This is the first installment of the artist-to-artist interview series, where we put together two artists to ask each other questions. In this edition, PyInfamous and Sam.I.Am talk about beats, quotable lyrics, progression, and their collaboration on Unauthorized Discussion.
First, PyInfamous asks Sam.I.Am questions:
PyInfamous: What inspired you to do the Natty Hill project?
Sam.I.Am: It came from a couple different angles. First off I just wanted to work on something completely on my own as a producer. Nobody else’s name on it but mine, so if heads like it then its my fault, if they hate it then its my fault too. After I got the idea to do the project I just started hittin the lab with the project in mind and the beats started coming out. But on the natty hill tip, the name itself, that’s actually a bullshit nickname that this dude at my job calls me on a daily basis, I liked the sound of it, so that’s the title. Simple shit. haha
PyInfamous: What's your favorite beat from the project?
Sam.I.Am: I have to say I have two favorite beats on the project. ‘Listen To Me’ and ‘Say Goodbye (outro)’.
PyInfamous: What's your favorite quotable (couple of bars) from the Unauthorized Discussion project?
Sam.I.Am: My favorite bars from the Unauthorized EP, hands down has to be “don’t try to understand it you never will, you don’t need better beats you need better skills……” make sure you stay on your craft, keep your skills up or get em up if they aren’t there yet.
PyInfamous: Which song on Unauthorized Discussion do you rewind the most? Why?
Sam.I.Am: I have to go with the title joint for the EP, so ‘Unauthorized Discussion’ is my favorite joint on ‘Unauthorized Discussion’ haha. I choose that track because I like the whole vibe of the finished joint. The sample is filled with emotion and the drums ride smooth with it. then on top of that Py comes in and murders the whole beat with the illest laid back flow. Last thing tho, im hooked to the drop about 1:55 into the song and the way Py hits that’s part is insane!
PyInfamous: What was your reaction when the idea for Unauthorized Discussion was mentioned?
Sam.I.Am: DOPE!!!! Just hyped that we were gonna have another project and more tracks to add to our library of music we have so far. Also I was real hype on just doing another project alone. Cant have enough!
PyInfamous: Talk about the progression that has taken place from Intelligent Discussion to Unauthorized Discussion.
Sam.I.Am: Damn, its been a few years now and its been a long road but it’s a road left covered in good music as we drove down that shit! Haha. With intelligent discussion, that really wasn’t any big album we planned on making from the jump. Started out just a few tracks with my beats and Py spittin but then turned into an album so there really wasn’t much planning for it. we got some good feedback on that project so we decided to move on to ‘Extended Discussion’. We got to progress and do more with the organization of the project as a whole. Album came out with more of a clean sound to the actual tracks and also more focused. Now with ‘Unauthorized Discussion’ its almost like a mix of both. We’ve now really been able to progress with how we get the tracks done as a team and also I feel for myself I have a better feeling of what Py is gonna sound like on the beats when im making them.
PyInfamous: What should fans expect on Final Discussion?
Sam.I.Am: They should be expecting good music with a good message throughout the entire album. Should be expecting some real neck breakers on this one, a little more up tempo compared to the previous projects. There’s also some laid back joints your used to getting from Pyinfmaous and myself, but anyway you’ll be able to hear it when it drops this year!!
Next, they flip the script.
Sam.I.Am: What inspired you to do the Unauthorized Discussion project?
PyInfamous: There were a couple of different factors that influenced my decision to ask Sam to do the “Unauthorized Discussion” EP. First of all, when I downloaded “Natty Hill” and listened to the beats, I went into instant fan mode. I’ve always loved Sam’s work, but it’s almost like he took it up a few notches with this project. Secondly, a lot of folks had been asking me when I was going to drop something new. They already have “Intelligent Discussion” and “Extended Discussion” and they wanted more. We’re a little bit away from completing “Final Discussion,” so I wanted to give the people something to enjoy while we finished it up. Lastly, I’ve always loved to “jack” beats from other projects, which is why this is called “Unauthorized Discussion.” I figured whose beats were better to jack than the homie Sam.I.Am the Son!
Sam.I.Am: What's your favorite beat from the project?
PyInfamous: By far, my favorite beat on the project is Say Goodbye. It’s so dope that I didn’t even want to rap on it! That joint takes me to another place.
Sam.I.Am: What's your favorite quotable (couple of bars) from the Unauthorized Discussion project?
PyInfamous: My favorite few bars would have to be from “How I Dream”:
“Capitalism is slavery with your permission,
But it’s all good ‘cause you got a gold pot to piss in.
Niggas funny; I am laughing in my sleep.
Victory is freedom, but they’re happy with defeat”
Sam.I.Am: Which song on Unauthorized Discussion do you rewind the most? Why?
PyInfamous: I probably rewind Say Goodbye the most because it’s so short, and the beat is so crazy. As far as a full song, I think I rewind the title track “Unauthorized Discussion” most because the beat and lyrics just coalesce on that record.
Sam.I.Am: What was your thought process/hopes/expectations when you came across the idea of the EP?
PyInfamous: When I thought about doing “Unauthorized Discussion,” my main focus was creating more good music for the Discussion series. I think it adds breadth to the projects Sam and I have done and gives the fans a sneak peek at the type of music we’ll be making for “Final Discussion.” One of the keys in the industry today is putting out quality music on a frequent basis. Some people do one or the other, but Sam and I always try to do both. I think we achieved that with this project and will continue to do that as we move forward.
Sam.I.Am: Talk about the progression that has taken place from Intelligent Discussion to Unauthorized Discussion.
PyInfamous: I think the progression in the music is directly linked to the progression of the growth of Sam and I as artists and the growth of our friendship. We’ve been able to obtain a better understanding of who we are as people. Therefore, we can make music that complements that. When we did “Intelligent Discussion” we were just trying to make dope records. As we’ve continued to work together, we’ve begun to make dope records that express who we are and what we feel hip-hop is and needs.
Sam.I.Am: What should fans expect on Final Discussion?
PyInfamous: Well, they shouldn’t expect “Final Discussion” to be the final project Sam and I do together! That’s definitely not going to be the case. Fans can expect to hear a wide array of sounds, concepts and rhymes. This project knocks a lot harder than either of the other Discussion projects and has a more vibrant energy. Much like “Still the King” and “One Take” defined “Extended Discussion,” we have quite a few tracks that set a definitive tone for “Final Discussion.” In short, expect to be amazed…
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That's it for this time. Check back with the blog often for more from the Artist-to-Artist Series.
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