I was craving for some quality independent hip-hop recently and I stumbled upon Khromozomes – a talented hip-hop and electronic music producer and beats-maker. He was born in Philly under the name Ruvane Schwartz and raised in Brookyn, New York. I can hardly think about a better place in the world for a hip-hop producer. Ruvane grew up with a taste based on the early 80s rap music he found himself and the 70’s jazz music from his father’s beloved collection. Later he got his own crew of creatives – which led to, as you can hear, great results.
I’ve been interested in music ever since I was a child. Most of my childhood memories have a song to it… like a soundtrack. Now that I think about it, I remember the music in the car when driving from Brooklyn to Philly to visit my relatives. My parents grew up in Philly and we lived in Brooklyn so during the car rides they would play something. I seem to remember Van Morrison’s “Moondance” and Harry Chapin’s “Cats in the Cradle”…
I was working with a MC and we were thinking of names, I remember I loved the name Souls of Mischief. That was a group who was down with the Hieroglyphics. The MC came up with Khromozomes, like the DNA of hip-hop. Also I wanted a name that could unite rappers, producers and musicians. Even graphic artists. Like a collective.
I love going to Park Slope, Williamsburg and now Fort Greene and Greenpoint. Brooklyn is amazing. There is a true community feeling, so many different cultures and nightlife. It’s a melting pot. On the other hand I can rant on all the “hipsters” who are from Iowa that moved here too… but at end of the day I love Brooklyn.
I think they both go hand in hand. I love being in the studio and hearing something come alive. Starting with a beat then maybe changing it and getting input from the artists singing/rapping.
I love making and creating music and I feel a sense of accomplishment when one of those songs gets placed on a film/TV show. Makes me feel like I’m doing something right and to be paid for it is even better. No one really buys music anymore. People use music to sell something else – scene in a film, a product, etc..
No, I don’t rap… maybe in the car driving..
My top artist is Tribe Called Quest. My favorite MC’s – Big Daddy Kane, Krs-One, Jay-Z, Nas, Rakim and Biggie. If we talk about DJs I think DJ Premiere is an amazing DJ and producer. I love his music, but if you mean DJs who spin at parties I got a few – Qool Marv , DJ Herbert and DJ Eleven – they are dope.
Honestly, I don’t go out that much to listen to new music, sometimes I feel like I’m stuck in the 90s. But if something pops up on my radar I will take a mental note. Actually you know what? I like Lorde. I think she’s dope. The beats are good as well and she has something to say. It sounds pretty crazy to hear a female vocalist from overseas have a hip-hop thing to her lyrics..
What’s coming next for Khromozomes?
That is what works for me. Getting the “Khromozomes” brand out there to decision makers who match music to film. I have a library of music and its time to promote myself along with the artists I have worked with.
More about Khromozomes’ sleek-sounding production on his website www.khromozomes.com/. Ruvane’s creative collective is also on Facebook,Twitter and MySpace.
This song by Khromozomes and Kristin Maihart – “Chomping At The Bit” was featured at Lifetime Television’s feature film “Flirting With Forty”, starring Heather Locklear, Robert Buckley and Vanessa Williams.
Kristin Mainhart & Khromozomes – Chomping At The Bit from Khromozomes on Myspace.