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Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Serato Announces Public Beta for New Sampler Plugin

Serato Sample

Serato Sample

Serato has launched the public beta of Serato Sample, a new plugin for producers. The plugin brings some of the best features of Serato to the production world.

Sample enables producers to find and manipulate samples in tracks with leading music production software such as Ableton Live, FL Studio, Logic Pro, and Maschine. It also works in other DAWs, although they’re currently not supported.

Sample differs from other plugins of its kind in a couple of ways. Firstly, it’s based on an improved version of Serato DJ’s familiar cue point workflow. Secondly, it enables producers to instantly find samples in a track with a feature called Autoset. And thirdly, it enables producers to detect and shift the key of a track with Serato’s Pitch ‘n Time technology.

In an announcement on their website, Serato CEO Young Ly said,

“Over the years we’ve seen huge growth in the crossover between DJing and producing, so it feels like a natural next step for us to return to the world of production. And in turn, it made sense to leverage our successful plugin, Pitch ‘n Time.”

The plugin has already been praised by notable DJ/producers.

“This is insane,” DJ Jazzy Jeff wrote on Instagram. “If you sample, this is a total game changer!”

DJ Dahi, who’s produced for Dr. Dre, Kendrick Lamar, and Drake, said, “I like being able to get the ideas out quickly. You can’t hold on to music; this helps you get it out.”

The public beta is currently only available to experienced producers. You can find out if you make the cut by applying at Serato’s website.

Watch Serato’s introductory video below.

Related: Serato DJ 1.9.6 Now Available

| Music Tech, Videos
Music Production, Serato,
Wednesday, April 19, 2017

The Samples Behind Nas’ ‘Illmatic’

Illmatic

On April 19, 1994, a young Queensbridge rapper by the name of Nas released his debut album, Illmatic. Now, to honor its 23-year anniversary, Power 106’s Wax Only series has examined the samples used on the project.

Illmatic is widely regarded as the greatest hip-hop album of all time by critics and fans alike. Wax Only host Vin Rican agrees, naming it his pick for best ever. The album peaked at No. 12 on the Billboard 200 and eventually went platinum.

The album was produced by some of the greatest hip-hop producers of all time, including DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Large Professor, and Q-Tip. It sampled artists like Michael Jackson, The Gap Band, Average White Band, Ahmad Jamal, and Donald Byrd.

Watch above to see Vinny go through the samples.

Related: The Samples Behind Eazy-E’s ‘Eazy-Duz-It’

| DJ Culture, Videos
Nas, Power 106, Wax Only,
Wednesday, April 19, 2017

DJ Puffy Performs Hip-Hop Routine for DJcityTV

DJ Puffy

DJ Puffy is known for his dancehall and soca-heavy sets, but the Red Bull 3Style World Champion isn’t limited to those genres. On his new video for DJcityTV, the Barbados native puts down a four-minute routine of new and throwback hip-hop.

Tracklist:

1. Schoolboy Q ft. Kanye West – That Part – Schoeny Acap Intro
2. Kanye West, Big Sean, Pusha T, & 2 Chainz – Mercy
3. Skrillex & Rick Ross – Purple Lamborghini – KidCutUp Acap Intro
4. Migos & Lil Uzi Vert – Bad & Boujee – Lemi Vice & Action Jackson Purple Lamborghini Bootleg
5. Yo Gotti ft. Kanye West, Big Sean, Quavo, & 2 Chainz – Castro
6. Migos – Look At My Dab – Migos Acap Loop
7. Waka Flocka Flame ft. Kebo Gotti – Grove St. Party – Acap Out
8. Chris Brown ft. Gucci Mane & Usher – Party
9. ESKEI83, Drunken Masters, & Gunjah – Rave

Follow DJ Puffy on Facebook, Instagram, SoundCloud, Twitter, and YouTube.

Related: DJ Puffy Performs Caribbean-Style Routine for DJcityTV

| DJcityTV, Mixes, Turntablism, Videos
DJ Puffy, Routine,
Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Watch Nicki Minaj, Drake and Lil Wayne’s ‘No Frauds’ Video

Nicki Minaj

Nicki Minaj, Drake, and Lil Wayne‘s single “No Frauds” has received the visual treatment.

Filmed in London and other locations, the video features Nicki dissing Remy Ma, and Drizzy and Weezy reflecting on their careers. It was supposed to be shot entirely in London, but according to Nicki, Wayne wasn’t “granted access” to the city.

“No Frauds,” which was DJcity’s 15th most downloaded of March, is the trio’s first collab since 2014’s “Truffle Butter.”

Watch the video above.

Related: Cash Money Sued Over Missing Drake Profits

| Tracks, Videos
Drake, Lil Wayne, Music Video, Nicki Minaj,
Tuesday, April 18, 2017

Watch Kendrick Lamar’s ‘DNA.’ Video

Kendrick Lamar

Following his appearance at Coachella, Kendrick Lamar has shared an intense video for his new single, “DNA.” The visual stars actor Don Cheadle and was directed by Nabil and The Little Homies, the latter of which is made up of Kendrick and producer Dave Free.

“DNA.” currently sits at No. 4 on DJcity’s Hot Box chart and was included in this month’s edition of Trends. The song was produced by Mike Will Made-It and serves as the second single off Kendrick’s newly released album, DAMN.

Watch the video above and download the track on DJcity.

Related: VaZee Wins ‘Humble.’ DJ Challenge

| Tracks, Videos
Kendrick Lamar, Music Video,
Tuesday, April 18, 2017

Stretch and Bobbito Announce New Podcast on NPR

Stretch and Bobbito

Stretch and Bobbito
Stretch and Bobbito (Photo credit: Gio Reda)

Hip-hop radio icons Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito have announced their return after a 19-year hiatus. Starting in summer, the pair will host an interview-based podcast on NPR that will cover an array of topics, including music, film, sports, and politics.

The duo rose to fame in the ‘90s with their groundbreaking program, The Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito Show. The program, which aired on New York’s WKCR, helped introduce the world to some of hip-hop’s biggest artists, including The Notorious B.I.G., Jay Z, Nas, and Eminem. It later became a proving ground for rappers, who would freestyle live on air.

“You weren’t [sh#t] until [you were featured on the show],” legendary rapper and producer El-P says in the trailer for the podcast.

Stretch and Bobbito add, “As you and I have evolved as men, our interests have grown out way beyond the confines of hip-hop, and so it’s a blessing that NPR has invited us to return.”

The podcast won’t be the duo’s first collaboration with network. In 2015, NPR screened a documentary about them called Stretch and Bobbito: Radio That Changed Lives.

Watch the trailer below and stay tuned for the debut episode.

Related: Watch the Trailer for the Stretch and Bobbito Documentary

| Music Industry, Videos
Radio, Stretch and Bobbito,

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