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ILLFONICS is comprised of Jed Cappelli and Matthew Friedman and you probably have no clue who they are. That will soon change however. They recently produced Jim Jones' single 'Na Na Nana Na Na' as well as doing work with KiD CuDi, LL Cool J and Mickey Factz. They are poised to make an impact in 2009.illRoots.com: Why the name ILLFONICS?
Jed Cappelli: Well, it’s basically a play on the 60s group The Delfonics.
Matthew Friedman: Our boy actually suggested the name and we liked the sound of it at the time and it stuck.
illRoots.com: How long have each of you been working together and what makes you the next production duo to look out for?
J: We’ve been working together for 10 years and we both come from different musical influences so our sound is real diverse. We don’t make just one genre of music.
M: Yeah, it’s funny because so far we really just have hip-hop placements. But I think some our strongest stuff is our pop, r&b, and rock stuff. We both play a little bit of guitar, bass, drums, and keys, so we’re able to keep changing up what we do.
illRoots.com: You guys are working with two of the more promising up and coming artists in Mickey Factz and Kid Cudi, what others would you like to work with, that are on the come up?
M: We’ve been pretty lucky so far to work with dudes who we’re fans of. I’d definitely like to work with most of the new guys on that XXL cover from a few months back. Currensy is real fresh. I think B.O.B.’s real creative, and would love to do something with him. Also artists like Santigold, Lykke Li, and more indie rock artists.
J: Also Charles Hamilton, Kid Sister.
illRoots.com: If you could have 3 wishes right now what would they be?
J: I’d like to do a track with Nas and Rakim on the same joint.
M: I want to be doing this full-time by next year man, and making money in the great recession. Last wish has to be for infinite wishes, otherwise you’re just playing yourself really.
illRoots.com: Who do you feel would be a good interview?
J: Jesus Christ.
M: Moses. I’m a Jew. [Laughs].
illRoots.com: You recently did Jim Jones newest single 'Na Na Na' what was it like working in the lab with Jim? As well what is the normal process for you guys in the studio?
M: Well he had already tracked all of his vocals when we got there. But we went through and got to build with Jim and Dame and hear the joint and then be involved in the mix.
J: Yeah, Jim’s parts were all done, but we were there while Brittney was tracking her vocals. NOE was coaching her through it and we had some input which is cool cause these days a lot of producers just submit beats and have no further involvement. His studio was sick, too. He had a mock-bodega set up with a red and yellow awning complete with a pull down metal gate and red and yellow lights and a fake 24-hour window with Dutches, Phillies, and all different types of blunt wraps.
M: Yeah, it was a trip. That dude’s a real character. Exactly how you see him in interviews and on YouTube is exactly how he is.
J: As far as our process in the studio is concerned it really varies…
M: Yeah, sometimes we’ll do joints together from scratch. Sometimes we’ll do them completely separate. Sometimes one of us will start one and then come together on it to bring it to the next level.

illRoots.com: If you could choose one thing in the lab what is the quintessential piece of equipment?
J: Mac Computer running Logic if I had to choose one thing.
M: Sometimes that’s all we’ll use on a joint.
illRoots.com: ILLFONICS is defined as_______.
J: The Korg MS-20, The Juno 106, and the Doepfer modular synthesizer.
M: The tallest production duo in the game.
illRoots.com: As well you did some work with LL Cool J, what was LL 's best album in your opinion and why?
J: I like Mama Said Knock You Out personally. I love Marley Marl’s production on it.
M: That’s tough for me. I ran Bigger and Deffer into the ground when I was a kid, but now as a full album I think I like 14 Shots to the Dome more. He has a lot of classics though man.
J: The LL experience was crazy. The dude is a legend and to not only be in the studio with him, but to actually be working with him was surreal. We were playing him joints and he was freestyling over them until he found what ended up being our second placement on the album.
M: Yeah, you really couldn’t ask for a better first experience in terms of getting in and working with a big artist.




illRoots.com: Future endeavors? and where can we find you guys at on a normal day?
J: More placements in different genres. On a normal day you can find me sitting in front of my computer.
M: Find me at my nine to five. Or in the studio. In the future hopefully that’s the same thing.