Queens, N.Y.
Busta Rhymes, LL Cool J, Cam’ron, 50 Cent,
Logic, MPK 49, AKAI MPC 2500
17 Years.
The moniker “super producer” is too often given out freely based on the number of years honing one’s craft. While this is important, the criteria should also recognize those whose production throughout their career has proven to be consistent while at the same time adapting to the constant changes seen in music.
Veteran producer Ty Fyffe’s repertoire shows that he’s been serious since day one about putting out quality beats. He’s worked with Slick Rick, LL, G-Unit, Teddy Riley and the list goes on. While on a recent trip to Cali, Ty talks about his early days working with Wreckx-n-Effect, why he created TyFyffe TV and shooting down rumors of his reputation for jacking experienced producers.
AllHipHop.com: First I want to ask you about “Hustla’s Anthem”. Is that something you previously concocted, or did you work with Busta in the studio?
Ty Fyffe: I had it created before that. I had the beat and he needed a club record, so I thought that was perfect for him.
AllHipHop.com: You’ve done a lot of work with Flipmode in the past right?
Ty Fyffe: Yea I worked on a Flipmode album that was supposed to come out on J-Records, but it never came out. I also did some work for Lord Have Mercy.
AllHipHop.com: Tell me about your early days as a producer?
Ty Fyffe: I started producing with Teddy Riley with his camp under New Jack Swing. I did six records on the Wreckx-n-Effect album. And the single “Rump Shaker” did like 2.5 million and the album did 1.5. That was the way to get a jump out there. I also did the first Black Street record that was on the CB4 Soundtrack with Teddy.
AllHipHop.com: What was it like working with Teddy Riley?
Ty Fyffe: Aw man it was amazing because I learned from a genius. He’s like a legend in the game and he’s one of the best that ever did it. So I felt like I was on the right track.
AllHipHop.com: You’ve also worked with the Slick Ricks and the LL’s, how did you make your connections so early?
Ty Fyffe: As far as LL, we from around the same neighborhood and I always like his music. I grew up with that music. And Slick Rick and The Great Adventures of Slick Rick was my favorite Rap album. So it was an honor to work with Slick. A friend of mine was working at Def Jam at the time, and that’s how I got plugged in with that.
AllHipHop.com: So how would you describe your production style?
Ty Fyffe: I pretty much go with the times and try to make good music. That way people could identify. I guess I’ve fallen into a sound cause a lot people say they can identify and hear my sound now. I try to put my ear current to what’s going on and get my hands on it.
AllHipHop.com: Tell me about the equipment you use.
Ty Fyffe: Now I mess with Logic. I get musicians that come in there and we play around until we get the right stuff coming out. Then I arrange everything in Pro Tools. I use the MPK 49 now as far as the machine and I’m kind of liking that because it’s made by Akai and I’m used to the MPC 2500.
AllHipHop.com: With almost twenty years in what has been the most memorable studio moment for you?
Ty Fyffe: Ah man, making “Rump Shaker” I remember we spent 24 hours on that record. We had to turn that record in. We made a whole lot of mixes to that record. That was like one of the best times I was in the studio.
AllHipHop.com: Was it intimidating working with someone like Teddy at such a young age?
Ty Fyffe: It wasn’t intimidating. I was actually just learning and watching. I was like his little brother just watching how to make a hit. A lot of people when they come into the game they don’t really get to learn from people that’s established. Like Teddy to me is like the new Quincy Jones. That was unforgettable.
AllHipHop.com: Were there any producers or artists you looked up to?
Ty Fyffe: Definitely Teddy Riley, Dr. Dre, Roger Troutman. Producers out now I like Just Blaze, Alchemist, Havoc, Rodney Jerkins; just real producers that have longevity. Like Ryan Leslie he’s really hitting the scene with some excellent music too.
AllHipHop.com: Tell me about your first time getting jerked.
Ty Fyffe: That was earlier in the career. I didn’t know the business, but at the same time I wasn’t really a real producer back then. I was a beat-maker. There’s a big difference between beat-making and producing. Learning arrangements and how to format a song and the melodies that will go on top to make the chorus feel like they can match is what a producer does.
AllHipHop.com: Talk a little bit about TYBU Productions.
Ty Fyffe: That’s a company I formed in 2001 to get a distinctive for my own credits. I had another company prior to that in early ’98 and it was a bad turn out with bad representation. It was just the wrong route.
AllHipHop.com: There’s also the Music Factory right?
Ty Fyffe: Yea that’s a recording studio I built in West Hempstead for the public and for my own services. I really just wanted to have a place to go to work at. In New York I didn’t want too many people at my house. I feel more like I’m doing actual business. It’s a spot where everybody can link up.
AllHipHop.com: What are qualities you require when working with newer artists?
Ty Fyffe: I look for artists that pretty much listen and let me guide them in the right direction. Because a lot of artist really think they know what they talking about; and even sometimes established artists. I’m not knocking the hustle because a lot people sometimes like to guide their own situation, but at the same token the producer is suppose to be the one to guide the direction. That’s what they’re there for. They’re not just there to make the beat and that’s the record. They’re supposed to tell the artist which way to go and how it’s supposed to flow. They’re supposed to tell how the hook is supposed to be and if they’re delivering it right. You got to bring the best out of the project.
AllHipHop.com: So then how do you deal with a difficult artist?
Ty Fyffe: I just don’t deal with them at all. If someone gets on my nerves I wash my hands and it’s a wrap. I move onto the next project.
AllHipHop.com: What other projects you got under wraps?
Ty Fyffe: Red Café, 50 Cent, Fabolous, I think Juelz Santana. I’m also doing some work with Keyshia Cole. I got a track on Blood On The Sand , Kay Slay, Red and Meth. I got a lot of stuff I’m working on.
AllHipHop.com: How was it working with artists like UGK considering most of your work is with East Coast artists?
Ty Fyffe: Whoever I’m about to work with I study their music before I present any product. The A&R told me which way to go with it and I played them some beats and they picked something.
AllHipHop.com: I’ve read that you once developed a reputation for exploiting experienced musicians. Can you speak on that a bit?
Ty Fyffe: You know somebody tried to throw salt in the game and I never did anything of that sort. Somebody got access to Wikipedia, and they tried to throw salt in the game. I’m a straight up business dude. You’re always going find haters. Everybody runs through bad roads with people. People usually come to me I don’t go to them. I’m not one to talk about past incidents and naming names. I handle them accordingly. I did my business, they got their money and if there was a problem I handle the problem with them personally. I’m not an industry dude neither I just make money in the industry.
AllHipHop.com: How do you want people to remember your contribution to Hip-Hop?
Ty Fyffe: I don’t think I’m ever going retire. I’m going to build a company that’s so established to where if any representation goes to any company in the future for me, we don’t even have to play any music they just put us in the budget cause they know my name alone is going be quality. And they know I’m going bring them a hot record.