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FOCUS INTERVIEW
RapCapital.com: What's good Focus? Just have to let you know from the gate that it's an honor to interview someone from the hottest label out! So here we go....
Focus: The honor's all mine...
RapCapital.com: How did you get your start producing?
Focus: I've been into music since I was a little kid. My dad, (Bernard Edwards of CHIC), was making music history with his partner, Nile Rodgers and I got to watch and learn first hand how to be a great producer. My dad was the reason I started producing...
RapCapital.com: We know you can play different instruments, can you tell us which one(s)?
Focus: Well, my dad was a bassist so by watching him play, I can do a little something with bass and guitar. I also play drums and keys...
RapCapital.com: Do you think production from someone who can play instruments rather someone who cant will have a better final outcome?
Focus: The only thing that determines the outcome of the production is how well the producer pays attention to where the instruments sit in the composition... Live instrumentation definitely adds on to the otherwise electronic sound of our music but, it doesn't always make it better...
RapCapital.com: We hear you have east coast roots, you work on the westcoast and live in the south. Out of all areas you lived in which was ya favorite? and has this area influenced your production at all?
Focus: I love it in the south! Living there and listening to the sound of the south brought the bounce to my music. The west gave me that laid back, melodic feel and the east gave me the abrasive, in-your-face drums I'm known for using...
RapCapital.com: What new projects are you working on ?
Focus: Mainly working on Dre's Detox. This LP is definitely going to be a turning point in my career and I'm trying to do my thing on that one. I just finished a joint with The Game and Too Short. Been working with G.A.G.E., did some work with a couple rappers over in France and i've been sending stuff out to everyone interested in working with me...
RapCapital.com: Can you tell us some of the artists and producers you have worked with and currently are?
Focus: Artists.. I've worked on The Game's first one, Tony Yayo, Busta Rhymes (for my mixtape), Dion (Hi Tek's artist signed to Aftermath), Beyonce', Petey Pablo, 112, Christina Milian, Usher, Joe and even P!nk's first joint... I'm working with Jojo (Blakcground), Keke Palmer (Atlantic), and a lot of new artists including my own... Trying to build a solid team myself. As for producers, I haven't had the honor to collab with many yet but it's in the works....
RapCapital.com: You also have your own label right? Are you trying to sign any new talent?Who's presently on your roster now?
Focus: Yes I do... I am proud of my label, a.Fam Records,Inc. I have a start-up roster of about 5 artists. F'lana Star, 620, Verb and Rock, MR., and Epik. I also have people i've worked with allied with a.Fam like my peoples over at Loyalty Ent. (Fokis), Arabia Entertainment (Salah Edin), Under Boss Ent. (Al Gator). So the fam is about to be unstoppable.
RapCapital: Here at rapcap we try to ask questions the fans would want to know personally.Some may be a bit astray from the norm,but its definately interesting from the outside in.?
Focus: Hit me...
RapCapital: Favorite 5 artists of all time from any music genre?
Focus: 1.) Kim Burrell 2.) Prince 3.) Stevie Wonder 4.) Biggie Smalls 5.) System Of A Down, Linkin Park,
RapCapital: Favorite Gangsta Flick?
Focus: Usual Suspects
RapCapital: What's a typical day like for Focus?
Focus: Up at 5:30am to get my kids ready for school. Catch a couple z's then BANG OUT THE BEATS ALL DAY LONG!!! or at least until my kids get home....
RapCapital: Do you feel hiphop is in its prime or decline right now?
Focus: I hate to say it but i'm not impressed with hip hop's status at all. I wouldn't say either... (but BUSS' RECORD IS HOT TA DEF...lol. plug for the god!)
RapCapital: What 5 cd's are in your cd player right now?
Focus: My mixtape ItHad2Happen, Prince's Under the Cherry Moon, my artists F'lana's single "I'm Not...", Earth, Wind and Fire's Greatest Hits, Busta Rhymes Big Bang... (i mostly use my iPod.. I like too much sh*t)
RapCapital: How did you get with Aftermath?
Focus: A cat named Mike Lynn brought me to Dre. I was working with an artist by the name of Daks and Daks' representative, Mone, holla'd at Dre about Daks. Dre and Mike heard something in me I guess. next thing you know Mike flew me out to meet Dre.... the rest is history.
RapCapital: What is it like working with Dr. Dre?
Focus: It's an honor yo... Way past a dream come true position, feel me? I'm working with my main mentor. On one hand it's a major accomplishment but on the other, it can be nerve racking yo....
RapCapital: Is he a true perfectionist like they say?
Focus: "HELL YEA!" Probably more than they say. That's one of the things that makes him a legend. He doesn't strive to be mediocre.. He always goes the extra miles and gives the extra push... I dig that.
RapCapital: In 5 years where would you like to see yourself?
Focus: A great Father to my sons.... A legendary producer, a.Fam label owner but always as a PRODUCER... Just making my music. Real music!
RapCapital: So in closing plug anything you feel necessary,let the fans know anything you feel necessary.Give any shouts or F .U.'S
whatever you feel necessary!
Focus: Haha! I'm too old for F.U.'s (haha). I love everyone... HAHA! Shout to everyone at Aftermath... Angelo, Kirdis, Wendel, Dre, Gage, Bishop, Buss, Dion, Hi Tek, Marcia, etc. Much love to my fam, a.Fam who have been there since day one and have given me the honor of molding their careers... My right hand's Angi Franklyn and G. Mayers. My artists F'lana Star, 620 (620 Productions, Devette and Donna), MR., Verb and Rock, and Epik... Shout the Aphilliates Drama, Sense and Cannon.. All my peoples keep up with my music, i have so much more in store for you.... I won't let you down.. To all you wack music makers, be afraid... TheIndustry'sWorstNightmare... To all the hot new producers holla at ya boy and let's take this game over....Stay Humble, Stay Hungry and Stay Focused.
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