Drumma Boy: Marching to His Own Beat

Producer Drumma Boy has developed from a child prodigy into a certified beatsmith. With hits for T.I., Ciara, Plies, Young Jeezy and Letoya Lucket under his belt, the former clarinet player is turning up his star wattage. He can currently be spotted on Peachtree TV’s reality competition show, Welcome to Dreamland alongside longtime friend/producer, Jazze Pha and Def Jam rapper/host, Vawn. Recently, we got Drumma to take a little time out of his busy schedule to answer a few probing questions. -j.h.

1. Who’s your favorite person to get in the studio with? Johnta Austin is a crazy writer. He just delivers the other 50 percent of a record.

2. Is there anybody that’s surprised you in a session?
My boy Rocko surprised me. The chemistry with him was crazy. The first time we got in the studio it was just like, way more than I expected. The first song we did was “Imma Do Me.”

3. What’s the silliest thing you’ve ever seen a rapper or singer do in the studio?
If you go to the studio and spend $2000 for a session and you get like half a song done, that’s a waste of time and money. That’s dumb.

4. So you’re on the reality show, Welcome to Dreamland with Jazze Pha. Who’s the first person to the studio?
That’s me all day.

5. What’s the best thing a woman has ever told you?
Um, wow. Um. I’ll have to skip that one [laughing].

6. Who would win a game of pick up basketball-you or President Obama?
I’d take Obama to the post any day. I turned down a couple of scholarships in high school. That was a big part of my life at one time.

7. If you’re stranded on an island, what’s the one record you’re taking with you?
Snoop Dogg’s “Gin & Juice.” That’s one of my favorite songs. That’s what made me want to do music.