Studio Conversations – Episode 1

In the debut episode of Studio Conversations, hosts Bigg Tae and Derrick sit down with a legendary Bay Area music producer and engineer TC, who helped shape West Coast hip-hop from the 1980s onward. TC shares stories about growing up surrounded by music, his journey from DJing to producing iconic Bay Area artists, and his experiences navigating the music industry. Topics include the evolution of the Bay Area sound, the challenges of streaming, the importance of owning publishing rights, and his current projects mentoring emerging artists.

Introduction to Studio Conversations (00:00:28)
The hosts, Bigg Tae and Derrick, introduce the very first episode of their new podcast about music creation.

Early Musical Influences (00:02:00)
The guest, TC, discusses growing up in a musical family, surrounded by funk, R&B, and reggae music.

Becoming a DJ and Engineer (00:03:49)
TC explains how working the mixing board for his family's band at a young age led to him DJing.

Working with The Enhancer (00:05:16)
TC recalls how he first connected with producer The Enhancer after his previous studio, Bankroll, closed down.

West Coast Sound in the 90s (00:07:02)
The conversation covers how the Bay Area sound in the 80s and 90s ran parallel to the N.W.A. sound.

Evolution of Production Style (00:08:49)
TC explains how acquiring new equipment made his sound similar to others, prompting him to scale back for a grittier feel.

Working with RBL Posse (00:11:03)
TC discusses his role in engineering and producing for the legendary Bay Area group RBL Posse, praising Black C's production.

Losing Passion for Music (00:15:09)
TC shares how heavy drinking and artists not following his formula led to him losing his passion around 2001.

The Hyphy Movement (00:16:45)
TC explains why he stepped back during the Hyphy movement, preferring live instrumentation over the era's synthesized, uptempo sound.

The San Francisco Music Scene in the 90s (00:18:33)
TC describes the vibrant Bay Area hip-hop scene in the late 80s and 90s, name-dropping influential local artists.

The 11/5 Albums (00:20:10)
The group discusses the production evolution between the first and second 11/5 albums, moving towards live instrumentation.

The Music Business: Then vs. Now (00:22:22)
TC critiques the modern streaming model, stating that music has become worthless and artists now rely on touring and merchandise.

The Importance of Publishing (00:32:05)
The hosts and guest discuss the historical lack of knowledge about publishing rights and how artists unknowingly signed them away.

Kids' Perception of His Legacy (00:39:07)
TC jokes that his grown children don't care about his legendary status and just see him as "Dad."

Reflecting on Old Recordings (00:40:15)
TC admits he sometimes cringes at technical imperfections in his early work, but accepts it's part of the music's charm.

Current and Future Projects (00:41:35)
TC shares his current projects, including DJing, working with new artists, and playing in a band with older musicians.

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