Manix
Manix (Mike Ruby, 1972–2021), Detroit producer who co-founded Soul Intent and produced the earliest Eminem and Proof recordings; published by Haselton Media Group.
Background
Manix was the production name of Michael Joseph “Mike” Ruby (1972–2021), a Detroit-area DJ and producer and one of the city's early hip hop producers. With his brother Mathew Ruby, known as DJ Butterfingers, he founded the crew that started as Bassmint Productions around 1989 and later became Soul Intent. Discogs also lists him as a member of Hype-n-Effect.
Soul Intent and early Eminem
Manix produced the Soul Intent tapes that hold some of the earliest recordings of Marshall Mathers, then rapping as M&M. He produced the 1992 four-song cassette EP Soul Intent and the tape Still In The Bassmint, and he produced and arranged the 1995 Mashin' Duck Records cassette single “F#@!in' Backstabber,” backed with “Biterphobia” and featuring Proof. According to Manix, 300 copies of that single were printed. Eminem reworked the song as “Backstabber” on his 1996 debut, Infinite.
Other production work
Discogs credits Manix as producer on the Bassmint Productions cassette Steppin' On To The Scene (1990), Chaos Kid's 1992 cassette EP, Champtown's Check It! – The EP (1996) and Bang Bang Boogie (2000), and ShortCut's Booty Shakin' Shit! (1999). He also remixed and mixed Champtown's “Do-Da-Dipity.”
Frizzo and Haselton Media Group
Detroit artist Frizzo is Manix's publisher and was his longtime collaborator. Haselton Media Group, which Frizzo founded in 2008, publishes Manix's work. The two recorded “Back Again With Manix,” and Frizzo filmed an on-camera interview with Manix about the Soul Intent years.
Death
Manix died of a heart attack at his home in Michigan on October 19, 2021.
Manix Reborn
After his death, Frizzo released Frizzo Presents: Manix Reborn, 18 tracks built from Manix's beats, including a remix of the “Biterphobia” instrumental from the Soul Intent tapes.
Watch
