Flash Hit Records Represented by Alex Dupuis is a reggae music label born in 2011 and based in the South East of France. Their main activities are the composition and production of singles, EP’s and albums, artist management and live tours. World a reggae’s Danny Creatah had the pleasure to sit down with Alex from Flash Hit Records to get some answers:
DC: Hi Guys, Thanks for this interview, can you tell us a bit more about who you are and where u come from?
Alex: Hi World a Reggae…first thank u so much for this interview!
Flash Hit Records is a team that consists of three people (Kiko, Manudigital & myself). We all compose and Manudigital mixes the productions. I always communicate closely with Manu about the sounds and the mix and next steps.. that feeling is very productive. We are based in the South East of France (near Toulon city). Manu is based in Paris where we do the mixing and mastering!
DC: When did u jump into this business called reggae music?
Alex: We jumped into this business in 2011 as a label… But I started to make beats just for my pleasure in 2003. My friends encouraged me to let people sing on my beats because they liked my works and so the label started,
DC: What makes u differ from others producers?
Alex: We don’t really want to be different than other producers. We are just trying to do our best everyday and stay focused on our own projects, music is not a competition 🙂
But we are truly inspired by the Jamaican producers from the 70’s, 80’s and some Soul producers as well. We really appreciate the works of producers like King Tubby, Clive Hunt (Roots Radics), King Jammy or Alborosie and many more.
Unity!!!!!
DC: It looks like it is so natural for you guys to catch that specific Jamaican vibe in your productions, is that the result of a lot of research?
Alex: Thank u!!!!! We are just trying to do the reggae dat we like and we used to listen. It’s difficult to be original nowadays but we make our riddims mixing the old school vibes (rub a dub, lovers rock, digital) with our modern touch. We did a lot of research on which instruments and gear to use. But for sure it’s important to know ‘the evolution’ of the sound (plug in and live instruments…) to have a great home studio….hahaha
DC: So since the production of the ‘Make it Gwan Riddim‘ in 2011 a lots of things happened… You released two songs (Worldwide Love and No Cliché) on Kabaka Pyramid’s ‘Lead the Way’ Album. You guys u released Papa Michigan’s Ep ‘DJ Legend’, some releases for Lt Stitchie, Two tracks on Perfect Giddi’s new EP and ‘Want no War’ by Yung Jr and Cali P. Where do u think this success in collaborations with among Jamaican artists comes from?
Alex: Well it’s just music… A Beatmaker or producer is mostly more in the Shadow rather than in the spotlights. Success always comes from the artists. We are just proud that artists like our vibes, want to work with us and believe in our music. Jamaican artists are very creative and productive, It’s pleasure to work with dem.
DC: Do u pick the artists or do they choose you for their productions?
Alex: Both a dem…Sometimes artists link me for their album or projects, and sometime (that’s my job) I am trying to find the best combination between riddim and Artist. For example like with Kabaka Pyramid on the Worldwide Love Riddim, or Lt Stitchie’s new album or Derrick Parker’s ‘Cool it Down‘. Thats is a very important part of my work.
DC: Recently you were spotted in some Amsterdam studios, can you tell us the purpose of that visit ?
Alex: Oh yes Amsterdam!!!! Me love Amsterdam!!!! Yes, I am working on the new Maikal X Album, so i was in a studio in Haarlem with Maikal, which was a very nice experience.. I will come back soon! Maikal is one of the most underrated artists. His voice is just sugar and Soul vibes, I really appreciate to work with him. I met this new upcoming artist Rapha Pico too, a very talented youth, just like Sista Leah Rosier. I am also going to work with Mitchell Brunings from the Voice of Holland. I spotted some real musical vibes in Holland!
DC: Just recently you guys released new Yung JR & Cali P single called ‘Want no War’, we already mentioned it. Can u tell us a bit about how that came along ?
Alex: Yes Yung Jr and Adoney linked me for the new Yung Jr album. So we started to work on some nice riddimz cause we were the only European label on this album!
DC: You seem to be busy bees, can u reveal us a bit about the projects you are currently working on?
Alex: Yes we are very busy, which is a good thing. Our next release will be A Vinyl 12inch called ‘Flash Hit Records ‘Time Machine’. Limited copies of this are available in January.
Then we have Derrick Parker’s new EP we are working on after the success of the ‘Cool It down’ single. And we are working on a new Lt Stitchie Album, a Big album! He came in our studio two years ago and we are taking the time to release a big album. We are also working on Jah Vinci’s new EP which will be available Soon too.
2016 gonna be a big year for us… we Collaborated with one of the biggest reggae artists worldwide and one of our riddims will be on his album. Plus we are working on Cali P’s new album and I will be on the road with some of this artists in Europe. And…. there is another big name on the way, so look out for that!!!
DC: What is your aim or gail in this business for Flash Hit Records? Where can we see you in, lets say, about 5 years ?
Alex: My aim in this business is to work with really big artists, talented and professional. For example Shaggy, Damian Marley, Sean Paul, Tarrus Riley, Alborosie or Rihanna. We are still producing albums and EP’s because thats the most fulfilling in our job. We still Discover upcoming artists worldwide, travel with the music. Soon we will be in Jamaica in February. In 5 years u can see me in the same place bro.
DC: Who are your favourite artists? What music do u like? What are u listening in your car at the moment?
Alex: I Really like Johnny Osbourne, Barrington Levy, Junior Reid and Dennis Brown. Lt Stitchie, Bushman, Kabaka P, Chronixx, Protoje, Alborosie, Tarrus Riley, Damian Marley, Shaggy etc. I can continue all the day, the list is big hahahahaha….
I also love Soul and Jazz like Dinah Washington, Mahalia Jackson, Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, Syl Johnson, Millie Jackson, Stevie Wonder etc.
In my car i listen to our new projects to check if the mix is proper and if it doesn’t miss something …hahah.
DC: Thank you for talking to us about your projects and your work, we are looking out for your next releases. Blessings!
More info can be found on the Flash Hit Records Website or their Facebook.
Flash Hit Records’ latest release, the Radikally Riddim is Available on iTunes now!
