The Rap Page - Interviews with Mack the Jacka and Charles 'Mr. Smooth' Sparks

By Sensei
Once again it's on! Welcome back to the one-and-only Hip-Hop Page
where Saginaw Rap is given a chance to shine. We had a good response from
the premiere last month and hope to continue to build a fan base with the
hip -hop heads in the Bay Area.  This issue features one of the first
Saginaw rappers, Mack the Jacka. Also we take a closer look at one of the
key members of Saginaw production, and one of the best studio engineers in
the state, Charles 'Mr. Smooth' Sparks.

Mack the Jacka.
If you have been a listener of Hip-Hop music chances are you're a fan of
Mack the Jacka.  His first local release sold over 5,000 copies in Flint
and Saginaw and now he returns with his self-titled nationwide debut. I
caught up with Mack a few days before he left for his promotional tour.

Sensei: It's been almost 8 years since we last heard from you. What have
you been up to?
Mack: I've been doing the underground scene. It's been a struggle to get a
deal. Labels want artists who can move units and I am that artist.

Sensei: So how did the deal with Power Records come about?
Mack: Leroy McMath owns Power Records, Inc. He and I formed a good
relationship. He really felt the album we gave him and has put Power's full
weight behind it. We predict this album to go GOLD.  It is due out on May
9th.

Sensei: Who did production on this album?
Mack: Gee Pierce (See UBU Productions) did almost all the production.
Charles Sparks produced one track and mixed the album.

Sensei: What kind of sound were you trying to get with this album?
Mack: This album represents Saginaw. It doesn't sound like Flint or
Detroit. Saginaw has so much talent and I'm putting myself out there so I
can pull more talent out of our city.

Sensei: So what are your future plans?
Mack: After promoting this album I plan to turn my attention to starting my
label, Raw Dog Records.

Charles 'Mr. Smooth' Sparks
OK - all you emcees out there pay attention because I'm about to
give you an industry secret: If you want to be at nationwide level,  GO GET
Charles Sparks! As one of the only people to own and operate the Pro-tools
system in this area, Charles can literally be the difference on whether you
get a deal or not. I went to meet Charles and hear some new joints from the
Mack the Jacka album and we discussed his goals, background in music, and
the state of local music.

Sensei: How long have you been an engineer?
Sparks: I've been producing and mixing music since '85. It takes a lot of
time before you can legitimately call yourself an engineer because there is
so much to learn. There's not a day that goes by that I don't find out
something new.

Sensei: What kind of music do you record?
Sparks: I'll record just about anything. The only thing I won't record is
that devil worshipping stuff. Growing up with religion has taught me not to
let that kind of stuff anywhere near you. Other than that, I like to record
a variety. If I'm just listening to Rap it wears me down.

Sensei: How much do you charge per track?
Sparks: When an artist comes to me I let them hear the quality of my music.
We sit down and discuss the project, what they're trying to do, and what
kind of promotion budget they have. I don't like to produce tracks for
people and never have them heard. After we discuss those issues, I will
give them a rate. I am not trying to get over on people, but at the same
time, quality is not cheap.

Sensei: How much time do you spend on each song?
Sparks: It depends. I take time for professional sound. Once I get the
sound to where I can listen to them, it doesn't take so long. On the
average it's about 4 hours.

Sensei: Who have you worked with recently?
Sparks: I mixed the new Mack album as well as produced one track with Mack
and my artist Agony. I mixed some of the Skambino Mob's CD that was just
released. Other than that, I have been trying to work on my artists for
Full Contact Entertainment.

Sensei: What do you feel about local rap artists?
Sparks: Saginaw has a lot of talent but most of the artists don't commit
themselves to the music. This is serious business. It takes time, money and
talent to make those dreams come true. Some artists think that talent is a
free ride to stardom, but you have to treat this game like a job. The
harder you work the more successful you'll be.

You can contact Charles at Smooth Side Studios, (517) 755-6744 to schedule
an appointment.

Here's what's coming up next issue:

 ESHAM interview - Find out about the new tour, mending the fences with
ICP, and what he feels about some of Saginaw's Hip-Hop.

Sensei Bay Area Hip Hop CD - Get details on the mix tape of some of
Saginaw's elite Emcees and how you can get on!

Don't forget it takes promotion for music to sell, so if you're serious
about being a rapper look into advertising on this page. Contact Bob Martin
at 517-799-6078 for rates.

Peace!
Sensei