Behind the Beat with Doc Da Mindbenda

Written by: Lucas H (@tweetstreetOG)

Interests:

--Favorite sport? 

Football, NFL & NCAA

--Favorite team?

Chicago Bears & Notre Dame 

--Favorite restaurant?

Redz Belizean Cuisine in Rogers Park

--Favorite TV show?

Don’t watch television, but DJ Vlad interviews. Any Lord Jamar in particular lol

--Favorite movie?

Coming To America

--Hometown? Neighborhood?

Waukegan, Illinois 

How did you come up with the name “Doc Da Mindbenda?”

My first ever rap name, because I started off rapping, was Kinetik lol. I dabbled with some others until I liked “Mindbenda” plus I was always a G.I. Joe fan as a kid. Added the Doc to it, but it wasn’t till my homie, the O.G. MC Akbar, came with the full name and spelling “Doc Da Mindbenda”


Who inspired you to get into the production business and when did you know you had the talent to make this more than a hobby?

Stumbled into production out of a need for beats. Was in a group of like 9 rappers with no beats, so after watching my friends try, I took a stab at it and was instantly hooked. It fit my personality a lot better than rapping. Wasn’t until about 2004 when I thought this was going to be my life. 2011 is when I decided to move to Chicago and pursue it full time.


At what age did you begin producing and engineering music?

I started engineering about a year after high school. Then I had an internship at a studio for a bit. I started producing bout a year before. I made my first beat around my senior year so I’d say I was 17.My friend had a Roland sampler, he let me use it for a few days and I figured out how to sample.


Tell me a little bit about “The Grindhouse” and artists that frequently go to work in the grindhouse?

The Grindhouse is the hub and recording studio created by me and my cousin Joe Grind in 2011, when I moved to Chicago. Since then a lot of the artists blowing up today made their way thru. Chance, Alex Wiley, Kembe X, Monster Mike, Mic Terror, Gzus Piece, Fatboi Fresh, as well as, Keenan Coke and Exclusive were the first few to record with me.  Also around that time I was introduced to Vic Spencer and we instantly clicked. Thru the years artists like Sulaiman, YP, Boldly James, Sasha Go Hard, Tink, BJ The Chicago Kid, Martin $ky, ProbCause, Saba, most of Save Money, 197 and many more have come thru.


If you could collaborate with one Chicago artist who would it be? Nationwide? Why?

I can say I’ve worked with about everyone I wanted to in Chicago. Maybe Mick Jenkins. Nationwide, I’d like to work with Your Old Droog, and MF DOOM.  


Who are some of your favorite artists to collaborate with in the Chicago area?

Vic Spencer, Sulaiman, White Gzus, Mic Terror, Keenan Coke, and Chris Crack.


If you could show one of your beats or tracks to the world which one would it be?

This record means so much to me in more than just the obvious reasons. This is one of my friends and one of my rap idols goin’ toe to toe over my beat. Rest in Peace Sean P. https://soundcloud.com/vicspencer/distorted-views-co-starring


Where did you grow up and how has that shaped where you are at today?

I grew up in Waukegan. Nothing comes easy. You have to work that much harder just to be heard and taken serious.


Of all the Chicago rappers you have worked with, which rapper on the come-up does Chicago need to keep an eye on?

So many to name, I’d say just keep your attention on the scene. It’s not going anywhere. But this two headed monster, Chris $pencer is a problem.


Tell me about the projects you have been working on in 2015 and when we can expect more bangers from Doc Da Mindbenda to drop?

Been using my time to make beats lately. You can catch me on the new White Gzus, Stackin-N-Mackin Vol.3. that just dropped.  Also I been working on the Chris $pencer debut. Might drop another beat tape soon, as well as another EP with one of the homies by the end of the year, stay tuned.