24: What have you been up to lately?
Jazze Pha: Working man on Jody Breeze’s project.
A new group I signed called Nephew, Lloyd and Ciara’s new album, so I have
been real busy.

24: After the success of Ciara’s first
album, did you feel any pressure making the new project?
Jazze Pha: No not really. [Ciara’s] more in
control of this album then on the first one, so the pressure is kind of off
me.

24: What happen with you and the Cee-Lo green
album you guys were doing that was coming out on Capitol Records?
Jazze Pha: To tell you the truth, I really don’t
even know [Capitol] put the single out and I’m not sure if it was disbelief
in the album or what, but that project might end up coming out on Atlantic and
it’s probably a better time now with the success of the Gnarls Barkley
“St.Elsewhere.” Plus we are both signed to Atlantic as artists.

24: What’s a must have piece of equipment
for you in the studio?
Jazze Pha: The MPC3000 AKAI that’s my must have
when making music.

24: If you had to choose the top 5 songs that
you produced, which songs would it be?
Jazze Pha: “1,2 Step” Ciara, “Area
Codes” Ludacris, “So What” Field Mob, “I Don’t
Wanna” Aaliyah, “Aww Naw” Nappy Roots.

24: What was your relationship with Cash Money?
Jazze Pha: I was just producing for them, doing some
work. We’re still cool but we don’t work as much together as we
did in the past.

24: The first time I ever saw you or heard one
of your tracks was on the Nappy Roots “Aww Naw,” but when was your
official introduction to the game?
Jazze Pha: The song was called “Shonuff”
for Eightball & MJG.

24: What made you want to start Shonuff Records?
Jazze Pha: A friend of mine told me we should go ahead
and start a label because at the time I was finding all of this great talent
and I was only the producer.

24: How did Lloyd end up signing with Shonuff
Records?
Jazze Pha: Well, actually he’s still on the
Inc. (formally known as Murder Inc.). We’re just managing him at Shonuff.

24: Which do you prefer working with artists
that are stars already or new talent?
Jazze Pha: It depends on who the artists is, but mostly
I like working with new artists because it’s always new ideas and direction.

24: This question is for up an coming producers
so they can see how hard work pay’s off. How much did you get when you
sold your first beat compared to what you charge now?
Jazze Pha: It’s a real big difference definitely,
even though I don’t like to mention how much I charge. So hard work does
pay off.

24: What advice would you give to a new producer
trying to get into the music industry?
Jazze Pha: Be original and keep up with what’s
going on so you can stay above and beyond what you hear.

24: What’s next for Jazze Pha and Shonuff
Records?
Jazze Pha: The new Ciara and Lloyd project. Plus I
have a album coming out too, it’s called “Jazze Pha Presents….”
So keep a look out for that to be in stores soon.

Interview by: Jay Carter