratifying and lucrative song to date.  It’s been on over four albums, two movies, one video game and countless  TV shows. 

BB: Tell me about your big break and how you reacted to it. 

Shatek: Well, in 2002, I took a trip to Chicago to try to get involved with the DMX project. I went out there to play beats that I already had. I got a chance to hear the direction he was going in, so I sat in the studio and made four new beats for him. That same night after the club, we all went back to the studio where one of the beats  that I made was blaring through the speakers. I was shocked, and X  came to me and asked “yo is this your beat?” I replied “uhmmmmmm yes”,  because I just made it a couple hrs before. After that he went to  record it. I called everybody that I knew, and was letting them hear it through the phone. It was a very VERY exciting moment for me.

BB: This new Fabolous throw it in the bag remix beat is hard. How have people been receiving it?

Shatek: I must start off by saying that it has been said that the remix is way better than the original. Everyone is mesmerized by the hook that I placed into the beat from The Dream’s Fancy record.

BB: Considering there has been a shift in Hip-Hop focus from northeast to south…the south has been holding it down for a minute. You being from NY, does that affect your production process? Like are you making beats according to what’s hot?

Shatek: No not at all, I refuse to go in that direction. I stay true to myself and what I like.

BB: With Fabolous out, Jay coming back and other up and comers, do you think NY is making a comeback, or we need more people? 

Shatek: Regardless of anything NY has always had a presence in Hip-Hop. Since the south era, these new artists are setting a tone for the new NY, such as Maino, Red Cafe and Vic D with these new records that sound like NY music. 

BB: Who’s your favorite Hip-Hop artist right now?

Shatek: Right now? Hmmm, I would definitely have to say Fab, not just because of this new remix, but because of the consistency of his music, and the growth of his talent. It is admirable; he never seems to let his fans or Hip-Hop down. 

BB: What’s your thoughts on rappers like Florida who have taken the europop sound and made it their stamp on Hip-Hop? 

Shatek: I believe any type of mix of music with Hip-Hop helps further Hip-Hop as a genre and I also believe that it will help open more doors to do things with different genres.

BB: Ok finish these sentences:

It would be a dream to produce 10 tracks for — 

Shatek: Jay-Z 

BB: Ten years from now I want to be— 

Shatek: Well solidified in the music industry, and comfortable financially, so my children’s college funds will b taken care of. 

BB: My biggest goal in music is — 

Shatek: To be well respected for what I do and to also be mentioned with the greats, like Dr. Dre, Timbaland and Swizz Beats.

Aight, with all the buzz all ova da innanets, here is Throw It In The Bag Remix, Fabolous f/ Drake – Produced by Shatek (In case you’ve been hiding under a rock.) Comment and let homie know if he’s on the path to music greatness…
Fabolous ft. Drake – Throw It In The Bag [Remix]