By Ismael AbduSalaam
Mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs is not among those who feel the Auto-Tune vocal effect has ran its course, and plans to showcase 2008’s biggest trend on his forthcoming album.
Although the album is in its early stages, Diddy disclosed that the Auto-Tune champion himself, T-Pain, worked with him on innovative ways to present the controversial music tool.
Adding to the melting pot, the Bad Boy founder is experimenting with elements of electro music popularized by Afrika Bambaataa and Cybotron in the early 80s.
“It’s electro Hip-Hop soul,” Diddy told InTouch Weekly about the unnamed project. “T-Pain gave me permission to use the vocoder, the Auto-Tune, and he showed me various tricks that nobody knows but him and myself.”
In reference to T-Pain’s own forthcoming November 11 release Thr33 Ringz, Diddy is confident the singer/songwriter will continue to maintain his stranglehold on the market.
“We had a great time in the studio. He’s definitely an up and coming genius,” he stated.
Since garnering massive hits for T-Pain over the last 2 years, the Auto-Tune has become a staple of mainstream Hip-Hop through other artists such as Lil Wayne (“Lollipop”), Kanye West (“Love Lockdown”), Snoop Dogg (“Sexual Seduction”), and G Unit (“Rider Pt. 2”).
That fact continues drive massive debate in the Hip-Hop community, with the trend inspiring both passionate advocates and detractors.
In addition to T-Pain, Diddy’s forthcoming third solo album will also feature production from Pharrell Williams, The Hitmen, and the Surf Club.
At press time, the album does not have a release date.
