Chris Pinset

Last updated
Chris Pinset
Christopher "Max" Pinset, American producer of music and film.png
Pinset in 2023
Background information
Birth nameChristopher Pinset
Also known asChris "Max" Pinset
Born (1977-08-22) August 22, 1977 (age 47)
Brooklyn, New York
GenresHip-Hop, Rap, RnB
Occupation(s)Producer, audio engineer, cinematographer
Years active2000-present
LabelsDef Jam, Universal, Esclave

Christopher Pinset (born August 22, 1977), known professionally as Chris "Max" Pinset, is an American producer of music and film. [1]

Contents

Early life

Chris Pinset was born on August 22, 1977, in Brooklyn, New York to parents Alain Pinset and Marie Pinset. His father was an international chef who owned several restaurants around the world. His mother Marie was born in Martinique and graduated from Sorbonne College in Paris. Born to immigrants, Chris spoke English as his second language, with French and Creole being first. His parents divorced in 1981. [2]

Career

By the mid 90s, after graduating high school  Chris was professionally recording a variety of artists and genres. When he was not in a studio, he was filming skateboard videos on the streets of Manhattan. His childhood friends CX and Adam Deitch were recording vocals with his camcorder mic, nicknaming him “Max” after the television network “Cinemax”, before they linked him up with BadBoy's recording artists Black Rob and G-Dep. These Harlem connections put Chris in the studio with Camron, Jim Jones, Jay-Z, and Beanie Sigel. By 2000 Chris would begin producing a new project for KRS-One called “Adventures in Emceeing” in Los Angeles, which featured Chuck D and MC Lyte. By 2005 Chris and Redman [3] [4] began working at Universal/Def Jam on “Red Gone Wild”, [5] which featured artists like Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg, Method Man and Erick Sermon. In addition to production, Redman mentored Chris as a producer and mix engineer by giving him the opportunity to mix records for Pete Rock and Timbaland. Eventually emerging technology created the window for Chris and Redman to build a new studio in Rockland County.

Opening a studio in 2006 permitted wide range of talent to emerge from Rockland County. Artists such as Meleni Smith [6] and Jermaine Paul, Alicia Keys background singer and 1/3 of Tall Paul would create a legacy of R'n'B music in the studio. After releasing “My Heart in Focus”, [7] R’n’B acts knew the studio would be a home to many classic recordings. The studio would eventually create the independent label “Esclave” to release some independent artists directly to consumer. Acts like Ellis Dodi, Anhayla, Divinity Roxx, Busta Rhymes, Blam, Rap and Weed, LDJ, CX, Oran Juice Jones II, [8] [9] B-Hi, Ariel Yvonne, Smoke DZA, 38 Spesh, Conway, Benny The Butcher, ADG, Jay Worthy, Shahef, Test410, Uncle Murda, Chase Fetti, El Camino, Dark Angels, Charles Paul, [10] Lettuce, Foxy Brown, RJ Payne, The Musalini, Cory Gunz, 33 & 1/3, Fred The Godson, Rome Streetz, Rain 910, Ty Ferris, Eto, Flee Lord, Graph, Rasheed Chappell, Street Justice, Jamal Gasol, Planet Asia, G4 Jag, Reef Hustle, Flashius Clayton, Daniel Son, Black Geez, Jai Black, Hus, King Pin, Rim, DJ Kool, Arsonist, Keith Murry, Ready Rock, Divinity Roxx, Saukrates, and many others have also used Chris's Mood Recording studio [11] for their releases.

In 2013 Pinset produced audio for Redman`s music video "Pump Ya Brakes". [12]

In 2021, Chris Pinset produced a music video "80 Barz" by Redman, that reached almost 3,000,000 views on YouTube. [13]

Film work

In 2010 Pinset worked camera department and swing grip on “The Harvest”, [14] directed by Marc Meyers.

Pinset directed his first independent film “I'm Afraid it's Arline” [15] in 2019 and the following year directed and co-wrote “Know Lives Matter”. [16]

In 2024 Pinset was a part of the marketing agency filming a series of political pro-Trump commercials, sponsored by MAGA & the MAHA Alliance. [17]

He also was a cinematographer of the film "Mother & Gun" produced and directed by 38 Spesh. The movie premiere took place in September, 2024 in Angelika theater, New York. [18]

Discography

Name of the Album/SongLabelCatalog NumberCountryYearChris Pinset`s roleArtist
KRS-One - Survive (12", Promo)Big Brother MusicKRS-128USA2006ProducerCharles Paul [19]
Charles Paul (2) - Satisfied

(12", Promo)

Ready Music Group1729822USA2005ProducerCharles Paul
Red Gone Wild Thee Album [20] (CD, Album, S/Edition) Def Jam Recordings 1729822UK2007Producer Redman
Red Gone Wild: Thee Album

(CD, Album)

Def Jam Recordings B000330902USA2007Producer Redman
Red Gone Wild: Thee Album

(CD, Album)

Def Jam Recordings UICD-6138Japan2007Producer Redman
Red Gone Wild Thee Album

(CD, Album)

Def Jam Recordings 0602498629321Europe2007Producer Redman
Red Gone Wild Thee Album

(CD, Album)

Def Jam Recordings 9862932Australia2007Producer Redman
Red Gone Wild: Thee Album

(CD, Album, Club)

Island Def Jam Music Group B000330902Canada2007Producer Redman
Red Gone Wild: Thee Album

(2xLP, Album) [21]

Def Jam Recordings,

Def Squad,

Gilla House

B0003309-01USA2007Producer Redman
Red Gone Wild: Thee Album

(CD, Album, Cle)

Island Def Jam Music Group B0003310-02USA2007Producer Redman
Red Gone Wild: Thee Album

(CD, Album)

Island Def Jam Music Group B0003309-02USA2007Producer Redman
Rage! (Album), "Makin' My Way Back Home" [22] Velour Recordings VEL-08061USA2008Engineer (Vocal Recording) Lettuce
Get Ya Gun and 10 more... LDJ - Jonesin' (Album)RocklandReadyRckrdy 002USA2008ProducerLDJ - Jonesin'
Our Soldiers (as Chris Max Pinset)

and 1 more... KRS-One - Adventures In Emceein (CD, Album)

Echo-VistaEV-CD-4073USA2008Producer KRS-One
Change (song) - Blamnation (Album)RocklandReadyBlamnation 001USA2008ProducerBlam,

Jermaine Paul

Crazy Baby Raquel Reed

- Crazy Baby (Single)

Death HouseCZBY-001USA2009ProducerCrazy Baby Raquel Reed
Shut Up N' Party and 8 more...

Death House - Til' Death Do Us Part . . . One (EP, Comp)

Death HouseTDDUPO-001USA2009ProducerDeath House - Til' Death Do Us Part
Hollywood John Baxter (16) / B.L.A.M.* - Hollywood (Maxi)Death HouseDeath House 001USA2009ProducerJohn Baxter (16)

/ B.L.A.M.*

"M.O.M.M." single Island Def Jam Music Group USA2010Producer, Engineer Redman
"Pump Ya Breaks" music video [23] USA2013Producer,

Engineer

Redman
"Spaceship" song USA2015Producer Anhayla
"Exhibit" songUSA2015ProducerEllis Dodi
Menace 2 Society (as Chris Max

Pinset) 38 Spesh - The 38 Strategies Of Raw

de Rap Winkel Records(5 versions)2019    Producer 38 Spesh [24]
The 38 Strategies Of Raw

(LP, Album, Ltd)

TCF Music Group LLCTRW017Netherlands2019Producer 38 Spesh
The 38 Strategies Of Raw

(CD, Album)

de Rap Winkel RecordsTCF 002USA2019Producer 38 Spesh
The 38 Strategies Of Raw

(LP, Album, Ltd, Tra)

de Rap Winkel RecordsDRW017Netherlands2019Producer 38 Spesh
The 38 Strategies Of Raw

(LP, Album, Ltd, Gol)

de Rap Winkel RecordsDRW017Netherlands2019Producer 38 Spesh
The 38 Strategies Of Raw

(LP, Album, Ltd, Num)

de Rap Winkel RecordsDRW017Netherlands2019Producer 38 Spesh
1994 (Vinyl, LP, Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition, Numbered, Red)de Rap Winkel RecordsDRW049Netherlands2019Producer38 Spesh
St.Eve and 4 more...

Ellis Dodi - DodiMax (12", EP)

Big Money Productions,

Digiwaxx

859738485593USA2020ProducerSt. Eve. Ellis Dodi,

DodiMax

More Rap & Even More Weed

and 9 more... Oran Juice Jones ii, B-Hi - Rap & Weed Exotics (11xFile, AAC, Album, 256)

Big Money Productions,

Digiwaxx

USA2020ProducerOran Juice Jones II
"Army of Trust" (song)TrustUSA2020Producer38 Spesh
Give Me What You Owe Me

and 7 more... Oran Juice Jones ii - The Slave Album (LP, Album)

Esclave859745450768USA2021ProducerOran Juice Jones II
The Holy Grail and 8 more...

Oran Juice Jones ii - The Rotten Orange (Cass, EP, Ltd, S/Edition)

EsclaveESCLAVEUSA2021ProducerOran Juice Jones II, Cass
Small Town Boy and 6 more... LDJ - KING (LP)Esclave859746613292USA2021ProducerSmall Town Boy, LDJ-KING
38 Spesh - 7 Shots (LP, Limited Edition, Stereo, Neon Violet & White, OBI)TCF Music GroupTCF106P-LPUSA, Chech Republic2022Engineer38 Spesh
38 Spesh - Speshal Machinery (Album) [25] TrustUSA2023Engineer38 Spesh and Conway The Machine
How We Met (Song) [26] Esclave, BillYouL8RTCAHP2341839, 859780307690USA2023ProducerInfamous Billa, 38 Spesh
Brick By Brick (Song)EsclaveUSA2023ProducerInfamous Billa
Grimey Wealth (Album)EsclaveUSA2023ProducerInfamous Billa
Gunsmoke (LP, Album, Limited Edition, Blue Steel)TCF Music GroupUSA2023Engineer 38 Spesh
The Last RemnantsTCF Music GroupTCF107-LPUSA2023EngineerChe Noir
Muddy Waters Too [27] USA2024Producer Redman

References

  1. inboundav (2018-10-25). "Augspurger® Producer profiles: Chris Pinset Keeps the Groove Moving at Mood Recording". Augspurger. Retrieved 2023-12-26.
  2. Privalova, Natalia (2023-05-08). "Chris Pinset is a Living Legacy of New York Hip Hop Featured". Raptology.com. Retrieved 2023-05-28.
  3. "Redman – "Pump Ya Brakes" [VIDEO]". The Latest Hip-Hop News, Music and Media | Hip-Hop Wired. 2013-10-27. Retrieved 2023-05-28.
  4. Coleman II, Vernon (October 27, 2013). "Check Redman's New Video 'Pump Ya Breaks'". XXL Magazine.
  5. J-23 (2007-03-29). "Redman - Red Gone Wild". HipHopDX.com. Retrieved 2023-09-03.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  6. Smith, Mary (2012-02-08). "Meleni Smith – Ricochet - Singersroom.com".
  7. Smith, Meleni (2012-02-01), My Heart in Focus by Meleni Smith
  8. "oran juice jones ii Archives". AllHipHop. 2021-02-15. Retrieved 2023-05-28.
  9. "Chris Pinset discography - RYM/Sonemic". Rate Your Music. Retrieved 2023-05-28.
  10. Ju, Shirley (2024-06-25). "Charles Paul: A Journey Through Music and Brotherhood - The Source" . Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  11. inboundav (2018-10-25). "Augspurger® Producer profiles: Chris Pinset Keeps the Groove Moving at Mood Recording". Augspurger. Retrieved 2023-05-27.
  12. Blanco, Alvin aqua (2013-10-27). "Redman - "Pump Ya Brakes" [VIDEO]". Hip-Hop Wired. Retrieved 2025-02-26.
  13. "Redman tears down the microphone with "80 Barz"". REVOLT. Retrieved 2023-09-03.
  14. Harvest (2010) - IMDb , retrieved 2023-05-27
  15. Pinset, Chris (2019-12-07), I'm Afraid It's Arline (Drama), Susan Gorman, Hervé Alexandre, Gabriella M. Hernandez, ChrisP Content Acquisition Firm, BigMoneyProductions, AMG Cinema Group, retrieved 2023-05-27
  16. Tyanna, Daij (2023). "Review of "Know Lives Matter" short film, directed by Chris Pinset". AllRapNews.com.
  17. Privalova, Natalia (2025-01-24). "The Man Behind the Lens: Chris Pinset and the Art of Political Storytelling News". Raptology. Retrieved 2025-01-24.
  18. Privalova, Natalia (2025-02-26). "Mother & Gun: 38 Spesh Delivers a Gritty Musical Adaptation of His Life and Legacy - All Rap News" . Retrieved 2025-02-26.
  19. Ju, Shirley (2024-06-25). "Charles Paul: A Journey Through Music and Brotherhood - The Source" . Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  20. "Chris Pinset | Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2023-05-28.
  21. Redman (Ft. Blam, Icadon, Ready Roc, Runt Dawg & Saukrates) – Sumtn' 4 Urrbody , retrieved 2023-09-03
  22. Lettuce - Rage!, 2008-04-22, retrieved 2025-02-18
  23. Blanco, Alvin aqua (2013-10-27). "Redman - "Pump Ya Brakes" [VIDEO]". Hip-Hop Wired. Retrieved 2025-02-26.
  24. "7 Shots (Neon Green Colored LP w/OBI)". Get On Down. Retrieved 2023-05-28.
  25. Zamora, José (2023-09-13). "Speshal Machinery: A Duo to Watch Out For Album Review". All Rap News. Retrieved 2023-09-14.
  26. Fonge, Raphael (2024-04-03). "Review of "How We Met" music video by 38 Spesh and Infamous Billa video". Raptology.com. Retrieved 2024-04-04.
  27. "Redman Unleashes 32-Track Magnum Opus "Muddy Waters Too"News". Raptology. 2025-01-15. Retrieved 2025-01-24.