Carlos 'Los' Stephens...In Dover, Delaware. Interview.

The Warehouse recently got a chance to sit down with multi platinum (40 million and counting) producer and current Koch VICE PRESIDENT OF MUSIC during a presser for Shizz Nitty of OT Records. If you don't know, he is 1/4th of the collective known as Beats By The Pound that made the sonic backdrop for all of those hits from No Limit. As you read here earlier, Koch (E1) has signed OT Records roster and Carlos was in town to catch a surprise performance and presser announcing the signing of OT Records by E1 Entertainment. Graciously, he took some time out to field some questions from your boy. We also chopped it up throughout the afternoon and he spoke on a variety of subjects with genuine interest. I will share some of those here.

TW: First of all, let me say that I am a fan of your music. When you guys (Beats by The Pound)came out, I was still off and on this very campus (Delaware Sate University) and you guys had things poppin' then. It was refreshing to hear another brand of music as things were very North East Coast dominated, obviously 'cause this is where we are at. Only Southern acts getting any real play was Outkast.

CS: Thank you. It took a long time to break down those barriers.

TW: So you are originally from New Orleans correct? Do you still reside in the N.O.?

CS: Yes, that is correct. Born and raised. Actually, I just recently did move back. It is good to be home.

TW: Indeed it is. Tell the good folks out there when you first started doing music officially?

CS: Around '91 or so I opened my first studio. It has been on ever since. I had to play a little catch up with some of the technical aspects which made me work even harder.

TW: One would never know that judging by the finished products! So let me ask you this. How did you first hear about Shizz/OT Records?

CS: Well, I first heard about them through my partner Rich. He sent in a couple of videos with Shizz's performances, including the 'Sox In The Air' video. I was impressed and here we are.

TW: Have you had a chance to see the area where the boys of OT reside from?

CS: This is my first time here in the State actually. However, I could see from the videos the authenticity of their movement and got a sense of where they are from. Truthfully, this is what today is all about. For me to get a chance to see them in their world and to get that 'feel' for them. I am enjoying what I am seeing so far.

TW: How do you see this relationship working with OT. Will you be hands on? Are they a finished product in your eyes, thus allowing you to back off totally? Or will it be a situation that plays itself by ear and both things may happen?

CS: What we do here is we like to take on the undeveloped artists. A lot of producers don't like to take on these types of artists. They love the finish product. We take joy in taking that unfinished product, bring them in the studio with multi-platinum producers and seeing what can happen. It is all about the vibe of the situation. I have already asked for a few tracks from them and we have evaluated them. We will take a hands on approach but make no mistake about it, the talent is there. We are just looking to refine it. They are all very talented.

TW: You took my next question....(Chuckles) I told you I am pretty new at this....

CS: (Chuckles) I am sorry. Next question.


TW: Have you seen Clark Bar, Shizz, and Chuck50 in the movie The Game of Death? I understand that the company has a distribution connection with that sort of thing as well.

CS: We sure have seen the movie and were pleased with everyone's performance. Looking forward to branching out in that area as well. We have a couple of distribution deals and some investors that are willing to finance such projects so that is definitely on the horizon. It would be good to see them featured again on film.


TW: Last question...Even though I believe the name speaks for itself, can you tell the people just SOME of the people you have worked with. For those that don't know your resume'.

CS: (Modest smile) Ginuwine, Fiend, Mia X, Master P, Snoop Dogg and a few others....

TW: Sir, thank you for taking out the time to speak with me on my first face to face interview...

CS: My pleasure. Thank you.

Learn more about Carlos Stephens:

http://www.allbusiness.com/media-telecommunications/movies-sound-recording/5183386-1.html

http://www.artistdirect.com/artist/credits/carlos-stephens/595918

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The announcement I have been waiting to make..Shizz Nitty signs with a major label.

I have been holding this under my hat for a GOOD minute. It is not the 'end' but a new chapter in the book of OT Records. Shizz has signed a major deal. Details below....Lets just say that once you see who OT will be working with (Koch), all of those 'he is just doing a lil something' whispers and murmurs might just become a little more 'silent'. There is actually more news than just the signing itself. He is slated to appear on Meek Mill's 'Gangsta Grillz' tape with DJ Drama. Yes, THAT DJ DRAMA. You heard right. So things are looking good for the boy from the Nickel and the rest of his crew.

Don't think for a minute though that they feel like they have made it. They do not feel that way. I have heard that straight from Matty's mouth. They are not content on just getting a deal, getting noticed and falling to the wayside. They want to MAKE IT TO THE TOP. They know that takes more than just 'getting a deal'. They know that getting the deal is a part of the battle. It is keeping it and advancing further that is the goal for them now. It is show and prove time and they are ready for the challenge. On to the next step....



Congratulations to Shizz, Matty and the rest of the crew on this HUGE step.


http://starsconfidential.com/2010/11/star-news-overtime-records-delaware-rapper-shizz-nitty-signs-to-a-major/

Star News: Overtime Records Delaware Rapper Shizz Nitty Signs to a Major


Wilmington, DE (Stars Confidential News) March 3, 2010– There are two things that have officially put Delaware rap scene on the map: 1. All Hip Hop Executive Grouchy Greg (and his colleague Gentle Jones) and, 2. Shizz Nitty “Sox in da Air”. All Hip Hop has cornered the rap market, becoming the “CNN” of Hip Hop. It is clear that Grouch Greg Watkins has done everything to support Hip Hop within the Delaware Metro area. It is now official that Shizz Nitty is the first break out artist from the region. “When we met with Joe Joe Jones of SKP Life (who made the introduction) and Matty Gate$, CEO of OT Records executives we wanted to sign Shizz immediately…I called Carlos Stephens “CLos Beats from Beats by the Pound (former No Limit Producer) and Cecil Chambers (who executive produced projects with: Usher, Beyonce, Michael Jackson, Lil John) of Waveland/E1 to start papering the deal,” says Richard Victor Mahee, Mahvrick/Stars Confidential.

“Sox in da Air” is starting to pick up in heavy rotation around the country. It is no longer just a regional hit. Shizz has also been in negotiations with other major producers such as Panjabi MC, who did the collaboration with Jay-Z “Beware”, which has RIAA Platinum sales. Shizz is also released an official remix for the “Sox in da Air” single with Philadelphia rapper Meek Mill and is being featured on a DJ Drama mixtape alongside other notable artist.

The Delaware rapper Shizz Nitty known for “Sox in da Air” is having a signing party with close friends and artists tomorrow night to celebrate his recent signing to a major. Shizz is on the OT Records Imprint, run by Matty Gate$, has signed a deal with a label under E1 (www.e1entertainment.com).

Shizz, Clark Bar, Chuck50, 5thWard, Mr.Dicer, Sap, and DJ Bran will all be attending and performing at the Caribbean Cafe in Wilmington, DE tomorrow night (March 4, 2010). “Man Down” feat. Clark Bar will also drop nationwide late spring.

Label executives and representatives will be having a media signing in Dover at the Delaware State University in the coming weeks to have an official media day for the OT Records Artist.

(Mahvrick New Network) (Social Network Press)

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