Exclusive interview with legendary hip hop producer 9th Wonder

4 May 2012

Exclusive interview with legendary hip hop producer 9th Wonder

North Carolina hip hop producer 9th Wonder should be considered nothing less than a legend! Having grafted in the game since 1997 his 'smooth and soulful production style' has been 'instrumental' in the success of underground hip hop trio Little Brother, as well as being vocalled by the likes of Jay-Z, Mary J Blige and Drake, to name just three.

He talks exclusively to Toby and Nick from Blatantly Blunt about tips for success in 2012, Little Brother and who he would love to work with in the future.

Q: From producing on the underground to getting through to Young Guru, which lead to producing for Jay-Z and Destiny's Child - all in a short time period… How was that period for you? What did you learn from it?

I LEARNED THAT ANYTHING WAS POSSIBLE, AND DOPE WAS DOPE, NO MATTER IF YOU WERE FROM THE UNDERGROUND/OVERGROUND WHATEVER. THERE WAS NO SUCH THING AS BOXES WHEN IT CAME TO INDIVIDUALS OF TALENT. JAY AND DESTINY'S CHILD SAW TALENT IN ME AND THAT'S ALL THAT MATTERED.

Q: Take us through a typical 9th Wonder studio session. Do you work live with the recording artist, or are you finding it more efficient sending tracks back n forth via email?

IF I CAN, I FIND IT MORE EFFECTIVE TO WORK WITH THE ARTISTS IN THE STUDIO. I ALSO LIKE TO GET TO KNOW THE PEOPLE THAT I AM WORKING WITH. THE BEST MUSIC IS MADE THAT WAY.

Q: Can we expect any forthcoming beats of yours with Little Brother?

PEOPLE STILL GET IS CONFUSED AT TIMES. LITTLE BROTHER STARTED AS A 3 MAN GROUP IN 2001. THERE WAS NO SUCH THING AS ME GIVING THEM A BEAT BECAUSE I WAS A MEMBER OF THE GROUP. LITTLE BROTHER AS IT STANDS IS NO MORE.

Q: We’ve been hearing Chris Brown rap over some 9th Wonder instrumentals lately. How did that come about and are you two are going to get to working in the studio?

I SAW A "REAL HIP HOP" TRACK HE DID A WHILE BACK OVER SOMEONE ELSE’S BEAT, AND THOUGHT THAT IT WOULD BE DOPE TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT. HE REACHED OUT AND CALLED ME WANTING TO DO A FEW JOINTS. THEY CAME OUT PRETTY DOPE. AGAIN, DOPE IS DOPE TO ME.

Q: You’ve already worked with just about anyone who’s anyone, who are the last few artists that you want to get it in with?

GHOSTFACE KILLAH AND T.I.

Q: With the current crowded hip-hop scene, what is your advice to the youngsters in the game that are in need of higher-level exposure?

THEY HAVE TO FIND OUT WHAT SUCCESS IS FOR THEM. BEING SUCCESSFUL IS ALL SUBJECTIVE TO THE PERSON. EVERYBODY HAS DIFFERENT GOALS.

Q: Who are you tipping for success in 2012, both on a producer and emcee level?

SOME OF MY FAVORITES BESIDES MY OWN TEAM IS BIG KRIT, MAC MILLER, JOEY BADA$$, KENDRICK LAMAR, CHUUWEE, TO NAME A FEW.

I REALLY DIG JOEY BADA$$ PROGRESSIVE ERA MOVEMENT AND I THINK ITS THE SECOND COMING OF THE GOLDEN ERA.

Q: Do you feel the sampling aspect of hip-hop is gradually become less important?

I DONT FEEL SAMPLING IS LESS IMPORTANT, ITS OUR CULTURE. SAMPLING WILL ALWAYS BE A PART OF IT. HIP HOP MUSIC IS NOT BASED ON THE INDUSTRY RULES....WE MAKE THEM.

Follow him on twitter @9thWonderMusic and make sure you don't miss his upcoming show in London on May 30. All info below!