Producer Spotlight: Focus…

You might say that Focus… was born to make music. As the son of former CHIC bassit Bernard Edwards, a love and appreciation of production was instilled at a young age. Now a veteran producer, Focus… has gone on to produce for not only some of hip hop’s biggest names (such as Little Brother, Busta Rhymes & The Game) but also some of the music industry’s most visible artists like Beyonce & Jennifer Lopez. After spending time as one of Aftermath’s in-house producers, Focus… has branched out and started his own label a.Fam Entertainement. In this producer spotlight, Focus… tells us about why he left Aftermath, his experience working on Dr. Dre’s Detox, his new endeavors with a.Fam Entertainment and much more. Hit the jump to learn more about the talent behind the boards known as Focus…

For anyone who still doesn’t know, who is Focus…?

- I am the namesake to the late bassist and co-producer of the group CHIC, Bernard Edwards. I used to work as a staff producer for the label Aftermath Entertainment and now, I’m currently building my legacy, a.Fam Entertainment.

Who are your musical influences?

- There are so many. I religiously listen to and study artists like Sting, The Bird and The Bee, and Reliant K, all the way across to Prince, Stevie Wonder and Dr. Dre. I really have had influences from more than one producer and/or artist so that’s a tough one to pinpoint…

Last year you released “homage” tracks to legends such as DJ Premier & J Dilla. You did a great job of really implementing their styles in the production. What was it like making these songs? Did you feel any pressure to live up to standards these guys have created?

- First, I would like to say thank you for the compliment. I really appreciate that. Second, I can’t lie, I’ve been listening to the producers I’m paying homage to all my life and career so I really didn’t think for a second that I couldn’t make something to, at least, make them proud. It’s just good feeling music, and I attacked it like so… I just made good feeling MUSIC.

Do you plan to do any more “Homage To…” songs?

- I still have a few more to do. It might even end up being a couple of volumes. The problem is getting up with the MC’s and getting their participation.

You’ve started your own label in a.Fam Entertainment. What’s it been like balancing your duties running label with your work as an artist?

- Well, I don’t really look at myself as an ‘artist’ per say. I focus (no pun) on my artists and I try my best to figure out what is needed to get them the proper look they deserve. The cats that are signed to me are really talented. I do my best to keep the spotlights on the roster and not myself.

Let’s talk about some of those talented artists such as Al Gator and KIDA. Were you looking for certain talent to bring in or were these guys that you’ve already built relationships with in past years?

- Gator has been around my camp for a few years now, even before Kida. I wanted to sign Gator years ago and, at that time, it looked like we were going to do some great business with the late, great Shakir Stewart. It would’ve been hot if things worked out, but that’s how I knew Gator, so we just relinked and moved on from there. Kida came into the camp through my brother, Ty Cannon. I was recording ‘Dedicated’ at the time and I got him on the song ‘Affairz’. Once we vibed, it was a wrap from that point on.

The Avante Garde Project, which you dropped in May [purchase], has kind of flown under the radar. Why do you think that is?

- No one to blame but myself. I made that CD from a whole different place then my listeners are used to hearing from me. I didn’t really ease them into it. I also charged for this one and my listeners expect me to give it away for free. Plus, I really didn’t put much money into it. I wanted it to be accepted for the music it was, no hype, no gimmick. I still love it and I’m glad I put it out.

Did it being strictly a digital release hurt awareness or do you feel like people were thrown off by the versatility of style of the LP?

- I think, in a way, the digi release without the proper finances was the reason for the poor response. I’m sure if I would’ve had blogs running and ads everywhere, hyping it up, I might’ve gotten a bit of a stronger look. Plus, a lot of my listeners were looking for a follow up to ‘Dedicated’ which was a rap LP.

Are you still a producer first or have you begun to evolve into more of an emcee/singer/producer?

- Producer! That’s it. That’s all, LOL. I like writing and shooting a couple hooks to different artists here and there but, you won’t catch me on stage running around trying to sell you my song. It’s just not happening.

I’ve seen you say things before like you don’t want to be considered just a hip hop producer. Do you feel stuck at times in hip hop or are you just trying to expand in general?

- I feel stuck everyday. Cats see me as hip hop because of my past affiliation with Aftermath. I’m not upset about it anymore but it is time to get my music out there and it just isn’t going to get the right look in hip hop. Cats don’t get what I do and why I do it in hip hop.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t get into some of the Aftermath stuff; I know you get it a lot though. What went into the decision for you to leave?

- Real talk, I was frustrated and extremely depressed. I stayed in the studio for Dre everyday, all day and I got tired of feeling like I couldn’t measure up to his standards. None of my music was coming out on any of the Aftermath artists on the roster and I consistently worked on Detox for 7 years with no light at the end of that tunnel. I just thought it was best that I left to get my music heard and to show Dre that everything he showed me was going to go to good use.

How often were you in the studio with Dr. Dre? What was the experience like for you?

- I really worked by myself. Dre and I never collabed on a beat. We rarely worked in the same studio. I spent most my time either in Encore or Can Am while Dre did most his work in Record One.

Detox has become almost a myth to most of us these days, can you shed any light on recording process?

- All I know is he is working on it.

How much were you contributing to possible tracks for the album?

- Like I said, I was working on it for 7 years so whatever I did, Dre was the first to hear. I wished I had gotten most the beats that went free on the net on Detox, but hey.

Do you still see some of your work ending up on Detox if it’s ever released?

- I hope and pray I don’t get overlooked but, I told Dre the only way I wanted to work on Detox was to go in with him. I was tired of sending beats and waiting for responses.

What can we expect from you and a.Fam the rest of this year and into the future?

- This year is our re-branding year, so I am doing my best in getting everyone to know who Al Gator, Kida and the a.Fam brand are. Years to come? It’s pretty simple and plain, MORE MUSIC AND ARTISTS TO COME! I’m not Diddy but I can’t stop, I won’t stop… Eh, Eh. Take That! LOL.

Any shout outs or last words?

- Shouts to the a.Fam staff and artists. Shouts to Oso Reel and Underboss Ent. Look out for “FEWnification” by theFEW, “BIG BUSINESS” by Big O. & Focus…, “Pay Homage” and whatever else my artists plan on giving the net! We goin iiiinnnn, we goin innnn… Mid-Age money, LOL kidding! “Live light.. Work HEAVY! Stay humble, stay hungry… Stay Focused!”