These days,
it seems as if producers want to be everywhere but behind the boards,
but not Jared Lee Gosselin. All he wants to do is make dope music and
by touting production work with Proof, Macy Gray, Joell Ortiz, and Chino XL it looks like he’s doing just that. He’s also put
in work for the soundtracks to Deja Vu starring Denzel Washington and
Shrek 3. With a production company and a new studio in Los Angeles, Jared strives to make music that stands the test of time. Functioning as a producer,
mixer, engineer, and DJ you can be sure he’s putting in more work
than your favorite producer. Just because you haven’t seen him dancing
in a video doesn’t mean he’s not here in full effect. Peep the interview!
AllHipHop.com: Now, Jared,
you’re a renaissance man. You’re an engineer, a producer, and a
cat that could pretty much get anything done in a music studio. Is that
something that’s lacking amongst producers?
Jared: Yeah man. I mean you
hear everybody running around saying they’re a producer. Just because
you make a beat doesn’t mean you made a record. I think you need to
be an engineer and really be aware of the sound of your product.
AllHipHop.com: You attended
school in Detroit for audio engineering? Did you learn a lot there?
Jared: I learned signal flow
and a lot of basic stuff. A lot of the things I know I learned from
experience, like ProTools. I learned ProTools from using it so much
for so long. Everybody has a different formula to how they learn.
AllHipHop.com: New technology
is popping up everyday in music? In your opinion how does it affect
the music?
Jared: A lot of producers are
still using ASR-10s and the MPC and on the other hand a lot of producers
are using nothing but computers. I love the old drum machines and all
that. But everything is getting louder and cleaner.
AllHipHop.com: What are some
of your most memorable experiences in the studio?
Jared: I would have to say
Proof. I mean with Proof it was more than just recording, it was like
a spiritual thing. It was like I was getting to know him and know myself.
It was almost like going to church.
AllHipHop.com: Were you and Proof real close? How hard did his death hit you?
Jared: Oh man, it hit me hard.
It still hits me sometimes like I’ll just think about it. He did so
much for so many people. All I can do is keep moving forward.
AllHipHop.com: A lot of people
don’t realize Proof’s abilities. From somebody who worked with him
so much, school the fans a little bit on Proof’s skills.
Jared: He was one of the illest
out of Detroit. I mean just walking with him, it was a constant freestyle.
He was one of the illest.
AllHipHop.com: You’ve been
involved in the music for so many major movies. How is that different
from just making music in the studio for an artist?
Jared: Basically it’s
just more people telling you what to do. (Laughs) Movie producers and
everybody just telling you specifically what they want. Like this has
to fit here or this has to match that.
AllHipHop.com: You started
in music at a real young age. When did you really get it poppin’?
Jared: I would say I really,
really got into it at 16 when I got into deejaying. And when I was younger
I played guitar in school and singing in church and everything.
AllHipHop.com: Your music
is diverse. Do you show any favoritism to one type?
Jared: I love R&B. I love
rap. Right now, I’m actually looking for rock bands to sign. I’m really
excited about that.
AllHipHop.com: You have all
the qualities to be the next “Super Producer.” Any thoughts on that?
Jared: I’m excited man. I just wanna
work. I feel blessed and I want to keep other people working. I want
to create opportunities for other people to work.
AllHipHop.com: Do you have
a wish list of people you want to work with?
Jared: Number one is Sade.
I would like to work with Busta [Rhymes], Dr.Dre and Rick Rubin. I guess those are the main
ones. I would like to work with Usher also.
AllHipHop.com: One of the things
I love about the music that comes out of Detroit is that it can’t
be pigeonholed. People tend to classify records. They label it a West Coast record, or an East Coast, or down South record. How do you guys stay
neutral?
Jared: If you listen you’ll
notice that the East Coast samples a lot of Motown stuff. The West Coast
samples a lot of George Clinton type stuff. In Detroit we just have
a lot of different sounds. We have so much untapped talent out here.
AllHipHop.com: So what’s
your situation? Do you have your own label?
Jared: I have production
companies and I got a studio in L.A. I just want a full-fledged production
company. I have an artist in Detroit right now named Brilliance who’s
getting some spins. I don’t really want to run a label.
AllHipHop.com: That’s interesting
because I hear you were an integral part of running Proof’s label.
Jared: Basically at first it
was just Proof and me. I was in charge of engineering and music. I was
bringing people into the studio. I was making sure Proof was doing his
thing. I was never running the label or nothing though.
AllHipHop.com: It’s no secret
that you’re trying to bring back that Motown vibe.
Jared: Absolutely. I just want
a good team and bigger production. I want to sign that rock band. And
I really wanna take it outside of the box a little.
AllHipHop.com: In today’s
music market we have producers that are bigger than artists? Do you
want to be that visible?
Jared: Nah. I want to live
a regular life. I have a daughter and I want to be able to do regular
things. I know people who cant go to the store and stuff. I don’t
want that. I just want my music to be out there.
AllHipHop.com: What is your
ultimate goal in music?
Jared: I just want to make
timeless music. I want kids to be listening in 20 or 30 years. I want
to make my mark on society.
AllHipHop.com: How important
is the DJ to a producer?
Jared: Real important. The
DJs know what’s hot. I mean you have people who are sampling stuff
and don’t know what it is. There are some DJs that are still digging
in the crates.
AllHipHop.com: So what’s
coming out in the future?
Jared: I’ve been working with
Steph Jones from DTP, Joel Ortiz, Keyshia Cole, Nicole from the Pussycat
Dolls, Frank Zappa’s son on some movie stuff but we’re talking about
doing a rock solo album. Also some writing for Jennifer Hudson, and
Jordan [Sparks] from American Idol. I’m also looking for hot artists.
AllHipHop.com: Anything you
want to say to your fans?
Jared: Stay positive. God is
everywhere around you. And my fans can check me at www.jaredleegosselin.com.
There’s links on there. Look out for Brilliance and Macy Gray’s
album (Big), which is in stores now.