As an Engineer, I'll work on any of that stuff. If I'm asked to produce? when it comes to Rap, I'm not qualified. Although, I did do a Christian Rap tune for my buddy Al's Son. Al is a great R&B singer, writer with whom I did a bunch of Demo's. He dragged his kid in to do a RAP and it was a trip seeing this Kid spread the Good Word with an in your Face attitude
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Kraster,
Very well stated and I agree with you. Simply sending folks out the door out of fear is bad news. If you don't feel qualified to work on something, that's one thing but I would encourage folks to reach out and try to engineer as many styles as possible. I did a few Folk things with all acoustic Guitars, stand up, fiddle, Banjo and boy. It Kicked my ass at first and I learned a lot and can now do it.
I'm not a fan of Drum Machines AT ALL but have been forcing myself to learn "that sound" with all those damn Loops and what not. It's making me a better Engineer too because I'm having to overcome MY taste and serve the tune. It's hard work.
Recording a rock band? or an Old school blues or soul thing? Easy in comparison for me because that's who I am.
JimmyJazz,
You are right that the "mainstream" Hip Hop and Rap folks are cleaning up on this Bad ass image. Most of the Black folks I know are growing very tired of this now. They tell me personally that "It's good the story of "the street" has been told but when do we start working and growing through these problems?"
All good points.
The larger African American community at large that I know are doing what we are all doing. Working,trying to pay our bills and make a life for our Families. The universal human quest for happiness. Hers to that.
JI..........................................