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Aftermath Music recently got the next opportunity to interview Stat Quo. He has been making noise this year with his single "Here we go". We talked with him about working with other artists, "The Re-Up" and find out the current status of his debut album "Statlanta" and Dr. Dre's "Detox".

INTERVIEW: May 15th, 2007

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Aftermathmusic.com:
What's up, Stat? Let everybody know what's cracking with you right now.

Stat Quo:
Well you know right now I just got finished with the album "STATLANTA" and I'm just out here promoting it in the streets working it. Just trying to make sure everybody knows about it and it is coming August 28th… yes indeed!


Aftermathmusic.com:
Last time I talked to you, you had just prepared your debut album. What do you feel have been the most significant changes with Stat Quo over the last few years?

Stat Quo:
I've matured as a man in these last four years in many ways. I had a son who is my first child so that definitely gave a whole other outlook on life. My album, I thought was finished back then but it wasn't, but it's done now and it's much better! I have grown more as a songwriter and I'm making beats right now too. Musically I have become well rounded when it comes to this whole Hip Hop shit.


Aftermathmusic.com:
Where do you live now?

Stat Quo:
I live in Atlanta, Chris! I work in LA because I've been working on the DETOX with Dre and we were finishing up some loose ends on my album. I was working with Dre in LA for the last couple months and I did some stuff on Snoop's album, so I was out west writing and contributing to some projects but my home is Atlanta and that's where I live at.


Aftermathmusic.com:
The single "Here we go" is produced by Dr. Dre. Has the single been serviced to radio stations yet and are you planning on shooting a video for the song?

Stat Quo:
Yes the song has been serviced to radio stations and we are going to shoot a video for this song probably in the beginning of June.


Aftermathmusic.com:
Okay let's talk about your debut album "Statlanta" coming up. When can the fans expect it?

Stat Quo:
That's coming out in August 28th! That's when fans can expect that.


Aftermathmusic.com:
How has it made you feel to more or less be waiting all this time to put out the album?

Stat Quo:
You know? I'm not even going to front. That's definitely a situation where you have incredible music and you're hearing some of the things that are going on and what some people are saying about Hip Hop and you get antsy and you want to get out here and do your thing. But you know, I feel like everything happens when it's suppose to and right now on August 28th that's my time so that when it's going to come out. It comes out when it's supposed to.


Aftermathmusic.com:
How long have you been recording for the album?

Stat Quo:
I've been recording this album my whole life 'cause you know what artists say… it takes a lifetime to make your first record. So that's how long I've been making it.


Aftermathmusic.com:
Do you have any standout recording sessions or memorable moments since you started working on your album?

Stat Quo:
To be honest with you, being that Dr. Dre and Eminem are over my project, every time I go into the studio with those gentlemen and work it is incredible; you know what I'm saying? So those moments right there happen to me all the time because I get to work with the best on a regular occasion.


Aftermathmusic.com:
How many tracks did Dr. Dre and Eminem do for your album?

Stat Quo:
9) Dre did about six and Em did three. Em is rapping on a couple of them. Actually one of Em's tracks the beat changes in it so I would say he did four beats but it's three - so Dre did six and Em did three.


Aftermathmusic.com:
Who are the other producers on the project?

Stat Quo:
I got LT Moe who is a producer signed to GMM on the album. I got Three-Six Mafia on the album. I got Scott Storch on the album. I got Nottz on the album. I got Mark Batson and Che Vicious on the album. Steve Estibar is on the album and a couple of new cats… The Fire Dept., Keezo, you know what saying? They killed it. So those are pretty much all the producers on the album.


Aftermathmusic.com:
A solid amount of producers on "Statlanta." And the features on "Statlanta" are ...?

Stat Quo:
I've got Bilal, Devin The Dude and this new artist named Nikki Grier, she's crazy and works heavily with the Aftermath camp, she's dope. I've got Eminem and Scarface… I can't forget about him! I've got Young Buck. Dre's not rapping on the album… he's saving all the rapping for the DETOX, ya heard?!


Aftermathmusic.com:
How many tracks made the record?

Stat Quo:
Sixteen songs on the record.


Aftermathmusic.com:
What song have you done that meant the most to you?

Stat Quo:
I feel like songs are like your children especially like your album. It's like… to say one is your favorite is kind of like disrespecting the other ones. I like certain songs for certain reasons, you know? It depends on how I'm feeling at a particular time. I guess at any moment in time one song could be my favorite so I guess all of them are. That's why they are on my first record.


Aftermathmusic.com:
What would you like for people to get from your album and how would you describe it to people who haven't heard it yet?

Stat Quo:
Well I would describe it as a breath of fresh air. A lot of people really want something that going to stick to their gut, something they can hold on to and ride all the way through and listen to not having to skip all around it. It is definitely a breath of fresh air. You're getting your moneys worth and in my opinion it's some classic shit!


Aftermathmusic.com:
Do you feel that you're creating a bigger buzz on "Here We Go", rather than "Like Dat"?

Stat Quo:
When I put the "Like Dat" record out, you have to understand that I put the record out because I was going on the Anger Management tour and I didn't really have anything out that people had heard. So, I needed a song that I could go out and perform in front of all those people, you know? Who wants to perform when people don't know the record? So I kind of put that out for that reason to get it poppin' when I did that tour. Also to promote the tour, you know what I mean? When I serviced it, all the different radio stations I went to I always talked about the tour because that's what I was doing.

"Here We Go" is a totally different type of record. It was like "this is the one" you know what I mean? This is what we're doing… it's going down like you already know! I definitely think this is going to create a bigger buzz than what I did with "Like Dat". "Like Dat" served it's purpose and "Here We Go" is going to serve it's purpose.


Aftermathmusic.com:
Tell us a little bit about the creative process and how you go about making your music?

Stat Quo:
My songs come from my day to day; you know what I'm saying? Every time I talk or interact with somebody, anything I do or if I'm riding in the car and I see something, a sign on the street or somebody walking by…whatever comes to my mind you know? That's how songs come about. I base all my songs off of my personal things that I encounter and come across on a day to day basis. A song can be anything, you know what I mean? I can make a song about taking my shoes off or how I feel about or whatever. So that is pretty much the creative process of how it goes. I'm always making music. I feel like my life is music. So, when I wake up in the morning it's a song, you know what I'm saying? Like, every thing about me is music so I'm always making a song.


Aftermathmusic.com:
Okay, how much control do you have of what goes on the album and how much does Dre & Eminem have?

Stat Quo:
I have a lot of control because it's my album. But you're talking about Dr. Dre who's the greatest producer of all time and Eminem who's one of the greatest MC's of all time. So I enjoy the fact that I can create my records and they can come in and critique them and tell me if they're good enough. If they tell me they're not feeling something and they don't think it should go on the album, I scratch it off immediately. These guys have sold millions of records and Stat Quo has yet to sell a record. So I listen to these guys because of their track record and what they have done in the past.


Aftermathmusic.com:
Working with such legends, what did they teach you, and how did they influence you?

Stat Quo:
Well you know Em's definitely been a great MC mentor. Watching him record and how he approaches MC-ing and his artistry as far as his writing and watching him at what a great father he is, that's definitely an inspiration to me to be a better father with my kids. Same thing with Dre; him being a great father to his kids, you know? You're talking about watching Dr. Dre in the studio work as hard as he works; I mean you're just talking about hard workers. You can't help but be inspired by that considering these guys have been in the business all this time and they still work like they're broke. That's the shit!


Aftermathmusic.com:
How does it feel now to have your solo album recorded?

Stat Quo:
Ah man it feels good, man… to know that I'm at the tail end of this process that I have worked so hard for it and prayed for this moment to be done with it. I just can't wait for the world to hear it… to go in their local stores and actually purchase this masterpiece that I, Dre and Eminem put together. STATLANTA!


Aftermathmusic.com:
Three years signed to Shady/Aftermath, do you feel a lot of pressure to sell a lot of records?

Stat Quo:
That pressure shit is pretty much off; you know what I'm saying? I just think the industry has changed as a whole since I've been in it. There are so many things that are different now. I think people focus too much of their attention on selling records. If you put an album out that's highly profitable and you make money back for the company and you're not in dept and you make great music, I think it's all G… it's all good. All this "who sells the most records" shit… is like whatever. Who makes the BEST records? Who makes incredible music? Who made a statement; you know what I'm saying? A lot of the time that gets lost when people are looking at the numbers.


Aftermathmusic.com:
Okay, what other projects do you have in the works - can we expect any mixtapes in the near future?

Stat Quo:
Off course, man… I can't leave the mix-tape game alone. I'm thinking about doing something, man… I just don't want people to think that's all I'm bringing to the table. I was doing them and doing them and really hurting the game but at some point people really want to hear this album. So I want to put this album out and let it speak for who I am and you guys can really get a good judgment because I think a lot of people got it twisted on what they think it's supposed to be. So we are getting ready to show them what this "STATLANTA" thing is all about!


Aftermathmusic.com:
Do you think it is difficult to switch from doing mixtape tracks to album tracks?

Stat Quo:
It's like putting my pants on. That's something I do. It's what I do for a living. It's my job. Anybody else that's a professional at what they do… it's like asking a baseball player if it's difficult to hit a baseball. That's what they do for a living. Mix-tapes, albums, whatever… that's what I do. I'm a professional so I keep it professional.


Aftermathmusic.com:
Are you more into lyrics or beats?

Stat Quo:
I'm in to both of them; you know what I'm saying? I definitely think the beat inspires the great lyrics, for me anyway. But at the same time the beat could be terrible and I'm still going to do me. It doesn't matter because I've gotten to a point where I can do whatever I do. I take it as a challenge sometimes if the beat doesn't spark me from the beginning because it allows be the creativity in my rhyme to try and make the beat better. So that's how I look at it.


Aftermathmusic.com:
The past year, you were involved in the "The Re-Up" project. How do you look at Hip Hop in 2006?

Stat Quo:
Man "The Re-Up" was a success. We sold a million copies in the US and a million overseas. So you're talking about two million copies worldwide on an album that was a mix-tape. So as far as the world is concerned that's a success. We've outsold the majority of people putting albums out that was a mix-tape! So I can't complain at all, you know what saying? I'm blessed.


Aftermathmusic.com:
Ok, Dr. Dre and Eminem are working on new albums. 50 Cent is releasing his new album this September. Can you speak on any of those records?

Stat Quo:
Well Dre is working on the DETOX and it's CRAZY! You know I've been out in LA working with him on that. Eminem is working on his album and he played some tracks. He came out to LA because we were all working on DETOX with Dre, and the DETOX is incredible, let me say! These projects are going to phenomenal and 50 Cent is getting ready to smash! He personally played me like forty something songs and I was like "what's going on"? I didn't even know how he was going to break them down to put them on his album because he's got so much heat. So I'm just inspired by the people I'm around and happy and proud to be a part of this crew because it's incredible.


Aftermathmusic.com:
What would you say seperates you from all the southern artists that are out there right now in the game?

Stat Quo:
Just whatever separates the every person in the world from everything else. I feel like what separate's me is me. None of the other rappers can say they're me and I can't say that I'm them. So we're all separated because we're individuals and that's what it's all about. That's the whole point of this thing.


Aftermathmusic.com:
Do you feel you have any competion right now?

Stat Quo:
Yeah myself… I'm competing with myself. That's period point blank. Myself and that's it because I'm just trying to do me. I'm not really worried about everybody else has going on. That's not my thing. I'm worried about myself, my family and what I'm doing.


Aftermathmusic.com:
The South been popping for a while now, what do you think you have to do so the buzz doesn't die out?

Stat Quo:
I think the south is going to continue to do its thing because cats are just making music. People want to have a good time. They want to go out here and have fun. So as long as people want to have fun the south is going to do its thing! And that's not going to change so I don't think there's really anything for us to do but do what we're doing and make the music.


Aftermathmusic.com:
Which albums from Aftermath and Shady can we expect in 2007?

Stat Quo:
I can't really speak on anybody else's project but you can expect mine on August 28th, ha-ha. Other than that 50 is coming out, you know? Hopefully Eminem will come and maybe even Dre will come, you never know. But I can't really speak on what everybody else has going on because those are their albums. My album is coming out August 28th!


Aftermathmusic.com:
I heard you were working on tracks with Bishop Lamont and Busta Rhymes - what's the status on that? Are you featured on any of their records?

Stat Quo:
Ah man Bishop and Busta are my dawgs! You know we always put it down. Bishop and I have some joints. We did a joint myself, Bishop and T3 from Slum Village. We [Stat & Bishop] are doing another record for his album that's crazy! Busta started working on his new album. He's got some incredible shit. So we get together and rock, man… it's like one big happy family over at Aftermath.


Aftermathmusic.com:
What do you consider the most valuable lesson you've learned in the industry?

Stat Quo:
Just to be patient and that timing is everything. Those things are basically what I've learned the most.


Aftermathmusic.com:
Tell us a little bit about your company GMM.

Stat Quo:
My company is Global Music Movement. We had to change the name because somebody else supposedly had it. But we're just a movement; you know what I'm saying? Management… we're a production company, we're a label, we're doing movie… we're still doing the film thing. It's just a whole movement what we're doing and just creating financial opportunities. There are so many different avenues when you talk about a business. Not just in entertainment but also other corporate entities.


Aftermathmusic.com:
What are your ultimate goals as the head of GMM and yourself as an individual?

Stat Quo:
Ah man I'm trying to rule the world; bottom line! So we'll just leave like that.


Aftermathmusic.com:
If someone was interested in being a part of your company how can they contact you?

Stat Quo:
You can e-mail me on my myspace, you know… just search Stat Quo on myspace and you can hit me up. You know we got the website for GMM... E-mail us on there. You can hit me up on my personal website, www.statquo.com. And you know… send your music in. Send your beats in. I'm always looking for the next hot shit!


Aftermathmusic.com:
Okay that's just about it, do you have any last messages for the fans?

Stat Quo:
I love ya'll! All the fans; you know what I'm saying? Support Shady, Aftermath and G-Unit. Visit www.Aftermathmusic.com and support Stat Quo… it is what it is: A-Town!


Aftermathmusic.com:
Aight man, good luck for the record!


Source: AftermathMusic.Com

ThaDemon

propz, think statlanta will be hot too

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BUCK THE WORLD

hoesaintshit

aiight mayne , nice shit there.......he is supporting all the other artist too....that s good....man i cant wait for the aftermath and shady to drop their albums...everybody there is great.....detox is going to the best album....no doubt"!

El Scorpio

wow! He got 6 Dre beats and 3 from Eminem!

good interview :)

G_Unit_Life

He is speaking some real stuff about just competing with himself n that sales are just numbers, everyone uses sales to indicate whos a better artist but that aint nothin! but everyone can stop saying detox aint comin or he aint doin it cause this interview proves that is it comin!

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G-Unit Bear

fuck yea. thats what im talking about. keep dropping albums man. its all bout the G-unit/shady/Aftermath fam. can't fuck with them. shit now i can't wait for stat quo's album to drop. shit man 07 and 08 are gonna be some years to remember. STiLL Waiting For DETOX!

nash3000

i just hope it drops when he says it's gonna drop man.........for fucks sake over a year ago i was waiting for this shit around the same date and time!! im sure it'l be worth it but it's took the piss....i just dont get why say a date n then just completley change it...they should just say 'coming soon' anyone whos been following stat quo should feel what im saying...

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Watch What You Say To Me.....

Ed-ucation

props, just hope that statlanta will be a good album

shady713

i like dat

$$Madskillz$$

he got good beats for his album shud be good

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AC MILAN~~LA LAKERS~~DALLAS MAVERICKS