RH First Look: Keezo Kane
I just got one thing I want people to know,” Keezo Kane told us. “It’s my turn. So watch me do what I do!” Keezo may have a strong point. The Chicago bred produer laid the groundwork for GLC’s “Big Screen”, the first official single from GL’s upcoming solo debut, a debut that features five Keezo produced tracks. But that’s not all. Just because he’s not a household name (yet) doesn’t mean Keezo’s not accomplished. G.O.O.D. Music’s production ace in the hole has recently completed joints with Nas, Estelle, as well as film scoring for Cedric The Entertainer’s upcoming directorial debut.
All of the above makes this RH First Look long overdue…Well, better late than never as Keezo caught up with Ashydakid for an in-depth interview. Check it out below.
RubyHornet: With the recent releasing of GLC’s “Big Screen” fea.t Kanye West (produced partly by yourself, because I’m sure many probably think it’s just a Kanye beat), how do you feel about its success now and in the near future?
Keezo Kane: I’m really excited about the track. It’s been getting really good feedback. The original “Big Screen” that I made actually had a sample in it, but Kanye did his thing with the track! Maybe somewhere in the future we’ll release the original track. We’re also doing the video for it real soon, so I’m really excited about that!
RubyHornet: Do you feel that with this one track you’re producing career will have its real chance to sort of “take off”?
Keezo Kane: Only time will tell. I think this record will be a great stepping stone in my career as everything else I’ve done. But like I said, with the video coming soon, it will be a great impact on my career thanks to GLC & Kanye!
RubyHornet: I saw on your Myspace page that you don’t really like putting up new beats because peope try to take them in various ways. Do you feel that Myspace has helped or hindered your career as a artist?
Keezo Kane: I believe that Myspace has been very useful to me for publicity. People on there would hit me up saying they love what I do and also offer words of encouragement. Plus, I’m not really out in public too much, so Myspace gives people a chance to hear what I’m doing and what I have going on.
RubyHornet: You’ve been producing for some time now and still haven’t gotten that break that most artists would like to have, how does that affect your music?
Keezo Kane: I think that I’ve done very well for myself so far. I love what I do anyway. A lot of people don’t know that I actually grew up playing the trumpet for 16 years and playing the drums for pretty much all my life. I know I have a ways to go though. I started making tracks in 2002 and got a deal in 2004, and I would say the whole experience has truly been a blessing.
RubyHornet: Do you feel like you’re satisfied with your local success or does Keezo Kane expect more?
Keezo Kane: To be honest, I’m very happy with my success so far. But in Chicago, there is so much hate. I know on the recent poll they had on fakeshoredrive.com for the top producer in Chicago for 2008. People were on there hating on me like, ‘why does Keezo have so many votes?’ and ‘what has he done in 2008? But the thing is, I don’t feel like I have to get on the Internet and post up some video or some new joint I did on a blog every time I do something. They don’t know about the Nas placement I have, or the scoring I’m doing in TV and the scoring I’m doing in a movie coming out starring Kel Mitchell and Cedric the Entertainer, or the possible endorsement deal I have on the table with Ik Multimedia. I’ve done a McDonald’s commercial, I was in “Roll Bounce”, and there’s a lot more things I have going on. I can keep going on, but then people are gonna say, ‘oh he bragging.’ No, I’m not bragging, cause bragging don’t issue checks, and that’s all I’m interested in!
RubyHornet: Do you get the feeling of sort of being the underdog?
Keezo Kane: I think so. People are sleep on Keezo Kane. They’ll eventually wake up anyway. I can honestly say I have heat for days, and I can challenge anyone to a beat battle if they’re up for it. I’m constantly grinding. I make beats 95% of the day, everyday. Anybody that knows me personally will tell you. Anybody that’s been to my crib will tell you that Keezo sits in the crib all day making tracks!!
RubyHornet: We know how Kanye’s beats have a certain sound, or how The Neptunes have that snare. What seperates you, Keezo Kane, apart from all of the many producers in this city and beyond?
Keezo Kane: I get this question asked a lot. I really don’t have an answer for that cause I’m very versatile. I just get up and do whatever I’m feeling at the moment. But if I did have an answer for what’s my particular sound, I’d probably just say “me”.
RubyHornet: What can we expect in the near future from Keezo Kane?
Keezo Kane: Well, you can look out for GLC’s album dropping soon. I have 5 tracks on there. I got a joint with Nas. A joint with Stat Quo. A real nice joint with Tarrey Torae & J Ivy with a live band by the name of Zzaje called “Get Some”. I’ve done scoring in Kanye & Rhymefest’s Comedy Central puppet show “Alligator Boots”. I’ve got scoring in the upcoming movie “Chicago Pulaski Jones” starring Kel Mitchell and Cedric the Entertainer (his directoral debut). I got another joint with Estelle for her next album. A lot of people didn’t know I had a joint on her 1st album called “More than Friends” I produced. I got some joints with Really Doe. I’m going drop another stepping mixtape and other mixtapes. I got a lot more projects I’m workin on as well, but I’m going keep’em under wraps for now!!
RubyHornet: This would more than likely act as an introduction for our readers, could you share three important things about Keezo Kane that you would like them to know before checking out more music?
Keezo Kane: I just got one thing I want people to know: “It’s my turn.” So watch me do what I do!
