I want to say that the first time I heard Matic Lee on the mic was on the track Jump Around the Room. I was perusing around looking for Tech N9ne songs that I had never heard before. This track featured both Young Lucci and Tech N9ne. It was off his EP titled D.O.A. I then began my search for more of his music. I found this dope track called Open Wide.
He would later go on to produce many dope tracks for Tech N9ne as well as several other Strange Music artists. He continues to create great music both in front and behind the boards. So I reached out and was able to connect with him.
ME: DPG
Matic Lee: ML
Enjoy!
DP: What is life like growing up where you're from?
ML: I had the opportunity to have many perspectives on life.
I bounced around my whole life. I wanna say it added to my versatility.
DP: What were your musical influences growing up?
ML: Every single song that ever inspired me to create and
become a creator. It ranges from Sam cook and Madonna, to Killswitch Engage and
Tony Toni Tone.
DP: Who are some of the rap artists that you grew up
listening to?
DP: Did you grow up playing musical instruments?
ML: Actually, I didn't play a choir type instrument until I
was 18. I already had a background playing drums in the school band and I was
already producing and recording my own music
DP: What was your first piece of production equipment that
you ever acquired?
ML: FL studio and a midi keyboard.
DP: Do you remember the first rhyme you ever wrote?
ML: Yes sir! 6th grade spelling class. All the words rhymed
and we had to come up with a rap using them..
DP: When did you decide that making music was going to be
your profession?
ML: The day I downloaded FL studio on Kaaza in 8th grade.
DP: Do you prefer producing music or writing lyrics?
ML: Equally the same.
DP: How did you first link up with Tech N9ne?
ML: David Sanders II, producer for Tech N9ne, hit me up
after I sent him a friend request on Myspace. He heard my music and sent a
message letting me know he fuck with my music. Then from there, he offered to
send Tech some of my beats. That was so selfless of him and I am forever in
debt to him for that.
DP: You've produced quite a bit of music for Tech and
Strange Music. On Tech's Killer album, you produced the track One Good Time.
DP: It was a different sound for him at the time. Did he
approach you for that type of beat or did you already create it with him in
mind?
ML: Funny story! I had 2 beats named Girl, one in all caps
and one lowercase. I accidentally sent him the wrong beat. The one I thought I
sent him sounded like Timbaland. And the other one sounded like 311 and Sublime
SoCal kinda vibe. It was the first track that I ever played guitar on. I had
only been playing for a couple months. So the first beat I ever sold Tech was a
mistake. Go figure! LOL
DP: A very popular track, especially at Tech's shows is
Areola. How did that track come about?
ML: LOL! I made an EDM kinda hip hop infused album with an
old friend and that beat was a left over beat from that. I sent it as a joke.
The next thing I know, Tech called me and told me about the 816 boys and the
Ohh Areola concept. David Sanders II and I ended up on the hook during a trip
to KC. We are the ones chanting Ohh Areola.
DP: When Tech put out K.O.D. his darker side was put on full
display because of what he was going through at the time. Did he approach you
with his feelings for the album before you actually showed him any tracks?
ML: Yep, he said he wanted Bram Stokers Dracula and hard ass
drums.
DP: The opening track Show Me a God is where Tech talks
about his mom. However, you also used that track on your Smoke and Mirrors
album titled WTF. Both are great tracks.
DP: Did you already have your track recorded before you let
Tech have it?
ML: Yeah, I tried another beat for it but it just didn't fit
right. That's the worst thing about rapping and producing.
DP: You've also done work for both Krizz Kaliko and KuttCalhoun. Do you have a favorite track among the many you've produced for them?
DP: How did you and Rittz meet?
ML: Before he was signed to Strange, Rittz and I did a song
with a artist named Dice. We linked at the video shoot and found out that we
are both from the same area. We've been homies ever since.
DP: You had two banging tracks on Rittz's Strange music
debut album The Life and Time of Johnny Valiant: Say no More and Misery LovesCompany. Was there a specific sound he was going for when he approached you for
some tracks?
ML: Nah, I sent a couple and he picked those two.
DP: I want to talk about your solo work. The EP D.O.A came
out back in 2010. You had the great track Open Wide. However, that track was
left off the Itunes album. Was
there a reason for that?
ML: Not sure,l I need to ask David Sanders II about that.
LOL!
DP: How did you hook up with George Zelaya?
ML: Through the Sicness forum early on. He has been a friend
of mine ever since.
DP: You also appeared on the remix to his Clappin track with
Tech N9ne. Did you produce that one as well?
ML: Yes sir, I did that remix for him.
DP: You came out with the album Smoke and a Mirror in 2011.
Are you happy with how that album turned out?
ML: I'm proud as hell! It served its purpose.
DP: On the second track, it's really dope how you were able
to incorporate the Spice Girls sample into the track. How did you come up with
the track Telmewachuwan?
ML: I loved the Spice Girls. I grew up in the 90s. I'm still
trying to get at Sporty Spice. It might be that British accent.
You can follow Matic Lee on his Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/MaticLee
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https://twitter.com/MaticLee
Check out his webpage at http://maticlee.com/
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More Q & A sessions to come!
Thanks for reading!
dpgmarine
