Artist. Educator. Grammy Winner.
Burt Blackarach wants to share the gift of music with the world.
Burt Blackarach wants to share the gift of music with the world.
A Grammy-winner and seasoned music producer, Burt Blackarach has worked with iconic artists like Aerosmith, Chuck D +Public Enemy, Kelly Clarkson, Method Man, Aloe Blacc and Andre 3000. As an authentic turntablist, Burt has spun all over the world, including London, Tokyo, Lisbon and Paris. Burt's masterful scratching skills can be heard on countless albums, movie soundtracks and national commercials. Burt is also an accomplished composer for high profile television and film projects.
Partnered with Airbnb, Burt hosts "Be A DJ for a Day", L.A.'s only one hour DJ crash course, on their Experiences platform. Burt also modifies his DJ class for corporate and team-building group lessons of up to 50 people at a time.
Blackarach owns and manages his music publishing catalog, Salamani Music, that has been sampled by the likes of DJ Premier, J Dilla and D’Angelo.
Blackarach is currently in development for a music documentary based on his father, deceased legendary soul and rock keyboard player and songwriter William D. “Smitty” Smith. Using his father’s personal memoir, “A Stroke of Luck” and his lost demo tapes as the foundation, this documentary delves deep into the underbelly of the music industry from the 1960’s to the present day through found footage and personal stories by key players such as Quincy Jones, Bob Dylan and Jim Keltner.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Blackarach also holds a Canadian dual citizenship. He is a member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.
Music Production
Burt Blackarach Untitled House Project
2020
Free, White & 21
Fullee Love (Soup from Jurassic 5)
Producer
2018
LRG Presents "Saved by the Bando Vol. 1" [Mixtape]
Producer
2015
Sonny Digital Mix Tape
Producer
2015
Burt Blackarach Does London
Producer
2014
How You Sell Soul to a Soulless People Who Sold Their Soul???
Public Enemy
Associate Producer, Mixing, Producer
2007
Let's Get Loud
Aerosmith, Chuck D, Busta Rhymes, Phife Dawg, MC Lyte
Co-Producer
2006
Bring That Beat Back
Public Enemy
Producer
2006
DARK ANGEL (Artemis) : The Soundtrack
"Dark Angel Extended Theme" - Chuck D and MC Lyte
"The One" - Niki Haris
Writer/Producer
2002
Angela Via
Picture Perfect
Lava Records (Atlantic)
Producer
2002
BAMBALEO
No Que Buena Esta
Producer
2001
CRY ON CUE
Wash of Light
Writer/Producer/Performer
2000
Can You Feel It?
MC LYTE
Writer/Producer
2000
PUBLIC ENEMY: WELCOME TO THE SAMPLE DOME - SAMPLE CD (EastWest)
Executive Producer/Writer/Producer
Revolverlution
Public Enemy
Composer, Producer
2002
Engineer
Aloe Blacc
(Unnamed Project)
Engineer
2013
DJ Nu-Mark & Haas
Never Be Wrong
Engineer
2012
Most of My Heroes Still Don't Appear on No Stamp
Public Enemy
Engineer
2012
The Evil Empire of Everything
Public Enemy
Engineer
2012
Ear-Resistible
The Temptations
Engineer
2000
Film Score
End of Watch
Jake Gyllenhaal, Anna Kendrick
Engineer, "Harder Than You Think"
2012
Beauty Shop
Queen Latifah, Alicia Silverstone
Original Music
2005
Volcano High
MTV/Viacom Films feat. Method Man, Outkast, Snoop Dogg, Tracy Morgan, Mya, Kelis, Lil' Jon and Pat Morita
Original Score, Composer
2001
Bad Boy
Elizabeth Hurley, Denis Leary
Original Music
2002
Local Boys
Capstone Pictures - Feature film
"Gonna Getcha"
Writer/Producer/Composer/Performer
2002
Poolhall Junkie
Gold Circle Films - Trailer music for this feature film starring Christopher Walken and Rick Schroder
Writer/Producer/Composer/Performer
2002
SAVE VIRGIL
Quality Films
Cartoon short feat. Adam Corolla, Ginger Lynn and Gary Coleman
"Slap that Ass"
Writer/Producer
2002
TV Scores
Shut Up and Dribble
Showtime Networks
2018
ESPY AWARDS THEME feat. Aerosmith and Busta Rhymes
ESPN Sports Network- Nationally televised theme.
Writer/Producer/Composer
2006
ESPN X GAMES AWARDS THEME feat. Chuck D and Steven Tyler
ESPN Sports Network- Nationally televised theme.
Writer/Producer/Composer
2006
X Games
ESPN
Composer, Original Music
2006
Entourage
HBO
Writer/Producer
2006
Method & Red Show
Method Man, Redman
FOX
Opening Theme, Original Score
2004
BLACK AND WHITE - FX Network
2003
Luis
Luis Guzman
FOX
Composer, Original Music
2003
ESPN HOMERUN DERBY - ESPN
Theme for Homerun Derby 2002
Writer/Producer/Composer/Performer
ESPN SUNDAY NIGHT BASEBALL - ESPN Sports Network - Nationally televised
Theme airing prior to ESPN's Sunday night baseball.
Writer/Producer/Composer
2002
Dark Angel
James Cameron, Jessica Alba
FOX
Composer, Original Music
2000
DISMISSED - MTV Television show
"Knock Knock"
Writer/Producer
2000
LAW & ORDER
Writer/Producer
2000
Commercials
DirecTV Commercial
The Whale
Engineer
2011
Chevron Superbowl Commercial
Original Music
2005
Appearances
The Perfect Guy
Sanaa Lathan, Michael Ealy
Self
2015
T-Mobile Commercial
Self
2006
Artist Collaborations
Castro, Lenny
Elezando, Mike (Eminem)
McNeely, Joel
Pensado, Dave "Hard Drive" (Christina Aguilar, etc.)
Wilder, Matthew (No Doubt, Puff Daddy, Backstreet Boys)
DJ Nu-Mark (Jurassic 5)
What led you to want to become a DJ?
Moving to Sherman Oaks and transferring to Milliken Junior High School in 8th grade changed my life. My parents had just split and I as in a new part of town with new kids. I was thrilled. I met Obam, David and Greg who I would later start a DJ crew with, Bum Rush Productions. Obam’s older brother Warren was a musician and his cousin Clifford was a DJ. Obam had a lil rig in his room. That led to us watching and learning about the craft of DJing. Greg was a natural DJ - dude was so funky. We always say he would’ve been J-Rocc if he pursued it like Mark (DJ Nu-Mark)and I did. I had no choice but to become a DJ. So much wonderful energy.
Did you know right away that you wanted to be a producer and create your own music?
No. Not at all. Never crossed my mind. As a young bass player I liked playing songs I knew like Men at Work and Adam Ant etc. It was just something to do. When I started DJing, the light bulb suddenly shined bright and my musical curiosity and creativity was unleashed. Hearing hip hop made me want to learn how to make that type of music.
Who is your musical hero and why?
Geez. It's my Father, William Daniel "Smitty" Smith. He was a singer, songwriter, producer and keyboard player and he was baaad.
I have a lot of personal inspirations that I met through my father, including my god parents, who are the the best at what they do. They are my family because of my father...Eric "Mouse" Johnson, Chuck Rainey, James Gadson, Brenda Russell, Rena Sinakin, Lenny Castro.
A lot of local rappers were influential in the early years at my high school and went on to become internationally known like the freestyle champ Juice and Coolwadda.
What one event in your childhood had the greatest effect on your music career?
Graffiti Rock. 1984. It came on NBC at 7:30pm on Thursday nights. The first time I saw it, I said "What the hell is this?". When I saw Run DMC vs Treacherous 3 I was hooked.
What is the best advice you’ve ever gotten? Did you take it?
Know all kinds of music. Go for what you know. Ask for as much as your mouth can say.
Okay, your Top 5 MCs?
Slick Rick
KRS ONE
Jay-Z
Chuck D
Pharoah Monche
And Top 5 DJs?
Cash Money
Jazzy Jeff
DJ Aladdin
DJ Nu-Mark
DJ Scratch
What is the piece of musical equipment you can't live without?
My Mac. Pre computers? It would my SP-1200 or Akai MPC.
What is the best piece of equipment you ever purchased?
Tied with the SP-1200 and Technic 1200's.
What four words describe you?
Deep, thoughtful, friendly and sensitive.
If you could have one magical or super power, what would it be?
The ability to record the music in my head, direct.