By: Robot Scott

Super Producer Scott “Robot Scott” Carter is one of music’s hardest working producers. From composing original music, to developing new artists and being the co-founder of the production group Triangle Park, he continues to leaving a last impact on the music business. Having worked with the likes of Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West, Kehlani, Teyana Taylor and Bebe Rexha to name a few, Robot Scott is ready to take his musical gifts to new heights in the new year.

I had the pleasure of catching up with the hitmaker for an interview as he candidly discussed breaking into the industry, passion for creating music, and making hits for some of music’s biggest R&B and Pop acts. Checkout it out below.

Robot Scott Interview

Respect: When did you realize you wanted to pursue a career in music and how did you get your start?

Scott: I realized I wanted to do music production around 16 but music I started around the age of 4 as a result of growing up in a musical family. Like my parents were not into music completely, like they did not do it constantly but my dad played the piano and flute and my mom played the piano. My dad was a lawyer so it wasn’t like he was a full time pianist. However, we did have a baby grand piano in the middle of our living room so as a kid I would hear my father practicing Autumn Leaves or another song, and would go sit by him. I used to think they were coming from him directly but obviously he was reading music. I would tinker on the piano and started making up my own songs that I called “Fallen Leaves”.

Once my mom heard me making my own songs, she decided it was time for me to take piano lessons. I took lessons from elementary school to junior high and would go every Wednesday after school. That was my first dive into music. My music dream came later of composing which I still do, but I wanted to compose like scores. I was really into the composition of Star Wars at the time, so me and my brothers got the record of the score and the official audio from the movie and we would play it over and over again as if we were watching the movie through music. That is what inspired me to want to start composing.

While I was taking piano lessons in elementary school, I started doing orchestra which is violin. My orchestra teacher in high school told me if I wanted to score he had these computers that can be used to create sheet music. After school I would watch him create since the s​chool couldn’t afford to buy the original it back then and he would print it off from an apple computer and show me how to do the same. That is when I became intrigued to want to compose. The Christmas of my freshman year, I received a Casio keyboard and at the same time best friend Brandon Jackson said he had a friend who had a beat maker machine. He thought it would be a good idea to start a rap group so we did.

That is when I made the transition from classical scoring to hip hop production. I remember the first time Rio (riotheyneedahit) said he saw me. He always tells me “when i first saw you scott i saw you playing some classical pieces on the piano in the auditorium. They opened up those curtains and there you were playing classical piano.” I got more into production and Hip Hop during my Sophomore year but was well known for classical music.

Respect: When did you catch your big break?

Scott: I got my first placement with my mentor Chris Henderson on a record for a Def Jam artist at the time named Kandice Love. I was actually in college at the time studying graphic design at Hampton University. I met my now line brother named Bryan Hawkins in my dorm in which I was carrying around my $2500 ASR 10 keyboard my dad bought me during my senior year of high school. So when I bought my keyboard to my dorm, people that rapped were around and Brian heard some of my beats which resulted in him telling his cousin who is my now mentor Grammy Award Winning producer Chris Henderson( Jamie Fox, T-Pain).

So basically, Chris and Delante Murphy (Trey Songz, K. Michelle)​ had this production company called Hung Low at Hampton and they would put on events as well as production for Teddy Riley’s artists at the time. That is how I kind of got with Chris through Bryan Hawkins and got my first placement with Def Jam, as I co-produced the Kandice Love song I mentioned earlier. I consider that to be my first break because it is when I realized I could make money off of this and live off of this. Some of the people that were in the collective Hung Low include DJ Envy, and ​Kris Haskins. Kris actually did the song “Wanksta” by 50 Cent. At ​Hampton​ we had a really good group of talented guys who are now ​today successfu​l.

Respect: What was the inspiration behind Triangle Park and who all is apart of it?

Scott: The idea started from when I was in Philadelphia working with another production company I had created at the time. I started developing a girl group (@wearegoodgirl) with a company called Walk The Sky with my good friend Dyshon Pen, Bizkit N Butta (John Legend). We were trying to create an original sound for the girls and process how that would work so Shon ended up introducing me to my now partner Ali, who is also a producer/music director.

Since we were going in a different direction than the original production company, me and my brother ​William A. Carter Es​q decided that we should start something new and truthful. Being that truthfulness  is something that was embedded in me as a child and something I promote everyday it just made sense.

I grew up in front of a Triangle Park, so the name “Triangle Park” comes from the Park I grew up in front of that inspired me to do music. That is a truth that is constantly with me. Once I understood my thought process I realized the truth. Growing up in front of this park it what inspired me when I used to compose so we named my production group after it. It made since because that is the truth going through. It was the perfect move to make and get behind good girl.

Ali’s upbringing was in the church and I was classical so that kind of pairing of r&b, urgent hip hop, gospel and classical brings a sound to Good Girl that people can attach to. I knew it would also catch the ear of the production company that we were trying to get ​them to (Starr Island) who eventually got the girls their deal at RCA,​ which they are still currently signed to. Starr Island is now our  management production company and we knew that the type of sound and the type of development is what was needed to capture their attention for the girls. We just finished working on half of their album with the production company.

Respect: As K. Michelle recently released her fifth studio album All Monsters Are Human, talk a little bit about what it was like being apart of her creative process and building a working relationship with one of R&B’s most known voices?

Scott: K is very passionate! She is one of the most passionate people I know from her story and the way she shares it through music. When she gets into the studio it is very much emoting like she wants to make sure that the records fit her as she is a very in depth song writer. I like the fact that she puts that much attention on her story and how it is told for her listeners to understand while remaining truthful to herself. She is very open about who she is and how she perceives things. She gets in there and pours her heart out.

I think that is what soul and Rhythm & Blues really is about. Soul music is truth to the soul and it is a reflection of a period of time that others have gone through. Simply showing that I have gone through some of the same stuff the next person is going through. The duty of an artist is to literally unveil themself in the truest form to the world, so that people can understand what that artist has gone through and know that they too can get through whatever hardship they are facing. Essentially being the soundtrack to people’s lives is their responsibility. I love K’s style to say the least as she is a TRUE R&B singer.

Respect: How would you best describe your sound as a producer as you have a very distinct sound?

Scott: I believe that our sound is urgent R&B Pop. The urgency comes from the Hip-Hop feel which can be heard on Ty Dolla $ign’s forthcoming album. It is an urgent R&B Pop sound because it gives you the feel of R&B which is like the base of what that would be. That is where the soul comes in. The drums are the urgency of hip hop and the writing behind it has a pop appeal. We try to get all of that together in one which is how our sound came to life. Urgent R&B Pop is definitely the best way to describe our sound.

Respect: What advice would you give an aspiring artist looking to break into the mainstream circuit?

Scott: First of all, if you have not started yet, drop everything and start now. Get yourself around people who are doing it at a higher level than you are. Get yourself in the room with people who are doing it at a higher level than you are even a mentor so you can see it in order to achieve it. As human beings we can map to other people so if you surround yourself with greatness you are going to be great no matter what. You automatically become a sponge to the greatness surrounding you.

I would also say trust the process and simply do not give up. When you get into that position where you have people around you that are at that high level, it seems as though you are not moving as fast as them. But in reality it probably is just not your time. Just stay there and stay in that uncomfortable state. Human beings, being thrown into an uncomfortable state will always figure it out and conquer because god is with us and god would not put us in a position to where we are not able to overcome. You’ll be in that spot but the timing is key.

You have to make sure you are disciplined enough to stay in that uncomfortable state. The fear that you may not be adequate enough occurs but if you are in front of someone showing you that they are that good, you will be able to learn how to get to the space that they are in. It just all takes time. Trusting the process is really important and understanding that you are in a process.

Respect: What are you most excited about in the new year?

Scott: I am excited about our girls Good Girls as well as my guy Anthony Clemons (@antclemons) who is like a little brother to me and someone I do a lot of music with. We found out at the same time that our record made it onto Kanye’s Ye album. I love his story which is a testimony completely. He is walking in his truth and I am very proud of him.

I am proud and also excited for the records I have on Noah Cyrus’ upcoming album. There are a bunch of songwriters such as ​Jozzy (@dopebyaccident)​ She is with Columbia Records. I cannot forget Ty Dolla $ign as I am definitely excited to see how the records we did for him roll out.

One more thing. I am looking to get an artist that we are developing signed to a major label. Me and my camp are developing artists now so I am currently working on developing the next act. It is important to me to be able to develop an artist who has that urgent R&B Pop sound that we can get behind who understands our process.

To stay up to date on the next hit Robot Scott  might be cooking up, be sure to follow him on social media @irobotscott .

The post Super Producer Robot Scott: Talks Breaking Into The Music Business, His Passion For Creating & Working With Some Of Music’s Brightest Stars appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

By: K. Michelle

R&B living legend K. Michelle has officially released her highly anticipated All Monsters Are Human album. This release comes off the heels of her first visual of the year “Just Like Jay” that was released 24 hours prior to the full EP. As an entertainer, songwriter entrepreneur, and boss lady, she is ready to save R&B with her god given talent.

As this is her fifth studio album via Entertainment One Music, the Memphis native does an incredible job of tapping in with her established and thriving fanbase. The most notable element of All Monsters Are Human is the effortless production put into this release. Producers Riotheyneedahit, Aaron Sledge, Lee Major, Sean Momberger, Phillip Cornish, Drumma Boy, Jazzy Pha, Robot Scott and Troy Taylor, diligently worked together to ensure that Michelle’s vocals reached new heights as   a recording artist.

One song in particular that stands out is the second single released titled the “The Rain”. As it is currently charting at #8 on the Billboard Urban AC radio charts, her remake of New Edition’s hit “Can You Stand The Rain” is a certified hit record. You truly get the chance to hear how much of a creative genius she is on this particular song.

With this project currently holding down the #1 and #3 spot on the R&B charts, this is by far K. Michelle’s biggest release to date. Anyone doing R&B better watch out because this songbird is coming back for everyone’s head!

Press play below to experience musical bliss and tap into some new vibes on All Monsters Are Human.

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By: K Michelle

R&B tycoon K. Michelle has officially released the video to her highly anticipated “Just Like Jay” record. As her fifth studio album is scheduled to come out tomorrow, this release could not come at a better time. With new music, new visuals and a full length studio album around the corner, K. Michelle is preparing to own R&B in 2020!

In this visual you will see the songstress dressed like a sexy cowgirl with a red ensemble, with the hat and shoes to match. Her elegant style and graceful vocals reach an all time high as she shows the world why she is here to save the state of R&B. Naming this song “Just Like Jay” is a direct reference to the iconic Jay-Z’s “Fade To Black” documentary and his The Black Album.

Some lyrics that stand out the most on this release include ”I walked away from Atlantic because they wanted me to be Mary J, and the whole time I was thinking who the hell gone be K”. You will hear heavy hitting punchlines all through this song highlighting more of her pain and struggles personally and professionally. Michelle does an incredible job of writing out her life creating yet again another classic record.

As “Just Like Jay” is K. Michelle’s first visual of the year, you can expect many more from the songbird. As the rest of the world awaits her one of a kind masterpiece EP, be sure to tap into some new vibes by pressing play below.

The post K. Michelle Releases New “Just Like Jay” Visual appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

RESPECT.: ‘All Monsters Are Human,’ tell me about the project dropping January 31st and how did it come about?

Well I think the title says a lot. We are all villains in someone else’s eyes. We all have different faces to someone. To some people I’m a villain and to some people I’m a saint. We can’t judge people so we have to say all monsters are human. 

RESPECT.: So is this project going to be based on love?

It is based on relationships and life. Thats never going to change because it is something that always continues. Theres always going to more to talk about.

RESPECT.: So you dropped a track called THE RAIN recently and the video. I noticed it samples New Edition. 

I sing New Edition’s “Can You Stand The Rain” all of the time. For me to be able to do THE RAIN and get the response that I did it means a lot to me. The record is still moving and doing great.

RESPECT.: How did that song come about production wise down to the recording?

Someone had the record and I took it and did it over. That record is about four years old. 

RESPECT.: Not only are you doing music but you have another restaurant on the way. 

I needed to move the location for safety. I need the best location for my female demographic and I wanted to put it somewhere better. That’s why I chose that. 

RESPECT.: What makes you keep going with the restaurant business? 

I just love it. It’s something that I like and it is something I am good at. It is just another talent I like to be able to do. 

RESPECT.: I like the feeling Puff & Petals gives me when I walk in. It’s so feminine. 

Yea, the next location is going to be even better. The food and the vibe is going to be even better. 

RESPECT.: You also have this show on lifetime that’s coming can you tell us a little about that? 

Yes I do. It is about women and helping them remove silicone from their bodies. It is something thats going to help save some lives and help women out. We are going to start filming in the next couple of months. We are now casting and it will be a recurring show on lifetime kind of like 600 pound life. The lifestyle change isn’t something that happens in just a few weeks so we will be recording throughout the year. I am very excited about that. 

RESPECT.: It’s crazy to think about all the pockets you have your hands in. How are you able to balance all these different talents?

Just try not to go crazy! 

RESPECT.: What we can expect from you in 2020 to wrap this up? 

2020 is the restaurant I’m about to open and I have a country TV show thats about to be picked up as well. As for the surgeries I still have a lot of healing to do as I have a few more procedures to get done. More music, going on tour, doing What K. Michelle likes to do.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7JGgVMl9zo/

The post RESPECT. Interview: K. Michelle Has Her Hands Full and Prospering With a New Project Dropping, Restaurants, and TV Show Deals appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

By: Josh Behm

Atlanta artist Young Quael is one of the most slept on emcee’s in the game right now. Having opened up for the likes of French Montana, K. Michelle, Rich Homie Quan, and Wale to name a few, he is ready to take his talent to new heights as an emcee and songwriter. His experience being a finalists in the XXL Rap Battle in 2012, and landing several MTV Jamz  placements, landed him a spot as an official MTV artist.

Driven by conscious lyrics and melodic rap beats, his confidence cadence can be compared to living legend Kendrick Lamar. With a thriving sound and sick pen game Quael is ready to take the music world by storm. What makes him unique as a creative is that his music is just as impressive as his comedic prowess.

When he is not creating music in the studio, he is cracking jokes as the official in game entertainment facilitator of the Nashville Pro-Am. With the ability to cultivate audiences with laughter and musical talent, he prides himself on not being boxed in as a creative.

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By: Troy Taylor TTU

Grammy Award winning producer Troy Taylor is bringing back authentic R&B in a major way. Having recently worked on Jacquees‘ new King Of R&B album, and Elijah Blake’s Holiday Love EP, this hitmaker is imprinting his original sound on the careers of some of music’s brightest rising stars. In February of 2020, he will celebrate being in the music business for 30 years, as he continues to elevate his career for new heights.

I had the pleasure of catching up with Troy Taylor for a candid interview below to see what life is like as a hitmaker. As he openly discusses reviving REAL R&B, having a friendship with Aretha Franklin and finding longevity in the music business, it becomes clear that his passion for creating music will never die. Check it out below.

Troy Taylor Interview 

Respect: As you were signed to Motown Records as an artist when you first started off in the industry, what prompted your transition to focusing more on the production/writing side of music?

Troy Taylor: While I was working on my album for Motown, I started working with these kids who were ages 15 to 17, I was around 22. When I started working with them to make a long story short, a year later they come out and blew up all the way up around the world. I started thinking do I really want to be an artist because I really enjoyed the success that these kids had and I knew I didn’t want to be super political and feed into the politics of being an artist. I am too real for that. When I say real, I mean if you want me to be politically correct I am not that guy. I am not going to do all that shucking and jiving and all of the stuff it takes to be an artist and I knew that.

So I went to the A&R Timmy Regisford and Jheryl Busby the president and I told them I didn’t want to be an artist anymore and that I wanted to be a producer and writer. I had done some work with their artists, but these kids went on to be Boyz II Men so after that I was done. I was like I would rather be behind the scenes because I could still sing, I could still write and I could still do all of the things I love without doing the front stuff. So that is why I decided not to become an artist.

Respect: What does it mean to be a Grammy Award winning hitmaker having won grammy awards for your work with Aretha Franklin and Boyz II Men?

Troy Taylor: Of course you know a Grammy award is the most major award you can win as a musician, arranger, producer, writer and artist, so for me it was really surreal to be part of that academy. It also makes me feel like I need to do more. Some people may be satisfied but not me because I can do more and have too. I can’t get comfortable. It kind of pushed me at the same time, as well as being happy and excited for it it. It truly  made me feel like I have to go harder.

Respect: What sparked you founding your Songbook Ent production company?

Troy Taylor: When I first started off in the industry, my first 12 years of my career I was apart of a production collective. I decided to leave in 2002 and that is when I created Songbook. The concept is coming from Talking Book which is one of Stevie Wonder’s albums. I feel like it displays songs and production all in one.

Respect: How did you go about signing Trey Songz and how did that change your life/career?

Troy Taylor: Ironically Trey was with this collective first and when I left, he had to stay with them even though I wasn’t there. That is until he got kicked out. He got kicked out of the company and he was excited because that meant that he could work more with me and that’s what he did. Trey Songz became more so the artist I never ended up being in the sense of great R&B music. That is what I wanted, simply to create great R&B music. It is one thing to make hits for people, but it is another story to create a star from scratch. It is not easy at all.

Respect: As you have worked with many legends such as Patti Labelle, Whitney Houston and The Isley Brothers, what are some of your fondest memories from working with the greats?

Troy Taylor: With Aretha Franklin since she has such big personality and known to be very diva, I think what made us work well together is the fact that I studied her career and her music. I knew that she was a musician, a dope writer and dope singer. So it was like I knew she had an idea of what she wanted to do, so I would set it up to let her do what she does and then I would go in after that. Most producers try to produce her when you cannot do that. You simply have to just let her do what she does.

Then you critique it, fix it, and do everything that needs to be done. She liked the fact that I did that with her. Upon doing 1 song it ended up being 3, and for the first time I asked her to listen to Trey Songz’ album because he was about to come out soon and I asked her for her advice on the music. The founder of Atlantic Records who signed her blessed Trey and told him that he was a star early. He then told Aretha Franklin, which helped her to listen to Trey’s music. When she listened to him I asked her if she could give him some advice. At the beginning of his album you can hear her giving Trey some advice and that was huge.

But that showed how cool Aretha and I were. Every now and then she would call me running ideas that she had in mind. It was really shocking because Its like is Aretha Franklin really calling me like what? I had no idea. I didn’t even want to work with Aretha Franklin because some people are so big I just like to let them be them and stay a fan. So working with her was amazing. I have one particular interview that she did in 2003 and she mentioned me. I didn’t even know about it. Years later someone said I like the interview when Aretha Franklin mentioned your name. I was like what interview?? They sent it to me and I was like wow. The queen Aretha Franklin has spoken, you all can’t tell me nothing.

Respect: How have you been able to find longevity in this music business?

Troy Taylor: God. It is always good to remember the giver more so than the gift. People focus so much on the gift that they forget the giver. Me, I always remember the giver and why he gave me the gift. It has never been about me. It has always been about other people and me helping other people to understand their gift. I help them learn how to work their gift and use their gift musically. I have been blessed to be able to continue to go no matter how hard, wicked, deceitful, or evil this industry can be. I have always been able to maintain and focus my energy mentally and not get caught up in the other stuff.

Thinking about before social media and now with social media, you can really get lost in why you want to do it or why you are doing it. I never got wrapped up in that. I stayed with the love of music and never let anybody, anything, any situation or hard time make me not love it anymore. Really I was able to stay on it and in it and going, just from the love of why I wanted to do it in the first place. I cannot let anyone change that thought you know what I mean.

Respect: As you have been in the game for 20 years, what do you find my rewarding about the line of work that you do?

Troy Taylor: It will be 30 years on February 11th 2020

Respect: As you have co-executive produced  Elijah Blake’s new Holiday Love album, what in the nature. Of you all relationship?

I met him when he was 14 going on 15. We are both Geminis and just clicked really well. But talent is one thing and learning how to use it is another thing. He came to visit me in Atlanta after I had moved there from Texas, and that is when I was able to figure him out and see what his need was and where he needed to be. At that time he was Red Styles he wasn’t Elijah Blake yet. He was an artist that wrote and knew how to record himself, which is one of the requirements at TTU.

You have to know how to record yourself. He knew how to record himself, write, arrange and do harmonies so upon him graduating and moving to LA, we just kept in touch. He is a great person outside of being a great artist. His personality and my personality work really well together, so we always stayed close no matter what he was doing.

He always knew he had my support and would get me whenever. This project was an honor to do because he came to Atlanta and stayed at the house. We actually worked on it in 2017. He didn’t put it out then and I tried to get him to put it out in 18, and he wouldn’t put it out. Now we finally have it out! It is really dope to have a body of work attached to our relationship.

Respect: What was it like working with Jacquees on his latest R&b album King Of R&B?

Troy Taylor: My goal for Troy Taylor as the 0G in the music game, is to get myself into the new era of R&B. That way I am able to change it, without standing on the outside and talking and being bitter. I knew I had to get up with the young up and coming R&B artists and insert my OGism. With Jacquees being the most active consistent young R&B artist, I knew I had to get to him. Once I got to him, I knew I could do the R&B those kids grew up on, if I had someone young doing it. I knew that if I could get that same music on Jacquees it would spark a whole new generate to R&B again. And since not to many of the producers that are out can actually do real R&B, it would put me back on top so to speak.

Respect: What are you currently working on/what is up for next?

Troy Taylor: I am currently working on music with Trey Songz for his forthcoming Trey Songz album. We have some really amazing music on the way. I am also working with a group called Next Town Down and in that group is one of my proteges Trevon Waters. Some of the songs I did for Trey, he co-wrote along with Daniel Breland. Breland (@thepenpointguard) does a lot of the things that I am doing now. He also co-wrote Jacquees songs “Fact Or Fiction” and “Good Lovin” and worked on YK Osiris latest project.

I also did some work on K. Michelle upcoming R&B album and executive produced my little brother Johnta Austin’s album Love, Sex and Religion. His most recent material is the definition of true R&B as it has been in the making for 10 years. He has finally released a body of work as recording artist, making this release his most impressive material to date. This move has allowing me to be fresh, up to date and current while at the same time fixing and bringing back the essence of Real R&B.

Stay up to date with this living legend by following him on social media @troytaylorttu.

The post Grammy Award Winning Producer Troy Taylor: Talks Reviving Real R&B, Friendship With Aretha Franklin & Finding Longevity In The Music Business appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

BY: Gabrielle Lynn

Singer/Songwriter Gabrielle Lynn has officially released her highly anticipated EP Ethereal. Being heavily influenced by Sade, Erykah Badu, SZA, and Daniel Ceaser, her original sound is a direct reminder of how thriving R&B music is right now. Her Minnesota upbringing with loving and supportive parents has propelled her to take her talent to new heights. The songstress has created a masterpiece full of serene melodies, concrete lyrics, and raw emotion.

Within 6 tracks Gabrielle Lynn showcases why she is ready to take the music business by storm. To ensure the success of this project, she teamed up with 2 time Grammy Award winning producer Riotheyneedahit. Having worked with R&B tycoons Jill Scott, Ashanti and K. Michelle, his musical direction has given the singer a powerful edge over the other rising singers. Two things to listen for on  Ethereal is the purity and rawness Lynn’s vocals give off on each record. 

One song that really captures Lynn’s authenticity is a track titled “Reasons”. As this song has a more uptempo melody, you can hear how sonically pleasing her voice is over the instrument driven beat. Some notable lyrics include “what if I told you, you’re more than a friend, what if we never waste a moment again, let’s make it happen and see what comes next, what if I need you what would you do”. Her strong penmanship and desire to put out high quality music comes full circle on this release. 

Gabrielle Lynn has created a body of work that is destined to reach the masses! Tap in by clicking here to stream her newest EP Ethereal.

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