You've been in the game since the beginning, watching hip hop through all its changes. In retrospect what are the major differences since you're first day in office?
The differences right now are that the corporations have watered down the art form and most artists have accepted this process in order to get paid. Because of that its affecting the strength of the medium. People like myself and other artists like Freddie Foxx and M.O.P work on keeping it raw and keeping it alive. The more we do it, the better it will get. In the end it all goes in cycles and we're almost back at the top.

Do you feel that Hip Hop heads disregard a lot of the classics? The people that started it all.
Absolutely. Nowadays radio allows artists that pay them to play their music. Its all more conformed, Djs are told that they have to play a certain amount of records in their mix show. It means it becomes a robot show! And because of that a lot of the old music is overlooked.

After many years of fine musical contributions, what would you say are the essentials when producing a classic Hip Hop track?
For me it has to have scratchin in it. Thats the way i was taught, the likes of jam master jay, jazzy jeff and other classic producers all used to add this element which was an essential mix between the public and the dj.

Which do you preferr, DJing or Producing??
Djing is number 1 always.

What or who has had the greatest musical influence on you?
My family, my parents, my sisters, everybody i grew up around when i was a kid. I grew up in Texas and New York so i got the best of the south side and also the city side which also shaped me as a person. I've never changed, always stayed the same and been me. Thats what keeps me grounded and pure to the art form, i really love hip hop and live for it everyday. I love this to death and i never want to put it down.

As one of the originals you gather respect from all over the world, what advice can you give to aspiring producers?
Stay fresh, be original. Producers come a dime a dozen, good producers are hard to come by. Understanding you're craft and having a good knowledge of music is essential.

How are things going with Year Round records?
Its going well, we're working hard, got some releases from Black Poet and Camille coming this year + loads of other artists. I got a demo the other day from an interesting white rapper but i don't want him to be the next eminem, we already got that in the business, It's about doing something fresh and original.

Finally, what other plans have you got for the future?
Im producing part of Cristina Aguilera's album, 'Back to basics,' look out for that. Working with Nas on his album, also First Family and Royce 5"9.