Source catches up with the DC producer to talk about his influences, DC sound and why fans should be excited about ‘Album About Nothing
In recent years, the music in the D.C Metropolitan area has been bubbling with fresh talent that contrary to most people’s beliefs, is leaping face first into mainstream and shaking up the industry. With artists such as Wale, Fat Trel, Shy Glizzy and others making their own lanes in the game while staying close to their DC roots, the future of the rap scene in D.C is in good hands. But, what about the producers from the district?
Meet LG The Producer.
This 20-something is staying close to his roots while implementing a little soul into his production which is starting to catch the attention of some of hip hop’s biggest artists. LG has been able to produce for some of the games brightest and biggest names while remaining in his element and staying in his pocket. Peep the interview we had with the rising producer below.
For the people that are not familiar with you, tell the readers a little bit about yourself and how you got your start?
LG: My name LG The Producer, born and raised here in Washington DC. Got my start with a couple Young Money cats at the age of 17 then I started messing with a couple local cats. I then met Wale and he told me he liked my sound and wanted me to join his team.
You just mentioned you got your start with a couple people from the Young Money camp? Can you give us a rundown of some of the other artists you’ve worked with?
LG: Wale, Shy Glizzy, Fat Trel, Meek Mill, Chevy Woods, Nipsey Hussle, Jae Millz, pretty much everybody in Young Money except Nicki and Drake but it’s coming.
So more on your relationship with Young Money, how did your relationship with the camp come to fruition?
LG: Honestly, it all started because of Jae Millz. That’s how I got my start at 17. He brought me in before his deal was solid and got my foot in the door.
So with other regions like Atlanta, LA and New York all having their own distinct sound and DC having their own in “Go-Go”. Do you feel that this sound can break fully into mainstream and more artists would be more open to working with producers from the area?
LG: Absolutely. For a very long time, DC has been known as the underdogs, but now we are on fire. Alot of people don’t know that alot of songs people listen too have a little go-go in it. For example, Beyonce’s “Crazy Love” has alot of go-go influence in the record. Our drums are really different, you can tell our drum sounds from any other place.
So talk a little bit about your sound. Your sound is vastly different from a lot of producers in the area. Why did you pick the “Soul Sampling” lane?
LG – Honestly, I don’t know that many producers period that do soul samples anymore. The last person that did it really, was somebody I looked up to and it was Kanye West. When I heard Kanye for the first time and I heard a high-pitched voice in the background and I had to know where it came from. Plus, I love oldies, I grew up to it because my grandfather used to play it in the car and my mom was really soulful too.
Give us some names of some oldies your grandfather used to listen too?
LG- Man he loved the O’Jays and really loved The Dramatics. When I was at the age of 7 or 8 he used to play it around me so I always grew up around it.
So you always knew you were going to have a future in music?
LG: Honestly, I had no clue as to what I was going to do in my future. For awhile, I thought I was going to hoop since I used to play ball back in the day. It wasn’t till high school when my friend from NY put me on to “Fruity Loops.” So we were in high school and still trying to hoop and chase girls and he wasn’t hanging with us anymore so I asked him why and he said he’s focused on the music. So one of my friends heard his beat and was like “you’re wack” and I laughed and my boy was like “only reason you’re laughing is because you can’t do it.” So he made a bet that I couldn’t make a better beat than him if he gave me two weeks. I went home and picked up that premium and never put it down. The bet didn’t matter anymore.
So earlier you spoke about linking up with Wale and your sound. You really blew up off the production you laid down on Wale’s “Heaven’s Afternoon”? How did you even find the sample for the song?
LG: First of all, I been known for a long time for soul sampling. Any sample under the sun I pretty much have it. Originally, it was a disco song but when I heard it I knew I had to do something to it. I sat back and slowed it down so when I heard the loop I decided to add a crazy baseline and within 20-30 minutes I was done with the track. A week later around Christmas time in 2013, Wale was in the studio I think he was laying his verse down for that Kid Ink track “Bad Ass” with Meek Mill and I thought I was going to roll out. He said to me “you got three chances to play me something” and was like cool. So I pressed on the first one and it was Heaven’s Afternoon and we didn’t leave the studio.
So you knew this was the right track for the album?
LG: To be honest, I had no clue what was going to happen. I put all the songs on the thumb drive and gave it to the engineer, it was just luck. Wale was actually so inspired, he dropped the song the same day and it was titled “Heaven in the Afternoon” and back then it didn’t have Meek Mill on the track but the responses was crazy. So he brought the track back for the album, threw Meek on it and the rest is history.
So how has life changed for you after the responses from the track?
LG: I was getting noticed a little bit more, but I felt like people were now listening. I sacrificed pretty much my whole life for that moment, from my teen years, clubbing, chasing girls, to everything else to chase my dreams.
So what are you working for 2015?
LG: I’m working on Shy Glizzy’s album, Wale’s “Album About Nothing” and my own project titled “God’s Given”. My first single titled “Wake Up” features Nipsey Hussle and I’m in the works of getting Pusha T or Dom Kennedy on a track. I’m a very big fan of Dom so we may keep it strictly West Coast.
As you know, various hip hop sites, magazines and writers always put out their list as to the top up-and-coming acts to watch in the new year. That being said, who are some talents from the area or anywhere else you feel are going to have a good year?
LG: First off, LyQuin is going to have a good year. He really can do it all. Also, I think Goldlink is going to have a good year, I think me and him can do some stuff. I’m definitely interested in working with him. Now, I don’t know too many new acts, but a couple artists I would love to work with would be O.G’s like Young Jeezy, Dipset, Jay Z and Nas.
So with the slow emergence of DC acts into mainstream, do you still feel that the area is still being overlooked?
LG: I feel we still are, but we still getting looks here and there especially after what Shy just did.
So speaking of labels, are you getting any feedback from anybody?
LG: We been talking to a couple of people for a publishing deal but the situation has to be right. I’m in no rush, when the opportunity presents itself we’ll see. But, I have been talking to a good friend of mine at Roc Nation.
So you talked about Wale earlier. With his album due out March 31st, how’s it been working with him?
For the most part, we been working on the album for almost two years and I still remember when I got the call to make the beats with the Seinfeld skits on them. I never was really into Seinfeld, so I had to actually go back and do my research on the show. But now for the most part, he has Seinfeld himself in the booth so he could possibly use those skits instead.
Now with all the attention this upcoming album is getting, how do you think fans will react to the release?
LG: I think Wale fans at this point are very loyal and whatever he drops they are going to support it. This is something his fans been wanting since the More About Nothing project, so it will be great. Especially with the fact Seinfeld is in the studio with him working on the album. As a fan, I like it alot and people should be very excited. As a producer, it will be a great look for hip hop period. Hopefully Seinfeld could talk on one of my beats, that would be tight haha..
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