Spkilla

SPKilla

SPKilla at his studio
Background information
Birth name Edwin Almonte
Genres Reggaeton, Hip Hop, R&B
Occupation(s) Record producer, record executive, artist
Instruments Keyboard, Sampler, MPC
Years active 1998–present
Labels SPKilla Muzik, Thugged Out Militainment
Website http://www.spkilla.com

Edwin Almonte, better known by his stage name, SPK and SPKilla, is a Dominican-American record producer, and DJ. As a youngster, SPK’s exposure to various forms of music ignited the spark that he would eventually kindle into a creative flame. Hip hop pioneers Run DMC, LL Cool J, N.W.A, EPMD, Eric B & Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, Kool G Rap, and Beastie Boys were in constant play in his home, along with The Police and Metallica. Buju Banton, Super Cat, Juan Luis Guerra,and Luis Vargas were among the other spins that gave his musical experience a Caribbean vibe.

The innovator of an eclectic sound that merges hip hop, reggaeton, and the grittiness of urban New York City, SPK lists Dr. Dre, DJ Premier, Timbaland, and Pete Rock as his primary influences as an artist. SPK cites these four maestros as “the reason why I picked up a sampling machine and started making beats."

Career

1998-2002: N.O.R.E debut solo album

1998 - SPK received his 1st big break. N.O.R.E. tabbed SPK to produce 3 tracks for his eponymous debut solo album. However, due to sample clearance issues, only one track of his made the final cut. In spite of the minor setback, SPK managed to make a monumental impression with his limited exposure on the album. That one song let people know there’s a new producer in the game and he’s here to stay. SPK was labeled as the new beatsmith for the new millennium by the bible of hip hop back then, ‘The Source’.”

2002 - SPK produced a track for the movie Fast and the Furious that reached number 7 on the Billboard and number 1 on the Top Soundtracks. The Soundtrack went platinum in 2002 in both the USA and Canada.

2004 to Present

In 2004 SPK produced the track for Oye Mi Canto, a song peaking at #12 on the Billboard Hot 100. He made history with Oye Mi Canto. The Oye Mi Canto video was the first reggaeton video that played on MTV. It was one of the countries biggest singles.

In 2006, The Album N.O.R.E. y la Familia...Ya Tú Sabe was released by Jay-Z's Roc La Familia and Def Jam. SPK produced 10 tracks on that album, working with artists like N.O.R.E, Fat Joe, Ching Bling, Lil Rob, Nina Sky, Big Mato, Divino, Frankie Negron, Ja Rule, Don Omar, Diddy and Daddy Yankee.

Awards and nominations

In 2004, SPK produced a song that made history by bringing reggaetón to the forefront through mainstream radio play and TV networks like BET and MTV. That chart-topping song, "Oye Mi Canto," went on to win an ASCAP Latin Award and a Premio Estrella Award

Production Discography

Akinyele

Big Mato

Capone

Capone-N-Noreaga

Cuban Link

Chosen Few

EA Sports

Jeannie Ortega

Lápiz Conciente

Motown

N.O.R.E

Nature

Omega

Ruff Ryders

Slam (The Movie)

The Fast & The Furious

Thicker Than Water

Tony Touch

References

    1. ASCAP, 13th ANNUAL EL PREMIO ASCAP AWARDS, 2005
    2. IMDB, Black Mask Soundtrack, 1996
    3. N.O.R.E. y la Familia...Ya Tú Sabe
    4. The Fast and the Furious (soundtrack)
    5. Thicker than Water (soundtrack)
    6. ESPN Deportes
    7. N.O.R.E. Reps His Latin Side With Reggaeton 'Oye Mi Canto'

    External links

    Wikimedia Commons has media related to Spkilla.