Kevin Rudolf Interview
DJ Laz Vagez
CHAMP: Cash Money/Universal Republic recording artist Kevin Rudolf! What’s good witchu man?
Kevin Rudolf: What’s up man, thanks for having me
CHAMP: No doubt no doubt, now you’re not just a recording artist man tell us what else you do in the industry
Kevin Rudolf: I’m a producer, I’m a songwriter, I’m a guitar player. Got my start playing the guitar and went on a lot of records with Timbaland, Black Eyed Peas, Cool and Dre, and Lil Kim
CHAMP: Now how long have you been in the game? I mean you said a lot of name dog
Kevin Rudolf: Probably like three four years. I’ve been making music for a long time but I’m telling you how long I’ve been making records with the people you heard of but I’ve been working on peoples records since I was a kid
CHAMP: Now your mom was actually an artist too right?
Kevin Rudolf: She was doing her thing in New York and I was definitely exposed to it earlier on
CHAMP: Now you said you were with Timbaland. Tell us how you ended up under his wing and what you learned from him
Kevin Rudolf: Really I got introduced to a friend who was his engineer and mixes a lot of his records, and I went in there one day and just wanted to watch him work. He’s a a great producer who did a lot of groundbreaking records, and he’s a pioneer, and I got to really just watch him and I brought my guitar as really just something to offer and he’s great at what he does and made a lot of hit records, beats and rhythms and everything
CHAMP: How was it like working with the Vancouver native Nelly Furtado?
Kevin Rudolf: I only worked with her for a few hours on the song called Say It Right, which ended up being one of her biggest singles. I was just listening to a track that the vocals weren’t even finished on and Tim just said put down some ideas so I put down like 6 guitar tracks and he ended up using one or two but it was great to contribute to that record
CHAMP: Now with that being said you made your way to Cash Money Records. How did you link up with Slim and Baby?
Kevin Rudolf: Basically I seen them in Miami and I was working with Tim and an artist and Cash Money moved down there and I met Slim and I played a song that he was interested in for one of his artists that he just signed. Then I played him my next track and he got excited and he was like I gotta sign you, so that was the start of the relationship
CHAMP: Now you got Let It Rock and its top 40 status. Did you think that would be as successful as it is now?
Kevin Rudolf: Honestly yo some people think it’s a one hit wonder song , but that wasn’t by any means the strongest song on the album. I think we got some really innovative songs on the album that’s also hit-worthy so I don’t by any means think that’s the only song but I’m excited that it blew up. I’m grateful ‘cause that’s what makes people listen to the album. That song was about getting peoples attention
CHAMP: Your album is on it’s way and it’s called In The City and we all know that Weezy’s on that album. Do you have any other features on that joint?
Kevin Rudolf: Yes I do. We got a song called NYC on there which Nas is on
CHAMP:Huge
Kevin Rudolf: Yeah it’s huge and I’m proud to have him on that record. We got Rick Ross on a single and we got Birdman on a single so we’re keeping it dope!
CHAMP: That album is dropping on the 25th of November correct?
Kevin Rudolf: Yeah dropping November 25th got get it go get it
CHAMP: It should be a smash I mean you from New York. What part of New York are you from?
Kevin Rudolf: I grew up all over Manhattan and bounced around from uptown to downtown , east, west I grew up all over the city and then I moved to Miami three years ago. You can’t get the city outta you but at the same time I do a lot of work out in Miami so it just worked out for me move down here
CHAMP: Now you in Miami man I gotta go down there and gotta meet some chicks
Kevin Rudolf: I’ll hook you up man, come on down
CHAMP: Oh man fo sho, I hope you not married ‘cause we gotta go down there and get some groupie love
Kevin Rudolf: (Laughs) yeah
CHAMP: On top of that, you gotta come up to Toronto. When are you coming up to T Dot to see your fans?
Kevin Rudolf: I’m excited to go out there. I heard it’s crazy up there. I heard the singles blowing up there but it should be early ’09 when I get up there
LET IT ROCK - KEVIN RUDOLF FT. LIL WAYNE
