It’s been 2 and a half years since I first interviewed producer Jake One who now needs no introduction. Since then, the Seattle beatsmith has gone on to produce some standout songs for Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa, 50 Cent, Freeway and T.I. just to name a few. This past weekend, I had the wonderful opportunity to re-connect with him where he talked about producing the entire new Brother Ali album, his trademark sound, possible upcoming releases with Drake, 50 Cent & Kendrick Lamar, status of his own pending album White Van Music II, who he would like to produce for in the future, lost Eminem collaboration and much more. We hope you enjoy reading it.
HHNM: Thanks for taking out your valuable time for us. Last time we spoke, it was January 2010 and ‘Stimulus Package’ was just about to release. How have you been and how do you describe the time since then?
Jake One: I’ve been pretty good man. I had my first kid in May 2011. I’m happy.
HHNM: What are you working on right now?
Jake One: All kind of different things. I finished Brother Ali’s album Mourning In America, Dreaming In Color, it’s finally done. That comes out August 21st. I produced the whole thing. It was probably done over a year ago but we kept going back and changing things. It’s finally come to a place where we both wanted it. We worked a lot on it. I got a couple of really big things coming up very soon but I don’t wanna speak on it and jinx it (laughs).
HHNM. Ha. Okay, fair enough. So How was it working with Brother Ali again and how do you describe the sound of this new album?
Jake One: He’s probably the most intense artist I’ve worked with because he’s very demanding. It is also good because we’re genuinely friends and I’m not afraid to say anything to him. We’re very honest about whatever we’re doing. The best thing about working with him is that he really believes in what he’s saying and rapping about. He’s very serious about the message he wants to get across to the listeners.
HHNM: That ‘Stop The Press’ joint is crazy. I love that one.
Jake One: Thanks man. The album is definitely on that level. It’s gonna be a great one.
HHNM: You continue to work with 50 Cent and each time, the result is great. Both ‘Body On It’ and ‘Lay Down’ are dope. He has a new album coming out on Interscope called ‘Street King Immortal’. Can we expect to hear another one on there?
Jake One: He’s definitely recorded something but I’m really not sure if it will make the album because they haven’t told me anything. There’s a record that I did for him and they paid me for it so they’re definitely serious about it. That one is really dope. I think it’s called ‘Hustler’ or something like that. He’s putting out free music right now and watching the response which a lot of artists are doing right now.
HHNM: The problem with 50 is that he’s put out pretty consistent material in the past few years but somehow listeners are finding it cool to hate on him for whatever reason. They will say negative things about his music on social media even if they necessarily don’t feel that way. What do you think?
Jake One: It’s just the inevitable backlash. He was just so popular that people were just waiting for a reason to not like him, you know what I mean. They just made a villain out of him. If you’ve been rocking with him from the start, his music really hasn’t changed that much. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or bad thing. He’s great at doing what he does but the climate has changed so much. It’s just natural, it happens with almost everybody. He’s still 50, he’s still entertaining and that’s the bottom line. Gangsta Rap was running shit for decades but the times have changed now. I can never have any complaints about him. He really put me in a good place from the beginning. I was just doing my thing locally until I caught that wave. It was really dope.
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HHNM: You have created your own lane as far as sound is concerned. You really seem to focus a lot on drums which makes your beats stand out. Where does the inspiration come from?
Jake One: You know, it’s just the era of Rap I come from. I grew up listening to DJ Premier, Pete Rock and Dr. Dre. Hip-Hop used to be pretty much about drums purely. I’m just always trying to find out new ways to program and use them in different ways. I try to put a different twist to them. Like that ‘Body On It’ beat. It wasn’t what 50 normally raps to but I wanted to make something that fits. Even that other song I did for Wiz, ‘The Grinder’. I’m really happy with the response to that one. That’s the challenge I love. How do I make something that’s me but is different at the same time and doesn’t sound like 1990.
HHNM: Yeah, most of the times I do recognize your beat straight away. They have a certain edge to them.
Jake One: Yeah, it’s like your DNA in music. It’s kind of a good thing. Everyone wants their signature sound and I don’t know if I exactly have that but everything of mine has a certain feel which is important.
HHNM: Drake previewed a new song the other day in a video clip while he’s smoking hookah. Is it true that you produced it?
Jake One: Yeah, that’s the song I did for him.
HHNM: Tell us how that collaboration came out and where it will end up.
Jake One: You know I’m not even sure at this point. I’ve been talking to him off and on, sending him stuff. There were some records that he really liked. That was one of them he recorded. Hopefully, you will get to hear the music soon.
HHNM: Cool. That joint ‘Salute’ on T.I.’s last album was outstanding as well. Are you two working again on his next album ‘Trouble Man’?
Jake One: Thanks man. My boy Steve at Atlantic actually hooked that up for me. He made that one happen. But I haven’t sent him any beats recently. I’m not sure what direction he’s going in with the new one. A couple of years ago I definitely made an effort to do more stuff for the guys in South because they’re kinda running rap right now. And I think some of the stuff I do can make sense with that.
HHNM. Back in January 2010, you told me that you were trying to put out ‘White Van Music II’ before the end of year. What’s up with that? When will our lucky day arrive?
Jake One: (Laughs) You know the main problem is that these artists do songs with me and then they don’t wanna give it to me. They just keep the shit. But I got about 9 songs right now actually. During 2010-2011, I started liking some of the new artists. I wasn’t really into that earlier. I’ve been making effort to get some of that on the album. And what happens is that these younger dudes usually know who I am and I think like ‘oh this should be easy’ but then I have trouble getting these guys to actually give me the records! Actually the fact that I’m in Seattle also makes it a bit hard for me to catch people. I can put out an album right now but it wouldn’t be what I want because I don’t wanna do the same shit I’ve done on the first one. It’s definitely gonna be different. I really do have some bangers though. You know it’s funny because I think I have a lot of singles but not really the meat of the album (laughs).
HHNM: Ha. So how much longer do you want us to wait?
Jake One: I don’t wanna even say it now. I’m just giving y’all the Brother Ali album. Everybody get off my back now (laughs). I got people on Twitter making fun of me saying it’s Detox status now. But nah, it’s not the same. It’s kinda cool that people still wanna hear it. The first one did well but this second one will definitely show a different side of me.
HHNM: Can you name some of the artists we can expect to hear on that album?
Jake One: Umm.. Mayer Hawthorne, MF Doom, Elzhi, Brother Ali, Freeway, Curren$y, Scarface. I have some surprises as well but I don’t wanna talk about it right now.
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HHNM: That’s a pretty good lineup already. How do you like the present Seattle Hip-Hop scene?
Jake One: Man, I think it’s really big right now. I don’t think it’s ever been like this as far as popularity is concerned. People are coming to Seattle for shows and all that, it’s definitely doing well. Macklemore is doing well. There are some other dudes who are about to break into the scene. I’ve been working with everyone. If I think someone’s good, I just give them the beats. I don’t wait for superstars to give beats to. I make a lot of beats so I wanna be active on that side all the time.
HHNM: So do you always stick to your twitter bio ‘Broke rappers not welcome’ when it comes to upcoming artists? Ha.
Jake One: (Laughs) Well, I get tons of emails every day from random people just wanting beats. I don’t have enough beats for that and most of them aren’t even good enough to be getting beats. But famous rappers have hit me on Twitter and I think it’s good for that. If somebody’s looking for you they can find you there. I’ve managed to get some good work off Twitter. A big rapper will follow you and say ‘I want some’. It’s easier for them since they don’t have to go through all the middle men and know exactly what’s going on which I think is really dope.
HHNM: Definitely. Which artists are you producing for right now? Tells us about your future endeavors.
Jake One: I got some stuff man. Scarface definitely I know has something coming. His album is really dope. I have a couple of beats on there. There are a couple of big ones I did but I don’t wanna jinx it man. Brother Ali is another one I know for sure is coming. Everything else is just waiting till someone pulls the trigger. Oh Yeah, I did some work with Action Bronson, we have something in the works.
HHNM: Most producers have some artists in mind that they wanna collaborate with. What about you? Who would you like to work with?
Jake One: I think Kendrick. The whole TDE, I like those guys. Kendrick actually rapped on some stuff, I just don’t have it yet (laughs). Even ScHoolboy Q rapped on some stuff. I don’t think that will be on Kendrick’s album but yeah, he definitely rapped on some stuff. I like Dom Kennedy’s music a lot too. Freddie Gibbs is another one.
HHNM: I really think you and Eminem will kill a track together and I remember you saying in an interview that you did something with him.
Jake One: Oh yeah, I actually did a song for his last album but they didn’t use it in the end. I didn’t even get a chance to hear it. I definitely need to get something with him. He’s really one of the best things going in music right now. Hopefully it will happen.
HHNM: Good luck on that sir. Just like last time, it was a lot of fun talking to you. Thanks for your time.
Jake One: No problem man. Thanks for the support.
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