Alpha Centori is a hip hop old school boom bap producer from Montreal, Canada who runs his own sample packs and drum kits platform called Boom Bap Labs, and has major placement on the album Bandana by Madlib and Freddie Gibbs. He started making his first beats in 1987. He graduated from audio recording school Trebas Institute and has worked for companies like Ubisoft, Musique Plus, and Cinar.
What’s your name and where are you from?
My name is Dominique Di Rienzo aka Alpha Centori and I’m from Montreal, Canada.
Is production your hobby or day job?
I treat it like a day job but it doesn’t pay well yet.
What is your weapon of choice? (daw/ beat making set up)
Native Instruments Maschine MK3
What was it that made you say you wanted to be a producer?
It’s something that came naturally at a young age. I just liked the drums of the songs I heard from Run-DMC and Public Enemy. I was intrigued and developed an interest.
Who is your biggest influence as a producer?
Pete Rock
what does your family think about your producing?
They support me and are happy for me.
What is the one piece of gear past or present that you wish you had?
The Ensoniq ASR-10
If you could sit in a room with 1 producer dead or alive and pick thier brain for an hour, who would it be?
Havoc or Pete Rock
what do you think about the current state of boom bap producing, and where do you see it going?
In all honesty I don’t follow it.
If you can make a beat for any artist dead or alive who would it be?
GZA or Guru
How did you get started with Boom Bap Labs?
It was a website to promote my beats at first. Then I added a few sample packs for sale and the packs sold way better then my beats. Eventually I sold so many packs that I dedicated the website strictly to sample and drum packs.
What kind of reception do you get from other producers?
Pretty good
As a producer who puts out music as well, how do you decide what goes in a soundpack and what to keep for yourself?
I don’t do the difference. Everything I find goes into sample packs as well.
Are there any current producers you have your eye on right now?
No
what do you think of the “type beat” phenomenon, or the 30 beats for 410 business model? do you think it hurts or help the beat making business?
I’m not very familiar with that.
What do you think about Leasing Beats?
It’s a good opportunity.
What do you think about the effect of social media on music/beat selling?
It can be a great tool for promoting and marketing if you know how to use it well.
where can you be reached/where can people hear/ buy your beats?
alphacentori.com and all other digital platform including; Bandcamp, YouTube, Instagram and Spotify.