Does a producer have to be friends with the artiste in order to make authentic music? In a recent interview with the Jamaica Observer about his upcoming debut album ‘ABENG’, Jamaican-American producer and DJ Walshy Fire of Major Lazer, says he doesn’t do music with people who are not his friends.
“Scheduling can be difficult, but not difficult, because I am friends with these artistes. I don’t do music with anybody that’s not my friend. I have a friendship with them so the music feels authentic.”
But does authentic music only comes from producers who have a good friendship with the artiste?
Jamaican producer Zum of Good Good productions thinks otherwise. In an interview with the Zee on Wednesday, Zum said he supports the claim of Walshy, however there doesn’t have to be a friendship between the producer and the artiste in order to create authentic music.
Walshy Fire sets to release ABENG on June 7 on the Mad Decent label. The 11-track album will feature collaborations with African and Caribbean acts. There will be artistes such as Christopher Martin, Timeka Marshall, Nailah Blackman, Machel Montano, Bunji Garlin, Kranium, Demarco, Mr Eazy, Stonebwoy, Wizkid, Masicka and Alkaline.
Walshy Fire is the producer of Koffee’s Toast.