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3/13/2006 What's up? I'm chilling, working in the studio, doing my thing. How do you feel about that Cam diss track "You Got It"? I'm just trying to get my name out there and do what I have to do to get to the top. How'd you feel when you first heard the song? I was happy because I knew how big the song would be and how many people would hear it over time. It is one of the biggest serious diss records in years. How did the track come about? What happened originally was that I did the beat. Cam had the beat the next day and he recorded it on Hot97 as a freestyle. A few weeks later I get a phone call from my manager Spliff telling me Cam dissed Jay on the same track he used from me on Hot97. The next thing I know, everyone is buzzing about it. Do you wish you could have been there for the recording of it? It really doesn't matter. I would have liked to engineer the project, but I'm in Pittsburgh and they're in New York. Are you afraid that the track will have any negative implications for you as far as working on Def Jam projects? No. I don't think it should work like that. I'm a producer. It's not my situation right there. How have things changed for you since that track's been out? Everything's cool. It's definitely a plus for me, it gives me more recognition and credibility. To know that I played a role in the way this situation turned out is pretty crazy. Are more people coming to you for tracks? The doors are starting to open more. I have a solid foundation with my production and a good team around me. My music speaks for itself, so everything will work out. How's your work with JR Writer coming? I got two tracks on his album. I'm just waiting for that to come out. I made those tracks a while ago. His album kept on getting pushed back. It was originally slated for November, but now I think it's coming out during the summer. Does it ever get frustrating waiting for your tracks to drop? Not really. It takes a lot of patience. Just being a producer, you have to be patient about everything. At the end of the day, this is a business like any other business. Once you start getting more placements and remain consistent, the likelihood of success becomes more probable. What else are you working on? Right now, I did eight original beats for Midway Games' "NBA Ballers 2," which will be out in April. I've got a couple joints on Cam's new album and also a couple on Hell Rell's solo album. I just got done doing another joint with the Clipse for Meech's album. It's pretty hot. I've also got a bunch of big R&B tracks on the way, including a joint for Trey Songz' new album. What's been the most important thing you've done for yourself to get your beats out there? Putting my grind in twenty-four hours a day, every day, for the last five or six years. That's what you have to do and that's what I've been doing. And of course aligning myself with a solid management company...you can make hot beats all day, but if you can't get them out were they need to be, then forget it. Do you tailor your beats to certain artists? Yeah. I can do everything from R&B tracks to Dipset street beats to club bangers. Whenever I send something out, I try to give them what they'd be looking for. How important is it to be present when an artist records? It's definitely important. With the Cam track, they changed the mix a lot, and I thought my mix was fuller. I may have been able to direct them in making that track crisper. What equipment do you use? I use a variety of software programs, but I also have a full studio here with a Triton, MicroKorg, MPD16, Cubase, Fruity Loops, and Pro Tools. What's your favorite? My most-used is my Triton. Whenever I do sample beats, it's pretty much the drum pads and software programs because that's the most simple and efficient way to do it. Can you take us through the making of an I.N.F.O. beat? Everyone is different. Each beat is like a child. They're all going to be different, they're all going to grow differently, and they're going to go their own ways. Do you pay attention to trends in the production game? You have to. If you don't, you'll just be stuck in the past. You have to know what people are looking for so you can be relevant in today's market. What's been the best recent trend? I definitely don't like the finger-snap stuff. I like the grimy stuff. What's next for you? Hopefully just getting more and more placements. The puzzle is coming together and I'm just trying to get some plaques on my wall and all that good stuff. I'd like to take it to the next level and get more into R&B and different styles of Hip Hop. What do you want to say to everyone? Look out for me in the future. I'm coming and I got that heat. And if any a&r's or managers are reading this, if my manager Spliff reaches out to you, don't miss the bus cause you will get left behind. >>For more information and contact, check out www.spliffingtonmanagement.com

By Brian Kayser

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