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Interview
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This is for those
that slept, or rather those that doubted, this is for those who
are behind the scenes and are as important a factor to the success of
any project which would turn out differently otherwise, this is
for those who have worked hard but have been forgotten by the mainstream
but thankfully not by the real fans.
Wu-International published the 3rd Wu-element interviews on the site some weeks back and
The Rebel INS aka Inspectah Deck was
our special guest and it got fans talking again about how
important the Elements were to the Wu movement, it got fans
speculating a Wu-Massacre type collaboration between Deck, GZA/Genius
and Masta Killa and even got newer fans wondering why some fans
fussed over a silent deadly weapon behind the Wu known as the
producer, DJ and engineer Goldfinghaz.
Was he an Element?
Where has he been? Which songs did he produce? As pointed out on
the intro, this is for those that slept or doubted; Goldfinghaz
was one of the originalsand among the first producers to be
signed as part of Wu-Tang Productions / Wu - Elements, he began
his career as DJ Scottie Deep, and holds experience spanning
over 17 years. Goldfinghaz as he was later and commonly
known, began a career in the music industry while attending
college in Michigan. The love of music inspired him to start an
independent record label at the age of 19. As an artist, producer, Dj, art director, publicist, distributor, marketer and
accountant, Finghaz sharpened his expertise in the art of
negotiating, global distribution, and producing records.
After moving to New York from Detroit, at age 22, he established
solid-working relationships with major label executives which
afforded him the opportunity to record over 25 dance records for
various labels. Finghaz coordinated and oversaw international
VIP events travelling to Zurich, Pisa, Rome, Paris and London as
“Dj Scottie Deep” allowing him to Dj in some of the best night
clubs on the face of the earth. While working and building with
The RZA of the almighty Wu-Tang Clan, Goldfinghaz signed with Wu
Tang Productions as a premier producer for Wu-elements in 1997.
His production and sound become well recognized and in high
demand. Due to the overwhelming response and reception to his production of his infamous beats, Scott landed “Brooklyn Beats”
as a song placement in the 1996 Hollywood motion picture The
Juror.
Goldfinghaz has worked with major gold and platinum artists such
as Wu-Tang Clan, Gravediggaz, Capadonna, Black Knights, Kelis,
Sweetback, Snoop Dogg just to name a few. Scott is a 2004 MTV
VMA nominee for work he has done with Snoop Dogg as well as a
Grammy Award nominee for the work he has done on the 1997
Wu-tang Forever project and a Spike TV Video Game Soundtrack of
the year winner for the True Crimes- Streets of LA video game.
He is also responsible for securing publishing deals with BMG
and has been awarded several Gold and Platinum Awards along with
other prestigious music awards for his productions.
So what has he been doing since his Wu days? Goldfinghaz, real
name Scott Kinchen is the co-founder, and president of Ambition Management Group
which is a full service management company, that exclusively
represents; Recording Artists, Record Producers, Songwriters and
Actors.
Through a life changing experience, he has now dedicated his life
to transforming Contemporary Christian and Gospel music into a
powerhouse through the combination of season expertise and the
drive to increase the visibility of Contemporary Christian and
Gospel music.
Having interviewed the likes of Inspectah Deck, Cilvaringz, and Moongod Allah it is only fitting to find out what the real Gold deal has been up to, the fans wanted to find the whereabouts of Black Knights album he produced? did he actually discover Kelis?
Is he still down with Wu-Tang? Has he quit the game all together? get all your curiousity killed by the man himself, Wu-International presents you Gold The Deal Maker: Wu-element's own
Gold maker, Goldfinghaz.
Enjoy...
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I like to say thanks first and foremost for
taking the time to answer these questions, highly
appreciated, and will also point out that nothing will be
altered, edited or changed when this is published online.
Wu-International: Finghaz, its been a minute, how are
you?
Goldfinghaz: Peace, I apologize for the delay
in getting this back to you, I am blessed and loving life.
First let me tell you it is an honour to be interviewed by
you, I am truly humbled by the opportunity.
Wu-International: No, thank you for this, where are
you currently located?
Goldfinghaz: I have a home in NY and Dallas TX. Today
I’m in Dallas.
Wu-International:
Before we get into anything, lets clear this first, Is your
name spelt with an “h” (Goldfinghaz) or without (Goldfingaz)
and how did the name come about?
Goldfinghaz: It’s spelt with an “H” but my name
has always been spelt wrong on credits. Golden Fingaz,
Goldfingaz, goldfingers. Not exactly sure, all I know is
that RZA blessed it and it became law.
Wu-International: Was DJ Scottie Deep just your djing
name, and what other names/aliases do you go by apart from
theses two?
Goldfinghaz:
No I produce house music
and Dj under the name Scottie Deep and I produced Hip-hop
under Goldfinghaz. Gold Tha Deal Maker, is my business alia.
Wu-International:
Where you initially a DJ before becoming a producer or vice
versa?
Goldfinghaz:
I began Dj’ing in 85-86
in Detroit, where I was born. Started producing in 88-89.
Wu-International: How easy was it to transcend from
one craft to the other?
Goldfinghaz: For
me its was seamless and a natural progression. I believe the
best producers are Dj’s. By that I mean, A good Dj has an
understanding of what it takes to move a crowd, what
elements need to be in a track that will get a crowd hype,
how to program a set and even develop as a mixer/engineer.
Wu-International: Your bio says you are an artists,
producer, dj etc, do you mean recording artists? If so, can
you please tell us more about this and any materials you
might have out as an artist?
Goldfinghaz: I
was a producer of House music so my dance catalogue may not
be appealing to my Hip Hop heads. Two different worlds for
most, the same for me. I produce music, many styles...
Wu-International: We read that you recorded over 25
dance records for various record labels at the age of 22,
can you please tell us more about this?
Goldfinghaz: My own imprint Aztonk, Strictly
Rhythm, Thumpin, Digital Dungeon, Dig It International,
Positive, KMS, Area 10, Virgin/10, Henry Street and a
handful of European labels. Producing dance records afforded
me the opportunity to Dj all over the world. I played many
times in London, Wwitzerland, Paris and Italy by the time I
was 22.
Wu-International: All this was prior to Wu?
Goldfinghaz:
It was all pre-Wu. That was it, making beats and Dj’ing.
Wu-International:
How did you get down
with Wu-Tang?
Goldfinghaz:
I was working at Sam Ash in Manhattan and RZA and I
would have long conversations about technology, equipment
and producing. RZA and Divine were just about to close on
the Razor Sharp deal w Sony and I helped put together a Pro
Tools system for the now know Wu Mansion. Shortly after I
told RZA that I made beats and he put me down. I was one of
a very few that actually signed a contract with Wu-Tang
Productions and
Diggs Family Music.
Wu-International: We know The RZA was behind the
formation of the Wu Elements, can you please tell us more
about this team and names of other producers involved same
time you were there?
Goldfinghaz: 4th, True Master, Math and myself were
the original Elements. It was genius that RZA formed a
production team. Deck also made beats but seamed to stay on
the MC side. There was no way Bobby Dig could build a mega
brand, co-run record labels, make movies, produce for 20+
artist, as well as work on his solo projects, no way! He
recognized the talent around him and formed the Elements.
Wu-International: What else was your role within the
elements apart from the obvious making of beats for the MCs
involved?
Goldfinghaz:
I started doing post
production, cleaning albums and singles. on albums;
Wu-Tang Forever,
Ironman,
Supreme
Clientele,
The
Pillage,
The Pick, the Sickle & the Shovel
,
Silent Weapons For Quiet Wars
and
Dirty Weaponry.
The beez swarming, swords clanging, etc over curse words was
my doing. I also sat in on mastering sessions to over see
mastering before Rza gave final approval.
Wu-International: How did it work with Elements, did
you have to make a number of beats and the artists came and
choose the ones they liked or did they come to you and tell
you concepts and you work around that or just make beats
with someone specific in mind?
Goldfinghaz:
Ideally you
wanted to have a deep catalogue of beats so you would have a
better chance of getting a placement. Everyone would be at
the mansion so everyone was accessible to play music for.
You play tracks and if they felt them, they would grab it or
spit on the spot.
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Wu-International:
Your production
style was quite different from the likes of say 4th
Disciple or RZA but the elements also had that
unique sound that people would recognize as Wu and
different from everyone else at that time, was they
a set formula or approach to making beats that you
all took?
Goldfinghaz:
I
think RZA’s idea of having a diverse group of
producers was part of his master plan to lock down
the industry. He didn't need 4 RZA clones. Everyone
had their own technique, sound and approach to
making music.
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Wu-International: What type of producer are you? How
would you describe your style?
Goldfinghaz:
My style is a bit more
musical that the other Elements. I come from the school of
your track needs to ride and tell a story rather than create
a cadence for you to be able to flow on. Not saying I don’t
do those types of beats. Pillage was a cadence, jump on, get
your money beat. If I was still beatin hard today, my style
would be very close to The Justice League and the Runners.
That is my chamber all day. Them boys make good music...
Wu-International: Thanks, what equipments did you use
for making beats and which were your favourite tools?
Goldfinghaz:
I was one of the first to sequence with computers and using
multiple tracks to make one beat. So I am a Logic, Mac
producer still but in the 90’s I used Kurzweil, MPC 3000,
Rack of outboard gear, ADATS, Mac computer w/ Logic and or
Cubase and a massive record collection.
Wu-International: Could you describe your
process for creating music? How does a piece start for you?
Goldfinghaz:
Drums, Drums,
Drums. Not necessarily patterns but drum kits. I would spend
weeks just chopping drums and making layers of kits. I would
also spend a considerable amount of time pulling samples,
chopping them and creating programs as well. I would take
two months just building my sounds. By doing that, I could
go for about 6 months with out having to look for sounds or
building kits. I relate my work style to a painter of a
chef, They (Wu) like to have all of their ingredients/paints
in order and lined up before they get busy.
Wu-International:
Of all the songs you have done, which would you say you are
most proud of?
Goldfinghaz:
Hard to say. Most of them mean
something to me but I’d have to say the Remake of Sucka
Mc’s. First to be able to touch a classic such as that was
beyond an honour and to have Meth, RZA and Dirty killin' it
as they did, was crazy. Shit still knocks to this day.
Wu-International:
Have to agree, are there any beats we know of that was an
accident initially but came out a hit?
Goldfinghaz: I wouldn't classify any of my
works as “hits” but no accidents, everything came out as I
was intended (for the most part)
Wu-International:
Trust me some were hits to the fans, would you agree
that Wu-Tang were pioneers in using vocal samples?
Goldfinghaz:
Please, yes! I dare someone to try to dispute that.
Wu-International:
The concept of Wu Elements unfortunately does not exist
these days in hip-hop as in a production team, most albums
these days tend to use different producers as opposed to
just one for that coherent sound, is this a good or bad
thing? What are you thoughts in that regard?
Goldfinghaz: Hot concept to have multiple producers
on one project, it makes sense on paper but it made it too
easy for labels and artist to become “successful”. But I’m
totally against it and I believe that is one of the main
reasons for the downfall of urban music. Hip Hop albums
began sounding like R&B albums and visa versa. When Quincy
Jones, Norman Whitfield, George Martin, Gamble and Huff,
Phil Spector, Trevor Horn, Teddy Riley, Dre, Rick Ruben, RZA,
Premo and Timberland did records they all created a sound
that was undeniable, really big movements and produced 100%
of certain artist albums.
Wu-International: What was it like working with RZA
and was there anything you learned from working with or
around the Wu?
Goldfinghaz:
RZA is one of the
most intelligent people I’ve had the pleasure of working
with. He has knowledge beyond comprehension... Lets say
this, I’ve learned what to do and what not to do. Make sure
you get your name on the credits!!!! After the money is
spent, all you have is your name on that body of work.
Wu-International: Do you still work or make beats for
Wu-Tang Clan members or its affiliates?
Goldfinghaz: No, I don't.
Wu-International: Whatever happened to the full album
you produced for Black knights some years back, do you still
have these recordings and is that something you will be
interested in putting out?
Goldfinghaz: What!!!?, Yes we recorded most of
it in LA. I gave them boys so much heat. Bobby should have
all of the masters so you would have to ask him that, I
would love to mix and or remix those records again, RIP Doc
Doom, (how did ya’ll know that?) {Laughs}
Wu-International: You contribution on Cappadonna’s
and Gravediggaz projects were outstanding, where there songs
you produced for Wu-tang members that are still unreleased
to date?
Goldfinghaz:
Thank you. Yes there are loads, songs
for Meth, Twelve-O’Clock, La The Darkman, album and 1/2 for
Tekitha, album for Black Knights. 2 or 3 songs for Cappa, 1
or 2 songs for Gravediggaz, Shyheim, Blue Raspberry, Killa
Bamz (Solomon Childs). Oh I did a record with GZA and Deck
that was suppose to come out on the lyricist lounge 2.
Wu-International: Interesting, you must have an
archive of rare or unreleased songs from the Wu days, fans
are eager for the Gravediggaz and most especially the Black
Knights albums, is this something you would like to release
to the public some time in the near future?
Goldfinghaz:
I do but it’s all property of Wu-Tang productions and Diggs
Family Music, RZA is the man for that.
Wu-International: If you had a chance to produce an
entire album for any Wu-Tang general, who would be your
first choice and why?
Goldfinghaz: Ghost. His style is so crazy and
unorthodox, if you combine that with my style, I really
think we would have a classic album. A lot of big records...
Wu-International: “Fairytalez” and “Never gonna
come back” are still on play on my iPod to this day, can you
describe a day during the Gravediggaz "The Pick,
the Sickle & the Shovel"
recording sessions?
Goldfinghaz: Absolutely, Kelis was my artist at
the time and I was trying to get her on as much as I
possibly could so she was always with me. We were at
Firehouse studios and I was playing tracks. I played the
fairytalez beat and everyone lost it. Ideas began being
tossed around, Grym (R.I.P) gave Kelis the concept, wrote
the lyrics and blessed it.
“Never Gonna Come Back” is just mean baby!!!! Drums sound
like cannons! {Laughs}
Wu-International: Rest in Peace to Grym, after
a couple of releases not much was heard from you
musically within the Wu, was there any reason for
this?
Goldfinghaz: No real reason, business was
generally good, I just got a bit burnt out. As I
mentioned, I had Kelis as an artist. I also had,
B.E.T. (a hip Hop duo from Brooklyn) and Trey Lorenz
(Maria Careys back up singer) which I was shopping
and trying to get a label deal. I hit a wall and let
everything go, that's when Pharell nabbed up Kelis
and got her poppin! Thats when I fell back,
producing stopped being fun for me.
Wu-International: Are you still in touch with some or
any member of the Clan and affiliates?
Goldfinghaz: I saw Meth and Rae last year at
Methodman and Reds album release party for Blackout
2 at the Adidas Original store in SOHO. Chopped it
up with Cappa via email a few times. Spoke to
Shyheim a few years ago about working on something.
I really need to call Tekitha...
Wu-International: Die hard Wu fans remember you
and your contribution and to date often wonder what you are
up to musically, there are debates on sites comparing who
the best is out of you, RZA, Allah Maths, True Master & 4th
Disciple, and you have a lot of dedicated fans out there,
how does it make you feel to be remembered and missed by the
fans even though they have not heard from you lately?
Goldfinghaz: That's what it all about, the
fans. They are the ones that keep true hip hop alive. Its in
my blood to make music so that will never stop as well as
Dj’ing. Comparing us is cool but my style was so different,
it becomes personal preference to the listener who is the
best.
Wu-International: So who would you choose as
the best besides yourself between Maths, RZA, 4th Disciple
and True Master and why?
Goldfinghaz:
Thats very difficult for me to do. Every Element made
bangers and classic records.
Wu-International: Thanks, We are aware you produced
for acts outside the Wu such as Snoop, CNN, Kelis
etc, are there any work you have done within the
last year or couple of years that you we might not
be aware of?
Goldfinghaz:
I was also working with a few
Reggae/ Dance Hall Artist, Mike Bivens and his
group, The Biv 10 Pee Wees, Sweetback (Sade’s band
members side project), Kool G Rap and several artist
signed to Rawkus. The record I gave to G Rap was by
far one of the craziest records I’ve ever done and I
wish it would have came out. Jadakiss and Big Pun
wanted that track but I thought G Rap would bless it
the best. I gave Mya a banger too
Wu-International: Thanks for those, so do you still
make beats, word is that you quite the game due to your new
faith or religion?
Goldfinghaz:
I still go-in. Not true
at all, my faith has nothing to do with me not working the
industry.
Wu-International: Please tell us more about your
faith, when and why did you decide to take it
seriously?
Goldfinghaz:
My faith has
provided me guidance and a solid foundation for this
life and in preparing my soul after life. I decided
to take my faith seriously when I noticed that I was
putting to much trust in man and not enough trust in
God.
Wu-International:
Is your approach to making music different now to
when you started off due to your religion and if so
how?
Goldfinghaz:
Not at all, I’m
still a man with feelings and desires which
translates thru my music.
Wu-International: Will your faith hinder who you
decide to work with if their concepts for a song are
against what you believed in?
Goldfinghaz:
Let's just say
I’m more careful on what I help promote.
Wu-International: So are you working on anything
musically right now, if so please tell us more as
far as features, release dates etc?
Goldfinghaz: I’ve been contracted to
executive produce two movie soundtracks. I’m waiting
on the green light. I will let you know when
everything pops off. I do have a very elite camp of
producers and song writers signed to AMG, which will
be causing problems for a lot of people very soon.
Wu-International:
Could you please tell us more about Ambition Marketing
Publicity & Radio LLC and your role within this company?
Goldfinghaz:
Ambition is a full service marketing firm and I’m one of the
managing partners / Co-founder. AMG is our management arm of
MPR. Right now I’m heavy in the advertising world, which
takes up 80% of my time.
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Wu-International: You have a lot of roles, President,
dj, producer, artist, manager, etc, how do you manage all
this?
Goldfinghaz:
One at a time.
Wu-International: To end this interview, do you have
anything else to add on or share with fans that have not
been covered already here?
Goldfinghaz:
No, you’ve covered a
pretty nice amount of ground.
Wu-International: How can the fans keep up to
date with Goldfingaz?
Goldfinghaz:
Myspace/goldfinghaz ,
Twitter.com/ScottKinchen, Xbox live / Goldfinghaz (if you
want to get served, {Laughs})
Wu-International: Thanks again for your time, any
last words, advice to new producers in the game, shout outs,
greetings etc?
Goldfinghaz:
Producers and Writers, make sure you get credit for all the
work you do and make sure your name is spelled correctly!
Study all types of music, learn what a hit record sounds
like across multiple genres and learn to play instruments.
Pray a lot! |
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Thanks
for your time and we wish you all the best in your future
endeavours.
Keep up to date with
Maths
www.myspace.com/goldfinghaz
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#3 [Inspectah Deck] -
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#4 [Mathematics] -
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#5 [Goldfingaz] -
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