Having logged production credits for the likes of Notorious B.I.G. (“Suicidal Thoughts”), Dr. Dre (“The Message”) and Big L, Lord Finesse was sought out by the FLüD watch company to discuss production techniques as part of the “Beats Per Minute” video series. The acclaimed producer/emcee deflected praise, instead opting to shout out producers that have inspired him such as 9th Wonder, Jake One and some of his Golden Era contemporaries.

“I used to stay around Large Professor, Premier and hang with Da Beatminerz,” Finesse explained. “We all thrived off of what each other did production-wise.”

Finesse said it was common to drop between $2,000 and $3,000 in one visit to a record convention in order to add to his collection. And while some of that can be attributed to living up to his crew’s moniker—Digging In The Crates—he also collects vinyl for his job as a deejay and for personal enjoyment as well. Perhaps the influence of Lord Finesse and other crate diggers has made an influence in retail. Nielsen SoundScan reports that vinyl sales are up 41% through the first half of 2011, making it the only physical music format still growing in terms of sales.

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“The knowledge of music is very important if you want to be in this game,” Lord Finesse added. “Who goes into a record convention and spends two or three grand? But these was essential things to the evolution of our production…it’s not about the records, and it’s not about the drum machine. It’s always about the creativity of the individual.”

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