The Meyer Lansky of hip-hop
February 9, 2006 3:43 PM Subscribe
A little known white guy made at least $6.4m out of hip-hop last year [NYTimes]. Scott Storch has produced 50 Cent, Beyonce and Lil Kim; in fact he made eighty tracks in 2005 and is working on Paris Hilton's new album. He thinks it's because of his low profile that he didn't get a grammy nomination and he's upset.
Paris Hilton's recording an album?! I can hardly wait!
posted by brundlefly at 3:48 PM on February 9, 2006
posted by brundlefly at 3:48 PM on February 9, 2006
Working on Paris Hilton's album must like patching a roof during a tornado.
posted by wakko at 3:48 PM on February 9, 2006
posted by wakko at 3:48 PM on February 9, 2006
I third stav and brundlefly. That was the only thing I saw in the FPP and it sent a deep chill into my soul.
posted by spiderwire at 3:49 PM on February 9, 2006
posted by spiderwire at 3:49 PM on February 9, 2006
Also, I like the word "celebutante." I plan to use it in my everyday conversations.
posted by brundlefly at 3:51 PM on February 9, 2006
posted by brundlefly at 3:51 PM on February 9, 2006
I feel really, really bad for this guy. Snubbed by the Grammys! Personally, I don't think I'd be able to get out bed. Makes you wonder where he finds the strength.
posted by billysumday at 3:55 PM on February 9, 2006
posted by billysumday at 3:55 PM on February 9, 2006
There are plenty of white guys that take $6.4M from the rap industry every year and couldn't give a damn about a grammy.
posted by wakko at 3:58 PM on February 9, 2006
posted by wakko at 3:58 PM on February 9, 2006
Yeah, they're called music label CEO's...
posted by SweetJesus at 4:04 PM on February 9, 2006
posted by SweetJesus at 4:04 PM on February 9, 2006
Um, why is this "best of the web"? Why should I care about this very rich man who produces bland, ultra-commercial music and has a bad attitude? (And nytimes.com is hardly an obscure source.)
Boooooring.
posted by lupus_yonderboy at 4:10 PM on February 9, 2006
Boooooring.
posted by lupus_yonderboy at 4:10 PM on February 9, 2006
heh. eminem was nominated for best rap album, for a "best of" crapfest. go grammies!
posted by mrgrimm at 4:15 PM on February 9, 2006
posted by mrgrimm at 4:15 PM on February 9, 2006
Hey, I'm glad meech brought this to my attention. I have rocked out to Chamillionaire's ridiculous hit song a number of times, and Storch is mentioned in that song.
I thought this passage was funny---I'm imagining how surreal this interview must have been for the reporter.
Throughout the day, Mr. Storch, a pack-a-day-type, chain-smoked Marlboros and inhaled prodigious amounts of marijuana. "I'm getting you totally baked right now, aren't I?" he asked this reporter at one point as she sat engulfed in a pungent cloud of secondhand smoke.
posted by jayder at 4:28 PM on February 9, 2006
I thought this passage was funny---I'm imagining how surreal this interview must have been for the reporter.
Throughout the day, Mr. Storch, a pack-a-day-type, chain-smoked Marlboros and inhaled prodigious amounts of marijuana. "I'm getting you totally baked right now, aren't I?" he asked this reporter at one point as she sat engulfed in a pungent cloud of secondhand smoke.
posted by jayder at 4:28 PM on February 9, 2006
He's hardly 'little known' either. He's probably the fourth most famous hip-hop producer after Dre, Timbaland and the Neptunes.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 5:04 PM on February 9, 2006
posted by PeterMcDermott at 5:04 PM on February 9, 2006
His stuff's just not that good. Sorry.
(We'll leave aside that most of what gets nommed really isn't that good either).
posted by klangklangston at 5:16 PM on February 9, 2006
(We'll leave aside that most of what gets nommed really isn't that good either).
posted by klangklangston at 5:16 PM on February 9, 2006
klang, i hope you don't like hip-hop, cause i don't think it's possible to dis Storch and say that you do.
He produced alot of the Roots' early material, and he's one of the best producers in the game, period. Granted, he works with some terrrrible hip-pop artists these days, but that's where the money's at....
posted by gnutron at 5:21 PM on February 9, 2006
He produced alot of the Roots' early material, and he's one of the best producers in the game, period. Granted, he works with some terrrrible hip-pop artists these days, but that's where the money's at....
posted by gnutron at 5:21 PM on February 9, 2006
That guy needs the new moire-cancelling $20k suit.
Ahahaha.
What a rediculous looking idiot.
posted by delmoi at 5:22 PM on February 9, 2006
Ahahaha.
What a rediculous looking idiot.
posted by delmoi at 5:22 PM on February 9, 2006
Maybe he needs to shoot somebody. Works for all them other guys.
posted by HTuttle at 5:23 PM on February 9, 2006
posted by HTuttle at 5:23 PM on February 9, 2006
He thinks it's because of his low profile that he didn't get a grammy nomination and he's upset.
Jermaine Dupri didn't get a grammy nomination, either, and he's not upset. And J.D. produced better and more successful records than Storch. And J.D. isn't low profile. Maybe Storch can call up Dupri and cry on his shoulder.
posted by JekPorkins at 5:35 PM on February 9, 2006
Jermaine Dupri didn't get a grammy nomination, either, and he's not upset. And J.D. produced better and more successful records than Storch. And J.D. isn't low profile. Maybe Storch can call up Dupri and cry on his shoulder.
posted by JekPorkins at 5:35 PM on February 9, 2006
Wait, so the Grammys don't suck now? 'Cause I'd always heard that they did.
posted by dhartung at 5:39 PM on February 9, 2006
posted by dhartung at 5:39 PM on February 9, 2006
He's hardly 'little known' either. He's probably the fourth most famous hip-hop producer after Dre, Timbaland and the Neptunes.
Fifth - don't forget Kanye. Storch doesn't rap or appear in videos, people don't have posters of him up on their wall and he doesn't have a clothing range or even a cool name like the others - he's a very long way fifth.
posted by meech at 6:08 PM on February 9, 2006
Fifth - don't forget Kanye. Storch doesn't rap or appear in videos, people don't have posters of him up on their wall and he doesn't have a clothing range or even a cool name like the others - he's a very long way fifth.
posted by meech at 6:08 PM on February 9, 2006
Gnutron: It's because I like hip hop that I can say that Storch just can't stand with the top tier. While he's not as famous as Kanye (who didn't get a nod for this catagory, and also isn't all that great as a producer), I can name a good ten producers who deserve it more than Storch this year. His work with the Roots was OK, but that's not THIS YEAR. And even Dangermouse, who's got nothing on Storch for the profile of acts he works with, deserved his tap more.
The only argument he can make is that Lillywhite and Godrich are more crap than he is.
posted by klangklangston at 6:51 PM on February 9, 2006
The only argument he can make is that Lillywhite and Godrich are more crap than he is.
posted by klangklangston at 6:51 PM on February 9, 2006
btw:
Throughout the day, Mr. Storch, a pack-a-day-type, chain-smoked Marlboros and inhaled prodigious amounts of marijuana. "I'm getting you totally baked right now, aren't I?" he asked this reporter at one point as she sat engulfed in a pungent cloud of secondhand smoke.
The NYT style guide is completely ridiculous.
posted by delmoi at 6:54 PM on February 9, 2006
Throughout the day, Mr. Storch, a pack-a-day-type, chain-smoked Marlboros and inhaled prodigious amounts of marijuana. "I'm getting you totally baked right now, aren't I?" he asked this reporter at one point as she sat engulfed in a pungent cloud of secondhand smoke.
The NYT style guide is completely ridiculous.
posted by delmoi at 6:54 PM on February 9, 2006
As Jek alluded to with regards to Jermaine Dupri: Who Cares About Grammys? He'll Take the Hit Records [another nytimes link]
PeterMcDermott: What, no Kanye?? /pointlesshiphoptrainspotting
posted by samh23 at 7:05 PM on February 9, 2006
PeterMcDermott: What, no Kanye?? /pointlesshiphoptrainspotting
posted by samh23 at 7:05 PM on February 9, 2006
The NYT style guide is completely ridiculous.
oh yes
"It's always a pleasure working with Paris," Mr. Storch said with a sly chuckle. "We were good friends. Let the world figure that out. I take the high road."
This crowd is pure class. Actually, I found the article hilarious. It almost sounds like some kind of media prank...some kind of Ali G thang.
posted by Edgewise at 7:08 PM on February 9, 2006
oh yes
"It's always a pleasure working with Paris," Mr. Storch said with a sly chuckle. "We were good friends. Let the world figure that out. I take the high road."
This crowd is pure class. Actually, I found the article hilarious. It almost sounds like some kind of media prank...some kind of Ali G thang.
posted by Edgewise at 7:08 PM on February 9, 2006
No, the Paris Hilton album is real, and will be spectacular.
There was a track that leaked from it last year called "Screwed" (yes, this stuff just writes itself) which was pretty damn good--certainly better than Ashlee Simpson, and at least on par with the best of Lohan's work to date.
As for Mr. Storch, I notice he is starting to interject his own name into the songs he produces a lot more lately. This seems to work for increasing awareness of one's production (a la Jazzy Pha, Mannie Fresh, etc); it's like rap watermarking.
posted by First Post at 7:31 PM on February 9, 2006
There was a track that leaked from it last year called "Screwed" (yes, this stuff just writes itself) which was pretty damn good--certainly better than Ashlee Simpson, and at least on par with the best of Lohan's work to date.
As for Mr. Storch, I notice he is starting to interject his own name into the songs he produces a lot more lately. This seems to work for increasing awareness of one's production (a la Jazzy Pha, Mannie Fresh, etc); it's like rap watermarking.
posted by First Post at 7:31 PM on February 9, 2006
As for Mr. Storch, I notice he is starting to interject his own name into the songs he produces a lot more lately.
FP, didn't you read the article? In his own words:
"For the past 13 years people have thought that I was the new guy because they don't know who I am," he said. "If I can be the new guy for another 10 years, then I'll be all right."
Everything about this guy says "low profile".
posted by Edgewise at 8:19 PM on February 9, 2006
FP, didn't you read the article? In his own words:
"For the past 13 years people have thought that I was the new guy because they don't know who I am," he said. "If I can be the new guy for another 10 years, then I'll be all right."
Everything about this guy says "low profile".
posted by Edgewise at 8:19 PM on February 9, 2006
I did read the article. I also listen to the radio, and have heard a lot more songs directly mentioning "Scott Storch" in the past year or so. That might not be reflective of his long term plans for escaping undue notoriety, but I'm sure he wants to stay at least well known enough to make the kind of money per beat he's currently making, even if he's not as high profile as other "name" producers.
posted by First Post at 8:55 PM on February 9, 2006
posted by First Post at 8:55 PM on February 9, 2006
First Post wrote - As for Mr. Storch, I notice he is starting to interject his own name into the songs he produces a lot more lately. This seems to work for increasing awareness of one's production (a la Jazzy Pha, Mannie Fresh, etc); it's like rap watermarking.
don't forget Mekhi Pfeiffer in Eminem's "Lose Yourself"... although that was somewhat different circumstances (it was from the soundtrack for "8 Mile"... which he co-starred in).
posted by pruner at 8:56 PM on February 9, 2006
don't forget Mekhi Pfeiffer in Eminem's "Lose Yourself"... although that was somewhat different circumstances (it was from the soundtrack for "8 Mile"... which he co-starred in).
posted by pruner at 8:56 PM on February 9, 2006
There was a track that leaked from it last year called "Screwed" (yes, this stuff just writes itself) which was pretty damn good--certainly better than Ashlee Simpson, and at least on par with the best of Lohan's work to date.
Damned by faint praise. It's all excreable. "Better" doesn't really count for much when you're comparing pig shit against chicken shit.
posted by five fresh fish at 9:04 PM on February 9, 2006
Damned by faint praise. It's all excreable. "Better" doesn't really count for much when you're comparing pig shit against chicken shit.
posted by five fresh fish at 9:04 PM on February 9, 2006
FP, I was just kidding, mocking Storch for being such a hypocrite (at least according to the article)...my sarcasm was not directed at you.
posted by Edgewise at 9:05 PM on February 9, 2006
posted by Edgewise at 9:05 PM on February 9, 2006
I know who Storch is, and the only time I listen to hip-hop is when Minnesota Public Radio wants me to change to another station.
Damn you, Mark Wheat!
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 10:00 PM on February 9, 2006
Damn you, Mark Wheat!
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 10:00 PM on February 9, 2006
PeterMcDermott: What, no Kanye??
I thought about making him fifth after Kanye, but decided against it on the basis that Storch has been famous for longer, and Kanye's more notable as a performer than he is as a producer.
I've got much love for both though -- even if Storch does look like something from Tod Browning's Freaks.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 11:55 PM on February 9, 2006
I thought about making him fifth after Kanye, but decided against it on the basis that Storch has been famous for longer, and Kanye's more notable as a performer than he is as a producer.
I've got much love for both though -- even if Storch does look like something from Tod Browning's Freaks.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 11:55 PM on February 9, 2006
dhartung: Wait, so the Grammys don't suck now? 'Cause I'd always heard that they did.
You were right the first time.
posted by wsg at 12:00 AM on February 10, 2006
You were right the first time.
posted by wsg at 12:00 AM on February 10, 2006
Would he be Larry's son ?
That's the first thing I wondered, hah! I love Larry Storch, what a face, what a character. IMDb doesn't mention him having any kids.
posted by zarah at 12:04 AM on February 10, 2006
That's the first thing I wondered, hah! I love Larry Storch, what a face, what a character. IMDb doesn't mention him having any kids.
posted by zarah at 12:04 AM on February 10, 2006
Oops, I meant to say no kids other than a step-daughter.
posted by zarah at 12:05 AM on February 10, 2006
posted by zarah at 12:05 AM on February 10, 2006
Wow. That guy looks every bit the douchebag he most likely is. That is its own brand of authenticity, I guess. Getting paid $6.5MM to foist the next piece of cultural dogshit on the mainstream mass media consuming unwashed really is nice work if you can get it.
posted by psmealey at 3:31 AM on February 10, 2006
posted by psmealey at 3:31 AM on February 10, 2006
I hope, psmealey, that you're prepared to confront some of the more accessible rock bands with that kind of rhetoric (Weezer, say, and maybe Death Cab). Otherwise, you're just being annoying.
posted by Tlogmer at 6:49 AM on February 10, 2006
posted by Tlogmer at 6:49 AM on February 10, 2006
Because much of today's successful hip-hop and pop music is driven by melody and beat rather than lyrical content, the importance of the producer has increased exponentially.
Finally, the NYTimes gets it (though, reading that over again, flow's left out). They spent enough article space analyzing 50 Cent's lyrics.
posted by Tlogmer at 6:52 AM on February 10, 2006
Finally, the NYTimes gets it (though, reading that over again, flow's left out). They spent enough article space analyzing 50 Cent's lyrics.
posted by Tlogmer at 6:52 AM on February 10, 2006
He's been around for a long time, and he's a great producer. He's got his underground credentials, but he makes lots of good pop beats that get popular, so I can kinda see his point.
posted by [@I][:+:][@I] at 6:59 AM on February 10, 2006
posted by [@I][:+:][@I] at 6:59 AM on February 10, 2006
TLogmer: I'm willing to confront Weezer and Deathcab with that sort of charge, but I kinda feel like those were good bands that got boring, instead of, say, 50 Cent who was only ever hit and miss (no shooting pun intended).
posted by klangklangston at 7:27 AM on February 10, 2006
posted by klangklangston at 7:27 AM on February 10, 2006
Hey HTuttle,
Maybe he needs to shoot somebody. Works for all them other guys.
If you are going to be a racist kneejerk rightwing troll then you should step up your game, bro. Subtle is the way to go. Neither Dre, Timbaland, the Neptunes or Kanye West have shot anybody.
In fact unless I miss my guess they all have a much better claim to the kind of shit-heel soulless fake toughguy conservatism that you poop into threads all the time, merely based on their tax brackets. Unless you're a retired millionaire with plenty of free time to fire off these stacatto little farts of fratboy level thoughtlessness that is.
I bet you and ole Storchie could have a great talk about how it feels to run a weak fifth in the boring look at me hater game.
More directly on topic,
One of my main problems with how commerical rap ends up sounding is that it is so dedicated to this look at my diamonds, listen to my name over and over, I might as well be rapping my tax return while Pharell sing-chants the entertainment expense line item from Polydor's profit/loss statement. I like pop music, and there was a time where I liked pop rap, quite a bit. Now it's fallen into it's own navel and doesn't even try to look outside of itself for new ideas. There are some exceptions (Ghostface is still capable of taking it well past the point of no return for instance, Fishscale is going to be great) and I think the best sweetspot is the semi-commercial area. Dangerdoom is fucking amazing.
Pharell is an ass but he knows how to be in his own skin, Storch looks like he made his mom buy him that suit and rent a BMW to drive him to the first day of 9th grade. I'm rich, I used to work on some decent stuff, I know how to dress the part and whine about not getting recognized, why doesn't anyone love me?
Because much of today's successful hip-hop and pop music is driven by melody and beat rather than lyrical content, the importance of the producer has increased exponentially.
The producer was always important, God I hate the fucking Times.
posted by Divine_Wino at 7:53 AM on February 10, 2006
Maybe he needs to shoot somebody. Works for all them other guys.
If you are going to be a racist kneejerk rightwing troll then you should step up your game, bro. Subtle is the way to go. Neither Dre, Timbaland, the Neptunes or Kanye West have shot anybody.
In fact unless I miss my guess they all have a much better claim to the kind of shit-heel soulless fake toughguy conservatism that you poop into threads all the time, merely based on their tax brackets. Unless you're a retired millionaire with plenty of free time to fire off these stacatto little farts of fratboy level thoughtlessness that is.
I bet you and ole Storchie could have a great talk about how it feels to run a weak fifth in the boring look at me hater game.
More directly on topic,
One of my main problems with how commerical rap ends up sounding is that it is so dedicated to this look at my diamonds, listen to my name over and over, I might as well be rapping my tax return while Pharell sing-chants the entertainment expense line item from Polydor's profit/loss statement. I like pop music, and there was a time where I liked pop rap, quite a bit. Now it's fallen into it's own navel and doesn't even try to look outside of itself for new ideas. There are some exceptions (Ghostface is still capable of taking it well past the point of no return for instance, Fishscale is going to be great) and I think the best sweetspot is the semi-commercial area. Dangerdoom is fucking amazing.
Pharell is an ass but he knows how to be in his own skin, Storch looks like he made his mom buy him that suit and rent a BMW to drive him to the first day of 9th grade. I'm rich, I used to work on some decent stuff, I know how to dress the part and whine about not getting recognized, why doesn't anyone love me?
Because much of today's successful hip-hop and pop music is driven by melody and beat rather than lyrical content, the importance of the producer has increased exponentially.
The producer was always important, God I hate the fucking Times.
posted by Divine_Wino at 7:53 AM on February 10, 2006
I think he probably didn't get a Grammy nomination because... no one remembered to nominate him? A couple years ago the Neptunes probably had their best year, hit-wise, and everyone at their label and all of their friends forgot to send in a ballot or just forgot to nominate them!
That said, Storch has done some great work, both while playing keys and doing some production for The Roots and his later co-producer/producer career after being taken under Dr. Dre's wing -- a pretty good place to be considering Mike Elizondo just produced Fiona Apple's latest album and he was in a similar position. As for Storch being low-key, I think that's an invention of the Times -- and good publicity for a producer.
posted by mikeh at 8:24 AM on February 10, 2006
That said, Storch has done some great work, both while playing keys and doing some production for The Roots and his later co-producer/producer career after being taken under Dr. Dre's wing -- a pretty good place to be considering Mike Elizondo just produced Fiona Apple's latest album and he was in a similar position. As for Storch being low-key, I think that's an invention of the Times -- and good publicity for a producer.
posted by mikeh at 8:24 AM on February 10, 2006
I'm being intentionally annoying, Tlogmer, as you are quite right to point out. I of course know that there can be no accounting for taste. I basically think mainstream record producers, labels and MTV have done more to kill good music over the last 30 or 40 years than to promote it.
As for Weezer and Deathcab, yep, I am on board. Weezer had an amusing debut record (and a very underrated departure in Pinkerton) but their last two records, which I'm sure outsold the first few by miles, are formulaic, predicatable, forgettable vacant garbage. Death Cab? Not a fan at all. I suppose it sounds pleasant enough, but there's no there there.
posted by psmealey at 9:05 AM on February 10, 2006
As for Weezer and Deathcab, yep, I am on board. Weezer had an amusing debut record (and a very underrated departure in Pinkerton) but their last two records, which I'm sure outsold the first few by miles, are formulaic, predicatable, forgettable vacant garbage. Death Cab? Not a fan at all. I suppose it sounds pleasant enough, but there's no there there.
posted by psmealey at 9:05 AM on February 10, 2006
I can say that I wouldn't mind being in his shoes. He makes a load of money and doesnt have to worry about being chased by cameras. Although maybe if he did get some grammys he would be able to make even more. But $80k per song is fine for me.
posted by Sonic_Molson at 12:38 PM on February 10, 2006
posted by Sonic_Molson at 12:38 PM on February 10, 2006
Okay I went a bit overboard.
posted by psmealey at 2:06 PM on February 10, 2006
Divine_Wino, how is "maybe he needs to shoot somebody" racist?
posted by JekPorkins at 2:36 PM on February 10, 2006
posted by JekPorkins at 2:36 PM on February 10, 2006
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Well that's nothing to be proud of.
posted by clevershark at 3:46 PM on February 9, 2006