Finebeats

"This isn't a Young Money, it's more of a Roc-A-Fella establishment"

From his early days as an aspiring DJ to becoming one of the most recognized producers in the UK and working with some of the biggest names in the business, Stealf is fast becoming one of the hottest properties in the UK Scene producing some stunning tracks with some of the best talent around, cementing his place in the production scene and standing tall for the U.K. This is what stealf had to say when we caught up with him this week.

Finebeats :We spoke to you last year and things seemed to be really moving for you, what have you been up to lately ?

Stealf : Yeah last year was a really good one for me. I’ve just been trying to keep the momentum up really. Getting the album ready, releasing the single, starting my label and working with new artists. Trying to keep busy

Finebeats : Your new single is now out and has been receiving some rave reviews …… how did you feel the process went ?

Stealf : It was incredible. Just started by talking to Nu JerZey Devil and asking him if he needed any beats, I got an email back couple of weeks later saying he loved the Rain Bring Pain beat, and after some back and forth and re-programming the beat, he got his vocals recorded, mixed and mastered all within 2 months or so. Doesn’t sound very quick, and at the time, it seemed to take forever, but looking back on it now, it was well worth the wait

Finebeats : OK we would be lying if we said that we weren’t excited about the new album “I am Stealf”, can you tell us a bit more about it and who features on it ?

Stealf : It’s just been mastered and is due for a May 23rd release. It’s taken me over 3 years to make, so I’m really keen to get it out there and see what people think. It features Nu JerZey Devil, Ruste Juxx, Joell Ortiz, Jadakiss, Wordsmith, Dap C, Late, Deeze, Konny Kon, Sir Mic and artists from my label, Parv, Clas-Sick & Suus. I’m really proud with how it sounds, so I’m definitely ready to release it now, it’s been long enough.

Finebeats: There are some big names pulled out on this album, was there anyone you particularly enjoyed working with ?

Stealf: All the major artists were all internet dealings, so I never got any facetime with them, and most of the time I was dealing with managers or reps, so it’s hard to say working with them was an experience. The tracks we’ve made are incredible, and the only way it could’ve been bettered was to record in the same facility, but maybe next album. I would have to say one of the best tracks to work on is called “Who Is She”. It features a singer I grew up with called Carolyn Yates and a rapper I’m a big fan of called JackitDown Brown from the US. It’s got a nice concept and a really amazing feel, I don’t wanna say too much, you’ll have to listen when it’s released.

Finebeats: Who did you have most fun with the Majors or the unsigned ?

Stealf: Well, like I said, the majors were all internet/middleman dealings, so they were pretty cut and dry situations, so I would have to go with the unsigned guys. Plus there’s a hunger there that you can’t fake. They genuinely LOVE doing this and that really comes across.

Finebeats: Do you feel there are any major differences working with Uk and US artists, in terms of how they operate … do you tend to see any trends appear with each group ?

Stealf: The US guys are fast, and they like to get input from the producer. UK rappers are expensive lol but they do deliver too. I get a lot more business from across the pond. The US artists seem to be feeling my production style a lot more. The differences are small really. There’s no greater talent from either side and both UK and US artists are just as hungry and just as willing to do what it takes.

Finebeats: Whats next for Stealf ?

Stealf: After the album drops, I’ll be working with 2 of the artists on my label and putting together some Stealf produced collaboration EPs/LPs. I’m executive producing Parv’s album, another artist from my label. That’s my first role as Exec, so I’m looking forward to that. Then maybe towards the end of the year I’ll start working on an instrumental album. I’ve wanted to do one of them for a while.

Finebeats: Are there any artists you have earmarked for upcoming projects ?

Stealf: I only have 2 guys I REALLY have to work with and that’s Ghostface and Jim Jones. I am a huge Ghostface fan and I think he would kill a Stealf beat. I’m also a big Jim Jones fan, and I’ve done a remix for him, but I wanna do something exclusive too.

Finebeats: You also started your label De Facto Entertainment late last year, how is this going ?

Stealf: It’s going well. There’s a lot to put in place, but I have a roster of 4 artists now, and they’re all working on releases, so now it’s really a case of getting their material out there and showing people what we can do.

Finebeats: What plans do you have for the label ?

Stealf: It’s gonna focus on real hip hop. Taking elements from the early 90′s up to early 2000′s and tweaking them with our own style. It’ll have a traditional sound, that sampled, NY type feel, with UK rappers. I told the artists that I wanted to make a label that represented hip hop in it’s realest form. No commercial, radio/club friendly, cheesy hip pop music. This isn’t a Young Money, it’s more of a Roc-A-Fella establishment lol

Finebeats: What do you look for when viewing potential candidates as additions to your new label ?

Stealf: They have to be lyrical, and they have to talk about relevant subjects & stuff the listener can relate to. The more the listener can relate to an artists story, the more they will want to pay attention to them, rather than just skimming over it. They need an understanding of the history too. Because I want to get back to the “Golden Era” but also adding something new, the artists need to know their history. Basically, they need to be fans of hip hop and have a serious passion for what they’re doing, know what they’re talking about and making all that rhyme nicely lol

Finebeats: We want to thank you for your time and wish you all the best of luck for the future, please feel free to leave our readers with any final words or shoutouts that you would like published .

Stealf: Thank you for the opportunity. I want to say a HUGE thank you to all the people that have supported me, my work and my efforts. It’s getting that support and feedback that make’s it all worth while. I want to thank my artists for believing in me to handle their dream and I wanna thank all the people who have supporting the single….The album will not disappoint.

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