Str8HipHip

Str8 Hip Hop caught up with Tommy Hittz and talked production.

SHH:Where are you from?

Tommy Hittz: Chesapeake, VA

SHH:How did you get your start in the production game?

Tommy Hittz: When I was 15 years old and my father had brought me a keyboard that sequenced, it wasn’t much (6 track recording), but it got the job done. I was the only guy in my school that was composing tracks. At that time the tracks sounded like shit to me, but I kept at it till I got better. Before that I was always around music. My father was a part of a group called "SHARRRP" they were successful until a group member was gunned down by his own son. I was too young to understand what was going on, but my father’s work motivated me to do more.

SHH:What artists influence your music if any?

Tommy Hittz: Timbaland, Nottz, Teddy Riley, The Neptunes… Basic all VA producers influenced my music, but in my younger days Timbaland was the main reason I wanted to continue music. It seemed like he would have so much funny making music and I wanted to do it just like that. Teddy Riley too… He took me under his wing for a bit and showed me some of his secrets to his production.

SHH:What did you pick up from Teddy?

Tommy Hittz: How to make a song- He taught me how to make my work into a well produced piece of art from start to finish. Every sound has to fit in somewhere and go with the overall composition. That’s what sets apart “producers” from “beatmakers.”

SHH:Being that the structure of the song is a focus of yours, do you prefer to make R&B tracks over Hip Hop tracks since R&B leaves you open to be more creative?

Tommy Hittz: I definitely prefer R&B over Hip Hop. You can be more abstract with it and be more musical. Hip Hop is great, but it really takes a great rapper to bring out the best in a Hip Hop track. R&B is my favorite because you can play around with the way the vocals are laid out. Basically you can make the beat fit and layer into the vocals and have it sound like a real piece of art.

SHH:What are you working on right now?

Tommy Hittz: I’m working on Nickel-Us F’s project with AMG Entertainment. He’s got a banger on one of my tracks called “The Ova Guy.” Big Rodney & Black Russian (They just got a distribution deal with Universal). I’m working on music for their project as well. Also working with Troy Mitchell & Franchise from Teddy Riley’s Camp, A-N-B productions and etc... Mostly just producing getting my inventory up!!! That shit is important.

SHH:What are you looking to do in 2006?

Tommy Hittz: My major goal is to have a strong entourage. A loyal group of niggas around me that are in the same “frame of mind" as me because if not (crab in a pot says it all). I don’t want to have to work hard and have people in my camp holding me down for no reason. I’m as passionate about this art as anyone else and I want to let niggas know!

SHH: Who would you like to work with in the future?

Tommy Hittz: Who ever that wants to work with me! Of course they have to have some talent (Basically HOT!!!) and that doesn’t always have to mean music.

SHH:What do you feel separates you from other artists in the industry?

Tommy Hittz: I really can’t say because everybody has a different hustle. All I can do is let my music speak for itself…

SHH:If not music what would you be doing?

Tommy Hittz: Probably designing clothes and figuring out a way to invest into something.

SHH:Where can people check out some of your music?

Tommy Hittz: www.myspace.com/tommyhittz and holla at my man H if you’re looking for some beats at hmulzac@amgentertainment.net

SHH:Any last words for the people in closing?

Tommy Hittz: H-Dollar, Nickel-Us F, Steve Urkel(Skao), Shomi, Con Artist, Ace 21, B-Easy, Teddy Riley, (Black Ark Entertainment), Andru Bryant, Ray Earl Troy Mitchell, Illusive Media, Hannon Lane, Mario Brandon, EF Cuttin (We holding you down back at home. Stay up!), Big Rodney (Black Russian), Big E (DJ) Uncle Pauly (Red Diamond), Icarus Clothing, Griffiti Grey (Good stuff wit Star Trak), EJ, Jared & Ron (Jadalan Productions), Radio B, Battle, Josh the Drummer, Robbi, Kymberleigh, Illmatic, Herman- I don’t want no trouble… (South Park the nigga I grew up wit) NORFOLK, Chesapeake and the whole 7 cities WHAT UP!!! VA WE NEXT NIGGA AND DON’T FORGET THAT!!!