I Got It MADE

In 2003 almost every radio station had tracks from 50 Cent in heavy rotation, he was the kid who barely escaped death and was back with a vengeance taking on anyone in his path. As he came in the game, he also stepped in with his loyal soldiers Tony Yayo and Lloyd Banks and the three undeniably began to kill the mixtape circuit. Though producer Sha Money XL wasn’t a front man or rapper, he was a driving force and influential player who helped structure and form the G-Unit Empire.

When Sha Money XL was introduced to 50 Cent by his late mentor Jam Master Jay, he may not have realized what a blessing that it would become later in life. Today Sha Money XL’s production and co- production catalogue includes 50 Cent's “Poor Lil Rich,” Snoop Dogg's “Snoop D.O. Double G,” Young Buck’s “Do It Like Me,” Mobb Deep’s “Put ’Em In Their Place” and Asher Roth’s “Battle Me.”


As he navigates his way through the business, Sha Money XL claims he’s learned that the industry is an elevated system. “No one stays on top and what goes up always comes down,” he says. He also believes that it is important to keep the entrepreneurial aspect alive, which he shows from the various projects he is taking on. Three years ago Sha Money XL launched the One Stop Shop Producers Conference and this year it’s taking place on May 9th -10th in Phoenix, Arizona. Recently, Sha Money XL revealed that this year’s conference will consist of an innovative Mobile Beat Battle.


With all of the success that Sha Money XL is having, he continues to try and inspire those entering the game. Check his website , just the name alone discloses his intentions and his dedication to the grind.


AllHipHop.com spoke with the Queens bred producer and music executive about his One Stop Producer's Annual Conference, the 50 Cent versus Rick Ross beef and the lessons he learned from the late Jam Master Jay.


AllHipHop.com: Over the course of your career name two people that you’ve worked with and talk about what you learned from each of them?


Sha Money XL: I’ll start with 50; working with him he taught me that you have to have a strong will power. You can’t want everything and not have the strong will to keep your mind clear and focused on the goal. He doesn’t get side tracked by drugs, women or anything, no influences dictate where he goes with his thoughts; he’s really in control. So your will has to be completely strong.


Dr. Dre, I think taught me that quality is better that quantity! He showed me that you don’t have to produce one million records, but when he does the records that he does, there’s definitely quality.


AllHipHop.com: You started the One Stop Producer's Annual Conference, which I think is an excellent idea. How did this about?


Sha Money XL: That came about because at that time I was at the top of my peak as far as working with 50 Cent and G-Unit and all the records I was putting out. So a lot of people were asking for me to manage them and I realized that I couldn’t manage everybody, but I do want to see them all get there way into this industry. I wanted to open up a format for them to be able to have a career and have an opportunity to make it.


I’d rather not turn them down, but rather turn them into someone by introducing them to people that I do business with. So the whole conference is about getting them to meet everyone that I’m in business with or they should be in business with or just knowing whose who.


AllHipHop.com: Who are some of the A&R’s, producers or record label executives that have been apart of the conference?


Sha Money XL: I’ve had everyone from Swizz Beatz, DJ Toomp, DJ Premier, Don Cannon, Green Lantern and Maani Edwards from Universal Music Publishing. I’ve had a lot of industry people come to this event and really educate these guys and get them moving.


AllHipHop.com: Have these conferences helped? Has anyone received a placement?



Sha Money XL: Yeah, I have a guy Canei Finch that co-produced T.I.’s “Live Your Life” Featuring Rihanna. I have my other guy that has beats on 50’s new album and some other guys doing underground records coming out this year. So their definitely trying to find a way to work and really stand out.


AllHipHop.com: You started the Money Management Group, can you talk a bit about this venture?


Sha Money XL: That was just for artists I managed, but I’m changing it. So now it’s more like a marketing specialty company it’s more a brand than just artists. Instead of just managing artists one on one, I’m doing multiple things to help other artists that are managed by other managers that just can’t get the connects that I can get to.


AllHipHop.com: Besides what you already mentioned, what else are you working on?


Sha Money XL: The biggest thing outside of this music conference is delivering this 50 Cent album. I’m executive producing Before I Self Destruct, we're working hard on it and that’s big.


AllHipHop.com: So what is 50 Cent’s new album looking like so far?


Sha Money XL: Were going back to the cinematic part of his life, storytelling and letting you know about 50 before. There will be more producing by Dr. Dre and also Eminem like the first album. So it’s pretty much back to the three headed monster, all coming together to make this album.


AllHipHop.com: How do you feel about this whole 50 Cent and Rick Ross feud/verbal beef? I’m not to sure what to call it!


Sha Money XL: I think honestly for once 50 didn’t start it, but he’s damn sure going to finish it [laughs]. 50 is one of the smartest dudes and I know him very well. I would advice people who think they could just get some publicity off of this, to stay away from him because he doesn’t stop. He’s worse than any person you’ve ever had issues with, so I would advise people to do that.


AllHipHop.com: Have you ever felt like damn 50 that was a little to much?


Sha Money XL: Nah, I signed up for this! I was the one who was chasing him after he got shot up; I was the one calling him. So I was already prepared for whatever.



AllHipHop.com: Being that you run with 50, do you feel that you have to take on all of his beefs?


Sha Money XL: I’m not into frienimies, who ever is a enemy of 50 isn’t a friend to me. So I don’t care, anyone, even if there distant cousins, still. Who ever he’s not f**king with, I’m not f**king with, it just has to be that way so it’s no confusion.


AllHipHop.com: So does that mean you wouldn’t even produce a song for Rick Ross if the money was right?


Sha Money XL: I wouldn’t! I wouldn’t ask even 50 if it’s alright, it’s showing bad intentions. I just wouldn’t do it, 50’s money is good money, and he’s the best part of the stock market that no one ever got to hit.


AllHipHop.com: How do you think this 50/Rick Ross situation will end?


Sha Money XL: Man 50 is done turned it into some money for himself, he has MTV calling him, Comedy Central; they’re calling him to come do the Pimpin’ Curly on their show.


AllHipHop.com: A former friend of Jam Master Jay, Randy Allen, created a diss song about 50, what do you feel about that situation?


Sha Money XL: I'll tell you this much, Randy, he's stamped with a big suspect. He can't even really return to his hood or nothing like that. He's been the person that's been sidelined, riding Jays coat tail for his whole career and didn't stand up when Jay passed away; he was there and knows things.

So honestly I have no respect for that dude and for him to even come at 50 after ten years, because I was under Randy and Jam Master Jay that’s who put me on to 50. For Randy to go ahead and do that he just needs some money and some attention, 50’s not going to give that to him. He’s worthless, he’s f**cking 40 something years old trying to rap right now.

AllHipHop.com: Is there anything that Jam Master Jay taught you about this industry before he passed away?


Sha Money XL: Stay humble and stay connected with everything. He taught me never throw my head up, stay humble, stay in touch; keep your ears to the streets and eyes on the streets.


You know he taught me a lot, taught me about making my beats, how to make my drums hit, all that! So I learned a lot from Jay and I’m just inspired by everything about him. Being from the same neighborhood as him is another gift to me, being able to say that I’m from the same hood.


AllHipHop.com: So 50 Cent is working on a Jam Master Jay Documentary?


Sha Money XL: Yes, it’s done and it’s packaged in his album! So when they get his album, their going to get the documentary.


AllHipHop.com: Wow that’s dope! Were you involved in the making of this documentary at all?


Sha Money XL: No, just an interview that’s about it. I gotta give it up to Phonz who’s Jam Master Jay’s little cousin, he’s the one that master minded the whole thing.


AllHipHop.com: Is there any producer out right now that you believe is overrated?


Sha Money XL: Nope! If their getting calls and their getting hits in, there’s no reason to over rate them.


AllHipHop.com: Who would say is the best producer out right now?


Sha Money XL: Dr. Dre sonically is the best producer to make songs; he makes the song sound incredible and makes the beat knock harder than anyone else I’ve ever seen. I still try to get over his shoulder while he’s at the boards to try to see what the hell the f**k he’s doing.



Second, I would have to respectfully give it to Timbaland because he knows how to cook up between a few genres in music and always keep the Hip-Hop vibe inside.


AllHipHop.com: Can you give one tip to the up and coming producers right now, who may be struggling to find a way in the music industry?


Sha Money XL: Stay persistent, but do a real search on yourself! Really, don’t just ask your friends if your hot, ask people that don’t know you if your good. You got people that are wasting there whole lives, years and their still rapping, their 30 something and still trying to make it into the industry and they’ve been in it since they were 18 and their still wondering why no one gave them a break.


No one really probably told them that they are wack, so you got to really play you sh*t for everybody, be in every place you can be, be at every conference, every concert, get your music out to everyone so that you can know if your good, you know. Bottom line is this, when I was a rapper when I was like 17 years old, I was getting hit by so many people with “Sha I don’t know about this, but I like the beat.” So you have to hear that, you have to listen to that, you don’t want to waist your whole life when you could be going to school doing something else getting your career on. You need to follow what’s your really calling and not just a dream.

ns_diplomat

propz

BISD better be another GRODT....!! I hope

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G-Unit/Shady/Aftermath!!
"Shout out to all the people in Montreal - Montreal is real hood. Real gangsta out there." - Juelz Santana

BlackBauer

Good interview

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''Where I'm from, there is no plan B. So take advantage of today because tomorrow is not promised'' - 50 Cent

Europe Guy

Sha Money XL: Were going back to the cinematic part of his life, storytelling and letting you know about 50 before.

hopefully thats something lyrical

Majcip

I see everybody cares about what is on new 50 Cent´s album. What it will be about. Im sure it will be new classic and bomb. It must be something between Power of the Dollar and Get Rich or Die Tryin´ I think. Damn this album need one perfect song, more and more hype and It will be million in first week. Can´t wait for Before I Self Destruct.

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Rest in peace to Michael Jackson aka Forever King of POP