Written By Tito Maya
One thing that always intrigued me about the Rec Boys is that they never hesitate to shine light on creatives who may not get their just do’s in the public eye due to them being behind the scenes. This episode they interview super multiplatinum producer Self.
They start the interview off discussing Chris and Self’s residency change from NY to Florida and how they both enjoy the transition and peace this move has brung them. Self shares his story how coming home from prison and getting plugged in with Salt N Pepper as security because they wanted to keep him out of trouble. The Rec Boys share their similar background stating Shad had served a similar sentence and came back from prison and introduced Chris to the music business.
The “Whatz My Name” DMX Producer continues to state that the 90s is the best era of music and that he was blessed to come up in the game when he did. Stating his first beat he made $5,000 and that it was a come up in comparison to the short money he was making in the streets.
Self went from making beats in a basement to getting a placement with Onyx on their track “Shut’em Down” and ending up with 7 tracks on their album including remix features from DMX, NORE, and the late great Big Punisher.
Chris brings up a recent interview Self had on Math Hoffa’s podcast and how the younger guys were unaware of all of Self’s credentials as a producer who paved the way in the 90s for producers today. Self continues stating he has started an Producer’s academy to guide the younger generation of producers in the right direction. Self explains his experiences in college getting and audio engineering degree and how the education wasn’t as valuable as he expected.
“Every great producer had vices” - Self
He explains his creative process stating that his vice is drinking and how drinking opened his mind to new ideas and feelings; which allowed him to tap into the unique sounds he was creating at the time. Chris asks Self if he ever experienced any harsh criticism on his production where Self confidently states “Nobody has ever said anything negative. Ive been blessed. My shit has always been banging.” He reiterates his vice (drinking) assisted him in his inspiration and that when he pulled up to the studio other producers would pack their bags and leave cause he was just too on point.
“My whole life aint about music no more” - Self
Self continues how he has expanded his business ventures and now focuses more on licensing his sounds through movies and TV rather than album placements.
“Do you regret not signing to Irv Gotti” - Chris
“I stand firm on my decision. If I signed to Murder Ink I would have been limited to what artist I could work with. I was able to spread my wings and work with everyone I did due to me not signing to Irv.” - Self
Giving some great insight to people aspiring to do what he has done. He goes indepth with his relationships and how he has matching tattoos with Bone Thugz to solidify his industry ties.
“I can’t take any credit for my career. First its to God the rest is to my team” - Self
Self nonchalantly lights his cigar and claims “Hip-Hop started in the Bronx, but who turned it into a business? The borough of Queens”. He continues to list credible figures who have came from the Northside of Queens like DJ Clue, Russell Simmons, and Irv Gotti; who all grew up where he was raised. “A 10 block radius birthed the business of Hip-Hop.”
“Were you the first to get DMX on a record” - Chris
Self replies that no he was not the first and explains how DMX was rapping 10 years before his breakthrough single “Get At Me Dawg.” Self states that Irv Gotti was the A&R for Onyx’s single “Shut’em Down” and pushed for DMX to be on the remix. Self describes Irv Gotti’s calculated approach and says Irv strategically timed the releases of “Shut’em Down” with DMX’s “Get At Me Dawg.”
“I can remake the Whatz My Name beat right now, Irv can’t” - Self
Going in detail of how Irv charged a finders fee for getting Self this placement. Self states “I think he should have got a percentage but not the same as the person who made the beat.” Self continues on informing listeners that Irv did indeed tell Self this placement would change his life.
In closing this was a great interview for anyone in search of some great stories of how classics came to be. This definitely leaves you with the hunger for more and we’re all excited to hear Self’s new upcoming soundtrack. Yesterdays price, is not today’s price! Tito Maya signing out!