Chris Virgo is a first generation Guyanese-American, BMI recording artist, producer and sound engineer. Summer of 1998 he began working professionally all throughout NYC in major recording studios, including; Mystic, Music Factory, QUAD, Fenix, 48 Chambers, Baseline and Platinum sound. In these facilities he worked with numerous industry professionals to fine tune his skills on both sides of the glass. (continued below)
In high School I studied acting under the direction of Diane Manarino, who was a Broadway actress and chorus director. I played the King in PIPPEN in 1998 and Goat in Robber Bridegroom two years prior. I also have starred in numerous Christmas plays at my hometown church.
I was born to be on stage. I opened for Sean Paul at St George Theater in 2002 and I've performed on tour with multi platinum recording artist/actor Pras, from the Fugees and Bruckup, international reggae mega star. I have gained most of my attention as Cue Trax in NYC showcases as an emcee. And I've worked with BET's own Megatron on music and voice over work.
The most important thing to note is that I've been behind the scenes as an audio engineer for 15 plus years. Working with MTV, COX network and Time Warner.
I've served as a technical writer for magazines like XXL and Scratch, as an employee of Harris Publications from 2006-2008.
Presently I attend the City University of New York College of Staten Island as a Junior majoring in communications minoring in engineering.
Mixers: Mackie 24x4, Digital Mackie firewire 12 channel, Analog Mackie 16 channel.
PC: Dual core Intel processes running Windows XP Professional.
Software & Interfaces: Logic Platinum Audio w/Delta 10/10. Pro Tools LE w/M-Box, Reasons, Fruity Loops, Sony's Sonic Factory Sound forge.
Plug-ins: Antares AutoTune, Waves Platinum Bundle.
Keyboards: Motif MIDI keyboard, Alesis, MPC 2000/xl, 2 Alesis rack keyboards,
Mic: AKG, Sharp Performance MIC.
Monitors: MAUDIO, Panasonic.
Visual: Projector screens and flat screens are available for video playback during scoring or editing for film.
Name: CHRIS VIRGO
Title: Engineer|Producer|Recording Artist|Writer
CUE TRAX PRODUCTIONS CORPORATION [EST 2010]
Background Information
Birth name: Christopher Anthony Gittens
Born: September 2, 1977 (age 32)
Astrological Sign: Virgo
Origin: Guyana, United States, Long Island, New York, Staten Island, Florida.
Professional Summary
Genres: Hip hop, R&B, Dance
Occupations: Engineer, Producer, Rapper, Singer, Musician, Writer, Educator, Student
Instruments: Vocals, keyboards, sampler, percussion, synthesizer, guitar, flute
Years active: 1998–present
Labels: Cue Trax Productions, Tune Core, TMI Productions, Gooch Music
Publisher: Shallydo Publishing/BMI
Associated acts: Wu-Tang Clan/Fugees/C&C Music Factory/Insite/Phokuss/ American Gangster Commission
Affiliates: UNIVERSAL ZULU NATION, MasterBlasters, New York Urban League, CUNY/BMI/CSI, Global Kids, LSAMP, CSTEP, CTV
Social Networks twitter/shallydo – myspace/christofire – facebook/christopher.gittens
Management: Fred Mangin/Lou Kostello
Biography
Chris Virgo is a first generation Guyanese-American, BMI recording artist, producer and sound engineer. Summer of 1998 he began working professionally all throughout NYC in major recording studios, including; Mystic, Music Factory, QUAD, Fenix, 48 Chambers, Baseline and Platinum sound. In these facilities he worked with numerous industry professionals to fine tune his skills on both sides of the glass.
At Music Factory Mix Studios he interned for Robert Clivilles. He caught a big break when the former manager of the studio, TJ Super-hype, had decided to leave for LA, appointing him as the new manager. “I got lucky the first month in…” Chris explains, “Desert Storm was not too contempt with their working situation and I ended up discussing a lease arrangement with Duro and Clue.” This deal would solidify his position at the Manhattan luxury studio.
While there, he over saw the construction of a second room, studio B, during the recording of a project with Fat Man Scoop and former BET host, Free, on what was to be a syndicated radio show. Though he was excited to be a part of the mixture, the project fell through, but he ended up getting something far more valuable. He was mentored by Commissioner Gordon, Rich Nice and Pras from the multi-platinum group “The Fugees”. Pras convinced him that it would be in his best interest to uptake a position elsewhere as production manager for a young upcoming female singer, an international dancehall performing artist, Bruckup, and Dante Thomas who were all recording at Quad Studios.
Now working under Prakazrel Michel’s label, the Rat Pack, he managed to connect with fellow producer, Max, who then was producing a Caucasian rapper. Meanwhile, Chris, aka Cue Trax, initiated negotiations between Garry Harris of Artist Direct, a label in LA, and in New York, Max and Mr. Clilvillis later inked a deal in conjunction with Casablanca for the inspiring rapper Stagger Lee. Cue claims to have felt “overlooked,” that his efforts went unnoticed, and decided that it was time to build his own studio.
In a basement on Staten Island, Cue linked with a key partner in production, Paul “the Gooch” Cantor. The two recorded local talent and started a label, TMI Productions, named after the producer’s grandfather Edgar Triumph. They ran talent shows and continued to record and produce. Distribution was eventually established through CD Baby where three albums were released under that label; Statements vol.1, More Statements vol. 2 and the Love Boat featuring Insite and Phokuss, all childhood friends of Cue. Shortly thereafter he was introduced to the underground hip hop scene and was invited to work with an authentic, true to the art emcee, namely, Scram Jones. His relationships would continue to develop as fellow industry hopefuls gained more attention. His association with BET’s own Megatron, Another Mex Creation and DJ Storm mixtapes, kept him quite busy, and skits on a mixtape starring the bounce master, Doowap, led him back to his point of origin, Staten Island. Cue Trax went on to score street singles for super-talented Goomba emcee JoJo Pellegrino, lyrical poet Trife Da God, Wu-tang Clan’s Rekwon, Inspecta Deck, and UGODzilla.
His affiliation with the clan seemed promising, particularly because he was appointed the chief engineer to work on UGOD’s album, Mr. Excitement. “It was recorded in my house in Titusville Florida…” said Cue, “I built the studio in about two weeks and we went in, black Beetles style. I put my heart into that project…but the label didn’t back it up with the promotion it needed…probably because the god always seemed to be at odds with the leadership. The project took about six months to complete then it was back to Staten Island to witness the birth of my first child.”
When he returned to the NY, he partnered with William E. Martin, family friend and real estate mogul to create Life/Style Media Group Inc, a fully functioning recording studio and media resource center.
The next project that Chris worked on gained mainstream attention. American Gangster was the title for a motion picture staring Denzel Washington as Frank Lucas. His son, Frank Lucas Jr., or simply F Dot, invited the super producer emcee, Cue Trax, to join the group. The crew American Gangster Commission featured local artists including Spank, Hue Heffner, Paulie Papers, Paper Boy, and many others. Sources confirm that for a time even Raheim from Grand Master Flash and the Furious Five could be found on stage and on wax with the camp. And rumor has it that there was a conflict of interest between FLJ and Jay-Z, who was scheduled to do the soundtrack for the movie and gain the majority of the glory from the project and, hence, the group never rose above the surface of the underground.
Members of the Universal Zulu Nation have since then accepted Cue as a part of the ever-expanding Hip Hop culture. Djs Trick Zamboo, Super D and Rafael Assault, have begun negotiations to form a new digital label called Master Blasters, which will feature Cue Trax and Rangers team member, Haph. “This label is supposed to primarily be for the mixtape circuits, the Dj’s and the underground heads, true fans,” the Virgo insists.
It was a childhood dream that led him to intern at Harris publications. Christopher wrote for the last two printed issues of Scratch Magazine and interviewed musical influences Jazzy Fay and Just Blaze. He also has written articles for the XXL blog.
March 29th 2010, Cue Trax Productions Corporation becomes a legal entity with Christopher A. Gittens as sole owner. A deal is set in play for digital distribution through I-Tunes, Rhapsody, myspace exclusively via TuneCore. Chris says, “My vision is to have our company serve as a vehicle, for myself and others, who love music, maintain a pure quality and a desire to preserve the true meaning of Hip Hop…ONENESS” Humble words from a brother nurtured bread and fed in acoustically sound rooms for 12+ years.
My Drop Top is the first official release of CTP, and, is a new rendition of “Dance with me,” the third and final single released by Bad Boy recording artists “112” in 2001 off the album, Part III. Download Chris Virgo’s new single “My Drop Top” today!!!