By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer
Detroit is making a strong comeback in the hip hop industry. For years, Detroit’s sole claim to hip hop fame was Eminem and his movement. Eminem also helped D12 and Obie Trice gain stardom. But, Eminem was prone to hiatuses and during this time his artists did not deliver much music either.
In 2011, Eminem entered a hiatus and Big Sean was finally freed from the bench of the G.O.O.D. Music roster. Kanye West believed in Big Sean and the results were tremendous. Now, there are several rappers and producers trying to come up from the Motor City.
Lex Gunna is an up-and-coming producer in the game, from Detroit, catching the attention of several members of 1017 Brick Squad. The house of Gucci Mane and Waka Flocka Flame is not the only place Lex Gunna is finding a home at, however. Hip Hop Vibe had the chance to speak with Lex and several topics were discussed.
Read the entire interview below:
Why did you begin making beats? At first, I was a rapper and then I watched videos about how to produce and make beats. Once I realized I was good enough to produce, I went at it full throttle. No one taught me how to produce, so I had to learn it by myself. I learned how to make music and then I began making music good enough to record on.
A young man yourself, do you feel it is easier on young producers, seeing how Lex Luger, Mike WiLL, and others have made it? Yeah, especially us young producers. This is a young man’s movement. All of the young people have to get up if their mind is for music. If music is their passion and they want to do it, get on it. Most importantly, take criticism as a compliment because people want you to make music they will like, especially young people because you need more than the streets.
Who are some of the rappers you have been working with? I recently worked with J Paq, Tim Stacks, Ant J., King Wooh, Sauce, and Mack Drama, the latter four are all from 1017 Brick Squad. Those are the people I have produced for and it was pretty fun.
You have been working with Brick Squad Mafia, would you consider signing there? To tell you the truth, I have spoken with them about producing for them more exclusively. But, we have not discussed a record deal. My main goal is to stay independent, but if I had a chance, I might would sign with a label. I feel artists should stay independent with their beats.
Being from Detroit, have you had any contact with Big Sean? Contact with Big Sean? No. He is from the West side and I am from the East side. The two sides are beefing, but I don’t have anything to do with that. But, I have decided to stay out of the beef, so I haven’t reached out to him. I don’t think he was here when the beef started, but I’m just staying out of it.
How did you meet DJ YRS Jerzy? Well, I met DJ YRS Jerzy on Twitter through J’Mel, an artist he works with. After doing our song, he put me in contact with Jerzy and we began talking.
What can you tell us about the mixtape you two have in the works? Beats for the Trap is a bunch of hard-style trap beats. These beats are for the real street people who just want to go hard to. This is riding music right here, it is for all the real street people, a hard track to just go wild on.
When should fans expect this project to be released? Sometime next week, next Monday. We are dropping it next Monday.
