Exclusive 2 for 1, Drake & Boi 1da ~ Video's & Interviews

[Legion of Beats]

Directed by Hype Williams. Drake featuring Kanye West,
Li'l Wayne, & Eminem, produced by Toronto’s own, Boi-1da.

Origional Post


We also gonna re-up the first interview Legion Music & Media and the Producers Manual did with Boi 1da last year:
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Legion Music & Media tracks down one of the busiest and sought after producers from the dot (actually Pickering). After many attempts we finally sit down to conduct this interview:

Boi 1da, the producer that started out banging out beats for his (then) group, Straight Grimes to bangin' out hits for Drake, G-unit, and the upcoming Ludacris album. Tell us how you started out.

1da~ I started out in highschool, rapping with my crew, SG. I eventually figured I had no business being a rapper (lol), but wanted to still be involved with my crew...

You mean, you wanted to get into managing the group, marketing, promo?

1da~ Nah, I still wanted to be involved musically and we were tired of spittin' over industry beats, so I tried a hand at producing.

Oh, what was your initial weapon of choice?

1da~ Fruity Loops, now known as Fl Studio.

So where did you meet your crew members from Straight Grime?

1da~ Oh we all went to school together and met up in Grade 10 at Pickering High School.

When did you start to get noticed as a producer?

1da- I entered the first Battle of the Beat makers in Toronto
and surprisingly won.

And that's when people started recognizing the talent?

1da~ Yeah actually, Aristo was hosting and we linked up after the show. I didn't know who he was before, but saw what he was working with. I ended up producing two tracks for him, "East Meets West" and "Right Now." They got airplay, which helped me out as well.

What did you learn from that experience that you can share with other producers?

1da~ Well besides the exposure...DONT TRUST RAPPERS!

LOL! So, what was the next step in your career? What did you do next to keep it moving?

1da~Yeah, had to keep it moving. I went on and started a "camp" with D-10 and Voyce Alexander. The camp eventually fell apart over some management issues and Voyce ended doing his own thing. We dropped the management and created a new camp which includes, Drake. The new camp is known as, ATF. Since then we have been with , Keshia Chante, Devine Brown, Adreena Millz, Big Sauks, and working on Drakes album.

So ATF, All Things Fresh is You, D-10, and Drake? What a team!

1da~ Yes Siiiiiiir! And we have other "contributors" to the team as well.

And how did you end up meeting up with the other artist you've worked with?

1da-~ Directly, either thru D-10, Drake, and from other artist recommending us.

By the way, I recently heard that "Red light Green light" track on the G-Unit mixtape, "Elephant in the sand." How did you guys get on that?

1da~ We got that thru Esco, who is known for his beat/production placements. He got mixtape placements in the past for peeps like Soundsmith.


Is that Esco from Beat Traffiker?


1da~ Yeah, he manages peeps like me and Megaman for placements.

Nice! So how did Red light Green light come about? Take us thru the creative process on that one.

1da~ Aight, it was me and Tony2Tone, the Beat Juggernaut on the set of The Incredible Hulk. Some scenes were shot down town Toronto, you'll see the popular down town scenery when it comes out...

Seen!

1da~ ...So 2Tone and I were tryna get our Drake on (lol) by being extras in the movie... Tony walked with his lap top and had this crazy synth loop he was working on...

And the rest they say, is history. So tell us about Boi 1da, the producer. Your influences and where you want to take your creative skills?

1da~ Well...my influences mainly come from producers like, Swizz Beats, Timbaland, Dr. Dre. I also listened to and grew up with a lot of dance hall music thru my parents, relatives, and friends.

You were born in Jamaica, right?

1da~ Yah mon. lol.

And now that we see your past influences, where do you want to go from here musically?

1da~ I want to keep my mind opened musically. Like, I not only produce Hip Hop, I produce R 'n B, Pop, and anything that I can make work. I want to continue on with the open mindedness...it can't hurt and is definitely a plus. For example, I attended Ole Song Camp...

Like "Band Camp," as in American Pie? lol!

1da~ LOL! Not exactly (still laughing). It was a cool production and songwriting camp held by Phase One Studios... I would say, I came out of there with some great insight and knowledge. I created a country song while there as part of a project. I like things like this that keeps my mind expanding.

Do we see Boi 1nda on a country album in the future?

1da~ lol. you never know, anything is possible... lol lol lol.

What other people or circumstances in the industry has been an influence and inspiration to you?

1da~ I gotta say peeps like Sauks, who like to teach me about the (industry) game, how it works, etc. and Noah Shabib aka 40/40, who is the best vocal engineer and mixer in the game. Big shout outs to those two.

Nice. What artist would you like to work with?

1da~ Oh man, there's this dude named Lacrae. He's this sick Christian rapper outta Atlanta. I tried to holla at him, but nothing yet.

Cool, cool. Which of your productions got you the most spins to your knowledge?

1da~ I would say, probably Drake's, "Replacement Girl" which was co-produced by T.Williams and (Juice) Rochester's, "Pull Up."

The Replacement Girl video

should have done more...but we won't get into that.

Aight. When you are producing for different types of mc's, different type of artist, how do you go about it with the artist in mind.

1da~ I learn the style of the artist. For example, Drake or someone like Bishop, I go at it grimy, with something "catchy" in mind. For someone like Saukrates, it has to be different, crazy shit!

Thats (some) crazy, ill insight right there! You mentioned earlier to me that you are on an upcoming Luda album. How did you manage to get thru to Ludacris?

1da~ That was my boy T-Williams who's manager at Lavish Live Management got the beat out to the man himself. I think we'll have 1 or two on there...

And on the Kid Famous album? Kardinal Offishial's?

1da~ I think around 7 or 8.. and two on Kardi's album, who incidentally is the artist I enjoyed working with most. Shout outs To Kardi!

You rackin' em up, Boi! You gettin' em! Its nice to see the local scene getting the attention it well deserves with cats like you, Kardi, Famous, and Sauks to name a few.

1da~ Yeaah, the local scene is growing and striving like no other time. I think peeps are starting to organize and support one another for the common cause....finally!

I noticed that your beats for radio play and the ones you brought to the battle of the beats are different. Why is that?

1da~ When you go to a battle, you gotta bring heat, sick beats. And I gotta say the experience at the BBM's helped to improve my skill. When it comes to radio play, we gotta bring it differently... for obvious reasons.

Yep, well said. I understand their was recent controversy at the last Battle of the Beat Makers surrounding you and another producer. Your thoughts on it?

1da~ Oh yeah, that was between Arthur McArthur and myself. Let me start off by saying that Arthur is my boy, he's good people. There is and never was any beef between him and I. But I do gotta say, when people have their crew cheering and hollering for them, the perception in these contest can be jaded. The first beats from McArthur and myself were both good, both banging, and the judges scored it a tie. In my opinion, it was my second beat that wiped him out. His was real good, but the judges scored in my favour. Once again, this is nothing against Arthur. He's dope and he is my boi!

Any more BBM appearances?

1da~ Naaaah, I think I'll leave that alone. Too much politics.

Whats your take on Sampled vs. Played production?

1da~ I was on the heavily sampled tip, but now I favour the played shit heavily. I prefer to make non-sampled beats for the lack of sample clearance and all the other nonsense that goes along with it. lol.

Its funny, I first heard of you a few years back thru a friend of mine. He was bragging about his nephew, Mathew, the next big thing in Canadian production. Its funny cause what he said back then, is holding true now.

1da~ Ya Raj (Diamond Tusk from Secret Society), thats my fam. His sister married my uncle. Its nice when your family biggs you up, it's like a stamp of approval from the fam.

Its nice to see a West Indian (Caribbean) born Canadian doing it for the country. We got you fam! Any final words?

1da~ Yes, GOD BLESS EVERYONE!

Boi 1da production credits include the following artists:
Kardinal Offishall, Drake, Deuce-Deuce, Rochester aka Juice, Tru Life, Andreena Millz, Bishop Brigante, Saukrates, Point Blank, JD Era, Darryl Riley, KRS-One, Devine Brown, Trey Songz, Snoop Dogg, Keshia Chante, Jim jones, Stack Bundles, 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, Young Buck, Tony Yayo, Ludacris, Clipse, Massari, Fabolous, Young Jeezy, Jadakiss, and Sheek Louch.

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Origionally posted April 2008. Taken from the Megacity Producers Origional Post