iHipHop Exclusive Interview: Statik Selektah & Termanolgy: 2 Live Crew

12 years ago view-show 738,936

Back in 1988, DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince (better known to the youngsters these days as Will Smith) released their second studio album titled, He’s The DJ, I’m The Rapper.

With that name alone, the old adage of; “The more things change, the more they stay the same” has become extremely prevalent, especially in today’s Hip-Hop climate.

Reason being is that more artists are going back to the one-producer format for an entire project, and no producer is more at the forefront of this movement than DJ/producer, Statik Selektah.

While most producers settle for a few song placements, Statik Selektah has been building his resume by producing entire projects for the likes of Freeway, Saigon, Action Bronson, Freddie Gibbs, and more. His latest project making its way through the Hip-Hop world is another joint album, (of course) but this time with his frequent collaborator, Termanolgy.

Recently, the two joined forces once again for the release of 2012, as they keep Hip-Hop’s golden formula intact: Statik on the boards, and the lyricist from Lawrence, MA. in the booth doing what seems so effortlessly for him.

We were able to catch up with the duo to talk about beats, rhymes, life, and everything else in between. It’s time for them to take it from here.

 

 

iHipHop.com: You and Termanology recently dropped your latest project, 2012 … So besides from it having the current year in common, what else made you guys decide to name it that?

Statik Selektah: There was a couple of different reasons… Everyone is saying that this is a big year due to it being a political year, and the presidential election coming up…

 iHipHop.com: Your catalog of albums with Termanolgy stretches back quite some ways, so how do you two keep the chemistry fresh, and keep it from going stale? Basically, how do you guys keep each other challenged?

Statik Selektah: For the most part, we just to have fun with it, man… With this project right here, we thought a little bit more out of the box…

This project right here is a lot more light-hearted and a lot more fun than the last record. We did our best this time around to switch it up for the listeners…

iHipHop.com: When you first started producing, was it difficult for you to initially find your own sound, with you having so many influences?

Statik Selektah: Nah, well I mean; I had a lot of influences from Preemo, to [Dr.] Dre, to Q-Tip; but I tried to put them all together and then add my own little flavor, you know?

iHipHop.com: You also have a history of producing entire records for artists… So what do you look for in an artist that makes you want to produce their whole entire album?

Statik Selektah: I think it all starts with the chemistry… When you’re working with an artist, especially in the studio; you two have to be on the same page, and have some chemistry between you two…

iHipHop.com: Why do you think the game is going back to how it used to be with one producer for the whole album?

Statik Selektah: I think that’s just how the game is right now… Especially with me, the way I do my cuts and scratches… I just wish that a lot of the kids that are coming up right now would add that element to their music…

iHipHop.com: So do you think that’s a lost art?

Statik Selektah: Yeah, definitely…

iHipHop.com: With your signature sound being out there on a regular basis, you’re not worried about people getting tired of it, and wanting to take a break from hearing it?

Statik Selektah: Not really, because every project is different… I have a project coming out with Strong Arm Steady, and that’s going to be a whole different vibe…

iHipHop.com: Do you ever find it difficult to differentiate the beats you want to give to Term, versus the stuff you present to other artists?

Statik Selektah: Term usually gets first dibs when we’re in the process of making an album… Well, it depends… I think now, I’ve learned a lot more about music in general than when I first started… Now, I add a lot more elements to my music…

 iHipHop.com: Term, has there ever been a time that you heard another artist on a Stat beat, and wished that he gave it to you instead?

Termanolgy: HELL YEAH! All The time! He’s lying man… I don’t get no first dibs… He gives all the best beats to Styles P, man… Shoutout to Styles P though.. He’s one of my favorite MC’s, so it’s all good… [Laughs]

iHipHop.com: [Laughing]… Speaking of MC’s, how do you feel about yourself in the game? Do you feel as if you get the recognition that you deserve for what you’ve put in so far?

Termanolgy: It depends on where you go, and the people that you ask… When I do shows, the people that are into me, they’re ride or die… They really love what I stand for, and they consider me to be one of the greatest…

Then I think a lot of the other people just don’t care, and they’re not going to check for me, and they’re not fans… It’s cool though, because for the people that like me; they really like me… So shoutout to them… Everyone else can eat a d!ck!!!

iHipHop.com: [Laughing]… From Out The Gate, to Politics As Usual, to now 2012— how do you think you’ve grown as an artist?

Termanlogy: When I first came out, I was rapping but that wasn’t my job… But now, I’m getting money; you know what I mean? I’m a totally different person from then… Back then, I was still getting in trouble with the law, running the streets, and sh!t like that…

Out The Gate was recorded in 2004, and it came out in 2006… That was about six years ago, and a person’s whole life can change… You start to have kids, gain life experience, and you just get older… You can hear my maturity in the music…