My ideas & concepts behind “SSHHM4″

Thank you all for supporting the latest project “Hip-Hop Mixtape Volume 4″. I’ve received emails and FB messages about how I came about creating it. A few want insights on my views and preparation making the mix. Here’s my angle:

Basically, I wanted to create an mix that was “car-blasting” friendly. Sounds weird but With so many mixtapes and compilations I’ve done in the past, I always had to keep it radio friendly or more towards the “female” listening audience. Feedback from listeners was for the tracks to be more “ghetto” or “harder”. My approach was to dive into that theme but still keep a good balance of old school & new school slaps. This is one you don’t have to “skip” tracks.

Just like the previous “Excitor” uptempo mixtape, this one is explicit 80% of the way. The tempo starts slow around 65 BPM and gradually works its way up to 120 BPM. Stays there for a few tracks, then it goes back down around 84 BPM to close it out.

The choice of tracks were based on whats vibin’ ”hot” right now & what will work for tomorrow. Time & time again, you’ll hear some tracks that, no matter what, still makes your head bob. That was the goal, using old & new elements. The Bay Area tracks are well represented as are classic “car bumpin” joints that are timeless. A few stylized mashups keep the listener on edge as some of the top MCs flow onto some “WHOA, no way he played that” beats.

Overall, Its a solid mix that took a number of studio sessions to complete. For any production mix, you have to constantly review, change and alter it as you progress. This is no exception.
The final product is what you guys enjoy and expect nothing less on “Volume 5″. (sometime late 2010).

Let the rhythm take you,
Slam