Micro-Chopping Dibia$e — An Exclusive 31-Track Playlist
Hip-hop heads can be pretty rigid when it comes to establishing accepted practices for sampling. At one time it was seen as sacrilegious to sample anything other than an original pressing of a vinyl record and some people still thumb their nose at using DAWs and software. Although rules like this have loosened some with time, a segment of the producer community is still pretty salty about newer beatmaking methods.
Aware that some might question his sampling methodology, Sacramento-based producer Dibia$e took to Facebook show that he in’t ashamed of the varied techniques he utilizes. “Just so y’all don’t get shit confused, I still get my fingers dusty with vinyl, but I will chop the hell out of some YouTube, cassette, Jazz radio station, VCR, NES console, and pots and pans. Revoke my hip-hop card if that’s an issue,” he said.
It’s no surprise Dibia$e reps his DIY sampling philosophy with pride, as he started out making beats by sampling Jazz radio stations while using an 8-second sampler and a Sony Sports Walkman. “Sometimes the reception was bad, so I’d hold the antenna with one hand and use the other hand to press the button to start and stop the sample. You might hear a little buzz in it. But fuck it, it gives it character,” he explained in an earlier Micro-Chop interview.
Character indeed. Since evolving from his humble radio-to-cassette sampling origins, Dibia$e’s beats have earned him a victory at the 2010 Redbull Big Tune beat battle, a sponsorship deal with Novation, and a recent Fat Beats release titled Baker’s Dozen. With an extensive discography of instrumental albums under his belt, Dibia$e now seems more comfortable with his process than even before.
The playlist included here is a showcase of Dibia$e’s versatility as he chops up 80s R & B, gospel, and video game snippets with ease. Using the sound manipulation techniques he spent the last 20 years and change mastering, Dibia$e moves from traditional boom bap to more experimental beats without breaking a sweat. Whether strictly instrumental or coupled with a dope MC, the quality of his work ensures that nobody will try to revoke his hip-hop card any time soon.
If you love any of the music you hear here, consider buying some from his Bandcamp page.
Connect with Dibia$e on Bandcamp, Facebook, Soundcloud, and on Twitter@darealdibia$e.
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