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.

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