Regardless of a resumé together with hip-hop classics for Jay-Z, DMX, Drake and Lil Wayne, in case you ask Swizz Beatz, he believes his music legacy is incomplete.
“I simply really feel like my music is the one factor in my life that doesn’t symbolize the place I’m at present,” says Swizz inside New York Metropolis’s revered Jungle Metropolis Studios earlier this week. “The whole lot else is the extent of the place I’m at or how I stay, the place I journey, and every thing I’m doing is on the stage of me in 2023. Music might be the one factor that’s 2010. I’m not happy in any respect.”
In hopes of enjoying catch-up, Swizz partnered with Mass Attraction to launch Hip-Hop 50 Vol. 2 final Friday (Apr. 23) — together with marquee all-stars reminiscent of Nas, Lil Wayne, Jay Electronica, Lil Durk and A Boogie Wit da Hoodie. The six-track EP is a hearty appetizer with punchy verses, most notably from Bronx upstart Scar Lip on the standout document “Take ’em Out,” additionally that includes New York heavyweights Jadakiss and Benny The Butcher. After releasing his first physique of labor since 2018’s Poison, Swizz hopes to unload new initiatives with a few of his old-time buddies, Wayne and Jadakiss, later this yr.
“With this EP, I gotta do these entry factors to get on the practice and know what cease I wish to get off at,” he says. “I don’t wish to get off on Jackson Ave. I wish to get off in Egypt. I wish to get off at a unique cease. If I can’t develop as a musician, I can’t encourage folks. I don’t wish to maintain doing the nostalgia factor.”
Billboard met with Swizz Beatz to discuss Hip-Hop 50 Vol. 2, eager to create extra music, fatherhood, upcoming initiatives and extra.
How did we get right here the place you’re releasing your first physique of labor in 5 years?
Blame Nas! Sooner or later me and him had been kicking it, and he informed me Mass Attraction was going to have lots to do with HipHop50. He mentioned, “We obtained this idea with all of the producers, and also you gotta be the producer that represents New York.” I mentioned, “What do you imply?” He mentioned, “Premier goes to symbolize a unique place, [along with] you, Hit-Boy and a pair different folks.” I mentioned, “OK. Cool.”
When he’s telling me this, this is sort of a yr or two earlier than the anniversary. So I’m like, “OK. Let’s do it.” I swear it seems like he informed me this a month in the past. I nonetheless remembering get the cellphone calls, like, “Yo. You’re up. It’s time to your Hip-Hop 50 [tape]. How we trying?” I mentioned, “What? Rattling.” I can’t lie.
They made it easy the place it was like, “Simply give us 5 tracks.” So I used to be considering, “I can pull 5 tracks off my drive. That’s straightforward.” After which one thing hit me and was like, “Nah. The whole lot counts.” The whole lot counts at this level. Don’t simply put some s–t that’s on the drive. Put the strain out. Put the way you need folks to have a look at you at present out.
And I began taking the undertaking very severely. Even with the promos and various things, I took it severely, prefer it was my album — as a result of technically, it’s my album. It’s my EP. My title’s on it. The artists I messed with are on it. I produced it. I simply don’t wish to do something, however the instances that I did, I don’t prefer it once I look again like, “Rattling. I used to be lazy on that.”
I believe you’re the one producer that may get Nas outdoors of his Hit-Boy bag and rap on their beat.
I like Nas in his Hit-Boy bag. [Laughs.] Me and him obtained chemistry as effectively. We have now a complete album collectively. It was a very long time in the past, however once I seen him and Hit-Boy get the chemistry and tapping into the youthful technology — they was being nominated and getting Grammys. I informed him, “Keep centered with Hit-Boy. We are able to come again to what we’re doing, however I like this for you proper now, as a result of I’m not a egocentric particular person like that.”
Once I see one thing that’s working, as a fan of the artwork, I would like Hit-Boy and Nas to win. They only occurred to locate the chemistry, and I gotta respect that. Me and [Nas’] chemistry is a bit of totally different.
I really feel like proper now, we’re again within the period with the rapper/producer combo taking up the style led by Nas and Hit-Boy, Curren$y and Jermaine Dupri…
Swizz and Jadakiss.
I imply that sounds good, however do we’ve got a undertaking?
I wouldn’t say it to sound good. [Laughs.] It’s before you suppose.
How did this come about?
It’s simply pure. That’s one other particular person I’ve the chemistry with. I did all of his first solo information. In case you take a look at the primary LOX album, I did a solo there. The We Are the Streets album, I did a solo there. Me and Kiss at all times had a chemistry. And seeing what he did on Verzuz, we must always have got here with these [records] at the moment. However Kiss went and obtained the bag. [Laughs.]
Greatness is rarely late and high quality can be going to be one thing that’s going to have worth. So it doesn’t matter what occurs with this EP, I needed to present folks high quality. Lik,e pull Jay Electronica out. Get Nas in his bag. One other one which individuals are in search of is the me and Wayne undertaking. I’m simply able to work.
What I loved concerning the EP was that you’ve a knack for getting artists to talk candidly about sure subjects — whether or not it’s Nas addressing being a foul father on “Runaway” or Jay Electronica speaking about SZA blocking him on “Khalas.” Why do you are feeling artists really feel comfy with getting open in your information?
I believe they know the caliber of the place I come from with artists. I’ve labored with loads of the greats, and the bar that was simply set with the Ruff Ryders alone make folks wanna step up. It’s only a tone that was set a very long time in the past from the entire Hov music to LOX music to even the present music. And I simply don’t settle for something from the artists, I push them. I’d be like, “Nah, we will try this verse over.”
Imagine it or not, we did three different Nas songs earlier than selecting the one which’s on the document. This was his least favourite. He needed to get on one thing that was extra — what I really feel — one thing I believe him and HitBoy would do. That’s his consolation zone. I obtained him on “Stay on the BBQ” time. He even hit you with these ad-libs from Illmatic. I used to be like, “That is the Nas I would like.” I wish to be distant from what you and Hit’s doing. I wanna be doing what Nas and Swizz doing. That’s how we shifting.
What I preferred concerning the Nas document was him taking accountability as a foul father to his daughter Future. Then, I thought of what you’ve been in a position to do as a father. Whenever you hearken to that document, is there a second the place you thought looking back like, “Rattling, I didn’t get the dad factor proper?”
Yeah, as a result of there’s no actual ebook on the best way to be a dad for our tradition that I’ve seen or had out there. We simply younger with cash and freestyling it, and we considering the items make you the dad — however the time makes you the dad, not the items. The items of time makes you the dad to that child.
I’m completely happy to have a son who’s wonderful to at the present time, and I’m nonetheless enjoying catch-up as we communicate. The understanding is there, and if it’s not all the way in which there, the continuation of constructing it clear is there. The secret is being in critical communication. I believe it’s essential for lots of artists coming as much as perceive along with your baby that they don’t care concerning the cash, they don’t care concerning the outfit, they don’t care concerning the materialistic issues.
Once they born with it, it doesn’t imply as a lot because it did for me rising up within the streets. Issues that I’d really feel are materialistic, they simply suppose that’s the way it i,s due to the onerous work I put in. They’re on planes, boats, and on this. They’re like, “Okay, my household’s profitable and that is what it’s.” They aren’t taking a look at these forms of issues, so it means nothing to them. You wanna throw the craziest birthday events to make up for the time and that s–t don’t rely. We gotta put the time in. That’s one factor I needed to get higher at. I’m ultra-dad now. I’m a dad-dad now. I’m a dad with a cape.
Your relationships as a producer at all times prolonged previous New York like your bonds with Wayne and J. Cole. How can you look previous New York and collaborate with different artists?
I at all times was New York at coronary heart, however global-minded. I at all times felt larger than New York, though hip-hop and myself began in New York. Like once I did “Down Backside,” we wasn’t serious about the South like that — however I used to be, as a result of we had an excellent relationship with Money Cash. We was on tour with them and I simply obtained to see a unique pleasure. And that’s why I inform folks touring is vital.
For me, touring, I obtained to vibe with different music — after which I obtained to stay in Atlanta as effectively once I obtained kicked out New York. The way you get kicked out of New York? That’s like getting kicked out of jail! It was over for me. Then, I moved to Atlanta, which was a turning level for me, as a result of the sound modified after which I began going to Pat Riley’s and listening to the chants. I made “Cease, Drop” influences from Atlanta, so once I got here again to New York and offered it to [DMX], he ain’t prefer it. He ain’t prefer it as a result of it felt totally different. We put them chants in it, and all of that’s from Atlanta’s affect. That got here from touring.
What made my sound is the New York BDP period with the boom-bap, the Atlanta sound with the chants, and reggae music. That’s my gumbo. These are the sounds I used to be round essentially the most and that’s what made me perceive totally different sides are gonna have totally different melodies.
Additionally, vibing and mentoring the youth has been my factor. I communicate to [Lil Durk] daily. Not about music — 99 p.c real-life s–t and one p.c music. That’s provided that he’s obtained a undertaking popping out or he’s engaged on my undertaking popping out. That’s the identical factor with 21 [Savage], that’s the identical factor with [Travis Scott].
My friends don’t actually take the trip that they need to with the youth. I keep in mind I used to be Durk, I used to be these younger guys and needed the large guys to take me in and provides me some recommendation. I can’t say they ran to present me that recommendation. So I used to be like, “Once I get in that place, I’m gonna give all people the knowledge.” You may name me about something and I’m gonna provide the complete factor. Oh, what you tryna do? You wish to construct a automotive assortment? You wish to construct a watch assortment? You wish to return to high school? We have now actual conversations about being fathers as effectively and being in relationships. I really feel like we will’t ever get too large to speak to the youth.
What’s that attribute or trait that Lil Durk has that’s so interesting to the older technology?
For me, going again to [DMX], simply rising up with X — me and X was actually battling in these streets for meals. We’d go to The Bronx and battle all people and a few different issues. The factor that I’m saying is once I hear Durk’s lyrics, I imagine him. You may see that he’s been via what he’s telling you about. He’s an open ebook of what he’s going via. I simply love that kind of poetry coming from such a younger artist being truthful to it. Some components are avenue, some components are issues that went down along with his relationship, and a few half is actual issues about how he’s making an attempt to heal and do higher. I like when it’s plausible to me.
One other particular person may write higher lyrics and is perhaps in a class the place it’s loads of cap to me. You’re probably not shifting the way in which you say you’re shifting. You probably not doing what you’re saying, so though you possibly can undertaking it effectively, I’ma give Durk extra factors, as a result of even when he’s not projecting it on a stage the place folks really feel that’s prime this or prime that, I’ve to rank that increased — as a result of he’s truly dwelling what he’s saying. In order that will get loads of factors with me, when it’s genuine.
Understanding that he calls himself Chicago’s Jay-Z, do you see any similarities between him and Hov?
I don’t suppose anyone’s like Hov, however I like that individuals are impressed by Hov. I’m impressed by Hov, as a result of Hov has every thing. He has the longevity, he has his ups and downs which is actual life, he misplaced issues and obtained them again and got here again stronger. So I perceive why Durk would say he’s that. And he’s allowed to say that, since you ought to really feel like that — and that signifies that Hov is an enormous inspiration to him and that’s an excellent inspiration of somebody to be an inspiration in the direction of. He’s an inspiration for me as effectively.
I believe Durk is the Durk. He’s the primary of his variety doing issues the way in which he’s doing it. I perceive why he would give it to Hov, however I’d really feel like he’s the primary him from Chicago.
In hip-hop, we’ve seen Large Threes outline eras, with Kendrick, Drake and J. Cole being that of the 2010s. Which three artists have the potential to carry that mantle subsequent for the brand new technology?
I believe it’s unpredictable sooner or later. It’s all gonna be primarily based on who’s working the toughest and who needs it essentially the most. The factor that made us need it essentially the most was being cold and hot. It’s one thing that you need to expertise for longevity. I’ve been cold and hot 10 instances. Hov, Eminem, [DMX], all of the names that individuals evaluate themselves to, they’ve been cold and hot loads of instances, which made them nice.
A number of these artists gotta give themselves time to undergo a tough interval after which come up out of that and reinvent. The important thing to longevity is reinventing your self. That’s why the dialog once I got here out in ’98 is totally different in 2023. I modified up the dialog to the place we’re speaking about camels now. You gotta know the best way to proceed reinventing your self, as a result of folks gon’ desire a totally different sauce. It’s simply pure.
You posted the Lil Wayne snippet and I noticed a fan attempt to clap at you saying, “Swizz, are we gon’ use the identical f–king drums?” Competitively, did that pinch a nerve? Since you did reply again.
After all: I’m a wolf at coronary heart. I’m with all smoke and I’m not too large for it. Do one thing about it then. I do know that particular person is true too, although. It’s known as a “signature sound,” and we don’t have actually an excessive amount of of that at present. All people’s simply doing the identical factor, and you may’t actually inform their id if that particular person’s title wasn’t on that document. You may inform a Swizz monitor if I’m not on it, or a Timbaland if he’s not speaking or a Pharrell monitor if he’s not on it. You may inform a Kanye or Dre monitor. At present, there’s only a few producers you can inform their music in the event that they take their stamp off it. These sounds and people drums had been made to be repetitive as a signature, however I’m uninterested in it. I’ma change it fast too, although.
Whenever you discuss altering it fast are we gonna hear that on this Jadakiss or Lil Wayne undertaking?
Possibly not an excessive amount of on a Jada undertaking as a result of there’s a sure feeling that I wish to hear. It offers you that rush and also you don’t even comprehend it’s part of the rationale. I’m in all probability gonna stick extra to the core, after which the following one we do, I’m gonna flip it — however I gotta give him the uncut first. That’s similar to with the EP, I needed to give ’em uncut vibes for me to get to my subsequent vibe. My subsequent undertaking, I let one other particular person produce me for the primary time.
How was that?
It was wonderful. I don’t suppose I’m letting go of energy, as a result of I simply suppose I wish to take myself severely as an artist greater than I ever did.
Even again 15 years in the past once you had been dropping “It’s Me B–ches?”
I used to be bugging. I wasn’t taking myself critical. These are information I gave to people who they took too lengthy to place out, or didn’t wanna do. Like “It’s Me B–ches” was for Cassidy. I keep in mind doing that on my birthday at Sony studio, and he was similar to, “I don’t need that.” I mentioned, “All proper, cool.” And I put it out for enjoyable. That went. “Cash within the Financial institution,” all them and that was for Eve.
This Jada undertaking is coming this yr?
Inshallah.
Is that this Wayne undertaking actual?
It’s all on him. I’m prepared. He’s on tour, so inshallah with all of that. There’s not gonna be no extra clean spots for a minute. Even when these two initiatives don’t come out, I already obtained the clip lined up so loopy. Both approach, it’s gonna really feel prefer it’s coming quick as a result of different stuff is gonna take up the time.
What I actually wish to do, I wish to put out 50 tracks for the fiftieth anniversary. I wish to use that as my aim to present again to 50 years of hip-hop. I wish to give folks 50 tracks. Understanding I’m nearly there for all of the music I produced for Godfather of Harlem. However proper now, I’m not even counting that. I have to have that bar like that so I can simply keep in my zone. I’m able to have enjoyable and rock-and-roll.
Twenty-five years of Swizz Beatz — has that resonated with you?
I don’t even really feel like I began but. And the rationale why is as a result of once I got here in it, I got here so younger and I didn’t even have sufficient time to course of what I used to be doing. Going again to high school and having the knowledge I’ve now, I truly know what I’m doing. I really feel like now I’m simply beginning as a result of I do know what I’m doing. Earlier than I used to be simply within the second and driving the wave. Now, it’s a unique mission for me.