Interview
Jonathan "J.R" Rotem
Producer
04/08/2005

 

With two tracks on the new 50 Cent album, song deals with various major labels, and about 30 placements just in the past six months (including Snoop, Fabulous, Obie Trice, and Lil Kim), Jonathan “J.R.” Rotem is quickly earning a name for himself as the hottest new producer of 2004-2005.

In this exclusive interview with hiphopgalaxy.com Jonathan "J.R" Rotem talks about his career, about his production company "Networth Entertainment", and what projects we should look out for in the near future.

Hip Hop Galaxy : What made you want to start making beats ?

J.R : I was starting to really make a name for myself as a jazz pianist when the urge to want to compose music more than perform hit me. I also started thinking that hip hop today, is what jazz was in the 50s and 60s and that producers are the modern day composers- not to say that jazz is dead, but that its peak of creativity seemed so have flourished in that era. Hip hop is such a powerful music and culture today, that I wanted to have a voice in this genre and be relevant. Dr. Dre’s production is what really inspired me to want to produce hip hop.

Hip Hop Galaxy : Who’s the first person to discover you ?

J.R : My first major placement was actually through Dwayne Wiggins giving my beats to Beyonce resulting on a song on the "Survivor" album for Destiny’s Child. However, it was when I hooked up with my current manager/partner Zach Katz that my beats really started to develop into a commercially viable sound, and through his relationships, I became a producer for the people you see on my discography.

Hip Hop Galaxy : You have been working with everyone in the game, including Dr Dre, 50 Cent, Snoop Doog, Fabolous... Who have been your favourite artists to work with in your career ?

J.R : Dre, Fifty, Obie Trice, and Lil Kim have all been highlights for me. I have also been working with new artists like Wreckonize and Jae Millz, and we have had a blast cranking out good new music in the studio.

Hip Hop Galaxy : What beat are you most proud of ?

J.R : The beat I sold Dre for Detox is one of my favorites. It has a unique urgency and tension that I was blessed to stumble onto. Then hearing his commanding vocals on it was incredible. I gave Obie Trice a real soulful track with Trey Songz (Atlantic) on the hook. I also gave a real hard street joint to Foxy Brown. As far beats that are out, I like both of the tracks I did on Fifty’s Album.

Hip Hop Galaxy : Who would you like to work with ?

J.R : Em, Jay-Z, Ludacris, among many others.

Hip Hop Galaxy : How did you get down with the Dr dre ?

J.R : Being one of the producer/keyboardists in LA, we hooked up through mutual contacts, as the game is not that big. Initially, after an "audtion", we discussed me playing keys for him when he was starting Detox about a year ago. Since then, he has a new exclusive team of musicians however through the Zach Katz relationship, he picked up one of my beats for the project, and I have played keys for him sporadically here and there. To be honest, I have not worked with him as extensively as I would like, but I am looking forward to it if the opportunity arises.

Hip Hop Galaxy : What are your goals with your music ?

J.R : I would like to have an individual and recognizable voice as a producer in the industry. I would love to achieve success as a hit maker, and also build an empire out of my company with Zach Katz. But overall, I just want to connect with people musically - make them feel something powerful and special when they hear my music.

Hip Hop Galaxy : When you sit down to make a beat, what’s the first thing that you do ?

J.R :It varies. Sometimes I will just start playing keys, and come up with an idea which I loop up, and add drums and the rest of the sounds. Other times, I will start with a percussive loop from an old record, and I will add the rest of the drums to that. Then I add the music. Othertimes, a writer or rapper will give me a hook, concept or idea, and I will play keys to that. Once I have something, I will build the drums and the rest around that. I try to switch up the process and look for new ways to make beats, because otherwise, one can fall into a mundane routine.

Hip Hop Galaxy : How do you make the perfect Beat ?

J.R :Ask Dre ! I don’t think I have done it yet, but probably energy, directness, simplicity, and a new flavor are important ingredients.

Hip Hop Galaxy : What equipment do you use ?

J.R :Yamaha Motif ES, Korg Triton Extreme, Roland Fantom XR, Akai MPC 2000XL, Korg MS2000B, Proteus 2000, Emu Mo Phatt, Cakewalk Sonar 3, Stylus

Hip Hop Galaxy : What producers influenced you ? Your top 5 producers ?

J.R : Dr. Dre, Scott Storch, Eminem, Denaun Porter, Quincy Jones,

Hip Hop Galaxy : Your top-5 rappers ?

J.R : 1. Eminem 2. Biggie 3. Fifty Cent 4. Snoop Doggy Dogg . 5. Ludacris

Hip Hop Galaxy : Who are you working with/for now ?

J.R :Honestly, a big list of established artists as well as new. Tony Yayo, Olivia, from G Unit, a lot of camps and good people. I am looking to work with everyone thats talented.

Hip Hop Galaxy : What else can we expect from you in the near-future ? Can you talk about "Net worth Entertainment" ?

J.R : NetWorth Entertainment is my production company with my partner Zach Katz. We have signed a new artist, Jasmin Lopez who is featured on my song "Bang Out" with Snoop, and "Can You Hear Me ?" with Fabolous, and many other upcoming tracks. She is a dope young urban singer from the Bronx. Her style is R&B with a very urban vibe, but also a retro feel good 70s throwback style - she can also do hardcore street hustlaz music - like a new Mary J. Blige. She is an incredible writer as well. We are looking to expand this company to include more artists as well as talented writers.

Hip Hop Galaxy : How can Heads reach out to you ?

J.R : Good question - I’d give out my email address but I don’t want any questionable people sending me weird messages !

Hip Hop Galaxy : Thanks

See also Jonathan "J.R" Rotem Biography and productions

No profanity, or inaproppriate remarks.

Jonathan JR Rotem Interview, by DIZZLE THA BOY [2008-05-28 00:08:12]

WHATS UP J.R THIS IS THE BEST RAPPER NOT SIGNED DIZZLE THA BOY.I BEEN PAYIN CLOSE ATTETION TO THE GAME I SEE PEOPLE DOING GOOD AND PEOPLE DOIN BAD.BUT WHAT I DO SEE IS THAT U ARE REAL CONSISTINT AND I AM TO SO I THINK WE COULD MAKE SOME BANGERS IF YOU CAN CHECK OUT THE PLAY LIST ILL LET THE MUZIK SPEAK FOR IT SELF.BUT I DO THIS AND I AINT GOIN NOWHERE AND I THINK U CAN HELP ME AND I CAN GIVE U AS MANY HITS AS POSSIBLE ITS DIZZLE. 1

Jonathan JR Rotem Interview, by DIZZLE THA BOY [2008-05-27 23:33:41]

DIZZLE THA BOY

Jonathan JR Rotem Interview, by LAQUANDA TAYLOR [2007-08-17 14:15:21]

TO WHOM THIS MAY CONCERN : MY HOMEBOY AND HIS FRIENDS HAVE BEEN RAPPING SINCE KATRINA. THEY DONE MANY SHOWS HERE IN HOUSTON BEEN TO MANY STUDIOS. AND IT SEEM LIKE EVERYONE IS HATING BECAUSE THEIR FORM NEW ORLEANS REAL TALK. THESE ARE SOME TALENTED DUDES WHO REALLY DESERVE A CHNACE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

Jonathan JR Rotem Interview, by REMEDI [2007-06-14 15:28:01]

I used to email JR back in the day when he was making beats up near Sacto and doing keys for E40...he even had a website showcasing his beats with his brother...i also remember him selling some gear on Ebay...his sound was amazing back then, not suprised he got this far..keep it up homie

Jonathan JR Rotem Interview, by Mike La [2007-01-31 19:49:42]

JR whats good. I’m getting to the point. I’m from the west side of Chi-town with raw beats. I play the keys alot just like your self but I have very limited resources here. How should yor expanding company and an up and coming talanted producer link together so we can make history !!

E-mail me back.

> Jonathan JR Rotem Interview, by Hayklass [2006-03-20 23:14:00]

J.R.

I’m a classic music composer who has a strong passion for the art of beatmaking. Hopefully we can meet if you be present at South Beach with Zach Katz for the Seminars.

Let me know if you can : Hayklass@hotmail.com

Looking forward in meeting with you.

Hayk "Hayklass" Martirossian

> Jonathan JR Rotem Interview, by kwesi sackey [2006-02-05 11:20:55]

sup rotem...am a rookie when it comes to this beat making thing...am trying to shop my demo....just wondering if i could reach you or zach katz just to hear my demo...my name is kwesi sackey...email :knsackey@gmail.com.thnx hommie..keep up the good work.1.

> Jonathan JR Rotem Interview, by Nacho Ordinare [2006-01-31 01:18:49]

whatup j.r. feeling ur shit man, i speically like the young buck joint, i’m an aspiring producer form bklyn nyc, i’m trying to look up some sorta contact info for zach katz so i can send him some of my beats

my email is anotherbanga@gmail.com

hit meup

> Jonathan JR Rotem Interview, by juan_two_three [2006-01-12 01:17:51]

have any advice on gettin your name known ?

e-mail me : bapesta1024@gmail.com

> Jonathan JR Rotem Interview, by Rotem [2005-11-19 09:08:21]

Hey J.R., Im not gonna tell you about how im such a good rapper or any of that stuff... Just wanted to say "ma nishma". My name is Rotem also, and im from haifa. Thought it was interesting to see someone with my name, thats as big as you. My email is rcarmel01@hotmail.com. Try to write sometimes if you ever wanna chat in hebrew or check out miami. I am a promoter down here, Helping out Empire Events and i know a bunch of the hip hop artists you work with. Anyways be in touch.

> Jonathan JR Rotem Interview, by nikay j (manager) [2005-11-11 04:17:33]

dirty boyz ... rapalotrecords.com from montgomery al triinig to get atcha nikaynikole@hotmail.com

> Jonathan JR Rotem Interview, by Bhasker [2005-09-27 03:57:33]

Hey J.R.,

You are a loose cannon.

Congratulations on all of your success !

> Jonathan JR Rotem Interview, by Mystar Perry [2005-07-28 23:18:44]

hello my name is Antoine Perry and I have been doing my research on you after I heard the position of powerrecord on the massacre. When I typed your name and read the story about you bieng from my hometown San Francisco I said to myself this cant be true. reading more about you I noticed your classical,and jazz background and it reminded of my producer who I work with who has taken classical piano for years. I never heard of you in the city but im a artist that would love to get an oppertunity to meet you. The BAY has got no help from the industry and how could we if all our peeps who make it never come back. Well good luck on your networth ent you can contact me someday if you want at starvingartist447@yahoo.com

> Jonathan JR Rotem Interview, by btweenthelnz [2005-07-23 06:01:36]

Hey, J.R. this is btweenthelnz, I’m an up and coming r&b lyricist. Your talent is awesome, I’m looknig to get in with a good producer, hit me up @ hillside_23@yahoo.com I don’t need to say it, but keep up the good work ; stay strong

> Jonathan JR Rotem Interview, by jimi barrz [2005-07-18 23:38:29]

Yo JR,

My name is jimi barrz. i run a beat company here in l.a., and was wondering if you can get at me @ beatmachines@hotmail.com. you’ve worked with a friend of mine, mic q from jersey. i also need to talk to zach katz about possible management. i have tried to reach him, but have only run into middle men, you feel me. much respect and luck to your future.

jimi barrz, beat machines www.beatmachinery.com

> Jonathan JR Rotem Interview, by Al & Guitar Slim [2005-06-12 00:31:12]

JR,

I would like to say that I am highly impressed with the work you have done. I would like to help and be part of the empire that you would like to build with Mr. Zach Katz. You can reach me at stayfocusmusic@yahoo.com.

Al & Guitar Slim

> Jonathan JR Rotem Interview, by richie [2005-05-17 07:49:54]

hey jonathon in a up an coming white hip hop group called amityvill. im interested in copping some of your beats for our album thats coming this summer. can you email me your contacts.. djrichieneale@aol.com thanks