She’s the most talented person I’ve ever worked with as an R&B singer. Recording with Jazmine Sullivan is so great. I did the “Let It Burn” record, “Mascara,” “Dumb,” I produced a great portion of her Reality Show album. Me and Jazmine Sullivan have been working together for some years, probably since I graduated from college. I liked it, ran with it, put some keys on it, loved it. The way the vibe was I didn’t want it to be drowned out with drums so I kept it simple and put a very light drum track on it. I don’t finish beats in a day, I have to work on it day after day after day. I’ll send you something that’s a little rough to see where I’m going then I sit with it. Usually, when I make beats I make at least four or five different versions of it. I had three different versions of the beat before I ran with one. Walk me through the process of “Insecure?” What were the creative steps like, when did you get the notification to produce the track? For the last few years, almost every beat I make I try to put an idea with it because I try to give the artist direction if they can’t find it.
I’ve had people ask, ‘What do you think you would say on this?’ They’d send me beats from other producers and ask, ‘What would you say on the hook or the verse?’ Other times people would say, ‘send me hooks’ or ‘send me beats with hooks,’ or ‘play me beats with hooks.’ I’ve had people say, ‘Just play me all your hooks with your beats.’ If I make the beat, I’m always thinking of something to say on top of it, whether I was inspired and just decided to put a song out or just give it to somebody. That’s interesting, how producing in a way influences you to write as well, even though you’re not the main songwriter for the song you’re producing. Technically, producing does include songwriting too. I’m still growing as a songwriter but I can’t really choose between both. I feel I have a great point of view on both producing and songwriting. All we have are just verses.’ I asked him, ‘Can I write a hook to it?’ He said, ‘Yeah.’ I sent them a hook and he ran with it and it worked. Drake had called me one day and said, ‘The beat is ill, we’re over here killing it, but I don’t really have a hook. I haven’t written as many hit records as I’ve done beats but when artists are either stuck or having a hard time trying to advance on the record, I would always say, ‘Can I pitch you an idea?’ “All Me” happened just like that. If they don’t like it, it’s cool because you still have the beat, and if you like what I said now you know where to go. I have to put some type of direction on the beat before I send it to an artist. Which process taps deeper into your creativity? Songwriting or producing? That’s just me, I’m not speaking for everybody. I feel like an instrument heightens, raises your artistry or creativity. Not just the piano, the guitar too, the trumpet, the drums. To tie that into what Prince said, yes, playing the piano should be something that people should be trying. My ear connects more to the musical, melodic side of things, so Pharrell is a big inspiration when it comes to that. The chords on almost every song on Fly or Die or In Search of… stand out so much. You can tell by listening to his beats that clearly the instrument makes his production stand out more evidently. Pharrell is a great piano player, he’s one of my favorite producers. A lot of my favorite songs are created by people who know the instrument. Playing the piano helps out your artistry especially if you’re trying to be melodic, harmonic or just different. Key Wane: There are many people who are skilled without it, there are many people who are skilled with it, but I feel it is important to know an instrument because you can definitely raise your creativity, have you think about a whole set of new ways to approach a song. What are your thoughts on that statement and how important is the piano in producing? I think it was in Rolling Stone, that Prince told Beyonce if she learned the piano, then her artistry could reach new heights. VIBE: I read that one of the instruments you’re well-versed with is the piano. Read what else Key Wane had to say about that “sample” on “Insecure,” the importance of the piano, and the power of prayer. Shout out to Jazmine Sullivan and Bryson Tiller for making this song just for us! It’s FIRE! #InsecureHBO Doja Cat, Drake, And Ari Lennox Lead 2022 BET Awards Nominations
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