As Target Audience Magazine strives to support and expose artists, it particularly wants to draw attention to those in its home city of Atlanta. With that said, Target Audience recently caught up with producer and entrepreneur Ike Dirty at the Atlantis Music Conference. Although he is actually Isaac Hayes III, son of the late soul crooner Isaac Hayes, Ike's work speaks for itself and the man's work stands on its own. The list of artists and clients he has worked with include: Ying Yang Twinz, Chamillionaire, KeKe Palmer, voice overs for McDonald's, the Atlanta Falcons, Publix, American Airlines, Cadillac, and cartoon hit South Park.. Perhaps, his best known recent work came when he produced the colossal hit “Money in the Bank” for Lil' Scrappy. In between hosting discussion panels and his daily work, the artist and multi-platinum selling hip-hop guru graced us with an interview.

TAM: So, where are you from originally?

Ike: I was born in Memphis, but I grew up in Atlanta and I live here now.

TAM: Who are some of your influences?

Ike: I've got a lot of R&B influences. Quincy Jones and David Foster's work is good. I like Dr. Dre's, Organized Noise, and Outkast too. Obviously my father. A lot of stuff influences me. I listen to all kinds of music.

TAM: You're kinda like most musicians. You listen to a little of everything right?

Ike: Exactly.

TAM: So, what predictions, if any, do you have for the music industry?

Ike: Oh man! It's so up in the air! Every day history is being made.

TAM: In Music?

Ike: Yes! Not just in music. I mean everywhere!

TAM: Do you think music in general is too negative nowadays, particularly for youth?

Ike: No, not anymore than it was when we were growing up. I mean there's always problems and there's always going to be controversy. What artists say and do with their music is a sign of the times. It reflects. The economy, the war in Iraq, gang violence, and illegal immigration are just some of the reasons why the content in music might be dark or controversial.

TAM: What trends do you notice in current music or do you see coming?

Ike: I have noticed that it seems to be more advantageous for companies and music labels to keep producers sort of “in-house.” I see Chris Brown being put with boutique staff.

TAM: Boutique staff? What do you mean?

Ike:I mean that rather than contract out to record producers, labels are beginning to have their own producers signed, just like musicians, because their work is art too. Now, when a label records a group it will put that group with a particular producer whose style is similar. You know? One (producer) who is familiar with a certain style of music and who has experience recording in that genre.

TAM: What are some of the steps you take in the recording process? Ike: I basically have five steps:

1. Get familiar with the artist: LEARN THE ARTIST.

I try to bring the best records out. I try to become as familiar with a music as I can. I learn about their backgrounds, how they grew up, where they're from. That's stuff's important. I want listeners to be able to know and feel the artists I record.

2. Recording and producing used to be a pigeon-holed process. Artists would be forced to go with whatever the producer gave them. They didn't have a say, they just worked with it. I'm not that way. I definitely tailor the production and recording sounds to the artists I work with.

3. I usually use Logic and Pro Tools recording software on my computer. It helps me edit.

4. Again, as I said before, music is a sign of the times. I try to produce music that is relevant.

5. Educate yourself. I try to be knowledgeable about everything.

TAM: Because knowledge is power?

Ike: Yes it is!

Immediately following the interview with Target Audience, YouTube Raps arrived and its host Denocka Wardrick was standing by to get commentary from Ike Dirty about his experiences at the Atlantis Conferences and about the current music scene. Ike signed some autographs for fans, including this writer, and was cordial. Incidentally, as Ike Dirty and his publicist Dee Dee Cocheta, of A.B.C. Associates, walked with us to the interview location folks often stopped him along the way, shook his hand, and gave him their respects and approvals. His down-to-earth persona and approachable demeanor made Ike Dirty a popular part of this Atlantis Music Conference.