Platinum producers Play-N-Skillz talk about the benefits of sampling and synths and how they make them work together.
Platinum producers Play-N-Skillz talk about the benefits of sampling and synths and how they make them work together.
Play-N-Skillz are an American hip-hop electronic music record production duo from Irving, Texas, consisting of brothers Juan "Play" Salinas and Oscar "Skillz" Salinas, who are also rappers. They won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group in 2007 for their production on the single "Ridin'" by Chamillionaire and Krayzie Bone, and won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album for Lil Wayne's Tha Carter III (2008), which included their production on the single "Got Money". Raised in Irving, Texas, the brothers, who are Latino American, started producing music in their mother's apartment. They met Houston rapper Lil Flip, leading to work on his album U Gotta Feel Me (2004) and a deal with Universal Records. They released their album The Process (#26 Top Heatseekers, #85 Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums) in 2004. The team has also produced for artists such as Lil Wayne, Wynter Gordon, David Guetta, Pitbull, Akon, Flo-Rida, Lil Jon, Hillary Duff, Ludacris, and Bun B. In September of 2009, the duo signed a joint venture with Steve Rifkind's SRC record label. Their first album distributed through SRC is yet to be titled. Play-N-Skillz are currently developing a MTV reality show being shot in Dallas, Texas set to air in 2012. In 2011, Play-N-Skillz began a partnership with Jose Cuervo Platino Tequila and they are now considered to be the face for the brand.[citation needed] In addition, Play-N-Skillz recently co-wrote David Guetta's first single, "Where Them Girls At" featuring Flo-Rida and Nicki Minaj which charted in over 21 countries within days of release. In June, Play-N-Skillz released a critically acclaimed electronic inspired mixtape entitled "Fireworks" which was a major viral success. In August, Play-N-Skillz were featured on MTV's made as music coaches, helping two young women chase their music industry dreams. In November 2011, Play-N-Skillz signed a production deal with Jimmy Iovine and Interscope. Play-N-Skillz are currently developing a reality TV show with MTV that will document their rise as music producers from Dallas. Their upcoming album, Alter Egos is due for release in 2012. http://twitter.com/PLAYNSKILLZ http://www.facebook.com/PlayNSkillz http://playnskillz.tumblr.com/