Cool and Dre: Meet the Maestro's

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Cool and Dre: Meet the Maestro's

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Monday, 21 September 2009 01:05

Most producers can drop a few hit records and then just keep on riding the success, but Cool and Dre work more like a factory than a production duo. In addition to dropping beats for names like Fat Joe, Lil Wayne, Queen Latifah, etc., the two are responsible for Rateyourdemo.com (an excellent website that I recommend all up and coming producers/artists visit), producing Justin Timberlake’s latest project, Free Sol, and working as music supervisors for the aforementioned Latifah’s newest film project, “Just Wright.”

The hip-hop production maestros were kind enough to share a few words regarding projects old and new with One Stop Hip Hop Shop via email:

Onestophiphopshop: Tell me about your role as Music Supervisors for the upcoming film "Just Wright" featuring Queen Latifah. Will any of the songs from the movie be

on her upcoming album?

Cool and Dre: Our role as Music Supervisors for “Just Wright” is helping fill in the music that's synced into the film, from already recorded material to the actual creation of music for a scene. The director gives the direction and the team involved helps bring it to life.

Onestophiphopshop: What are the latest developments with Lil Wayne's new album “Rebirth?”

Cool and Dre: Scheduled to be released thanksgiving weekend. The album is crazy! He is giving the world some music gems on there. Get ready!

Onestophiphopshop: Can you please provide a little background information on Free Sol with Justin Timberlake and Lloyd? How did you get involved in the project? What

kind of sound can we expect?

Cool and Dre: Free Sol is dope! Four man band from Memphis. We got in the studio and made some crazy music, real aggressive and real melodic at the same time. Free killed the verses. They sing, rap, and play instruments! Overall great group!! We wish the best!

We worked with Lloyd at our new studio in Miami. Lloyd is a beast! We did like 5 records in 2 days. That says a lot because R&B records entail a lot more work. Lloyd is fam!

Onestophiphopshop: Which artists do you enjoy working with the most?

Cool and Dre: We don't consider what we do working. We call it making music with our friends! Game, Wayne, Queen Latifah, Jeezy, C-Ride, Fat Joe, the list goes on! We

have a lot of friends.

Onestophiphopshop: Describe your production process. Are you in the studio for the whole track from beginning to end or do you just provide the instruments and step off?

Do you write the songs or just produce?

Cool and Dre: We have no set process. We vibe according to the session. Cool might

start something, Dre adds some instruments and vice versa. Or hook verse

idea, whatever.

It’s a collective effort always. We just respect each other’s

creative space.. If one of us is workin’ on an idea, we let each other

finish that idea entirely before we interfere or throw in other ideas.

Onestophiphopshop: You guys handle many different styles of hip-hop. Have you ever noticed that working on one artist has any effect on how you work with another

artist or informs the general way you approach music?

Cool and Dre: Not really. We understand that when a label sends an artist to us they are

looking to get the best possible record ( A Hit ), but we don't sit there and

be like, “let's make a hit.” We approach it as, “let's make a great record.”

When you’re there trying to make a radio record, it doesn't always work. We

sometimes listen to old records that inspired us or watch old videos just to

get the creative juices flowing..

Onestophiphopshop: Tell me about Rateyourdemo.com. What made you want to start something like this?

Cool and Dre: We wanted to create a real connection between the people doing

records or beats to Cool & Dre or any other label or industry person on the

site.. Basically an online A& R that really listens to your creation and

gives you helpful feedback that can help you make better records or beats!

Or write songs! We recently found someone crazy on the site. The ultimate

goal is to really give people a real outlet to get a possible deal and get ahead

in this game..

Onestophiphopshop: How do you go about choosing which artists you want to work with?

Cool and Dre: We sometimes listen to their music. But most of the time we like the challenge of workin’ with a newer artist and giving them something dope! Like our

homie, Wale! He had a huge Internet presence but when we got together we made

some special music. That helped take him to another level.

Onestophiphopshop: What are your feelings on Jay-Z's "The Death of Auto-tune?" Do you think Auto-tune is really a washed up gimmick, or are there still some interesting and innovative ways to use it?

Cool and Dre: “Death of Auto-tune” was a great record! I don't thing it hurt auto-tune though. It’s here for the minute. It’s a great tool that enhances one’s creative process.. And it’s helping a lot of people eat, too.

Onestophiphopshop: How long have you been based in Miami? Could you tell me what it is that makes it a great place for hip-hop and rising hip hop artists?

Cool and Dre: We've always been in Miami. We've seen the music scene evolve. It’s an incredible place to be creative! That's why everyone works here. It’s the one stop shop!! Sunny beaches , great food, great music, beautiful ladies, great fun! But always

remember, this sunny place also has shady side.

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