Smoking And Joking With Jonny Shipes Part 2
In Part 2 we talk about how Shipes came across Big K.R.I.T., who he finally signed him, and why he turned to Def Jam instead of staying independent. He also talks about what he’s got coming up, including introducing his new artists Joey Bada$$ and the Pro Era crew.
Meek Mill – Club Paradise Tour (Vlog #3)
Follow Meek Mill as he gives you an inside look to his first major tour, Club Paradise. Watch as he goes from Alabama to Atlanta, performing, bowling, doing radio interviews and getting a brand new tattoo!! Appearances from French Montana and more!! Documented by Jon J.
An Interview With Ron Sobel – President of North Star Media, a music
In this clip from www.artistshousemusic.org – Ron Sobel, president of a California Publishing Company, talks about various topics pertaining to publishing and the music industry.
10 Reasons You Shouldn’t Wish For Overnight Success
1. You won’t be mentally prepared to deal with all of the fame, fortune, and international attention. You will crash and burn. Remember what happened to Susan Boyle?
5. You will spend most of your money while being consumed in the excitement and frenzy of your new-found celebrity… only to find yourself broke when your fame suddenly dries up overnight.
Forget the Post-PC World. Google Glasses are Preparing for the Post-Phone World
There have been lots of snickers about Sergey Brin walking around Silicon Valley wearing the Google Glasses.
I’ve been bearish about Google in the last 8 – 12 months and made a few jokes at the expense of these glasses, the driverless car, the asteroid colony investment (which I think was a personal investment by Page and Brin), and other side projects like the wind farms in Oregon.
The people who laugh at these investments characterize them as Google having a lack of focus.
There’s some truth to that – especially when they’re in so many of these kinds of ventures. It’s hard when you spread yourself too thin.
That was the point that Steve Jobs hammered Larry Page on and which he seemed to take to heart after succeeding Eric Schmidt last year as CEO. Page has shut down dozens of pet projects. That’s smart.
But when you see a funny picture of an eccentric young billionaire walking around to nightclubs or with Robert Scoble wearing what look like Terminator glasses, you might be forgiven for thinking this guy has lost it. It’s easy to say this is yet another sign that Google has its head in the clouds instead of running the company for the benefit of increased value for shareholders.
However, I’m here to tell you that the Google co-founders and the rest of the company are doing exactly the right thing by investing in this project. Here’s why.
Hit the jump to read the rest, courtesy of Forbes.com.
Sergey and Scoble
The Google search engine is the best at what it does. Its business model (AdWords and then AdSense) is the best business model ever in my view. Google keeps investing in improving the search experience and they continue to do a super job at that.
However, I’ve argued here many times that search’s days are numbered. I think we’re moving into a new generation for Hypernet/Web companies, which I call the mobile generation.
In this generation, everyone’s primary computing device is their smart phone. All popular apps in this generation are optimized for a mobile experience – either on a phone or a tablet. No one even thinks about how the app will work on a desktop PC any more. Those companies don’t get any venture capital funding or splashed on the covers of Fast Company or Wired (the tablet versions of course). Only pure-play mobile companies are deemed to be buzzworthy today.
In this mobile generation – and remember we’re only 2 years into this generation, so we probably have at least another 4 years before the next generation comes – I suspect we’re going to learn a new way to obtain information. Instead of Googling it, I think it’s going to be asking Siri – our personal assistant. Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe it will be something else, optimized for mobile.
What I do know is that Google has a big problem in that people don’t do as many searches in a mobile world compared to a PC world. More troubling is that those searches don’t monetize nearly as well.
So, Google can keep telling us what YouTube is doing by taking their last quarter’s revenues and annualizing them. They can do the same for their mobile search business and their other small businesses. But when desktop PC search accounts for well over 90% of their revenues as of a couple of years ago and about 98% of their profits, you have a big two word problem if you care about the stock price: multiple contraction.
We’ll all look like this in 7 years
(And I know some Google bulls will write to me that they will create a voice-activated service that is better than Siri. So, let me say, nothing would make Steve Jobs happier, because you’d be helping steer that many more people who blindly do traditional searches today to instead do searches via voice that monetize that much less profitably for Google. Heads, Apple wins. Tails, Google loses.)
So, let’s say this scenario of a big decline in profitable PC searches is a reasonable possibility. If I was Larry or Sergey, I would be banging the table (or colored bean bags – whatever’s available) in Mountain View asking my team: “How do we stay relevant in a mobile world even if no one does traditional search?” After all, as Andy Grove said, only the paranoid survive. And I’d expect we’d be busy working on a couple of answers to that question.
I don’t know about driverless cars. The more I read about it, the cooler I think it is. And it’s certainly something that can be monetized and probably will. In fact, I don’t have a hard time seeing this as a much bigger business than YouTube in the long-term – or maybe a business that gets spun-out of Google at some point. But, it’s obviously very different than mobile phones and search (although I suspect Larry and Sergey would say something like it’s just another complex problem solved by an algorithm — hammer, meet nail).
Google Glasses (or Project Glass) on the other hand could be enormously important. Like “save the company” important — or at least take it to a whole new level of relevancy and prominence. Why?
I know the glasses look goofy and Sergey looks like the ultimate nerd wearing them now to our modern-day sensibilities. However, this is generation-one.
Do you remember the first generation of Android phones? They were very ugly and looked like cheap BlackBerry knock-offs — they were!
But think of how far Android has come in the 7 years since Google bought it (for an insignificant amount). Now think of what Google Glasses will look like in 7 years. You can’t imagine the progress, because the technology world is going to move so much faster in the next 7 years compared to the prior 7.
To me, it’s very easy to imagine how Goggles could be the next big thing for us.
Forget a Post-PC world. Google’s playing for a Post-Phone world. I give these guys enormous props for their foresight.
It’s all about skating to where the puck is going and Google Glasses could be it.
I don’t expect others to just sit back and wait. I haven’t seen the full video yet, but I believe Apple’s (AAPL) Tim Cook was asked about “wearable computers” last night at the All Things D
The Three Amigos
conference and I believe he didn’t dismiss the idea, which probably means Apple has some very capable people on the case.
I’m sure most people on Wall Street, who can’t see further than the ends of their noses, think Glasses is a vanity project of Sergey and Larry. It’s them who are the short-sighted idiots though.
It’s very hard to predict exactly the way the world will unfold and prepare your $40 billion company to take advantage of it, but Glasses is a very wise investment.
Don’t be surprised if you hear more about a Post-Phone world in the next 18 – 24 months.
Times they are a -changing.
[Long AAPL]
PS I haven’t read it yet, but I see Kashmir Hill has written about Google’s Project Glass today, so here’s a link.
2 Chainz Decodes “No Lie”
While bobbing along to his own single, 2 Chainz gives Life+Times a breakdown of the track’s meaning and how its inspiration derived from a strong weed named, Gas. Ok, who dealt it?
Bobby V Signs With eOne Music
Bobby V officially announced his indie move today, bringing his production label Blu Kolla Dreams to eOne (formerly Koch). I never hate on someone taking their destiny in their own hands and going indie. Check out the press release below:
(May 30, 2012 — New York, NY) – R&B star Bobby V and his Blu Kolla Dreams label have entered into a new deal with eOne Music. He joins other R&B luminaries on the eOne roster such as Dwele, Vivian Green, SWV, Ashanti, Anthony David, Bilal, Keith Sweat, Eric Roberson and more.
Under this new worldwide deal, Bobby V will release his fifth new studio album, Dusk Till Dawn, in Fall 2012. Early confirmed features are Lil Wayne, Kirko Bangz, and K Michelle.
Bobby V states, “This is my 5th album, and it’s such a blessing to have been in the music industry for over 10 years. I’m grateful to have a strong supporting cast of fans, family, friends and a record label that believes in me. Some of my biggest influences, such as Jodeci and D’Angelo, unfortunately only got to put out 2 or 3 albums, so I’m ecstatic to be where I am in my career. Trust me, the grind ain’ gon stop #BluKolla……….”
Bobby’s debut album, “Bobby Valentino,” debuted at #3 on the Billboard Top 200 in 2005 and sold over 1,000,000 copies worldwide. This album spawned the hit “Slow Down,” which hit #1 on the R&B Chart and went Top 10 on the Hot 100 Chart. All three of Bobby V’s prior albums have debuted in the Top 10 on the Billboard Top 200. With a catalog of hits like “Slow Down,” “Tell Me, Mrs. Officer,” “Anonymous,” “Pimpin All Over the World,” “Beep Beep” and “Words,” Bobby V and eOne are looking to continue this success.
Producer Rico Beats Talks Making Of Pusha T’s “Exodus 23:1,” Says Lil’ Wayne Wasn’t Mentioned During Recording
Rico Beats, the producer behind Pusha T‘s controversial “Exodus 23:1,” who also coincidentally produced Nicki Minaj and Lil’ Wayne‘s “Roman Reloaded,” recently shed some light on the meaning behind the record in an interview with MTV. Rico says that during the recording of the song, Lil’ Wayne’s name was not discussed at all. He says, “Honestly, when we were in the room listening to that record, I didn’t hear none of these guys’ names brought up. It was none of that. Dream got in his zone and he went in the booth. Pusha got his pen, like I didn’t hear nobody mentioned.” He also talks about how Pusha reached out to him, looking for something dark for the album that his fan base would appreciate, and how he came up with the Biggie laugh sample. Watch above. -Complex
[via Hip Hop Wired]
Warner Music Group Looking For New CEO?
Via the NY Post:
Warner Music Group, controlled by billionaire Len Blavatnik, has been quietly reaching out to music execs as it prepares for the eventual exit of Stephen Cooper, a caretaker CEO who is expected to turn the company over to his replacement.
Sources say Blavatnik has been sending out feelers recently in search of candidates with both music credentials and operating expertise.
“They are looking for a creative who is a decent entertainment operator,” said one source.
Cooper has a reputation as a corporate turnaround specialist who continues to run his own firm while he overhauls Warner. Sources said he is focused on cutting costs and slimming down the company — but is not in it for the long haul.Cooper had been Warner’s chairman until he switched roles last August with long-term Warner chief Edgar Bronfman Jr., who stepped down as CEO just two months after Blavatnik’s Access Industries completed its $3.3 billion Warner deal.
The next round of musical chairs could see Cooper return to the role of chairman, as opposed to an outright exit, sources said.
The looming change at the top has also raised the question as to whether Lyor Cohen, who oversees Warner’s recorded music division, will stick around under new management.
Cohen has not yet been offered a new contract and is working under his existing contract, which grants him $3 million in annual salary plus a $3.5 million bonus, according to Warner’s last proxy statement as a publicly traded company.Cooper is currently working on a new executive compensation plan that would more closely align pay with the company’s performance.
Cohen, who declined to comment, is likely to wait until the plan is complete before he decides whether to stay.
“It was important for the new owners to get a sense of the business and the senior leadership team before any renegotiations,” one insider said.
Cohen’s prior incentives were tied to Warner’s stock price — a metric that no longer applies now that the company is privately owned.Blavatnik’s growth plan for Warner, the world’s third-largest music major, hinges on generating organic growth and potentially picking up smaller assets.
Warner lost out to larger rivals Universal Music Group and Sony Entertainment Group in the bidding for EMI. Universal and Sony struck deals to split up and acquire EMI’s recorded music and music publishing businesses, leaving Warner to chase after the scraps in the event either sells assets to gain regulatory approval.In the first three months of the year, Warner’s revenue fell 8 percent to $628 million. Universal’s grew 6.7 percent, to $1.28 billion, after accounting for currency fluctuations. Sony’s music revenue, which includes other subsidiaries such as publishing, fell 1 percent on an adjusted currency to $5.4 billion.
Drake Discusses His Affiliation With The Weeknd
During his recent stop in Houston on the Club Paradise Tour, Drake sat down with MTV’s Sway to talk about the evolution of The Weeknd. He says, “Everywhere I go, they love him. They’re that loud every single night when I say The Weeknd’s name.” He continues, “When you call him up to the plate, he’s going to deliver.” He also spoke on how OVOXO is a family, and why he chose to embrace fellow Toronto artist The Weeknd rather than going against him or pushing him off to the side. In terms of their official affiliation, he says, “As far as on paper, it’s all being worked out. But that’s not really what counts. What counts to me is that the affiliation is so known. I want to continue to be involved in his career, and vice versa, and keep making music together.” Now that’s crew love. -Complex
On The Set: Kendrick Lamar x Dr. Dre “The Recipe”
Over on the Left Coast, K-Dot and The Doc are shooting a video for their collaboration. Here’s are few flicks courtesy of SchoolBoy Q ‘s Instagram account. More images after the jump.
Loyola University Forum with Music Lawyer Dina LaPolt
In this clip from www.artistshousemusic.org – Dina LaPolt, an entertainment lawyer based in Los Angeles, CA, presents to an audience at Loyola University, New Orleans a wealth of advice drawn from her careers as a musician, manager and lawyer. She discusses how to build the foundations for a career in music, how to hire a music lawyer, what to fight for in your recording contracts, what a management agreement should consist of, why you should be glad that people steal your music, and what it takes to become a music lawyer yourself.
How to place beats iStandardProducers.com
SkyZoo shows how he finds his beats through iStandardProducers.com. For more interviews and vids of the biggest names in the music industry check out
http://istandardproducers.com
Pensado’s Place : #63 – Engineer and Mixer Mark “Exit” Goodchild
In the 63rd episode of Pensado’s Place, Dave and Herb are joined by Engineer and Mixer Mark “Exit” Goodchild!
Cold Cuts & Leftovers: David Banner speaks on working with Independent Artists
Check out an unreleased segment of our “Conversations with David Banner” in which he speaks on working with independent artists.
Live Coverage of the Tim Cook Interview at D10
An Apple CEO on stage at the yearly All Things Digital D Conference in southern California is nothing new. The late Steve Jobs made five such appearances, most memorably opposite long-time rival Microsoft founder and former CEO Bill Gates. Now it’s new-ish Apple CEO Tim Cook’s turn. He’ll take the D-stage tonight for the first time opposite ATD’s Walt Mossberg.
I’ve already had some fun speculating what Cook could say at the D10 event, which kicks off tonight and runs through Thursday, but soon we’ll find out exactly what’s on the long-time Apple employee’s mind. He may not introduce a new product, but it’s guaranteed to be interesting.
Cook, who officially took over for the ailing Jobs last year, is a 14-year Apple veteran and an expert at operations. Expect Mossberg to press him on the controversy surrounding the Foxconn plants where many of the beloved Apple products are built. While he’ll likely be asked about the product pipeline in the post-Jobs era, it’s not guaranteed that Cook will reveal much. Mossberg will press and, if we’re really lucky, there’ll be an open Q+A session where Mashable and others can ask Cook our questions.
Just Blaze – The Artist Beyond The Music
With a decade-spanning production resume that includes work for the likes of Jay-Z, Jay Electronica and Eminem, it is safe to say that Just Blaze knows a thing or two about the current state of the music industry. In addition, the New Jersey native is actively involved with the Grammy Career Day, an initiative that intends to inspire and provide direction and knowledge for students interested in music careers, and co-manages Harlem’s Stadium Red Studios. More than enough reasons for us to sit down with the award-winning producer and converse about various facets of the ever demanding music industry.
Could you share some details on your involvement with Grammy Career Day? How did it come about and what does your involvement entail?
Career Day is something I’ve been involved in for the past two years. I got involved with the Recording Academy for numerous reasons. One of the main ones was trying to raise awareness about us in the hip-hop world being properly represented and accounted for as we’ve been sorely under-represented in the past. There is much more to the Academy than the Grammys and Career Day is a great example of that. It gives a chance for young people to get an inside glimpse at the inner workings of the music business first hand from all facets. We also grant some of them a chance to perform and show their talents as well as donate instruments to young people to those (or their families) who may not be able to afford them. These initiatives, as well as programs like MusicCares are just a few of the great things The Academy spearheads in an effort to preserving musical culture and take care of its own.
It appears that there is an approach between the old and new generation of hip-hop taking place. What does it mean for hip-hop as a culture?
I love what a lot of the new generation is doing. Things were questionable for a while but a lot of the young talents we’re seeing emerge have grown up with all sorts of a wide range of influences and inspiration and you’re starting to see the results of that diversity and accepted individuality pay off. So for them linking up with older cats in the industry, for example Dr. Dre with Kendrick Lamar, it’s a beautiful thing.
Where do you see the relevance of music blogs these days with streaming services like Spotify growing?
Music blogs and streaming services such as Spotify serve two different purposes. Music blogs and the like are the new magazines and DJs that people increasingly are reading and listening to find out about new music and developments first (through blogs. Services like Spotify, iTunes and Amazon provide a legal way for people to easily obtain this music once it’s commercially released. There’s a slight bit of overlap in some cases but overall they’re both necessary in today’s ever changing musical and technological climate.
Where do you see the music industry heading?
Developments like Twitter, Facebook, and social networking in general have changed the landscape in terms of how music is discovered, promoted, and sold. Artists now have the ability to have direct relationships and exchanges with their fans and in turn, build a rapport and fan base all on their own. One of the key benefits is your fan base getting to actually know the artist beyond their music and building support for the artist themselves beyond just liking their record on the radio or TV. When people buy into an artist these days, they’re not just buying into their music, but them as a person and their brand as well, so there is a stronger sense of loyalty built. This however also tends to have older label executives who aren’t exactly tuned in to these new methods stuck in a place where they don’t know how to operate in today’s environment. It also seems to place the onus of selling records much more on the artist and team themselves as opposed to having the label support in addition to the artist’s own efforts. This is all still evolving so what happens ultimately remains to be seen.
Do you have special habits/traditions while crafting records?
No special traditions, no rituals, I just go in and do the best I can do every time and try and stay inspired.
Where is the difference between Stadium Red Recording Studio and Baseline Studios for you personally?
Baseline was essentially a three person operation, including myself, partner Neysa Camacho, and our engineers. Teaming up with Stadium has made the whole process of running and operating a recording studio so much more efficient and time consuming, because there is an actual team to help facilitate it. With less pressure I can be more creative and pursue other ventures and things I’d like to do outside of music without having to worry about what’s happening with the studio. It’s been great so far.
What else is in store for you in 2012?
If I told you, you wouldn’t be surprised when it dropped. I’ve been having a lot of fun doing things i normally haven’t been able to engage in the past. But as of right now I am readying a European DJ tour. Stay tuned.
A Natural Fit – Nature Sounds & High Times Mag
Nature Sounds and High Times magazine are coming together to form a new record label. The relationship makes sense in that both brands exude quality: one in music and the other in journalism. Devin Horowitz, founder of Nature Sounds, has a history with the magazine as he spent 10 years working for them in a journalistic capacity. This is a true partnership that reaches beyond Hip Hop and focuses on good music irrespective of genre. I had the opportunity to talk with Devin who shared the vision of High Times Records and the exciting projects due out soon on the new label. See what he had to say.
What’s the story behind the new partnership with High Times?
We’re partnering with High Times Magazine to launch High Times Records. Smoke DZA is the first artist we’ll be releasing an album with. Also, we’re in talks with many big names in music that have championed the marijuana movement. Marijuana is going mainstream now with the medicinal aspect and we want to be at the forefront, musically speaking.
Is it solely artists affiliated with weed smoking that you are putting out?
No. It’s more about the music and culture than just the novelty of smoking weed. It’s about creating content that appeals to the typical High Times reader. The High Times readers are interested in music, politics, art, religion, and, of course, weed.
Explain the impact of High Times magazine and their impact on Pop culture.
They were one of the first magazines in the U.S. to put Bob Marley on the cover, the first to put Cypress Hill on the cover. They’ve been in existence since 1974 and had contributors like Charles Bukowski, Hunter S. Thompson, and Andy Warhol. They have a great history and their readers love music. High Times is more about the counter culture than anything and this has been their focus since their inception. Timothy Leary and Allen Ginsberg were writers for the magazine at one time. It’s similar to Playboy because it’s a brand that people respect but with an emphasis on quality and impactful journalism as well.
What brought about this relationship?
I worked at High Times for 10 years and come from a journalism background. They’re in the magazine business, the marijuana business; they’re experts at that. They’re not in the music business and don’t want to be. We feel we could be a valuable partner with them since we have an expertise in selling music. We both understood that the High Times readers love music
Why now?
This is the first time High Times has been approached by a company with more than 10 years experience in the music business. They have maintained strong name recognition for almost 40 years by not cheapening the brand with haphazard partnerships. They have a million readers a month! Their fanbase is pretty fanatical reaching all walks of life. Now, they can cater to their vast readership that is passionate about music. That’s a large base to tap into. It makes sense now as much as ever to do this label.
Most of the readers are familiar with Nature Sounds. What’s the direction of this label?
Everyone in the Hip Hop world has come out of the woodwork for this. Hip Hop understands the importance of teaming with a label with the brand recognition of High Times. We have the Smoke DZA project coming out first, but the label is more than Hip Hop. We’ll focus on Rock, Dance, Psychedelic, Blues, etc. We’re going to be doing compilations and provide the readers with content to satisfy the diverse taste of the readers. High Times has readers that are 80 years old and we have to be cognizant of that. We, at Nature Sounds, want to retain our identity for our label and at the same time use this new label to facilitate the wants and needs of High Times.
Building of the diverse projects in the works, please explain to the readers about the Sex Pistols documentary that is in development.
The original founder of High Times, Tom Forcade, did a documentary on the Sex Pistols in the late ‘70s. It was their only U.S. tour and it led to their eventually break up. There’s a lot of great footage from the NYC Punk scene as well as great live audio. People will be surprised how much amazing content High Times has in their archives. We plan to utilize those assets to the fullest.
Can you give more detail on Smoke DZA’s High Times’ debut?
It’s a full-length and it’s produced entirely by Harry Fraud featuring Curren$y, Action Bronson, Domo from Odd Future, Schoolboy Q, Sean Price, ASAP Twelvyy and some others. Harry is a big weed head, so it’s a good connection with him and Smoke DZA. Musically, the record is amazing. He’s been touring with Big K.R.I.T. and has a lot of different things going on now. Readers may or may not know that Smoke DZA is part of Curren$y’s Jet Life team. We think he’s positioned to be the next one to break out from his camp.
Thanks to Devin and Matt at Nature Sounds (@naturesounds) and High Times magazine (@HIGH_TIMES_Mag) for making this article possible. Much success on your future endeavors. GOD BLESS -Allindstrom.com
Jadakiss & French Montana-Back of the Benz (video)
D-Block Coke Boys Jadakiss French Montana In Studio Performance Paper Tags Come UP 23 Doggie Diamonds Big Fendie
Rico Love Talks Working With Diddy, Rick Ross & Usher’s ‘Looking 4 Myself’ Album
I sent it to Usher the next day and he loved it so we knocked it out quick. It was like two week process. In industry time, that’s pretty fast [considering] the caliber of Usher and Ross.
You’ve written and produced countless of songs for Usher. How has the friendship between you two grown over the years?
He watched me from the very beginning. He gave me my first shot in the music business as an artist and as a writer. I’ve always had admiration and respect for him. Then throughout these past few years, our friendship grew to another level. He was always like a big brother to me. We vacation together. Our kids hang out together. That type of thing. He’s just really one of my best friends. I’m blessed to be able to say that Puff Daddy** and Usher are my best friends. I feel like the coolest kid on the block.
Check out the rest of the interview after the jump!
What can we expect to hear on Usher’s upcoming album “Looking 4 Myself”?
I wrote five songs on the album. I was a part of this whole process from beginning to end. The titled track, “Looking 4 Myself,” is a song that I wrote and produced. I feature Empire of the Sun** on it. Usher introduced me to their music at Coachella last year. If you’re not familiar with Empire of the Sun, you’ll automatically find [that] the sound isn’t what you’re used to hearing from Usher.
What he wanted to do [on "Looking 4 Myself"] was explore himself musically. He stepped outside of what was safe and normal. He wanted to make an album that expressed where he was going sonically and not just where he’s been for the past 12 to 15 years. He’s growing, developing, moving, shaking, and being something that’s new, cultural, and that’s affecting people sonically. That’s kind of forcing the people to grow and elevate.
“Climax” is such a strong record that people don’t even realize that it’s not an R&B song. It feels so good to people that he just grows with them.
Click here to play the video on YouTube.
How would you say Usher has developed as an artist?
Vocally, he gets better every time. But that’s because he goes back and trains his vocals every time for an album. I’ve never seen an R&B artist work as hard as Usher. Just in developing himself and getting his fitness and physical in condition. He does cardio, sings, and makes sure to stretch his vocals.
But on the process from then to now, he felt like all he could do is soul music. Now he’s realizing he’s a soul artist. So anything that he does is going to have a little soul to it. He’s still a soul singer but it just so happens that he might sing a record that might appeal to more of a pop audience. He’s not afraid to do it. He’s not afraid to express himself and keep that balance.
Is there a specific artist you enjoy working with or song you enjoyed producing?
All of them are like my babies. I love all of the songs that I write. It’s like asking a mom who’s her favorite kid. All of them are special to me. “There Goes My Baby,” Beyoncé**’s “Sweet Dreams,” and Trey Songz’ “Heart Attack” are some of my favorite songs I ever wrote.
Kelly Rowland**’s “Motivation” is one of my favorite melodies I ever wrote. It was so challenging. A lot of people caught it right away and some didn’t. it ended up being number one for eight weeks. I was excited to be able to cross those lines sonically that wasn’t so obvious but was more in a subtle way.
I have a song on the Usher album called “Dive” and “Lessons for the Love” that I’m really excited for people to hear.
What was your most memorable studio session?
[It was] the first time I worked with Puff. I really looked up to Diddy and when we went in the studio he had me stuck in that studio for 12 hours. Everything I did, he didn’t like. He heard all these things about Rico Love, how Rico Love is this illest and is about to be the next dude in the game, but he wasn’t impressed with anything I was doing. At the end of the night he told me, “Just go home man. Maybe this time we couldn’t get it, but next time.” I said, “I’m not leaving the studio until I get you a number one record.” He’s giving me all of these beats so I decided to go into a stash of beats that Danja had sent me and wrote “Hello, Good Morning” at four in the morning, right before he caught a flight. He played it back 10 times and said, “I like this one.” I just remember being so focused and determined on giving him a hit record because he’s somebody I’ve idolized my whole life. I wasn’t going to go home because he said to go home. I was going to stay and give him a hit record.
You’ve also worked with Trey Songz on his latest single “Heart Attack.” How was it working with him?
Trey is a friend. Trey is one of the coolest, most humble, and funniest people I know. I’m just happy about the relationship I’m building with him. He was open to a lot of the suggestions I had. At times he can be more hands on in terms of doing the song. But he was more open to what I had to say. It’s doing so amazing at radio. I think it’s going to be one of those crossover records he hasn’t had in his career.
Click here to play the video on YouTube.
You also have pursued a solo career but have decided against releasing anything in the past. Are you looking to resurrect your career anytime soon?
No. I’m cool with being behind the scenes. Also, it would be so cliché. You have Sean Garrett**, Keri Hilson**, The-Dream** and Ne-Yo**, who were all songwriters and became artists. If I did that, I’d feel like they’d be like, “Oh, there goes another one.” I’d rather be myself and original.
What’s coming up for Division 1 in 2012?
I’ve got this artist, Rabbit from D.C. that I’m super excited about. Rabbit released her joint yesterday featuring Wale, called “#SoFuckinFine.” I’ve [also] got Teairra Mari and an artist by the name of M.J., a male R&B vocalist that I’m super excited about. We’re just heating the streets up.
It’s just about development at this point. I don’t want to make the same mistake as before where I [just] put out songs. I’m really in the developmental stages, by having everyone build a following and a brand. That’s what’s it’s really about for me at this point, putting in that work and the time.
Slaughterhouse Tour: Episode 7
Continuing their Vlog Series, we find the Slaughterhouse crew still overseas for their European Tour. In this installment, they travel to London and Amsterdam. Trans Atlantic express.
Facebook Stock Price Dips Below $30
The saga of Facebook’s disappointing IPOcontinued on Tuesday as the company’s stock price for the first time dipped below $30.
The impetus for the dive was unclear. As the price of Facebook fell, the Nasdaq and the Dow were both up slightly. The latest shift comes after Facebook’s stock gained a mere 23 cents on its debut on May 18. Since then, the stock price fell, but leveled out at around $32 before hitting a new low on Tuesday.
More to come. -Mashable
Bootleg Kev Interviews Swizz Beatz
While out in Vegas this weekend, Swizz Beatz visited Bootleg Kev. He spoke on his partnership with Reebok, his assistance on Alicia Keys’ new album, working with Dr. Dre on Detox, his plans with DMX, possible future work with Meek Mill and more. Check out the second part after the jump.
Follow Us!
By OBREAKSL penny stocks