Coming into the music industry as a producer can sometimes be just as hard as it is being an artist. And just like so many artists who put out one record or one album and you never hear from them again the same goes for producers these days. So few producers have been able to stay true to their sound and production style and maintain consistently making quality record after quality record. Lately StreetRunner has been crafting records for artists such as Lil Wayne Tha Carter III which recently won a Grammy for “Album Of The Year” to Ludacris, LL Cool J and Ace Hood’s albums. I had to sit down with the man behind the 2003 Terror Squad hit “Take Me Home” which was his first placement and got things started for his bright career.
24: Your first big record that took off was Terror Squad‘s “Take Me Home” and a few years later you’re still here keeping it consistent working with everyone from Lil Wayne, Fat Joe, LL Cool J, Birdman, Ace Hood, Juelz Santana to Ludacris. Looking back to where you are now did you ever think when you first started you would achieve all that you have accomplished?
StreetRunner: Definitely, I never thought less then that. I never thought about not working with the best artists in the game. My whole goal from day one was to be the best and doing that record “Take Me Home” just opened the doors to working with so many others talented big named artist.
24: How would you best describe your production style?
StreetRunner: It’s “Soulful” but at the same time its “Aggressive & Hard“. I really don’t do bubble gum music. Definitely a lot of heavy drums, big horns, so I would say anything that sounds big and hard thats my style because even the Pop Music that I make is pretty aggressive.
24: I know you recently worked with Lil Wayne whose album got Grammy nominated not to mention Ludacris, LL Cool J, and Ace Hood albums so tell me who else are you working with right now?
StreetRunner: Right now its a little early to say what’s coming out but I have done records with Fabolous for his second album under Def Jam called “Loso’s Way“, right now I have the Intro for that album. I also been working with Flo Rida for his next album, I’ve been in the studio with Ross trying to get something on his album. I did two records for the Ludacris & Shawna albums as well as Rick Ross’s new artist Masspike Miles. Not to mention I have also done a record for Maino and I still have some records on hold for Papoose’s album, lastly Lil Wayne for the Rock album he’s doing.
24: It’s funny that you mentioned Masspike Miles because I recently did an interview with him and he told me he was working with you and I was going to ask you is there any new artist that you really like that you think you can get into the studio with and make some good music with?
StreetRunner: That right there was definitely a good connect because the music that we have made so far has been pretty much incredible. I’m pretty sure I could make a hot record for Kid Cudi. It’s always hard to say who’s going to pop off next but I’m working with a few artists that I feel strongly about and I’m always looking for that next dude who’s signed to a major and who has talent.
24: Do you have a record that you produced that you are the most proud of, if you had to choose?
StreetRunner: Right now, I would have to say “Gossip” that I did for Lil Wayne. I really love what “Gossip” did and it was good to be on Tha Carter III with “Playing With Fire” and I really like the swag on this Ludacris record I did for him which features Rick Ross. So those records there and “Take Me Home” because every time I heard it on the radio I was shocked because I heard that beat for 2,3 years before I sold it then to hear it on the radio like that it was dope. At the same time I feel like I still haven’t made the best record I can as yet, its the matter of the right artist getting on it.
24: I really think you and Ross can make that happen. I think if you and Ross get together and go in, it can definitely happen with him.
StreetRunner: I should be meeting with him soon and Ross is definitely an artist I would love to get a record with.
24: If I see Ross I will definitely campaign for that record to happen, because I think that some timeless music can come out of that combination.
24: From your experience so far in the game what advice would you give to a new producer seeking his first placement?
StreetRunner: You cant be afraid to pass out beat CD’s, a lot of producers are afraid to do that. A lot of producers are worrying about people jacking their shit, but if your shit is that easy to jack then you need to keep working on your music. It’s one thing if they jack your sound a little bit but they shouldn’t be able to jack your whole style. And you might have to pass out a million CD’s to just get that one call back or placement.
24: Are there any producers in the game at the moment that make you want to step up your production and take it to another level or a record that you wish you had produced?
StreetRunner: I always like hearing what JustBlaze does, he’s always been dope to me. Other then that it’s tough man, but one track that influenced me this year was “Swagger Like Us” when I heard that beat it sounded crazy to me from the drum work to the idea to the synthesizer but not too much music gets me going like that. If it was like back in “98” I would of had named a gang of producers or artists but for right now I just try to stay in my own lane and zone out.
24: Do you have any plans of starting your own label?
StreetRunner: Me and my partner Jay, we are both working with an artist by the name of Oz. We’re trying to make him the next big thing out of Miami so we have been crafting him, it’s going to take a little bit of time and getting that capitol behind him but as far as Lyrics & Flow he’s there. Also there’s another artist as well as a Pop singer called Joel Ashley she’s dope and we’re working with her.
24: When it’s all said and done what do you want the people to say StreetRunner brought to the game?
StreetRunner: A consistent sound, I’m not trying to be that dude that goes on a 2,3 year run then you never hear him again. I’m trying to do them Dr.Dre numbers so my kids can be good and have a catalogue that clears 400,500 records, I’m here for the long run. I’m not trying to do those trendy or bubble gum records.
24: What’s next for you in 2009 that everyone should look out for?
StreetRunner: Basically, it’s always going to be hot music for me. For those out there who love to hear a hot sample chopped up the way that nobody else would do it that’s going to be here with my music. I forgot to mention that I’m working with Twista also and I’m trying to get a single this year even if its on a street level that will burn up the streets or radio. It’s always going to be hot records though, so if I drop on 10 albums the people will like 9 out of 10 of those records that’s just the way I’m trying to do my records.
24: Any last words you would like to leave the readers with?
StreetRunner: If they want to hear more of my records they can go to www.myspace.com/streetrunnerbeats, and they can get updated on what I’m doing and be on the look out for Masspike Miles and Oz.
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