In a rare and exclusive interview, Jessica Seckington, talks to Kidd Money, leader, producer and founder of American 90s Miami Bass group ‘Splack Pack’. Hits such as ‘Shake That Ass Bitch’ have featured on the award winning Stanton Warriors FabricLive compilation, whilst ‘Scrub da Ground’ has had a reinvention in Lil Jon’s single featuring Pharrell Williams called ‘Stick That Thang Out’. Kidd talks about the legacy he left that inspired musicians like Black Eyed Peas, Diplo and why 2012 is the year for his label ‘SouthEast Records’.
1. Yo Kidd, tell us a bit about your self and your background…
This ya boy Kidd Money..founder,writer,producer of the legendary rap trio Splack Pack….I’ve also produce club bangers for So/So, The Def bass allstars compilation (shake down); that earned me my first certified gold record. I attended the Art Institute of Atlanta for Audio Engineering & Video Communication when I was younger and I’m now the C.E.O of SouthEast Records.
2. When do you first remember Miami bass becoming popular and what is your best memory of it?
Miami bass first became mainstream when Luke of the 2live crew won his lawsuit and the release ban was lifted in the USA…my best memory of bass back then was how it made girls act, when you played a bass song girls would loose their mind and start taking their clothes off strippin’ to the music.
3. What inspires you to write your songs?
I’m inspired to write music about what I see or whatever moves me, if I’m in the club and I see a girl sliding down the pole, I might go home and write a song about how you slide down a pole.
4. Was there a connection with Miami Bass and roller discos?
Yes there’s a big connection with Miami Bass & Roller Disco…. most definitely with songs like “Plant Rock”, “Clear” by Nucleus, Debbie Deb “Look Out Weekend”; these songs characterise as freestyle music. We (bass artist/producers) by grabbing a 4 bar loop (sampling) from 1 of these records speed it up to like 142.bpm’s sometimes 150BMPs, dropped that 808 and it was a wrap.
5. It’s rare to get a producer who raps and produces to your standard; do you think they come hand in hand? If so, why?
Yes! I think a producer who raps come hand and hand. It allows you to feel the music on every level…the music drives me to create a hook to a song, or, I can write a song and can hear in my head how I’d like the beat to sound, and when I put it all together its a beautiful thang.
6. Are you aware of the legacy your music has had on pop and underground artists such as the Black eye peas who released Boom Boom Pow, Uffie of Ed Banger Records, M.I.A, and rappers Rye Rye and Kid sister?
Yes, I’m aware of the legacy, and it’s a good feeling to see people grow up off my music, how younger artist sample or shout out our songs on there records its a blessing so I thank God….”Scrub da ground”, “Shake That Ass” are the “Plant Rock’s” of our era…these are classic club bangers to this day…artist such as Too Short, Lil Jon, Ying Yang Twins, jus to name a few, has sampled or acknowleged Splack Pack in there music. Most Dj play sets,1 set might be an R&B set,1 may be a Dirty South Hip Hop set, but when you wonna crank the party up the 1 AND ONLY set is the the Bass/Booty set…u have to play atleast 4 of Splack Pack songs. “Shake that ass bitch” became a household name when it was played on “MTV” hit series “Jack Ass” and ‘Scrub da Ground’ followed up when played on “Fox” hit series “Nip Tuck”.
7. What is you perception on sampling? Do you think it is good or bad thing and why?
I think sampling is Hip Hop IMA - Hip Hop baby its a culture Sampling is what we do…Puff Daddy, Kanye West, Dr. Dre – there biggest hits where from sampled records. But that being said you get more respect from originality.
8. After the boom of Miami Bass in the 1990s, do you a view on why it then became less popular and has now become very popular again in dance music?
I think in the early 1990’s bass music was introduced to the mainstream. Then more major/independent labels like So/So, Laface Records began releasing bass compilations that would sell five hundred to a thousand copies in 2 months. Major labels knew the power of club music; its just wasn’t and still is not enough to just be a club artist, so in return music shifts, it may slow down to mid tempo songs but when the summer comes around and the girls with the phat booties and short shorts come out, club music cranks back up. There still isn’t a lot of hot club artists out there so everyone continues to play the old club bangers like Splack Pack, Luke & 2 Live Crew. Its becoming popular again because the worlds a circle, music, styles, swagg all come back around in cycles!
9. My take on rap and bass?
I think rap is more reality and bass is more like party music.
10. What equipment do you use to build your tunes, and do you use a drum machine?
Some of the equipment I use to build my tunes are Protools TDM, Stylus, on my drums, I may pull out the SP1200 if I’m lookin’ for a grimy, trunk raddling bass, or the MPC 2000 for a nice feel on my drums.
11. Who are your top 5 Miami Bass artists?
It would have to be 2 live crew, Poison Clan, Gucci Crew, Dynamix 2, and Half Pint.
12. What do you have planned for the rest of this year?
My plans for this year and next is to get my record label venture of the ground “SouthEast Records” and put out more club bangers, plus do some gigging throughout America, Canada and Europe!
13. Whats your favourite type of woman; Brazilian/Cuban/Latino girls?
My favourite woman would have to be ummm…. all of ‘em…I love women; I don’t have one type.
14. Do you think 2-live crew had the same impact when Luke left?
Every group has that 1 guy who stands out and carries the group. Luke was that guy for 2Live Crew, just like Kidd Money was that guy for Splack Pack, like Snoop Dog was to the Dogg Pound. So no 2 Live Crew didn’t make the same impact when Luke left.
15. What happened to Uncle Al?
God bless the Dead Uncle AL passing away…..R.I.P Uncle AL.
16. If you could collaborate with one artist who would it be and why?
I’d like to collaborate with any artist that has a passion for club/bass music. Cause I do da shit man!!! Kidd Money!!
New 12” EP coming soon on Roofless Records, early 2013.
Adames @ Churchills [Sweatstock ‘12] (by Melki Resha)
