The project includes top-notch guests, including The Game, Thundercat, Larry June, George Clinton, Free Nationals, DJ Drama, Curren$y, Bun B, Dom Kennedy and KAYTRANADA.
At the 2024 BET Awards, DJ Quik and JasonMartin discussed their latest album with rolling out, highlighting its significance in a period where the West Coast is once again at the forefront of hip-hop.
How’s the new album going?
DJ Quik: Actually, better than expected. It’s going really well.
And the timing is perfect because all eyes are on the West [Coast] right now.
JasonMartin: It’s all God at the end of the day. Everybody’s head, mind and spirit is in the right place.
DJ Quik: [JasonMartin] started it! I’m going to tell you why.
I quit in December, and this n—- came to my house and said, “Get up, champ! We need you on the field! Start bringing music to the house.”
I’m rapping and s—. I don’t even want to rap anymore, and he started bringing people through like Wiz Khalifa. At this point, we’re building a house around this guy and me setting up a studio. Like, one day, I come and two speakers would be up the next day. Then, the next day, there’s a desk and a console. We wilded out. We went crazy. Thirty days later, we had CHUPACABRA, part one.
JasonMartin: Right. That’s how it went.
DJ Quik: When I quit!
JasonMartin: He said, “I’m retired.” And I said, “No, you’re not.” Now, we’re back.
DJ Quik: Then, I was performing “Everlasting Bass” with Rodney O on stage. We performed probably in front of maybe, I don’t wanna exaggerate; maybe a million-plus people, like, toured on big stages, and I’m sure that Metro Boomin and them heard us partying off of “Everlasting Bass” on stage and just dissected it. It’s a monumental West Coast beat that nobody really knows. Everybody knows it, but it just doesn’t get the shine that it got when “Like That” came out.
That was a f—— bar. Like what the f— are we talking about? That kept it going. And then, Kendrick didn’t even let anybody know he was on that record.
It’s a science behind that record. I watched that from behind the scenes. It was like watching fireworks. When it came out, it hit. Rodney O said, “It’s on.” We were playing it watching the numbers go up. It was at 800,000 in under an hour.
Jason, Childish Gambino is performing tonight. You’re one of the few people who can get him to come out the house once every five years. What is he like?
He’s an amazing spirit, man. Him and his brother [Steve G. Lover], man, have been super helpful to my career.
Man, that “Sweatpants” record changed my life, man.
Anything he does, man, I’m here to support and clap for it. He’s a very authentic guy. A very true soul. I’m glad he’s coming out for BET. It shows the power of this network and what it means.
