Being in the studio with an artist is something that multi-platinum producer Kwamé says is an absolutely essential part of his workflow — from recording to mixing.
During a recent interview with HipHopDX, he shared that the one time he didn’t join an artist in the studio, he almost lost his credit to a legend: Eminem.
It all started when he shopped beats to Sha Money XL, who was President of G-Unit Records at the time. Sha had told him that 50 Cent liked a handful the beats — and that Kwam would be working on his upcoming LP, The Massacre. After some radio silence, he was later contacted and told Lloyd Banks would be using one of his beats for what would turn into the 2004 hit single, “On Fire.”
He explains, “They were in London, and they did not let me come to the studio with them. I’m like, ‘Well, I’ll fly to London’ and they were like, ‘Nah, just send us the music.’ That was the issue right there.”
When they sent Kwamé back the song, Eminem had his keyboard player make some slight modifications.
“It’s nothing that I couldn’t do on my own, by the way. I could have easily made those modifications for them. But [they] took it upon themselves to tell me that they were in London, which I don’t believe to this day … they wanted to make those changes.”
Problems arose when Kwam says Eminem claimed to be the song’s lead producer because of those two minor changes. And such actions jeopardized the blistering record from even seeing the light of day.
“I let everybody know I was willing to throw my whole production career away before I allow somebody to put their name on top of my work,” he states. “It’s just not going to happen. I was willing to take the beat back and give the money back. I wasn’t going to do it.”
Eventually, everything worked out with Kwamé receiving his acknowledgment — and the song going on to become Lloyd Bank’s most successful solo single of his career, peaking at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100.
In 2020, Kwamé remains active, currently working on his artist Vivian Green‘s new LP as well as continuing to mentor and guide his protégée Bobby J From Rockaway. As for Eminem, he’s currently celebrating the 20th anniversary of his monster album, The Marshall Mathers LP on Saturday (May 23).
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I know I’m old because I actually remember this. “On Fire” came out at the height of G-Unit’s industry takeover and initially the word was that Eminem had produced it. Then I think I read an MTV article that said Kwame had actually produced it and they explained that he used to be famous in the ’90s for wearing polka dots or something. They didn’t explain (or I just don’t remember) that Kwame was pissed about it.
I love how he claims they were little adjustments that he could have done. He most likely could have, but he didnt. If he did all the work then he deserves to be credited for it, but I just hate when ppl in general say like “I could have done this, anyone could have done that” when they didnt do it.
The issue is that he wasn’t allowed to go to the session, and he didn’t make the changes himself because he wasn’t asked to — or engaged by them in any way. They just made the changes independently. It’s kind of like if I take your bike, slap a sticker on it, and say, “Now it’s my bike, see the sticker?”
Also, to clarify, he was credited in the end.
Yeah but we are hearing one guys side of the story, who is likely bitter because he wasn’t allowed to hang around with Em and 50. I would take this story with a pinch of salt.
Comments like yours are the reason why people like Wendy Williams will be the proposed face of “Hip-Hop” news. You think these rappers just rap about the business being shady for filler??
Yep! Where there’s smoke, there’s usually fire.
Usually, not always (and some would argue not even usually when it comes to entertainment). Whole bunch of ppl BSing all the time. This could be as true as the sun being the closest star to Earth or as BS as Jussie Smollett
I understand the issue. The other side of the coin is they bought the beat, so they can make the changes they want. Not cool to not give credit if that is what they actually intended to do, but if I buy your bike, you cant get mad that I put stickers on it and say “it’s mine”. Now if I say “I made this bike or am the only one to have owned it” that’s false, but it is mine now. So Mr. Wallace, take your bike analogy and go home because this situation is nothing like your original bike story lol
That’s not how buying beats works homie… You technically don’t “buy” the beat. You buy the rights to use the beat. The Producer never gives up ownership of the beat. They just sell the usage rights. So you can lease the beat or buy exclusive rights to the beat. The artist never owns the beat though hence the reason producers continue to receive royalties for the songs they produce long after the song is released. They negotiate a royalty split with the artist. It’s like Spiderman Movies with Disney/Marvel and Sony…. Disney/Marvel owns Spiderman but they sold Sony the exclusive Movie rights to Spiderman. Disney/Marvel gets a percentage split (royalty) from every Spiderman movie Sony releases. They can’t make any alterations to the character though. It’s the same concept with artists and producers. Most producers put that the artist can NOT alter their beats in the split agreement.
Was there a royalty split negotiated here? Or was this just a bug name trying to get sole ownership of the beat. Just because most times business is done this way, doesnt mean it always is. Pusha T gets 0 money from McDonald’s even though he came up with the jingle because he accepted the cash and did not take a royalty deal. This could be one of those situations, or the big names thought it was one of those situations. So many producers sell beats (it’s a mistake) and get no credit because they took that cash. Like ghost writing. So it may have been a misunderstanding on what kind of deal it was.
You also said “most producers put that the artist can NOT alter their beats”, what if there was no agreement in place? That’s 2 ppl on here who think I dont understand the business when I understand the business all to well lol. He didnt mention how much money he was given, so it is possible they have him a big bag assuming he would be happy with the money up front and not try to get that credit.
That single was incredible. in 03’/0’4 you could still get some really good mainstream hip hop.
This is real clout chasin. Em usually gets the last spot in line on credits just cus he’s humble. He’s not even credited as Eminem, he’s credited as Marshall Bruce etc so a lot of pedant even know who that is.
White people always tryna steal off black people. Eminems been doing it his entire career.
What? You are real confused man. Bringing race into it, of course. you a disgrace.
Did u get your feelings hurt white boy? Man up and accept it. Its the truth
Did you get your wee little noodle washed by colorism? Brain washed sucker you let racism live on by creating false narratives
Little noodle? No not at all, its your people with the little noodles.
A white person talking about wee little noodles. Lolol. We know, we know. Lol.
How’s it “the truth”? I think Dr Dre has jacked more credit for production that he didn’t deserve than eminem, HANDS DOWN.
The only people who try to act like racism doesnt exist is white people. You like to hide the fact your people have been stealing others.cultures since the beginning of time. But the only way.to truly end racism is by manning the fuk up and clearing your past not by sweeping it unser the rug
You are a clown gee why does racism live on? Oh because we relate everything to it especially when I don’t get my way so it must be a black and white thing right? To me it sounds almost like rich spoiled brats complaining
Its frustrating when you cant live life sweeping things under the rug like you try. Lololol
Nah I don’t hide I certainly don’t follow others false belief system all just brain washed
Em learned more from Dre than we realized
PS I produced Thriller
Yes, Dre steals credit. But Daz couldn’t make hits without Dre lol. After Dre left death row, it was over for daz, as far as making big hits went. They needed Dre to give them direction I guess.
This is true
remember disco inferno by 50…..same story
This is misleading
care to elaborate?
Kwame is like yeah my career is in the trash might as well ruin chances of ever working with these people again to get a lil shine on some trash gossip music site.
The whole story was pointless and just make him look desperate and how people dont respect his craft until he has to make a big deal about it. Notice how he never made any beats for them ever again? Hmmmm….
Kwame been around since the 80s. Just because you’re ignorant and don’t know who he is doesn’t mean he’s not successful. Dude figured out a long time ago that production is where you eat and the dudes on the mike like he was early in his career don’t have long lucrative careers. Kwame produced for Miss E. Elliot and as mentioned here, gave Banks his biggest hit ever. So think of what else he did over the years you just aren’t aware of.
Kwame made hits for PLENTY of artist. Will Smith is one of them. So he is eating just fine. Ask yourself how many more hits did Lloyd Banks make after that??
You may want to do a little more research, because Kwamé produced numerous hits — and Lloyd Banks was far from the biggest artist he worked with.
Well, eminem learned how to jack credit form THE BEST, Dr Dre! Hahaaha
And Dre jacked many himself…ironic
I think that’s what It’s True was getting at fella
Yea, that was my point haha, that Eminem learned to jack credit, but learning from Dr Dre jacking credit!
Eminem shouted out Kwame on the song love game with Kendrick.
Original sample is from The Champ by the Mohawks. Sample has been used and abused like a cheap hooker. This wasn’t an original production, if Kwame got paid he’s cutting a check to someone else for using the sample. Louis Resto is the one who redid the keys, he’s been all over Aftermath projects for 20 years.
Did you not read the article? He didn’t need Luis Resto to do anything to that he couldn’t do himself. Em just wanted to jack him for credit to build his production rep. Pure vulture shit.
People trying to call Kwame a nobody clearly don’t know their history, he had plenty of hits under his belt and had been around a long time. Having said that, this is one side of a story that involves a bunch of people. Did Eminem personally try to take credit or did label suits try to interfere with the crediting? Did you hear the original beat to verify what these “minor changes” were? Did you reach out to any of those other people to try and get the whole picture? Or are we just taking an accusation at face value with no attempt to go any deeper?
Yup Kwame with the polka dots, dance moves and lyrics back in the day. Don’t forget the dyed Gumby cut too. He did his thing during his time. That’s for sure.
White folks trying to take credit for shit what else is new .
Em tried to pull a Dr. Dre… Smfh! These industry cats say “they love the culture” then turn around and do some snake sh!t like this. Almost f*cked Banks over trying to be greedy. Kwame would’ve won that lawsuit and it would’ve been over for Banks right then and there. That lawsuit would’ve made it not worth investing anymore more money into him at that time because the label would’ve had to pay the lawsuit for him. He would’ve released new music after but with no real backing fro the label at all which eventually ended up happening anyway.
Haha my white saviour stole rap from the blacks and is now god of hip-hop!