Super producer / rapper 88-Keys was the next artist to be featured on the ThisIs50 interview series with Young Jack Thriller. Here, the Long Island native discusses his parents wanting him to become a doctor but after hearing A Tribe Called Quest’s debut album “People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm” which he instantly wanted to pursue a career in hip-hop wanting to be part of the culture. Keys went on to discuss with Jack about producing for Frank Ocean, Hova and Yeezy’s “No Church In The Wild” on the classic “Watch The Throne” album which he finally got commercial notoriety he deserved after 13 years of hard work.
This then leads into a detailed history he has with Kanye being friends since before he got signed to Roc-A-Fella dating back to 2001 as the two have always had a fondness for each others work in the studio. During 2001, Ye told Keys he had one beat that he knew Jay would instantly like which 88 said he should’ve came with more. Keys worked for several weeks to make beats for Jay as they got to the studio and got some head nods but when Ye’s solo beat was played, Jay instantly wanted to rhyme over it.
The interview closes out with 88-Keys introducing his artist Tre DeJean as he spits a quick freestyle. Fans of 88 keys can expect his return to the game in 2013 when he’s featured on Kid Cudi’s third studio album, “Indicud” next spring.
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