Kevin Rudolf - Interview

Contactmusic.com caught up with Kevin Rudolf for a quick chat about his new single 'Let It Rock' and working on his debut album 'In The City'.

Hi Kevin, How's it going?
I'm great, thanks! I've recently been putting the finishing touches on my album with lots of mixing etc but that's done and now we're out on tour and doing a heap of radio shows. The album's released this week and I'm so excited about that!

Up until the release of 'Let It Rock' you've been best known for your work writing and producing on other peoples records, how was the transition from being a 'behind the scenes' guy to being firmly thrust into the limelight?
I've always made my own music I've always written, produced and sung on my own songs and now the world is getting a chance to hear them. I am being thrust in the limelight but I just wanted people to hear the music.

How was it working with Lil Wayne?
Wayne is great he's an incredible writer and rapper, I'm very lucky and blessed to work with him and I'm very inspired by him and his unbelievable work ethic. Man that guy can spend every hour available in the studio. I'm so lucky to be part of the Cash Money Family, we all work together and help each other out

Your new record 'In the City,' will be released this week, does it feel quite cathartic to get it onto shelves?
What I'm most excited about is putting out a record that's authentic, true to myself and doesn't sound like it's come out of a factory. I think it's really eclectic and what I want is for people to share it, feel it, check it out and enjoy it.

I know Nas features on a track on the album, who else did you work with?
Nas, Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Birdman. The whole Cash Money family. We all work so well together.

Since the start of your career you've worked with some great musicians, who's been the best to work with?
I've learned different things from all the different artists and producers I've worked with. I've learned about production and beats from Timbaland; work ethics from Lil Wayne; and I've watched Justin Timberlake work and watched how he handles his career in an intelligent and professional way. I've seen a lot of hit records be made and it's great to know what it feels like to be in the process of making one of those.

Whilst growing up, what kind of music did you listen to? Anything you used to think was fantastic that now you try not to listen to!?
I'm like one of those people who doesn't get embarrassed over what I like in anything cultural whether it be movies, music, TV shows etc. As a kid I used to listen to Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix and all the great guitar players. Growing up the way I did there was an infusion of 80's pop music such as Cyndi Lauper and Madonna. Pretty much everyone I know loves that stuff whether they admit it or not but it's still great. Nowadays I love Timbaland, Dr Dre and the Neptunes. You know, stuff that sounds great in a club. Good music is good music regardless of genre. I love Guns and Roses too. I listen to all the new music as a producer to have an understanding with what's working and what isn't at the moment.

Has anyone given you any good words of wisdom that you like to adhere to?
Keep it moving. Don't take anything too seriously. Don't get caught up in the business to much. Have fun doing what you want to do. The best piece of advice is 'get paid and get laid'.

Are you planning of coming over to the UK to play some shows?
We're hoping to come to the UK early 2009 which I'm really looking forward to.

What phrase would you most like people to use when describing your music?
The best compliment I could ever get is 'wow someone's doing something that's actually real and genuine and I haven't heard anything like this in a while.' Some guy actually heard my album the other day and said 'This is the first thing I've heard for a long time that hasn't came out of a factory.' That gave me a really good feeling.

You've already worked with a lot of heavyweight musicians but if you could work with anyone - either as a collaboration on one of your records or producing - who would it be?
My rule is that I should never rule anyone out. If the music sounds good and I want to get involved I will.

What was the last band/musician you watched and thought 'wow they are really good'?
Lil Wayne - he's an incredible performer and total super star. He's amazing to watch.

Is there anything else you'd like to add?
I just hope everyone likes the single and the album. Let It Rock is a great song to grab people's attention but the album is really diverse and may catch some people by surprise. It's a real eclectic mix and I just want everyone to enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoyed making it.

Watch the video for Let It Rock here!