Urban Vault caught up with Munich, Germany based Hip Hop producer IMAN magnetic, to ask him some questions about his upcoming release BACK TO SQUARE ONE and more…

There are only a few stories of legends that came back to life. Vinyl Digital is proud and happy to announce bringing back producer IMAN Magnetic from the legendary 90’s Hip Hop group Square One! If you already were listening to Hip Hop at the turn of the millennium and not living under a rock, the critically acclaimed album ‘Walk Of Life’ should
come to your mind now. Released in 2001 this classic was a huge success in Europe, the UK and Japan.

Iman Magnetic blessed the album with some of the most soulful and soothing Hip Hop heard in a long time. Music that takes its time. Music that evokes different moods. But still very distinctly Hip Hop, down to the last beat drop. Organic beats. None of these hurried drum patterns that knock you off balance. Iman achieves the highest quality with the smallest quantity.

His instrumental album ‘Back To Square One’ is featuring fresh remastered beat patterns and leftovers from the years between 1997-2001 before the group split. Enjoy a breathtaking timewarp into the history of Boom Bap that will remember you of the times when the Hip Hop movement was at its peak. Press play and think of DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Showbiz, J Dilla, Diamond D. and last but not least Square One.

What is your name?

IMAN magnetic

Where are you from?

Munich, Germany

How long have you been making music?

Since 1995.

How many songs /albums have you released to date?

I have produced more than 60 songs to date but the most important album I produced was Square One‘s debut album ‘Walk of Life’. Square One was a German Hip Hop group consisting of 2 MC’s, Rasul & Gianni Dolo, Edward Sizzerhand as the DJ and myself as the producer. Between 1997 and 2001 we released more than 30 songs and our album ‘Walk of Life’ was released in 2001 in Europe, UK and Japan. The album got a rerelease in 2016.

The most successful song I have produced to date is called ‘Wahre Liebe’ for a German MC called Curse in 2000. It was the first single of his debut album ‘Feuerwasser’ and is often referred to as German Hip Hop classic today. I also did a few international remixes such as Nomak featuring Pismo – ‘One Fist’ (Japan Release-2007), C.L. Smooth – ‘Is It Really You?’ (2009) and my latest production was a remix for Masta Ace – ‘Home Sweet Home’ (2017) which you can listen to here

Can you tell us about your new song/album, the background, and the inspirations behind it?

My new album ‘Back to Square One’ is my first solo album and is consisting of 22 instrumentals. All tracks were produced during the Square One era (1997-2001). Today some would describe ‘Back to Square One’ as boom bap or lofi Hip Hop, I call it timeless music. Iman Magnetic ‘Back To Square One’.

Who have you collaborated with so far in your Career?

Since I‘m a German-based producer, I have worked with lots of German artists such as Curse, Deichkind, Gentleman, Nico Suave, Blumentopf and some others. I also worked with AG, Party Arty, Ali Vegas and like I already said, did remixes for C.L. Smooth and Masta Ace.

Who would you like to collaborate with in the future?

Right now, I just got this crazy dream of working with Anderson. Paak and Sampha.

What inspires you when you make your music?

Emotions caused by life.

How have you ended up in the music industry?

I started as a dancer but at some point, I wanted to try out some new things and begun singing and rapping. But one day, when I first heard ‘They Reminisce Over You’ by Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth, it opened a whole new world for me. It was all about producing and diggin‘ in the crates.

What do you think of the music industry in 2018?

The industry is kinda unbalanced. It’s quantity over quality and today’s artists are more concerned with social media than the content and the quality of their music.

What have you got planned for 2018?

After 20 years of making music, I will release my first Instrumental album ‘Back to Square One’ via the independent label VinylDigtal and hopefully Finishing my second instrumental album.

What’s your favourite track at the moment?

Royce Da 5‘9“ – Dumb & J Cole – Once an Addict.

What do you do when your not making music?

Working as an interior designer.

Facebook or Twitter?

Instagram.

In a few words sum up your thoughts about Urban Vault and what we’re trying to do?

I really appreciate the effort you put into supporting independent artists from all around the world. Keep spreading.

Thank you for your time and may you carry on making dope, fresh music…

‘Back To Square One‘ will be released June 15th on strictly limited vinyl and digital formats.

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https://twitter.com/imanmagnetic
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