Cory Harris aka FOC is moving up the ranks in the hip-hop scene working with people like Game, Glasses Malone, AKON and Neyo to name a few. He chops it up with Warbeats...

Please tell us your name and where you are from?

My name is Cory Harris aka FOC. Used to go by the name of Focus until I found out about 20 other producers did too! I am from Dallas, Texas but spend alot of time on the Westcoast in Compton and surrounding areas.

I first got into producing through boredom! Hahaha It was summertime my sophmore year of highschool and I was stuck at the crib for most of the day for about half the summer. I just happened to stumble across a copy of Rebirth and started making these simple ass beats if thats what you would even call them! Then I upgraded myself to Fruityloops and Sony Acid 4.0 with a danky ass lil Radioshack keyboard.  I really started taking it serious when other niggas started telling me how dope my shit was. Then I was able to get some beats to Game (bout a year before he dropped the Documentary) and he was feeling some of my shit too! So that really was what made me realize I could make a career out of this music shit!

I think having a GOOD manager is a really important part of getting yourself out there. When I first started I had to do the majority of the groundwork myself so I've always had a go getter kind of personality. I dont like to wait on people to create opportunities for me, I'd rather go and make them happen myself however I can. I currently don't have a management team but when I first started I was managed by Bigfase 100 and G-Ride (Ppl who ran the Black Wallstreet) and alot of times just being able to drop their names would get people to listen to me due to their history with Game who was just becoming a big rap star. But off of that I was able to build alot of connections who I can use to build even more connections with the artists themselves and that's what I really like to do. So at this stage of my career I'm not really worried about having management because I think I'm doing pretty well in handeling things myself.

I've worked with Lil Wayne, Glasses Malone, Birdman, Akon, Bishop Lamont, Serius Jones, The Game, Problem, Hot Dollar, and I'm scheduled to go in and work on Neyo's new cd.

I have a track I produced for Game's new album called 'Remember those Days' and I'm really proud of that one. The beat is just really soulful and it's one of those real reminiscent type tracks where you can just sit back and reflect on the past and how much life has changed over the years.  I really hope that one makes it on the album because thats some of my best work I think. Another track I really like is one I did with Lil Wayne, G Malone, and Birdman called Hataz. I think that one is what's really going to define my style to people because it's something real different from anything I've ever heard. It's a southern beat with a real westcoast bounce. It's a hard track that's gonna make a nice video and club joint.

I am a Reason head! It's all I need really besides keyboards and drum pads. I just got that 4.0 version and have been playin around with Thor lately. I still dont have a real good grasp on it but I'm getting there. DJ Toomp is one of my big influences next to Dr. Dre and I was chopping it up with him a few weeks ago at a music video shoot we were at and when I found out we both use reason it was crazy!

I dont think one is better than the other really. Some people say the sounds on Hardware come out fuller and more real but I really think that it all has to do with the mixing. I do agree that straight out the box an MPC will give you harder drums than a base Redrum kit on Reason, but with some layering and good mixing they can hit just as hard or even harder.

I am one of those producers who likes to get directly involved with the artists in playing tracks, creating tracks, and having input on the final song. So from the time I was 16 I've been flying out all across the country to get face to face with the artists. With smalltime artists I will usually do the online thing. But if it's a major label artist then I like to go in and do things on a personal level.

Alot of factors actually. If you're an unsigned artist then I look at what you have to budget, your fanbase, and your quality of music (if I think you have a real talent then Imma charge alot less just to help you out). If you're a signed artist It will depend on if it's an album cut or a mixtape track, how established you are in the industry, how many tracks you're interested in, and If I feel like we're making a personal connection to build on a long working relationship.

Reverb! Layering! Building! So many beats I hear from underground producers have great potential and could be taken to the next level of professionalisim if you put some reverb on your keys to make them sound more full or your drums to give them a little bit more crispness. Layering is something you should do with drums almost all the time unless you just find a crazy good drum sample from the get go. It makes them thump that much more and ALL rappers I've come across love a hard drum track on a beat. And Building, put some variety into your tracks! Dont just have 4 bar intro, 8 bar hook, then a 4 bar sequenced looped 4 times for a verse. Throw in some instruments and take some out as the verse is going on. I've seen niggas go crazy in the studio when they hear change ups in the verse just because they're so used to having the whole 16 sound virtually the same from the jump.

Layering! Lace a couple good snares together, Make the kick drum go over a nice bass note for that extra thump, just layering in general. I never just use a single kick track or snare/clap track. I will always have at least two different kicks or snares put together to make the sounds more full.

I mean I'm only 19 years old myself so I'm not sure if I'm qualified to give others advice! Hahaha but I think if someone is just starting out then mimmick! Look at your top 3 producers and try to do what they do as good as they do! I say top 3 so hopefully some diversity will get thrown in there. Eventually you'll probably start mixing it up once you get the hang of those 3 styles and will come up with something to call your own. Like thats a (insert young producer name here) beat! Another thing is learn your keys! I cant stress that enough, it will make creating melodies so much easier if you buy a teach yourself piano book and spend 30 minutes a day practicing.

That is a real tough thing to do! One thing I can tell you for sure is don't just stay on the internet! Myspace is great to set yourself up, but the best and quickest way to getting yourself out there is to really work at getting beats to artists. Hit niggas up on myspace, hit up people's managers, just make sure your sound is mainstream ready before you do! Because you only have one chance to impress, and most people only listen to the first 15 seconds of a track before moving on.

Alot! Hahaha, Dr. Dre always, Timbaland always, Scott Storch, DJ Toomp, Drumma Boy, Hi Tek, Sha Money XL, Red Spyda, The Runners, Cool and Dre, Kanye West (Im more of a fan of Blueprint/College Dropout Kanye though), as far as underground goes, Dae One, Goldeneye, Infra Red, and Nu Jerzey Devil.

Yup! Look out for that real soon! Chuck is locked up right now, but he'll be out real soon. L.A.X. coming this summer, and of course you know it's Game so he's gonna have a new mixtape poppin soon as he touches down!

Honestly, No I don't. If you think about it the West was HUGE int the 90's. The whole Death Row dynasty with Dre, Snoop, Pac, etc. That kind of success just can't exist today as far as sales in this industry.  I think the West will get some more shine in the next year or two through a few of the artists coming out making some noise like Glasses Malone, Ya Boy, Game, and a few others. Overall though I honestly don't see the West being as big as it was. At least no time in the near future.

Check out the myspace! www.myspace.com/focusbeatz