Here is the Third and final part of the film about Queens Legendary Producer and Engineer Paul C McKasty.  A man that contributed a great deal to the Golden Era of Hip Hop Music.  As in the Article on the previous Post this is no way the definitive story or Film.  There is still a few key people missing. 

I hope that after watching this that they may want to contribute some footage that would make it the definitive film.  I would really like to thank all those that took part and believed in me from the get go.  Lindley Farley and CJ Moore who where the driving force behind me who’s words in previous conversations I cherished and kept in my heart and soul, this film as I always said is a film made for you.

Along the road I have now collected over a 1000 hours of Hip Hop footage and interviews.   If I could I would love to make a film on the following, the offer is there. Marley Marl, Large Pro, Diamond D, Johnny Juice and my mentor and big Brother Jazzy Jay.  A more personal look at the men ‘The Men and their Music’.

Thank you to all the people who have been contacting me with their thoughts about the film, Rhythm from the group Phase and Rhythm who after watching Part 1 & 2 contacted me and withing a day shot and sent me a piece to be added to the film. If Large Pro, Rhazel and Biz after seeing this would like to contribute some footage please get in touch.  Thanks to Stezo and Cool V who have agreed to send some footage.

Monday I will be dropping a video –Behind the making of the ‘Memories of Paul C McKasty Poster’.  Art created by Paul C’s High school friend TeQnotic.

This is by all means not the definitive documentary or story of Paul C McKasty.  The Legendary producer from Queens NYC who had his life cut short aged only 24 years old.  This is a film put together from a footage I had accumulated from 2000 to April 2013. 

Friends, Family and Fellow artists share some personal stories of their time with the man.  I am as you may know a record collector and Hip Hop activist.  I can admit that I never knew or had every record that Paul C had touched, I have plenty of them, not all of them.  In the late 90s I had got to know Nottingham based group  the P-Brothers very well.

I was around as Ivory made his now notorious ‘Here No Evil’ CD.   He used to show me records I had missed out on, a lot of Paul C’s productions.   Prior to that I had gone to New York to start work on my film ‘The Men & Their Music’.   Chronicling the birth of New School Hip Hop, from 86 on. Interviewing Ced Gee and Moe Love they spoke highly of Paul, this was the beginning of filming a chapter on the man from Queens.

As I began editing the film the Chapter on Paul. It was so long that it manifested it self into its own film.  Learning so much more about the man, watching back the footage of CJ Moore and how heartfelt he spoke about his friend.  I felt that this was a story that needed to be shared.

As you will see there is absence of some very key people, not to say I never tried to contact them, those that know me very well can confirm I did.  My challenge was that I had made a rough of this film so many years ago, what do i do?, hold out hoping that one day they will want to tell there story which I did for nearly 7 years or drop the film?

Bear in mind Ive never been a sponsored film maker or belong to any in or popular crowds.  I was just a man with a camera traveling round filming when ever i could.  In my early days building my reputation maybe there was a miss trust from some artists, who is this guy?.  Time has showed that I kept my word and that I’m a man that prides him self on his integrity.  So I made the decision to drop the film.  Maybe those missing can see it for what it is, I can always re-edit. If anyone has photos of Paul that i can insert into the film (who would not mind)  please contact me?

I would like to thank all those that contributed footage towards the project and believed in me.  Rakim who took time out of his tour to do this.  Dr Butcher who traveled from Texas to NYC to link up with Damian Wilkes to shoot his piece.  Lindley Farley for his guidance throughout.

Another reason i never dropped the film was that there is a video that exists of Paul making beats in his studio,  but it was amongst hundreds and hundreds of video tapes in a spot in NYC, to this day it’s not been found.

I made a choice not to feature a soundtrack to the film, the audio quality of some of the footage, but mainly because this is not like one of those  movies that sensationalize and concentrate on the death and mystery behind it.  This is sincere stories from people who loved the man.  I stripped the film down to the raw footage.  Its not often you get to see such films like this about artists of this genre.  Most people will know of Rakim, but you tell me where you ever see him like this on film?

Paul C played  a huge part not just in the music but helping develop some of the groups who today are considered classic.  Mikey D, Super Lover C and Casanova Rud, Main Source, Large Pro, Organised Konfusion, Rhazel and Ultras to name a few.

In a day when music has become so disposable, bed room studios, back track listen to music produced by the likes of Paul C, there is a reason why that music is classic and never tiring, it was a made by a man that was  not a beat maker but a master of his craft.

Part 3 will be online next Sunday. 

For a full Paul C Discography please click here

When i was last in NYC I was speaking to Finesse, and i asked him has he not jumped onto the DJ thing with the 45’s. His answer to me was ‘Nah man that not me, never was me. I love records, 45’s was Diamonds thing he’s been doing that for ever.

Here is the master doing one of the things he does best

Personally my favorite track from the group. Reminds me back to a trip to NYC. First meeting Mikey D in Queens. Riding in his car through the borough. Talking about the past. I asked him to spit a rhyme. He still got it. I said to Mikey I’m going to make something happen.

Alongside Kevin DeCosta and K-Kut we planned to bring Mikey D over alongside the original 2 DJs from the group Main Source. We could not get the group over for family commitments. K-KUT gave me his blessings to be the groups DJ and to use the name for that tour.

The love that Mikey was met with here in the UK. Was beyond his expectations. Whilst on the tour I introduced him to Sparkii Ski who was the KOTB host on the tour. The rest is history. Mikey Returned to the USA a new man.

Over the last few years where ever ive been this mans name crops up. DJ Boogie Blind. The funny thing is that back in 2002 we was in NYC working on the Men & Their Music. Casz my original film partner was over at Sugarcuts place where they were introduced to this DJ named Boogie Blind.

He was like Pritt this guy is sick. He’s gonna be the next big thing from NYC. Forward to 2009 im in NYC and everyone im working with is talking about him. 2012 all I do is bump into him every month here in the UK. Firstly he’s a dope guy. With pure honest love for this culture. Like my self he’s thrown him self into the deep end. We worked on some videos alongside members of the DITC crew.

Together alongside long time friend A.Dee we both traveled to Bristol to see Chris Malbon the Artist behind the King of the Beats Logo, branding and Poster.

To help fund the project we released a limited run of the poster that he created. As a special gesture Chris is hand signing all of them.

Of course me being me, not to waste any opportunity. I shot a short piece with the man, going into his history and background, and how he came up with the idea and concept for the movie poster. Both of us have come a long way from our days in the School Playground drawing Spiderman and the Hulk to see who was the better artist.

It was great that A.dee was able to join us, as he was the man who pushed me into becoming a film maker. In the early days the three of us used to talk about creating art and working together on some visual projects. Alongside Chris and Eric Orr, A.Dee agreed to create a poster and some art towards the project.

Money raised from the sales of the poster are to go back into the project. To return back to NYC to complete shooting. I would like to thank all those that have already supported the project and purchased their poster, they will be with you shortly.

For all those that would like to support the project You can get your Limited Edition Hand Signed Poster here

Here is a exclusive preview of the trailer for the upcoming film by Pritt Kalsi, Jazzy Jay and JFK Aman.  Currently still in post production.  Im very excited about this film as anyone can imagine, but anyone who knows me and my work will know that this is a make or break moment. 

In August 2012  Jazzy Jay spent a month here with me in the UK.  I was not in the best of state that time. Thanks to him and others who know who they are, he helped guiding me into recovery.  I started to see that I had to make some serious changes in my life.

After speaking with my family Jazzy  openly invited me to NYC to work on this project.  Leaving me to my own devices he assured me what ever I need to do he will help me achieve it.  Along side him and DJ Supreme from group Hijack I presented my idea and got the green light off them both.  I approached my friends in NYC,  the true masters, pioneers and producers of classic material and asked if they would take on the king of the beats challenge.

Filmed in Mecca New York birth place of Hip Hop.  I would like to thank Steven Ellington and Andy Higgs for believing in me, taking time out their schedule, spending their own money to travel to New York to help me make this, I believe it was worth it.  I didn’t know anything about sites like Kickstarter, this film was made able by the people who supported my art, buying prints, supporting my campaign that I went on early this year.  I would like to thank Aidan Butler my childhood friend who I bumped into in NYC after leaving the Marley Marl show, who helped us out when we had problems with one of our cameras, who offered support to the project and donated some film.  Jazzy Jays Wife who allowed me and the team into their home.  Marley Marl, Diamond D and Lord Finesse who have always given me time in NYC and UK allowing me the freedom to shoot them when ever.  Zion for putting us up!.  Phat Gary for his support and guidance, Biggest Gordon my old time friend who I was trying to find and bumped into in the street. A.GEE for the serious talk.

Unlike most films out there, this is a film made by someone still working in a factory who has passion and drive for telling a story about the culture he loves unmatched to others.  Almost 20 years and still grinding.  After making the trailer I could see the potential and power within this film. We spent 3 weeks in NYC shooting and didn’t get to shoot everyone we wanted due to schedules and even some people being carted off by the law.

Hence releasing the artwork by Chris Malbon yesterday.  If you watch this and believe in this project. Please support the campaign and purchase a print. Look out for Art coming from legendary graff artist Eric Orr who also features in the film.   To all those that took part and supported the project, those that believed in me I would like to thank you.  Real recognize the real.

Thanks to Chieko who flew over from Japan to watch me make the trailer.  5th Element who earlier today premiered the trailer in Japan.

Those that know, or experienced  what is King of the beats will know this more than a film its a movement based on a love and passion for music. Much love and respect to all the artists and friends that are part of this project

8pm today check out Tha 4orces (Steven Ellington)– Mind tha Gap Show 

Another great video from the FUSE team. Lord Finesse. One of the greatest to ever do it. Over 10 years ago i went to his place to shoot a video. He is one of the most humble artists i know. He’s supported my work from the get go.

Recently we met up again in the UK for his promotional tour for his up coming Album. Alongside DJ Boogie Blind, it was one of those shows that if you wasn’t there you missed something special.

He knows his place in the scene, he knows who is audience is. and he delivers nothing but in my opinion the tightest and most seamless show from any artist out there right now. If you do get a chance to see him perform make sure you do not miss it.

Designed and created by long time collaborator and friend Chris Malbon, here is a first exclusive look at the movie poster created by one of ‘Creative Magazines’ top 10 global creatives.  This is the first run of the poster and limited to 100 prints only.  Signed by the Artist Chris Malbon and Film Director Pritt Kalsi.  A2 printed on 120GSM Bond.  Money raised will go into finishing up the film and shooting missing scenes.

I remember the many phones calls me and Chris had discussing the new look KING OF THE BEATS, It was after I returned from NYC and spoke to Chris detailing my experience out there, he was inspired and came up with this design.  Inspired by Bed stuy, Brooklyn home base for me and the film crew, Andy Higgs and Steven Ellington.  He looked at the pictures we brought back of shop fronts, signs, streets and buildings, his aim was to capture the spirit of Hip Hop Culture and our time in the states.

We spent one day together having a meeting , brainstorming and planning where we wanted to go with this design.  Not following suit, artistically we wanted to present something new and fresh, injecting a little creativity and spirit into this culture we love so much.  Just as Neville Brody made waves with his work for Depeche Mode and others, this is what we are trying to achieve and translate here into Hip Hop.  Chris showed me some sketches he had made of buildings, alongside some of the current projects he was working on.  Left to his own devices Chris returned to Bristol producing this fine piece of art.

Tomorrow August 9th, is the day of the premier of our film trailer for the movie.  To coincide with the launch day we are releasing this poster.  If you are lover and supported of the culture and art and film making, please feel free to support the team, and purchase a poster.  Shipping day August 30th.

I would like to thank everyone for their support.

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