Published: Sunday - March 27, 2005
Words by Ruben Diaz
Focus (Photo: A.Fam Records)
BallerStatus.com: Can you sum up your experience thus far?
Focus: It's been great. I can tell you all about it, but everybody has their ups and downs. I've paid my dues.
BallerStatus.com: What are some of those downs?
Focus: When you start, and you don't have no money. When you're getting in [the game], it's really hard to feed yourself. I've done the whole "no money" thing, trying to shower at a friend's house. Then I had kids, and I had to get really serious about it. I have two boys that I'm raising, so I had to get real serious about it. Right around that time is when all of this happened (signing with Aftermath).
BallerStatus.com: How does the process work, when you're here and you're making beats? When you come in, is there a certain quota you have to meet as far as beats made?
Focus: We work on whatever projects arise. Right now, we've got Busta [Rhymes] and Eve. I come in here with the mind frame of getting on every one of those projects, and I just try to nail Busta beats, then I try to nail some Eve beats. I just do the whole roster, and whoever hears whatever they like, pretty much gets it. Whenever I come up [to the studio], I try to get as much done for the amount of time I'm here.
BallerStatus.com: What's a regular work day for you from beginning to end?
Focus: Typically, we get in here at about 2 o'clock (p.m.), and I just start hanging out; I can't just sit down and work. We just try to keep it light-hearted around here because after seeing the same people for months, and months, it can drive you crazy. I enjoy everybody I work with, I enjoy where I work. If I'm here for a month, I try to do out two [beats] a day. I don't want to overwhelm them. I can make five a day, but I don't want to make four bad ones and 1 good one. I'd rather make one good one, and one bad one to even the ratio.
BallerStatus.com: What's been your favorite record that you produced so far?
Focus: I'm my own worst critic [laughs]. The track I did for Az Yet (R&B group from the 90's), I don't know if anyone remembers them. I did "Last Night" on the "Boomerang" soundtrack. I just loved the "Boomerang" soundtrack. I love real music. I'm also working with my artist right now, J. Life, who's amazing.
BallerStatus.com: What do you listen to?
Focus: In my CD changer right now, I have System Of A Down's Toxicity album, I have Game's album. I can't lie, I don't really listen to rap, because it all gets monotonous. There's only a few that I'll check for and go buy their album. Definitely, [I listen to] old R&B, Earth Wind & Fire, stuff like that.
BallerStatus.com: Do you listen to that music for inspiration, or better yet, motivation to produce?
Focus: Yeah! It makes me believe that music is for a reason. I'm not taking away from anybody 'cause it's not all producers, but it's getting to a point where [hip-hop is]. Nobody's doing that real music, so I listen to that old stuff to motivate me to take [my production] there.
BallerStatus.com: You mentioned you're starting your own record label...
Focus: A.fam Records. Right now, we have a nice little roster of vocalists. The first artists I'm putting out are F'lana Star and J.Life. I'm very, very excited about them. They're both R&B. J.Life is from Brooklyn, and F'lana Star is from Augusta, Georgia, and she can sing her ass off!
BallerStatus.com: Who all is in the Aftermath production camp?
Focus: To my knowledge, it's Dre, Mike Elizondo, and the other musicians around him, and myself. Dre will co-produce sometimes. Hi-Tek definitely works with us, but it's not like we all go into the same studio; we all pretty much keep our sound.
BallerStatus.com: Would you like to comment, and possibly end the rumors/speculation that Dre has "ghost-producers?" I ask you this because many people act like they're talking with facts, but haven't the slightest clue and you happen to work with him first-hand.
Focus: I definitely wanna say this for the record. With Dre being my mentor, I've SEEN him do everything! He does HIS beats! He is the true essence of a producer. Back in the day, the producer turned the knobs. Dre knows how to play [instruments], he has people that he hires to play, like any producer, but he does his beats!
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