While many have turntables, few are DJs. While many can make beats, few are true producers. Chicago’s Emmaculate is one who can claim both titles.
Since birth, the table has been set for Emmaculate to be a DJ and producer. Both of his parents and his older brother were musicians, and exposed Emac to a wide array of sounds and styles ranging from the Beatles to NWA. In 1989, Emmaculate stumbled onto the House music scene, and the rest was history.
“At first I got into the dancing, and I started learning to DJ in 1990. Then it was a wrap! I was lost. I quit sports, went from straight A’s in school to tuning out and getting bad grades. All I wanted to do was music,” he says.
Hip Hop was just entering its “Golden Era” and a young Emac was cutting his production and DJ chops rocking grimy house parties, and crafting beats for his extended crew, Fundamental. Throughout the mid 90’s, Fundamental started appearing regularly at spots such as Elbo Room and B-Sides café. In 1996 the crew centralized and dubbed themselves The Rec Center, which was also the name of the house where everyone would gather to create music. Together they became a staple of Chicago’s underground scene. Emac served as Rec Center’s DJ and producer as the group went on to release 2 vinyl singles, a maxi cassette, and a full-length LP, Lonely People. Emac juggled more than the beats, as he also ran the group’s independent record label, Rotten Soil Ent, along with his partners Bolo and Julius the Mad Thinker.
The Rec Center closed up shop in 2001, and Emac continued to sharpen his skills while gaining valuable experience in real estate and parenthood. In 2004 Emac linked up with Chicago Hip Hop legend JUICE and produced the emcee’s independent LP, All Bets Off. The album allowed Emac to showcase his production skills on a larger level, and raised his visibility considerably. Emac became a highly sought after club DJ, and found himself with a plethora of production opportunities.
In 2007 Emmaculate linked up with Dame Cash and Connected Records. Since then he has overseen the development of Connected artists such as Ben 1. Emmaculate also works with fellow producer Boogz who has produced music for artists such as Method Man, Bump J, and R. Kelly. Never losing site of the House scene that first inspired him, Emmaculate also works with DJ/producer Julius the Mad Thinker to create original House music. The duo has multiple projects on tap for 2008.
Emmaculate continues to grow because of his versatility and skill at all levels of production. He says of his own style, “I’m a producer that is able to complete entire projects including the creation of the beat, co-writing, recording, mixing, and project coordination. It took time and dedication, and that’s why I consider myself a true producer, rather than someone that just makes the beat. That’s almost the easy part.”
Production & Mixing Credits Include: DJ Khaled, Fat Joe, Bump J, LEP, GLC, Shawnna, Canibus, JUICE, Ed OG, K-Solo, Tash (Alkaholiks), K-Ci (Jodeci), J. Hollins, Teejay, Oprah Winfrey Show, Miller Genuine Draft, Lugz Clothing, and more.
