S. Samuel
Swishahouse founder Michael "5000" Watts recently hit up SOHH and spoke on wanting to expand his brand to other genres of music outside of purely hip-hop.
Watts believes now is the time to capitalize off cross-trending and incorporating non-rap music to his label.
“I’m branching out to things outside of rap,” Watts told SOHH. “Swishahouse has always been known for slowed down remixes and we’re gonna keep doing that but we’re gonna branch out in a whole bunch of different genres. I can’t tell everyone exactly what direction it’s gonna be in just yet, but it’s something we’re really focused on. The key to being successful in the music industry and with the business is paying attention to what’s going on today and operate on a daily system. You can keep your morals on how life really is but if you’re not riding in the car and have a motor in it, then you’re not gonna get too far. You’ve gotta get out of that ‘one’ box. Hip-Hop has always had a wide range but you’ve got to evolve and grow with your career.” (SOHH)
Recently, Swishahouse’s Paul Wall linked with rocker Travis Barker to help produce roughly half of his new album, Heart of a Champion.
Fresh off a month-long tour with former partner-in-rhyme, Chamillionaire, Houston rapper, Paul Wall, is all set to drop his 4th major label album, Heart of a Champion, on June 29th through Swisha House/Asylum Records. Almost half of the tracks featured on the album are produced by long-time friend and Expensive Taste band-mate, Travis Barker. The album will also feature several songs from Expensive Taste, the group which includes Skinhead Rob (Transplants) in addition to Paul and Travis. (Press Release)
Last fall, rap mogul Jay-Z talked about his desire to make an experimental Blueprint III follow-up.
“I’ve always said I believe in good music and bad music. … I like music. The second Blueprint, the reason it was all over the place is because I like music so much. You have tracks with Lenny Kravitz then Sean Paul. Dr. Dre. It’s all over the place because of my taste in music. I like music. My next album, which I’m working on now — that’s exclusive, no one knows that — is gonna be the album that really — it’s not gonna be a number one album. That’s where I’m at right now. I wanna make the most experimental album I ever made. But let’s not deal with that now; I want to deal with The Blueprint 3.” (MTV)
In the past, Jay has talked about moving away from the standard “black music” stereotype in hip-hop.
“On the show as well were Third Eye Blind and Kelly Clarkson,” Jay explained talking about a 2009 Arizona concert. “I thought that to be the oddest pairing ever but, soon realized, it’s what I’ve always professed. There is no such thing as black music or white music only good or bad music. It’s stupid cool to like things that are not like you, and that goes for outside of music. If you’re an African American you can have a Jewish friend…I think concerts like this should happen more often…I’m putting that into the universe..next up Taylor Swift and Uncle Murda!!” (Rap Radar)
Check out Swishahouse’s Paul Wall & Travis Barker’s “I Need Mo” below:
