Warning: Use of undefined constant gallery - assumed 'gallery' (this will throw an Error in a future version of PHP) in /home/c8qi844vijfu/public_html/news/wp-content/themes/blankslate-child/single.php on line 6

Warning: Use of undefined constant this - assumed 'this' (this will throw an Error in a future version of PHP) in /home/c8qi844vijfu/public_html/news/wp-content/themes/blankslate-child/single.php on line 6

Warning: Use of undefined constant another - assumed 'another' (this will throw an Error in a future version of PHP) in /home/c8qi844vijfu/public_html/news/wp-content/themes/blankslate-child/single.php on line 6

P-MONEY INTERVIEW


Warning: Use of undefined constant interviews - assumed 'interviews' (this will throw an Error in a future version of PHP) in /home/c8qi844vijfu/public_html/news/wp-content/themes/blankslate-child/entry-content.php on line 18

After a stint with producing house/pop music over the past few years P-Money has returned to his primary specialty, hip hop. With an assortment of some of the finest and current players in the game right now, he calls on his new Duck Down Music family with features from Skyzoo and Buckshot; Kiwi artists Aaradhna and @Peace and even Pac Div, Talib Kweli and Fashawn.

Money’s next album “Gratitude” is set to draw continents together and will be released Friday May 17th in New Zealand and Australia. In the interview below he talks about counting his blessings and having never foreseen his career to extend as far as working with some of his childhood idols but being very grateful that it has.

What have been the highlights of being a part of Duck Down so far?
Working with Buckshot (co-founder of Duck Down Music and member of legendary group Black Moon) was dope. He was one of my favorite MC’s in the nineties. To get to record with him in person was a great thing. He’s a very creative, spiritual type of person and he embodies the Hip-Hop spirit. Buckshot is a living legend in my eyes.

What’s the experience been like, having access to more artists like Talib Kweli and Skyzoo?
It’s been a blessing of course. With Duck Down co-signing our movement it opens doors for me and makes artists more receptive than if I was to cold call them on my own. You can’t underestimate the power of that brand when engaging revered Hip-Hop artists such as Talib Kweli or M.O.P. for example. Of course it doesn’t mean Duck Down can dictate whether an artist will do the feature or not, but at least they will take the meeting or respond to the email request.

Are you able to say who will accompany you on the Gratitude tour?
The tour is me and David Dallas. I’ll be DJ’ing and Dave will be performing his own stuff too.

What’s been your favorite place/or performance whilst living and performing music in the States?
I did a showcase at the US DMC regional finals in Connecticut. That was crazy because I hadn’t showcased my turntablism in years. I got to perform and judge alongside DJ Grand Wizard Theodore, the inventor of the scratch! Definitely a career highlight in regard to DJing.

What was the idea behind the photo for the album art for Gratitude?
The album cover concept was suggested by photographer Tom Gould. He had the idea for the chalkboard and me writing a bunch of words relating to the and then buffing it out and writing more stuff over the top. It’s all track titles, guest artist names, locations, themes etc written on there. I also wanted to dress smart for the cover. To give the cover the feeling of an important event. Like dressing up for a formal occasion.

As a beat maker/producer who or what are your influences when making a beat?
Mood and feel. It’s all mood and feel. I arrange sounds to evoke emotion in me and/or the listener. Then each decision, from drum sounds to programming to mixing is made in an effort to retain and convey that emotion correctly.

Do you have a favorite song on “Gratitude” or one that’s perhaps closer to your heart than others?
“Honey” is a favorite. I love what Nicole did with that one vocally. She interpreted it so well. The chop that I did is kinda cool when you know the original record and also the turnarounds don’t come in where you might expect them to but it all works. When Jamall added his verse to it he nailed the subject perfectly. It’s a sexy love song and there is some overt flirting going on between the characters in the track. Thats something I haven’t touched on before with a hip-hop song. Im really happy with how that turned out.

What will be the first music video/single for “Gratitude”?
We’re looking to do a few. I think the first one will be with Aaradhna and Talib Kweli.

When did you make your first beat and what did you make it on?
That depends on what you count as my first beat. I made beat loops on cassette tape when I was 12. I programmed my first drum machine at 16. It was a Boss DR-660, the sounds were kind of whack but it was fun to learn on.

You got to judge a DJ battle with Grand Wizard Theodore, who you mentioned invented scratching, describe that experience in retrospect?
It was a low key day. Theodore is a very cool and chill guy from New York. Except he invented scratching!! Which is almost unfathomable when you consider how that has influenced music and culture worldwide, not to mention the immediate impact on my own life. I felt like I should offer him some high praise but didn’t know how to express it. Instead I just observed how he was, said a few words and kept it ultra respectful. It’s crazy to say that I have DJ’ed with him and that I was afforded that level or respect from DMC USA to share a judging panel alongside a living legend.

What were you judging?
DMC Regional Final, Hartford Connecticut.

Since developments in technology have made production gear and DJ equipment more accessible, what do you deem as key traits in a DJ or beat maker to identify them as really good or at the top of their game-especially when there is a flood of self proclaimed DJ’s and producers in the market now days?
DJ and Beatmaking are two very different fields so I’ll answer them separately. A good DJ to me is someone who can play music in such a way as to create a tangible mood and energy in a room. The emotion can shift and change throughout the course of your set but it must move smoothly and evoke a positive reaction from your audience. Song selection and transitions are what its all about. How you do that, with what kinds of music and with what tools, is up to you.

A good producer/beatmaker is one who makes good beats. Once again the tools don’t really matter that much to me. Some of the best music has been made on very limited equipment. In saying that, the sonics are important. Your choice of sounds can make or break you. You must have a good ear and understand how things fit together. Its important to understand how different sounds and rhythms affect people (thats why a lot of great producers have started as DJs first, because as a DJ you see first hand how music affects people, what they like and what they don’t like).

When you DJ is it a different mind set to when you’re making beats? Can you describe it?
Yes, it is very different but each activity informs the other. DJing has made me a good producer. Reading a crowd, learning from trial and error what works and what doesn’t in all kinds of different environments. DJing is performance, it’s fun and it’s immediate.

Writing music is a different kind of inspiration, almost a meditation when you really get tuned in and involved with the process. And there is not always a response when you finish a piece of music. Some things never get heard and other things may take many months before they are released to the public.

You have mentioned in past interviews, that from the time you started music, you surpassed the expectations of your own self a long time ago. What did you do or how did you re-route your path or plan for your career?
There have definitely been a few achievements that I hadn’t even considered as part of the plan. When starting out making beats and songs with my friends I never considered having a number one single (I’ve produced five of them). That just wasn’t what happened with the music I liked. It was more of an underground movement. But we gained a lot of popularity rather quickly and those things became reality. So I set other goals, a gold album happened, then a multi-platinum project, then big stages, tours etc. A lot of cool shit happened quickly and I tried to navigate it as best I could. I’m not so good at making long term plans but I’m pretty good at making decisions in the moment, when there is no time to waste. That’s what’s guided me for most of my life. It’s like, “Which way are we going now? Left or right?”, I’ll call it on the spot and live by it.

What’s the best thing about working for yourself?
Going to sleep when you want and waking up when you feel like it.

What’s the downfall?
Sometimes you still get no sleep because you have to do everything yourself!

What is your definition of Grindin?
Achieving your objectives.

Interview by Aleyna Martinez

Leave a Reply