https://twitter.com/billboard/status/1135685114388762624Good read/interview.
We want to share the stories behind some of your biggest hits. Let's start with "Work It."A fun fact about the song "Work It" is Tim and I would get on each other's last nerves because we are truly like brother and sister. I remember I begged him to go to some mom and pop stores to get some break beats because we had been in the studio two weeks straight and had a block; we couldn't think of anything. He finally got some records and caught this vibe and when I heard the worm sound, I was jumping up like, "That's it!" So I would record in another room because I never record in front of anyone, and I ran and did my rap. Then I ran back and said, "Yo play it to him" and he said, "Nah, that ain't it." Then I went back again [and] brought it back and he said, "Nope, that ain't it." Then a third time, the same thing. By this time I thought he was being funny, so I'm pissed! By the fifth time he said, "Yes, that's it! That shit hot!" But guess what? I got him back on the [Miss E...] So Addictive album, he thought we was done and I said, "Nope, that ain't it!" about three times. Then he did "Get Ur Freak On" and I said, "Yup, that's it!" Lol.
How about the creation of "1, 2 Step," which you wrote for Ciara, with a bold Missy Elliott feature.I remember Jazze Pha called me about her. He said, "Hey sis I got an artist named Ciara, and I want you to write a song for her." Remember, I was not a TV watcher or radio listener so he sent me her video and I was like, "Wow she is dope," and I can use the whole rap-sing style on her because she dances. I remember after I did it, I said this might sound too rap-y so I pulled up the keyboard and played some keys to make it have some singing R&B feel in there for a bridge. I was scared to send it, but when I sent it to Jazze he said, "We are going to make this her next single!" The first time I met Ciara was at the video shoot, and we have been great sisters since.
What was it like working with Ariana Grande on "Borderline"?First of all, Ariana is a great singer. I got a call from Pharrell saying Ariana wants to record the song you wrote on one of my beats. I was like, "Oh snap that's fire!!" I was humbled and I didn't even need to hear what she did because I know she's a great vocalist. I wish we would have been in the studio together, but I was out of town at the time. Maybe next time we will be in the studio together, but she is doing her thang!
Who is an artist you haven't yet worked with that you'd like to?I want to collaborate with Rihanna one day and Andre 3000. There are many more on my wish list, but I'll just keep 'em to myself in hopes it will happen. I'm always too shy to ask.
