14KT

When you think Michigan Hip-Hop you think Slum Village, D-12, and MC Breed. Michigan’s music history is deep and rich with talent. Everyone knows the History of Motown. The sound of Motown was often copied but never successful you can’t copy an rich and organic sound like that. The same goes for the Hip-Hop from there. Take J-Dilla sloppy off beat stutter like drum patterns and varies different styles of beats. A Producers producer is what he s referred to as. Just a little west of Detroit is Ypsilanti/Ann Arbor home of 14KT and his crew of Athletic Mic League. Armed with dusty records a computer and a ear of Mad Man. Take a listen to his Music and you will hear some of the freshest beats with neck breaking groove.



When about did you start making beats?


14k: I started making beats in like 96'. I was part of the unspoken era of cats that made beats using the pause/play/record method with cassette tapes. I mastered that...haha! I would sample records on to tapes, then chop & loop'em on tape. Never had a beat machine so I used whatever I could to record karaoke machines, answering machines. whatever. Then my family got a computer in the house with one of those simple sound recorder programs on it. Then I started using that...rest was history...

What is your current setup?KT: Basically the same setup I’ve had since 96'. PC computer with the Adobe Audition on it....turntables...motif and mad records.

How much music theory do you have?KT: I got a little music theory. I used to play piano, violin, and bass. I'm also an official Recording Engineer for 6 years.


What time do you make your best music?KT: The freaks come out at night.haha. The nighttime is the right time man. That's when the music comes out the best. No Phone ringing, no interruptions, quiet, more creative atmosphere for me...


What are some of the things that inspire you?KT: Beautiful women, sunshine, snow, pain, love, kids, family, learning, black people, death, Jesus, Parents, faith, hope, Dilla, Michigan artists, Athletic Mic League, Sky Children, Church, the Bible, smiles..etc.everything basically


Would you say that the off beat drums are a Motor City style rather than a Dilla bite?KT: Me personally, I learned the off beat drums from Dilla. I’m pretty mostly every producer in Michigan that incorporates off beat drums got that from Dilla. However, since Michigan artists have embraced that style, it birthed the unique style of Michigan music that separates us from other style of production...thank you Dilla!

How do you balance your personal life and your music? Such as women, family and a job?KT: Balance is hard man...I’ve been blessed to be in a position where I'm a full-time artist so I just balance my life based on my priorities. God, family, and then Music. As long as God is first, I stay organized, and manage my time right then its all good...

Respect is that something you value from your peers?KT: Yeah. It's a great feeling when cats respect you. It was a great feeling when I started to get respect from Detroit cats. That meant a lot to me, cause even though I’m from Ypsilanti/Ann Arbor; it was for me and my crew Athletic Mic League to get respect from cats in our own home state because of the style of music we were known for making. Respect is something I value, however hopefully I can turn that respect into them being attached to my music and what I’m doing in life.
Money motivates people to do this music. Do you see that as a good or bad thing?KT: Definitely a bad thing. Money should never be the motivation for a talent that God has given you. God should be the motivation you continue to do it, whether money is in the picture or not. However, if you make music solely for the business side of it, the entertainment, the fame, and etc.it would still be a bad thing, but hey that's where people's mindstates are.
You recently went on tour how was that and what exactly were you doing on tour?KT: Tour was crazy!! On this tour, I was DJing for my man Buff 1 of Athletic Mic League promoting his album "Pure". We did some tour dates with Phat Kat and Slum Village in Europe. I also did a US tour called the Elevation Tour with Now On, Othello of Lightheaded,DJ Manwell, and of course my brother Buff 1.


Michigan's hip hop has only recently started to get props why do you think is?

KT: Tell you the truth, I don't know. Michigan been putting out good music for a long minute. I will say that the passing of Dilla and Proof, the heart and soul of Michigan music, definitely made cats turn their heads towards Michigan Music. Also, I feel like Michigan makes that real music that people want to hear now. The West Coast had they time, East Coast had theirs, The South been running the game for a minute, so now it’s the Midwest and it's Michigan’s turn.
What song in the last 10 years do you wish you produced?
14KT: It’s a tie between "B.O.B" by Outkast and "Prototype" by Andre 3000...yeah Outkast is favorite group.haha.

What are some of your favorite records to listen to give you inspiration to make a beat?KT: Aww man...My favorite records change a lot. There's only a few that I find myself listening to a lot cause it's whatever I feel for the day or night. I would have to say mostly ANYTHING from Dilla, My Crew Athletic Mic League, Now On, Stereolab, Outkast, and Dexter Wansel to name a few.Have you ever thought about quitting?KT: There's a saying from Paul in the bible in I Corinthians where he says, "I die daily". That's exactly how I feel about music man. There's been many times I wanted to quit. My first album, "The Golden Hour", was basically inspired by feeling like quitting.
When will music stop playing in your head?KT: Never. Even when I die, I'll still be making music.
How do you want to be remembered when it’s all said and done?KT: I want to be remembered for my heart man. That I put it all out there and didn't hold back and if people listen to my music and get to know me and find God was my inspiration and reason for my work, then my job is done.