Producer, DJ, crowd pleaser, artist. In today’s music industry, all of these occupations seem to mesh together. But in a sea full Mr. “Me Too”s, Salaam Remi swims upstream, continuously pushing the envelope.

Since emerging onto the scene in 1992 with Hip-Hop group Zhigge, Remi has become an unstoppable force in the music industry, as well as the world of film. From breathing life into the careers of iconic Hip-Hop artists, such as The Fugees and Nas, to catapulting the careers of Amy Winehouse and Jazmin Sullivan, Remi has gained respect as not just a producer, but a talented musician. His musicianship can be heard in films such as Rush Hour 3, Sex and the City, and most recently the Mike Tyson documentary.

With twenty years of success behind him, Remi still has his eye on the prize, and My Mood Is Music was flattered to be along for the ride.

MMIM: Hey you! Finally catching up with you.
Salaam Remi: I know. I’m actually in St. Lucia with Ms. Winehouse right now, in the studio.

MMIM: Ahh yes. Last time we talked you did say that you were working with Amy [Winehouse]. How is that going?
Salaam Remi: That’s going great. I’m really excited about the new album. You know I’ve worked on her previous two albums, Back to Black and Frank, so our working relationship is really good.

MMIM: That’s exciting! How is the relationship between you and an artist, like Amy Winehouse, affected by personal struggles in their life?
Salaam Remi: At end of the day, when it comes to the collaboration with an artist, and me it comes down to our personal conversations; and that never changes. We’re always on the same page. No matter what’s going on around her [Amy Winehouse] our conversations remain the same. She’s the same person she was when I met her at 18 years old. It’s the same case with Ms. [Lauryn] Hill; my interaction with her is always the same, no matter what her conversation is with anyone else on the Earth. Whether we work together or not.

MMIM: So when can we expect new material from Ms. Winehouse? I’m still bumping Frank?
Salaam Remi: We’ve been working hard, so it should be really soon.

MMIM: Awesome! Last time we talked, you were working on Nas’ greatest hits album and Hip Hop is Dead, as well as the Rush Hour 3 soundtrack. What are you up to now?
Salaam Remi: I’m working on Cee-lo Green’s new album, as the Executive Producer. We’re about a quarter of the way through with that. I just co-produced the [Mike] Tyson documentary. I feel really good about it. I’m looking forward to more of that type of action. I have a new artist named Livvi Franc on Jive [Records] that I’m working with. She has a single called ‘Now I’m That Bitch,’ which I produced. It’s dropping commercially in a couple weeks. I have a song on Mary J. Blige’s new album. I just started on the new Jazmin Sullivan album as well.

MMIM: I guess you’re saving small children too, in your free time? [laughs] How do you have time for all of these projects?
Salaam Remi: It’s back to back. I’m always traveling. Like, the biggest thing I’m doing this month is my project with Spragga Benz. We have an album coming out called Shotta Culture, which will be accompanied by a documentary. It should be out this summer. It’s basically about his life, from being a Kingston [Jamaica] kid to a grown man. I’m just on the go. Whether it’s a new artist or an established [artist], I just want to come with a strong body of work. That’s what keeps me going.

MMIM: Do you find that difficult to do, when you are working on so many different projects?
Salaam Remi: Not at all. When I’m working with an artist, I make sure I get the best out of everything they have to offer. Like, I will only do it if I know I can put a thousand percent into it and make it potent.

Click on more to see the rest of the interview.

MMIM: You have said ‘I like to make music for the ghetto that has pop appeal.’ How does that tie into the work you’ve done with Amy Winehouse, Anthony Hamilton, and other artists that are very soulful?
Salaam Remi: Pretty much when I do soulful stuff, I do it like I had sampled it. For instance, I have an orchestra album. I used a track from that album for the song “Bust the Windows” on Jazmin Sullivan’s album. I sample myself into my own production, so in many ways, I go at it the same way as I would a Hip-Hop beat. I do less Hip-Hop now than anything else, but there haven’t been that many Hip Hop artist that I have that chemistry with, outside of Nas. But I adapt to anything that’s necessary.

MMIM: What’s up with Nick Harrison? Haven’t heard much about that project.
Salaam Remi: Nick’s album is actually coming out this year. Damn, I just thought about that. I feel like I need to pull up my catalogue. I actually have a bunch of music coming out with Eve.

MMIM: She’s working on a new album?
Salaam Remi: Yeah, we’ve been doing a lot of work together. So you should be hearing something soon.

MMIM: Now you spoke briefly about your work on the Mike Tyson documentary; how did that project come about?
Salaam Remi: Brett Ratner, whom I worked with on Rush Hour 3, is friends with James Tolbeck. [Tolbeck] was looking for someone to do the music for the Tyson film, so [Ratner] approached me. You know all of us in my age group are fans of Tyson, because he started fighting on the humble and became the heavyweight champion. So we looked up to him. So I was really happy about it. Nas hopped on a track. He was inspired too. Nas and myself are co-producers of the film as well. We were just really happy to be a part of the project.

MMIM: Did you get to meet Tyson?
Salaam Remi: I didn’t get to meet him because I’m all over the place, but I have spoken to him on the phone a few times.

MMIM: Everyone current producer samples, but with your musical background, do you find it better to use live instruments? I mean, you do movie scores too, so it’s not like you don’t have access to great musicians.
Salaam Remi: I still sample. For Nas’ “Made You Look” I used a sample. I’m definitely into sampling, but I have the definite option to play instruments to make it sound like a sample as well. I’m not limited. My limitation is my imagination. At this point, I’m actually a member of the Incredible Bongo Band, who I sampled from for Nas’ “Made You Look.”

MMIM: Why do you think it is that producers sample so often? I mean, as you well know, there are tons of very talented musicians out there that can easily re-create a backdrop.
Salaam Remi: It’s interesting. Someone can be playing the exact same sound, but it doesn’t always record the same. Sometimes it’s the sonics, and not just the instrument. That’s why I got into engineering. You can play something and it’ll sound like Philadelphia during the 90s instead of the 70s, which is the sound you were trying to re-create. So sometimes, sampling is the only way to really get that authenticity. Like I said, most times it’s the sonics.

MMIM: The production game is a lot like the rap game now, in that there’s a lot of beef and competition. What are your thoughts when one says, “Salaam Remi’s not that hot.”
Salaam Remi: I don’t really care. The proof is in the pudding. I could really put my feet up for the next ten years and feel good about my accomplishments and the body of work I’ve produced. My production isn’t just production, it’s like artist development. I like curry chicken and white rice that costs six dollars. I don’t own one piece of jewelry. I’m a different kind of dude. And in my opinion, I think I’ve worked with some of the biggest artists and on some of the biggest movies; and at a time when most of my peers can’t even get work, you know? So I feel blessed.

MMIM: True. So what producers do you like and respect?
Salaam Remi: I wouldn’t put a name on it. I feel like over the years everyone who’s contributed to the art form in general has contributed to greatness. I wouldn’t put anything down to one guy that does it all. I think all of us are trying to get on that Quincy Jones level, from [Dr.] Dre all the way down.

MMIM: You work a lot with artists on the ground floor, like Jazmin Sullivan, Amy Winehouse, and even Chrisette Michelle and Free. Do you prefer that?
Salaam Remi: I know that’s who I am. From The Fugees to whomever. I’m not working with someone when they’re at their peak. All of my success comes from people who are on their journey. And that’s not to say I can’t create a hit with whatever the hottest pop artists of the moment is, but without The Fugees, Lauryn wouldn’t have gone on to inspire people like Amy [Winehouse] and Jazmin [Sullivan], who just got five Grammy nominations. I’m proud to be a part of that progression.

MMIM: Speaking of Lauryn, I have to ask. When can we expect something great from her? And will you be a part of it?
Salaam Remi: Even if I ain’t on the record, I’m still working with her. That’s my sister, you know? Just like Amy [Winehouse], I’ve been working with her since she was 18 years old.

MMIM: What’s next for you and your music?
Salaam Remi: Working with my label, Boom Tunes. I think [my music’s] going to start using more orchestral elements. I definitely plan to do more films. It’s just coming from all angles. I’m always looking for new faces too. I have a yearning inside my gut to just keep doing something better everyday, nothing less.

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