By Preemo
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer
Ever since the bling era and the shiny suits of the 1990s, the producers have had a comeback. There was once a time when all the attention went to the rappers, but recent years have enough spotlight for everyone. Four years ago, Natural Disaster was the topic of discussion because Soulja Boy’s “Turn My Swag On” was big.
“Turn My Swag On” was released in 2008, but did not become a hit single until 2009, but it defined that year in hip hop. Since then, hit songs have come and gone and it seemed as if Natural Disaster came and went. Guess again… Natural Disaster returned last week, providing the production on Lil Reese’s “Wassup.”
Featuring Fredo Santana and Lil Durk, “Wassup” has become a major hit despite only being out for three days. Hip Hop Vibe had the fortune of talking to Natural Disaster this evening and he discussed his time in the game. He was nice enough to talk about “Turn My Swag On,” telling a never-before-told story and then talked “Wassup.”
Read the entire interview below:
Take us back to the beginning, how did you get “Turn My Swag On” to Soulja Boy? I had a mutual connection to Soulja Boy. Soulja Boy was a big internet artist and his email was out there. The mutual connection talked to him and Soulja Boy told me to send three or four tracks over, among them “Turn My Swag On,” and then it went from there.
Did you make that beat, specifically, for Soulja Boy? I’m glad I get to tell this story. At the time when I was made that track, I took the acapella of Yung Joc’s “Lookin Ass Nigga,” I was experimenting with a track, and I built “Turn My Swag On” around that track, and then I took the acapella out and built the track.
Were you surprised when “Turn My Swag On” became such a big hit? Yeah. I was definitely shocked. When it came out, I knew it would have some kind of response, but I didn’t know it would become the hit it became with artists remixing it and going top five on Billboard. People always tell me they loved the beat on that song and it was definitely a good look for me, as a producer. But, I had no idea it was going to be that big.
In the years since then, what type of reception do you get when people find out you produced that record? People always go “you really produced that?” I get a lot of love for producing that record even five years after I did that. The song is still a hype song in bars and clubs, I’ve heard it myself. That was just a big record for me and it was great to start my career off with that as the first placement.
Can you talk about the doors that track opened for you? Man, it opened a lot of doors. When you produce a hit record, everybody wants to work with you. I built a lot of relationships with important people I looked up to off the strength of that record. This is a track the people always respect. I have been under the radar for the past couple of years, but this hit record is in my discography at a young age and it still gains respect for me. This separates me from everybody else trying to come in, but I made a name for myself as a producer. I have worked on R&B projects since then and I have evolved since that record. Now people will hear me and understand what I bring to the table, aside from that one record.
How did you link up with GBE and end up doing Lil Reese’s “Wassup?” How that happened was me being on Twitter and I reached out to his manager, Wayne. He said he was looking for tracks from Lil Reese, I sent him two records, including “Wassup.” Me and him talked on Twitter and then the track hit the internet and it already has 7 million views. What is funny is that he only works with two other producers, one of which of course, is Young Chop. But, Lil Reese really likes my beats and “Wassup” is putting me back where I need to be, in terms of being a producer. This track is definitely a good look for me.
In less than a week, the track is up to 7 million views, how do you feel about that? Man, oh shit. It’s good, because I am associated with that record as the producer. The song is doing numbers and getting a strong response. In the first few hours, it did over 2 million views. It is going to be one of those end of summer and into fall hit records. So, I will use this song to help build my brand more and work with other artists.
Do you think this record will be bigger than “Turn My Swag On?” Ahhh (laughs). Good question, but I don’t know. Only time will tell. But, for those who remembered, “Turn My Swag On” did not take off until months after it was released and then it hit top five. Then, baseball players used the track and used it as their opening song. Later, Fabolous, Lil Wayne, Jim Jones, Jadakiss, and even Keri Hilson made their own remix records. So, “Wassup” is still somewhat new, but it is making its own mark on the game.
Will you be doing more production for Lil Reese and GBE? Oh yeah. No doubt. I continue to send beats to Lil Reese and I have been in contact with Fredo Santana and we may be working. I also hope to send some stuff over to Chief Keef, I look forward to working more with Lil Reese and the rest of GBE. We’re out here just working.
Where can we find you on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram? My Twitter is @BeatsByNatural and my Instagram is @BeatsByNatural1. I don’t have a Facebook fan page though, I have a personal page though.
Follow Preemo on Twitter @OfficialPreemo.
