So what got you into making beats?
As a youngster, I use to hear my Pops play records everyday and I just soaked the sounds in. Eventually I would dub samples of songs on my boombox and manually loop them on cassette so I could rap over them.

So the boom box was your first sampler…
Yes it definitely, eventually my father got me a Casio keyboard that started my journey on the musical level- followed by midimusic program discovered by fellow P-Dox crew member and cousin Synopsis.

So you are well know for your ability to roc the mic and battle. What came first? MC-ing or Producing?
MC-ing was definitely my first love. I have been rhyming since I was like 12 yrs old- made my own freestyle albums over other rappers' instrumentals like they were my own haa. I started freestyling and fell in love with it - so I eventually started hitting open mics as soon as I was able to.

Was making beats was a natural progression for you?
Yeah it kind of just fell into the norm for me being I wanted to have my own beats. I lived in Memphis TN, so trying to find a producer for my sound would've been impossible. My group (Strangaz) were a rarity in the midst of dirty south music being so dominant. So it was inevitable, I had to make beats for myself! I now consider it an equal and sometimes more of a passion next to MC-ing at this point.

I understand that! Sometimes you have to be the one to bring your sound to life.
Exactly.

So what is your current studio production setup?
My setup consists of an Akai MPC2000, Reason 4, SP-202, an Oxygen 8 midi trigger, a Numark portable turntable, and plenty of records.

What piece of gear could you not do without?
Haaaah, probably the records most! When I was overseas I didn't have the MPC with me- just my laptop with Reason on it. I learned alot about Reason's power, but the MPC is great due to its simplicity in the process of chopping samples directly in.

I know you like to dig in the crates. How often do you get to go shopping for records?  I know you guys have some nice resources out there in N.Y.C....
I try to go at least once every month. It all depends on how many I pick up each visit. I usually try to get a good stash but sometimes might just pickup a few here and there. To be honest, the best digging I've done was in Florida. These NY shops get a lot of clientele, so they know about the digging game. Thus, they push the price up on records.
But there are some dope spots out here in Brooklyn that has some gems. London too...real dope spots

I’ve heard that Pete Rock has been tearing up the record shops in the London area for a while now.
ha-ha I hear he does!

RANDOM QUESTION: Who do you think is better at digging? Pete Rock or D.J. Shadow?
Hmmm… Wow that’s a hard question! If I were to get technical I would say Pete Rock on sample usage- only cause his catalog shows it- as well as the sound spread. But Shadow was one of my first influences on the drum level. I would say Shadow on the drums for sure. He has discovered almost any breakbeat that exist with open drums and is crazy with programming drums on the MPC.

Who are your biggest influences when it comes to production?
DJ Premier, RZA, Pete Rock, DJ Scratch, J Dilla, DJ Shadow w/ a lil Erick Sermon and Large Professor

Sick list!
Word up!

Erick Sermon is like pizza. It's great in moderation. lol
hahahha good analogy!

Is there any one artist in particular that you would like to work with that you haven't already?
Hmmm yeah if only one pick- I'd go first with Nas- being he is one of my favorite lyricists ever.  We'll see if that day will come. haah

Don't forget to give me a ring when it does!
haaa no doubt!

I could easily hear Nas on a Tzar beat.
haah it must happen!

Do you ever entertain the idea of doing production outside of Hip-Hop? Any future Britney Spears/Tzarizm tracks?
Hahaa! Only if it’s like how Premier was able to work with Christina Aguilera. He still kept it to the essence with the production sound. Yeah for sure.  Every once in awhile I mess around and make some drum n bass, Pop, R&B, Ambient type music. Sometimes for possible music licensing for TV etc.
Going to the UK open my mind to more electronic music like Dub-step and Drum n' Bass. I have more appreciation for those genres than before and could see myself messing around with it

What advice do you have for the cats that are just starting out and want to get in beat-making or production, but the budget is tight?
Don't be afraid to use what you have already or what will fit your budget. Not everybody needs an MPC or Pro Tools to make good music. If you are naturally talented, that is the first step! A Good Ear is the first piece of equipment you should have.

So what can we expect from Tzarizm in the future?
Maaan, a lot of music from my crew and myself. No holding back. The releases are going to start coming out in a No Limit Records fashion. haah. The Heart & Brain album, Critical & Tzarizm album, my 1st instrumental album- The Heart Beatz Vol 1.. are all completed. production and MC-ing work with IMAKEMADBEATS, Midaz The Beast, DYNAS, Oddisee, Akrobatik and more. I’m also currently mapping out a tour with Domination Recordings for early next year.

You are a busy man.
trying my best!

So where can the readers find you at?
The headquarters is WWW.UJEMPIRE.COM and you can check music at www.myspace.com/tzarizm ...and for you twitterers - www.twitter.com/tzarizm
Heads wanna stay in the know can signup for the mailing list: http://tzarizm.fanbridge.com/

Do you want to send any shout-outs?
Yeah, My UJE fam IMAKEMADBEATS, Midaz, Conshus, Vis Major, DJ FIsher at Domination Recordings, Critical, My whole P-Dox crew, Hidden Agenda fam, Creative Juices fam
and Mom and Dad.

Hey, Moms and Dads are the biggest!  Can't forget them!
Yes they are!

Tzar, I want to sincerely thank you for taking time out to do this interview. Your music has been a huge influence for myself and many others.
Yo, It was big pleasure to do this!  Much thanks for the opportunity!