Yesterday, I (Navjosh) had a chance to talk with multi-platinum & Grammy nominated producer Drumma Boy who obviously needs no introduction. From the clubs to the radio to the house parties, his music can be heard literally everywhere. In a candid chat, the flag bearer of Southern Hip-Hop talked about his upcoming album The Birth Of D-Boy Fresh, influence of his parents on his music, most memorable studio story, favorite producers in the game, one artist he would like to make a joint album with and possible upcoming collaborations with T.I., Andre 3000, Wiz Khalifa, 50 Cent and even Kanye West.
HHNM: What’s up sir, thanks for taking out the time to speak to us today. What have you been up to lately?
Drumma Boy: No problem man, we finally connected, I’m glad. Just working , I’m in the studio working on new beats. Just finished my lunch.
HHNM: You come from a family of musicians. Tell us how that helped you develop into a successful producer you are today.
Drumma Boy: That definitely made me who I am today. Dad is clarinettist and music professor in the University of Memphis and my mom was an Opera singer so I had a lot of home training. I had music in my house all the time so I learned everything about notes, beats and all that. Started playing instruments and making beats at a very young age and next thing you know, people started digging it. But coming from that sort of a background was a blessing.
HHNM: You just released your new mixtape Welcome To My City 2 on which we can even hear you rapping a lil bit. And I heard that you’re working on your album The Birth Of D-Boy Fresh. When’s that coming out?
Drumma Boy: Yeah definitely. The Birth Of D-Boy Fresh comes out on August 11th on iTunes. It will feature some songs that I released last year on my mixtape plus about 6 new unheard songs. It’s definitely gonna be hot. Make sure y’all support that.
HHNM: So that’s gonna be a digital release only or are you going to press some hard copies as well?
Drumma Boy: Nah, mainly digital. We will press some hard copies which will be out in a few stores though.
HHNM: Will you be rapping again on that?
Drumma Boy: Oh yeah definitely, you’re gonna hear me rapping on that one. I got bars (laughs).
HHNM: Cool. Tell us about your most memorable studio story.
Drumma Boy: That would definitely have to be when we recorded Waka Flocka’s ‘No Hands’. We had like 300 people in and outside the studio. That was a celebration for Gucci Mane so there was everybody there. It was crazy.
HHNM: Whoa. 300? (laughs)
Drumma Boy: (Laughs) Yeah definitely about 300 people in there. Everybody was there and I was finding it hard to manage my equipment. And Roscoe is in there killing that hook like “Girl drop it to the floor I love the way yo booty goooo” and Waka is all hyped recording his verses. I made that beat in about 5 minutes and look how successful it became. That was fun man.
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HHNM: Wow. Okay, name your top 3 producers in the game.
Drumma Boy: Hmm. I would say Dr. Dre, Quincy Jones and J.U.S.T.I.C.E League.
HHNM: Last one is interesting because we don’t hear new school producers take J.U.S.T.I.C.E League’s name too often.
Drumma Boy: Oh yeah man. They’re definitely on that list. They’re friends and I’m a fan of their work. They truly deserve it.
HHNM: They definitely deserve the recognition. If you had to record a Joint album with an artist, who would that be?
Drumma Boy: I would say Master P.
HHNM: And why Master P?
Drumma Boy: Just because the sort of movement he had in the South. He did everything I wanted to be, his hustle and grind. The impact he had. I would love to record a full album with him.
HHNM: What is your favorite track you have produced?
Drumma Boy: ‘Put on’. Definitely. Jeezy, Kanye.
HHNM: And that’s actually one of your most successful singles which earned you a Platinum Plaque as well.
Drumma Boy: Yessir.
HHNM: We hear that you are working with Andre 3000 on his solo album. Is that true?
Drumma Boy: Yeah man, that’s true.
HHNM: What kind of songs are you two working on, can you tell us?
Drumma Boy: We’ve decided to keep everything about that a secret. Don’t wanna jinx it. You will hear about it sometime in the future, stay tuned.
HHNM: Alright. Are you working with T.I. again on his new album ‘Trouble Man’ ?
Drumma Boy: Yeah man, Tip and I have worked on some stuff but I’m not sure what all will make the album. And you know what, I like to make the album cut with hot material that has some kind of impact and can change people’s lives. I’d rather not make the cut if it’s weak.
HHNM: What sort of sound did you give him?
Drumma Boy: Most are hard, street beats with that trouble sound. We have a few tracks but let’s see what all will be there on the album. It’s definitely hot.
HHNM: Wiz is about to release his sophomore album ‘O.N.I.F.C.’ on August 28th and we’ve already heard ‘It’s Nothin’ that you produced. Can we expect to hear more on the album?
Drumma Boy: Yup. I released that ‘It’s Nothin’ joint which is getting crazy response right now. I got some more stuff with Wiz, a few records actually but again not sure what he’s gonna keep on the album. That comes out on August 28th so definitely be on the lookout for that.
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HHNM: 50 Cent did an interview with Power 92 Chicago recently where it seemed like he said your name as one of the producers he worked with for his new album. Is that correct or did we hear him wrong?
Drumma Boy: Yeah I heard that. 50’s worked with a lot of producers for his album but nothing is sure what’s gonna make the final cut. I did send him some stuff. You can’t be 100% sure till you get paid or something or you see the track on the album.
HHNM: So you haven’t got paid for it yet?
Drumma Boy: Nah I haven’t.
HHNM: What sort of beats did you send him? Southern based?
Drumma Boy: Yeah, I sent him a bunch. All kinds of, southern, eastern, world sounds. Let’s see how that comes out.
HHNM: Which other artists are you working with right now?
Drumma Boy: Me and Chris (Brown) are always working. We got that ‘Oh yeah’ joint out right now which is definitely hot. Y’all cop that on iTunes. We got some more stuff. I’m gonna be on that 2 Chainz album so be on the lookout for that. I got some stuff with Jeezy coming. Kanye’s management also reached out to me recently.
HHNM: Oh we would love to hear Kanye rapping on your beat again. What sound do you plan to create for him?
Drumma Boy: I haven’t really planned or sent him anything yet. Imma just send him some hot stuff, period.
HHNM: You have worked the some of the biggest artists in the game and produced some of the biggest songs of the last decade. Who is someone that you would like to work with but haven’t had the chance to do so?
Drumma Boy: Let me think. Umm.. Beyonce, John Legend and Missy Elliott.
HHNM: Okay, this is a question we ask everybody we interview here at Hip Hop N More: Prince or Micheal Jackson and why?
Drumma Boy: Micheal Jackson, hands down. Look at the music he made. You look at other artists and see how rude and arrogant they get after making a couple of million dollars. This man made great music and was so humble. You have a guy like Michal Jackson, the king of Pop, the king of the world walking around, treating people with most respect. Like you know, he had his morals together and his music, his dance, his performances, I’m a MJ fan. From 5 years old to 50 years old, we knew him for 45 years of his life. I don’t think I can say that about Prince.
HHNM: Thanks a lot for your time sir. Any message to the fans or shout outs?
Drumma Boy: Yeah man, thanks for the support. It was nice chatting with you. Shout out to my website drum-squad.com. Y’all follow me on Twitter: @DrummaBoyFRESH and stay tuned for more hits!