Kendrick Lamar, vocals: It was very important to showcase my city. [The record] wasnt premeditated. When I heard the beat, it felt like my sound, like [producer Scoop DeVille] had seen that vision. It felt like one of those summertime, feel-good joints. It was organicand it wasnt too far from Dres alley of expertise.
[The track] is also about showing that these skills like lyricism can still survive in the mainstream and on the radio, like Power 106 and Hot 97.
Twin Sister, whose Meet The Frownies was sampled: The idea of Dr. Dre hearing something that we made makes my head explode. Scoops work on the track is inspiring, he used sounds we made as a tool to help him create his own world. We are all about that. Doesnt hurt that Kendrick Lamar is amazing either. Section 80 was great, cant wait for the new record.
Life+Times: What was the process like making this track?
Scoop DeVille: I did the track at my home studio. After I had a rough version, Stat Quo came through to vibe out on some jamsand after going through a number of records, he ended up linking with Dre and playing him some of the joints I let him take. Like, the next day, I got that phone call from Dre and him. I envisioned [Dre] for this particular record from the jump, so when I found out he was feeling it, I was stoked. Also, Ive been working a lot with Kendrick this past year already, and it just ended up being one of those records that everybody liked and wanted to move with.
L+T: Whyd you sample Twin Sister?
SD: I was on my way to airport when I heard this song on KCRW, an indie radio station in LA it was a premiere for their single called Meet The Frownies. As soon as that record kicked in, it already had me captivated. Then that voice came onSmokin weeed with youuuu
It just did something to me where I had a hip-hop producer moment, like almost the same feeling when Eminem dropped Stan and everybody was like what sample is that? Musically and production-wise, it was incredible that it could bring something new and fresh to hip-hop. My appreciation of true art and great music is how that happened. Twin Sister, the Universe connected us through music.
L+T: Its rare to hear Dre rapping on a track that he didnt produce. What are your thoughts on that?
SD: Its the biggest honor to have Dre rapping on this record, considering it was tailored for him from the beginning. Im just very happy to be a part of this movement with Kendrick. Were some of the next people out here putting in lots of work and its finally getting noticed. Its truly a blessing.