Exclusive Interview with Waajeed
Waajeed is a Detroit-born music producer, and one half of the hip hop and R&B group Platinum Pied Pipers, and a founding member of Tiny Hearts. He formed the Bling47 record label in 2002, which has released projects by the late J Dilla, and founded Dirty Tech Reck record label in 2012.
Siam2nite had the opportunity to have an exclusive interview with Waajeed, shortly before his performance at Mongkol RCA Studio on 15th March.
You were creative partner of Slum Village and you have been ghost-writing for major labels before focusing on your solo work. In 2012 you founded the record label “Dirt Tech Reck” and showcased your new material on BBC Radio 1. What can you tell us about the two year break you did prior to that, what have you been up to since then and what are you currently working on?
Prior to 2012 I took some time to refocus my creative energy. I left NY to move back to Detroit to realign myself with why I started making music in the first place. Since then my only focus has been DIRT TECH RECK. Creating a multitude of hybrid styles and mixing things up musically. Currently working on my solo EP under Jeedo X.
You evolved from a Hip Hop beat maker to an artist that is all about breaking boundaries and creating genre-less music. How would you describe your music to someone who’s never heard it before?
I couldn’t, but the neck knows. Genres are pointless and they always have been. It’s about what you feel not genre or even who did it. What I’m doing now is the same as what I’ve always done. Looking for the perfect beat.
Besides your solo work, you are involved in various projects: the “Platinum Pied Pipers”, the “Tiny Hearts” and “Electric Street Orchestra”. What can you tell us about these projects and could you point out one song per project as introduction?
Electric Street Orchestra - is a project that is a hybrid of Detroit Techno and Hip Hop. Scorpio was the first tune created by myself and Mad Mike Banks from Underground Resistance.
Tiny Hearts – Is a project I started with lead Vocalist Dede and writer co-producer Tim K. We released The Stay EP earlier this year on DIRT TECH RECK. Our biggest track to date is “Stay” which is a hybrid Hip Hop, R&B and Synth Pop.
Out of all tracks you have made, which tracks would you recommend to someone that is not yet familiar with your music?
That’s the same as asking a parent to pick a child that represent the entire family. None of my tracks represent the whole. Each is a statement within itself.
You were mentored by the late J Dilla and even started to make your first beats on an MPC that used to belong to him. Later your record label Bling47 (founded in 2002) released several projects of J Dilla. Between January 2012 and February 2013 you produced a video series called “Bling47 Breaks Dilla Edition” – a project you filmed, edited, animated and directed all by yourself. What can you tell us about the series, your motivation to do it and the message of it?
I was not mentored by Dilla. I was not trained or advised by him. We never shared beat tips or sampling secrets. I was never interested in that to be honest. I wanted then and now to define my own path. We both looked to Pete Rock as a standard for great beat makers. Dilla was my friend first. That was the base for our relationship. Ultimately, this was the reason I did the Bling47 Breaks Series. To help the fans who looked up to James the way we did Pete.
You are involved with the Red Bull Music Academy as a lecturer. How did you get involved with the Red Bull Music Academy and what can you tell us about your involvement as lecturer?
They asked me to come to Toronto after lecturing in Seattle. I did it for a couple years after that. That was it.
Before you began producing records, you were a prominent photographer in the Detroit hip-hop scene. Are these pictures still accessible for the public these days?
My focus was Slum Village with my photography. I have a vault of over 500 photos of them before we even formed the group together. Who know’s what the future my hold. Maybe I’ll do a book one day.
On 15th March you will perform live at Mongkol Studio RCA – alongside Onra and local talent such as Yaak Lab, Tul Apartmentkhunpa, Gene Kasidit, MC Sinnamon, DJ Boogie G & DJ Pichy. Have you visited Thailand before? Will your performance be your Bangkok debut? What can Bangkok expect of your upcoming performance?
Yes! This will be my first time in Bangkok. Expect a good time!!!