WMS SULTAN INTERVIEW
The Boy Hollywood
CHAMP: What’s Goodie WMS Sultan what are you up to homey?
WMS SULTAN: Just in the lab working on new material always creating and staying active on improving in my craft, whether it’s making new beats writing, marketing ideas, promo etc.
CHAMP: Now we're getting ready for your mixtape dropping in October. How's that coming along?
WMS SULTAN: Mixtape is sounding great. it's a double cd and features artist such as Joe Budden, Skyzoo, Murda Mook, Sha Stimuli, Edo G, Akrobatik, Static and Messiah, Lady Luck, Q, Grafh and a lot of up and coming talent out of Boston.
CHAMP: Are you doin' any spittin' on this joint?
WMS SULTAN: Nah no spitting I just handled the production and did some writing on a few songs, some hooks for singers, bridges, couple verses.
CHAMP: Who else can we expect on this joint?
WMS SULTAN: It should be out late October, the actual music is done. Right now we are just wrapping up the artwork on some of the promotion for the posters flyers, internet banners etc. Presentation is very important. It’s no point in having a masterpiece if it’s not presented right and heard by the people. So now that the music end is completed, I just want to perfect a couple things on the promotion/marketing end to give the project that proper light.
CHAMP: WMS Sultan. Where does that name come from?
WMS SULTAN: Sultan is my birth name; it means "The Ruler" so it was only right I go with that for this music thing. Always aim for the top ya know.
CHAMP: You hail from Boston. How's the producing game out there?
WMS SULTAN: There are a lot of talented producers and artist out here in Boston/New England. Make sure you pick up that Sultan Mixtape Vol 1if you’re looking to hear some of the talent out here in the city of Boston aka home of the champs.
CHAMP: As a producer. What are your thoughts and views on the evolution of sound in hip hop?
WMS SULTAN: I think production has come a long way with the development of different types of new gear. Even comparing when I first got into the production game up until now, just the advancement of different types of sound modules and samplers and vsts. There were a lot of ideas I had for creating material when I first entered the game that couldn't be done with the technology out but it's like technology has caught up now and the possibilities are endless
CHAMP: Would you say that you're a heavy sample user or more of an original based producer?
WMS SULTAN: A mix of both. As far as my catalog probably 60% original and 40% samples. That will probably surprise a lot of people just off the strength that most of my production that has seen the most light has been sample based. Like all the stuff I did on Joe Budden's Mood Muzik 3 was all sample based. The biggest track I am producing to date "EASTCOAST MUSIC PART 2" (Feat Skyzoo, Lady Luck, Sha Stimuli, Grafh, Static, Q, Leanne) on the other handle, it has no samples in it so I can go either way it's nothing.
CHAMP: What are your thoughts and views of typical "if you're a sample producer, you won’t make money".
WMS SULTAN: I have to disagree I just sold 12 beats with samples last week there is definitely cake in it. I understand people saying you will make more in a situation where you have 2 producers on a big selling album and 1 uses samples the other uses no samples the dude with no samples is going to get more his publishing obviously. At the end of the day you just have to make the hottest track because at the end of the day if you have 2 producers both of them make tracks chances are the artist is going to buy the hottest one. It depends on circumstances, like on the indie level dudes just want the hottest material they don't ask if it's a sample or not really. If a heavy about of units aren't being pushed it doesn't matter. Most the time it’s for a mixtape or indie release with a small budget. The stuff I submit for major and larger project, I usually use no samples though just because a lot of time that is what they ask for. I can make hot material either way and there is money in both.
CHAMP: Now what tools can we catch Sultan using when creating a masterpiece?
WMS SULTAN: Hmmm motif rack, JV 1010, lots of records, like my dig game is crazy, I’m at the records stores, goodwill, yard sales every month, I used to go weekly when I was extra hard body with it but I try to pick up 40-70 records on each trip. I also use soundforge, bass guitar, RNC 1773 to give it that warm sound and a couple other secret weapons. The mind is the most important tool though and I know people say that all the time but believe me it is because you can have all the ingredients but if you don't have the mental capacity to bake the cake then you just going to end up with some frosting on top of a mess like a lot of these dudes beats.
CHAMP: You created a crazy joint. I personally think it's the best joint on Joe Budden's Mood Muzik. It's Dear Diary 3. How long ago did you make that beat?
WMS SULTAN: Hmm I think I made it like June 2007. When I started working on beats and submitting material for Mood Muzik 3, that was one of the 1st joints I sent over. Just off talking to Killah BH and the vibe I should go with production wise it really fit the mold.
CHAMP: How'd it get into the hands of Joe Budden?
WMS SULTAN: Through my homie Killah BH in Jersey, we go over ideas for the production and I'll send joints with hooks songs concepts etc etc.
CHAMP: What other artists have you worked with?
WMS SULTAN: In addition to Joe Budden I have worked with, Drag-On, he was my 1st industry credit he came out to boston to record, I was in the studio doing a track with a Boston label team 220 shout out to them. I have also worked with Akrobatik, I met him out in a studio I was engineering at out here in Boston a couple years back. I worked with Edo G, one of my people brought him through my crib at the time, to listen to some beats then the rest was history shout out to him and the whole special teamz, I sent some beats over to them for their project. I have also worked with Skyzoo, Sha Stimuli, Grafh, Murda Mook, Lady Luck her verse on the East Coast Music part 2, single is crazzzzy, I can't wait for the people to hear that. I have been doing a lot of work with Wil Guice who is a very talented singer/song writer. He was featured on "Bad Girl" on Usher's 2004 'Confessions' album. Dude is crazy talented, I actually sent him stuff tonight. My work with him is really gonna shock dudes. I really don't think they are ready for the r&b heat I have, I mean the sound I am bringing with him sounds like NOTHING out. I go back and forth, rap, r&b, samples, no samples, write a hook, write a verse etc that's how I keep the sound so versatile.
CHAMP: Now out of all the artists you've worked with, with whom did you have the greatest chemistry with?
WMS SULTAN: Out of industry artist probably Joe Budden, my production matches him perfect. I think independent artist wise has to be an artist by the name of Q from Boston; I am introducing the world to him on my mixtape and the big single East Coast Music Part 2 which he is featured on as well as Sha Stimuli, Lady Luck, Grafh, Skyzoo, Static and Leanne. It's a modern day class east coast anthem. I also have a great chemistry with a Boston group Static and Messiah. I definitely have fun making music with everyone unless they are whack.
CHAMP: Other than the album what else can we expect from WMS Sultan? Any other artists projects with the WMS Sultan production credit?
WMS SULTAN: Next up is Q his mixtape drops right after mines it's a joint venture between Iceman 2000/Brainstorm Ent. The name of the mixtape is "Body Language" I have a few tracks on there then that will be followed up by the album, which has a lot of my production on it as well. The combination of his lyrics flow, song concepts and my production is going to give the game something it's been missing for a while. It's rare to find someone with dope lyrics, songs concept and has hot production, we got all that. I also have a lot of production on the Static and Messiah mixtape which should be out soon. We have a Crazy single called "Keep Wishing" which features Skyzoo that I produced that has been buzzin. I am working hard body on getting some joints on Joe Budden's Mood Muzik 4 too been working on some heat for that.
As far as final words, I want to thank you again for the opportunity with the interview and also check for the Sultan Mixtape vol 1. For music updates and to hear some of the production and get the cds mentioned in this interview log on to
www.wmsbeats.com
or
www.myspace.com/wmsthesultan
DEAR DIARY - JOE BUDDEN (PRODUCED BY WMS SULTAN)
