For The Critics

One of the city’s hidden gems is producer Len’Ox…He’s been in the lab working and organizing Keystone Records, his new artists and focusing on future projects. He gave us a little bit of his time to let us know EXACTLY what he’s been up to…Check it…

For The Critics.com: First and foremost…What is Keystone records? Where and when did it originate?

Len’Ox: In 2006 Keystone incorporated was started by C.Scott, Pheni, Keith Konnects and myself. Our purpose was not to just provide the masses with great music and entertainment but to help create an outlet for artist of all genres through shows, media and various forms of networking. The Keystone is center piece in a bridge or arch that’s holds the foundation together. That’s what we stand for in this narrow shot of the music buisness.

ForTheCritics.com: What about the name Len’ox, where did that come from?

Len’Ox: That’s funny…The name Lenox actually originated in 9th grade in Highschool. I used to hustle Cd’s like it was work maan!!! My man Looch said I had the music game on lock like Ox [from Belly]. It was to a point people were buying CDs off me, copying and then selling them for themselves. This was before cd burning was everywhere man on my life and in 99′ burners was only @ 4x speed. I was buying kicks, & clothes like it was no tommorrow. I would stay up all night burning 15-25 CDs 4 days a week @ 5 a pop instead of studying. So the name became a trademark for all cd purchases and it stuck with me ever since.

ForTheCritics.com: Are you satisfied with what’s going on with your music right now? Is there anything your creatively trying to do different?

Len’Ox: Definitely not content but somewhat satisfied with the progression. The past couple of years have been a straight learn mode. I spent the first 5 just making beats and then I started upgrading equipment and learning more of the engineering side of things next thing and now I got a full studio set up. So with that growth in the basics of engineering, my production style has become one of the most diversed sounds in the city [PittsBurgh]. I try to bring somthing new to the table each time I make a track whether it’s using a sample, synth or heavy jungle drums. People couldn’t even beleive I did the whole Feelings & Beats project only cause all the tracks sounded completey different. That’s my main focus not being one dimensional or repetitive. People make too many tracks that all sound alike everybody wants to sound like Gucci’s beats, or whatever is popular at the moment. It’s got me wondering where the creativity going honestly…

ForTheCritics.com: Who’s influenced your musical style the most?

Len’Ox: I’ve been influenced by alot of people but as far as Producers go Timberland, Bink!, Pharell, Just Blaze, Havoc, 9th Wonder, Dilla, Premier and the Justice leage have influenced me the most. I’ve probably borrowed something from all of them at one point in time

ForTheCritics.com: We haven’t heard much from Len’ox and Pheni lately since Feelings and Beats…Where ya’ll been?

Len’Ox: People been asking where we been all the time. We got new mouths to feed and for me to say we feeding off this rap shit is a complete lie. We work 9 to 5s just like the next person, somtimes that’s a drainer in it’s self but sombody gotta do it when the bills are up. We don’t plan on working 9-5 forever and this music shit is no walk in the park, it just takes time. We are are still aware of what’s going in this Pittsburgh music scene, personally I don’t feel we are missing much and could take over at anytime. Just be in a look out for Pheni’s Past Due Project for the fall.

On Boaz’s last visit to NY he hit a few prominent NY DJ’s and let’em know Pittsburgh/412/Steel City, Pistolvania was on the rise…Here’s another video for ya’ll