Amp Live is the latest up and coming beat maker hailing from Northern Cali, one of hip hop’s most thriving centers. Born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, Amp Live’s fascination with stereo equipment and technical gadgets was stated before he could read. At the same time Amp was taking apart and assembling his parent’s radios, he became started playing musical instruments such as the drums and piano for his church. When Amp hit his teens, hip-hop was fast becoming the soundtrack for his generation. Inspired by groups like Public Enemy, Run DMC, and Erik B and Rakim, and after getting his first EPS from his father, Amp was making beats by high school. In 1991, when Amp arrived at Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA, he says the campus was a Mecca of hip-hop culture. “Everyone was into making hip-hop,” recalls Amp. “The vibe inspired us all.” That’s where the aspiring producer met fellow Moorehouse student Steve Gaines (a.k.a MC Zion) and three other homies and formed the group Metafour. “Musically we all just hit it off and knew we wanted to work together,” says Amp. It wasn’t long before the group bubbled and got signed to Tommy Boy. But as with many indie artists, they didn’t fit the major label formula. Later that year, Amp and Zion left the group--and Tommy Boy-- and signed with local indie label Nu Gruv Alliance. The first single, “Inner Light’ released in 1998, was an underground classic. A follow up single, Critical, featuring Interscope artist Planet Asia, was a college radio hit and also critically acclaimed. Their debut LP Mind Over Matter, produced entirely by Amp was named independent album of the year by The Source magazine, and was lauded in the magazines such as Urb, Rap Pages, XLR8R to name a few. Today Amp is busy in the studio making more beats for a follow up album, Deep Water Slang. Moreover, Amp’s building a rep as one of cali’s most talented and diverse producers. After his dreamy soulful beats on Mind Over Matter, he produced a gritty, rough track for LA phenomenon Mystic. His track on the debut hit album Cuts for Luck Scars for Freedom (Goodvibe/Interscope) called “Girlfriend Sistagirl” will be the second single on the album. Always experimenting, Amp Live has done a drum ‘n bass remix for Philly MC Bahamadia on “Pep Talk” and contributed tracks on Planet Asia’s EP this year, The Last Stand. Finally, Amp’s beats have been featured on Insomniac magazine’s compilation, and on upcoming soul singer, Goapele’s upcoming release. In addition, Amp has contributed numerous tracks to gangsta rap label, Greenside Records, produced nobody's smilin entertainment's album "Mean Mugs and Thugs,” and produced three songs for the UK group Planets.

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