Spaceboy Boogie-X is an established producer and emcee and a Hip-Hop Superstar over in Japan. Born in the San Fernando Valley, part of the City of Los Angeles, now resides in Montebello, (adjacent to East L.A.), he’s being putting it down for over a decade. Over the past years, he's worked with some of the biggest names in Hip-Hop including the Pharcyde and Hieroglyphics. Over the years he’s released over a dozen 12” singles in the Japanese market and been on several domestic releases including the High Times THC album, Styles of Beyond’s “2000 Fold”, and “Straight from the Crates Vol. 1” compilation which he co-produced a song called “Hard Times” that featured Jurassic 5 and the Pharcyde. He’s currently putting the finish touches on the highly anticipated Pharcyde album titled “Humboldt Beginnings” which will be definitely the album of 2004!

M: So tell us about the Spaceboy Boogie-X.
S: I’m a producer, I rhyme when I have to, and man I make it happen.

M: Who are some of the artists that you have produced for over the years?
S: The Pharcyde, Hieroglyphics, Tony Touch, Ciga, Rahzel of The Roots, Styles of Beyond, Shyheim, Raekwon the Chef, Requiem, and several others.

M: Your album, The Chronicles LP, is set to be released in Japan. Tell us about it.
S: It’s a compilation containing the a-side’s from 12” singles that I released on Props Records in Japan. It also includes bonus songs for the fans. Some of the music on the album includes solo projects Imani and Bootie Brown of the Pharcyde, and many more. I just received a call from Blast Magazine which is equivalent to The Source magazine in Japan regarding the advertisement for the album. So, they told me everyone in Japan is anticipating the release of that album.

M: When should the Japanese market expect to see the Chronicles LP in-stores?
A: By the end of November it will be out.

M: How come have the majority of the records you have released have been only available in Japan?
S: I’ve been dealing with my Japanese customers for over 8 years. Before I begun producing, I was selling used records to the Japanese. So, I established a relationship with them. When I begun producing, they really liked what I do. So, I kept that relationship with them. And, now I have somewhat a cult following you know what I’m saying?

M: When can people in the U.S. expect to see a domestic release by you?
S: I’ve been doing music here in the United States for a while. I recently produced half of the songs for the upcoming Pharcyde album titled “Humboldt Beginnings” which should be out in January of 2004. We just got word that Pete Rock is going to be on the album, a song that I actually produced. It’s an incredible album, and it’s going to be tight. In 1998 I did a song for Styles of Beyond called “Hollograms” on their album “2000 Fold.” which I also rhymed on. I recently did a song for Hieroglyphics called “Jingle Jangle” which is on the group’s new album “Full Circle.” I also did work for Rahzel of the Roots, Shyheim, and Raekwon the Chef. I recently did a remix for Calvin Richardson which was accepted by Hollywood Records/Disney, so I’m excited about that.

M: What sound people expect from the Pharcyde’s “Humbolt Begininngs” album?
S: Man, it’s a crazy album and it’s incredible. I’ve been working with the Pharcyde for years. And, I can say it’s tight. To me, it’s a step up from what I was doing. The music definitely advanced from their last album. Everyone involved in the project has been working hard. I just hope that people like it.

M: How were you introduced to the Pharcyde?
S: I met Bootie Brown at a swap-meet where I was selling records. I saw him there with a stack of records and approached him to sell him records. And, I guess he liked what I had to offer him with my knowledge on records. So, we became friends since then.

M: You and Bootie Brown formed a group called the Pitch Hitters. Who are the members of the group and what exactly does the group do?
S: The Pitch Hitters is basically Brown and myself and we’re both producers and we’re out there to make that hot shit. We’re trying to expand as producers and work with other people. We are trying to shop beat tapes, do remixes here and there, just trying to make it crack man. When people can’t come through, we Pitch Hit!

M: The Pitch Hitters originally had more members. One of those members was Ralph M of Funkdoobiest. How come did he leave the group?
S: He didn’t leave the group. When we formed the group I guess the members’ schedules clashed so beats weren’t submitted on time. We couldn’t afford to pay people to make beats, so we couldn’t tell them to make beats. We’re all friends and Ralph M is my homie. Everyone is my homie that was in the group. The only people that can put it down and make it happen are Brown and myself because we work together everyday. Monday through Friday I see Brown.

M: I heard you are producing for some of the members from Anotha Level. When can people expect to hear anything new from them?
S: I was basically working with Ced of that group and I haven’t had the opportunity to with him lately since I’ve been busy.

M: When did you get into Hip-Hop?
S: I got into hip-hop when I was a little kid in elementary school. My homeboy Rene and I were always into that shit. We went to camp break dancing you know!

M: When you got into hip-hop, who were some of the artists that attracted you to hip-hop?
S: When I got into hip-hop I was listening to a lot of stuff so I really didn’t know what it was since I was a little kid. But I tell you one thing though the first actual records that I paid for was Slick Rick’s “Ladi Dadi” and Toddy Tee “Batteram.” I just want to shout out that record store because they RIPPED ME OFF! *laughs* They charged me $20 dollars for two singles and didn’t give me any change. But, I was a little kid so I wanted to accept the fact that I was buying some tight shit.

M: Speaking of records, you opened a record store in 1998 out in the San Fernando Valley. Tell us about it.
S: That was the Soul Unit Record Shop. I was hustling records to producers, selling records to Japanese buyers, and I was on top of my game. Peace to my name Alex Rivera for helping out with the store. What I tried to do was have a dope selection of used records. I actually opened the store to buy used records. *laughs* I have a crazy addiction to records. There were a lot of kids that came through who didn’t know much about music and I’m glad I could guide them in one way. And, now they are super fans of it. So, it’s cool.

M: Speaking of producers that you sold records to that shopped at the Soul Unit Record Shop. What some people may not know about yourself that you have expertise with samples and breaks. And, you’ve helped out some of the biggest producers in the industry which produced some of the biggest hit songs in Hip-Hop and R&B in the last 5 years. Do you feel you deserve credit for any of those songs?
A: I don’t deserve any credit for it because at the time that was my job. I don’t get offended doing something big with things I given them know what I’m saying? It was my pleasure. These are my friends. At that point they were my customers of mine. I was pointing out hot shit, playing samples and they were really into them. And, then they made some hits. So, it’s all good.

M: Who are some of your favorite producers at the moment?
A: You can point out a producer but it’s really… they have an entire camp. My favorite production camps I should say right are Dr. Dre’s camp, and definitely TImbaland’s camp, and Roc-A-Fella’s camp. I like all that shit.

M: Who are some of the artists you are feeling right now?
A: Lyrically, people who always satisfied me are people like Nas, Jay-Z. My expectations for an emcee are so high because I grew up on Pharaohe Monch of Organized Konfusion and people like that who were incredible.

M: In 1999, King Tech & Sway of the Wake Up Show approached you to produce a song for their album “This Or That” which featured a track by Pharaohe Monch. And, they heard a song that you produced called “Underground Sound.” How come was Pharaohe Monch unable to use that song?
A: From my understanding is that King Tech & Sway were trying to hook up the song. But, Pharaohe was signing over to Rawkus, so I guess it wasn’t possible at that time. If that wasn’t the case, then it would have happened. But, to me the track was incredible. I thought it was one of my dopest tracks at the time. So, I approached my friends Takbir and Ryu of Styles of Beyond and asked if they would rhyme on it. So they did and they came through and laced it up incredibly.

M: Are there any shout outs you like to give?
S: I want to shout out my boys Bootie Brown and Imani of the Pharcyde. HipHop-Elements.com no doubt, Freestylus Records, defenitly my family, everyone that’s down with me, and Hollywood Records.

Thanks Spaceboy Boogie-X for taking your time for the interview.

Check out:

http://www.thepharcyde.com
http://www.pitchhitters.com
http://www.hieroglyphics.com