AES News

— Hip-Hop and R&B Track reveals production techniques and tools used by top names in the industry —

From sampling to mixing, from studio design to production flow, genres like R&B and hip-hop have their own musical vernacular and their own specialized techniques and tools. Next month’s AES New York 2019 takes an in-depth look at hip-hop and R&B production with a new Track chock full of workshops and presentations led by storied and award-winning engineers, producers and artists – the Convention is even opening with a keynote speech from Grandmaster Flash on Wednesday on “The Evolution of the Beat.” 

AES New York 2019 Hip-Hop and R&B Thursday events begin with an A-list panel discussion, “Chopped and Looped – Inside the Art of Sampling for Hip-Hop” featuring Just Blaze (Jay-Z, Kanye West), Breakbeat Lou (Afrika Bambaataa, Biz Markie), Hank Shocklee (Public Enemy, Mary J. Blige) and Ebonie Smith (Hamilton, Sturgill Simpson), moderated by AES New York Hip-Hop and R&B Track chair Paul "Willie Green" Womack (Wiz Khalifa, The Roots). Celebrating the art of the audio collage, the panelists will discuss the production technique that launched a genre, exploring the process of digging for samples, techniques and tools for composition, and concepts for processing and mixing a sample-driven production.

“We are very excited to bring together some amazing talents from the hip-hop and R&B world to the AES New York Convention,” states Womack. “The events that we have put together offer attendees a detailed look at some of the nuances that make these genres unique, along with a chance to learn directly from innovators of the art form as they share their role in putting this music on the map.” 

The program continues on Thursday with three dedicated events running through the afternoon. “The Soul of an R&B Mix” takes a look at genre-specific mixing techniques with Prince Charles Alexander (Notorious B.I.G, Sting), Neal Pogue (Outkast, Stevie Wonder) and host Womack. Next up, Dave Malekpour joins Womack to host the panel “Studio Design for Hip-Hop and R&B” featuring Larrance Dopson, James Fauntleroy, Frank Hendler and Rick St. Hilaire offering insights on the tools needed to outfit hip-hop and R&B studios of all sizes and budgets.

The afternoon concludes with an in-depth examination of highlights from the career of emcee/producer Q-Tip in the session “Engineering for The Abstract: Recording Q-Tip and A Tribe Called Quest,” presented by Gloria Kaba (Q-Tip, Madonna). Kalba will offer a detailed look at the making of A Tribe Called Quest’s 2016 release We Got it From Here... Thank You 4 Your Service, from the writing process to capturing the wide range of performances and musicians on the album.

As part of the convention’s Special Events series, both the “Chopped and Looped — Inside the Art of Sampling for Hip-Hop” and the Grandmaster Flash keynote address are open to all AES New York attendees, including those with complimentary Exhibits-Plus passes, free when using code “AES19NOW” at online registration checkout. For everything the Convention has to offer, including the complete Hip-Hop and R&B Track series of events, All Access badges are available now at Advance Registration discount pricing with AES Members and Students receiving significant savings. Find out more about the AES New York and register now at aesshow.com.