With the ink dry on his G-Unit deal, Shawty Lo Still Got Units.
HHW: How long have you been working on your sophomore album Still Got Units?
Shawty Lo: I’ve been working on music for my sophomore album Still Got Units for a couple of years now. It’s gonna be hard to choose records for this album because I’ve recorded so much material and it all sounds good.
Where is your favorite place to record and why?
D4L studio, my studio…I like it because it’s a home environment and I like to be around my homies, the folks I grew up with. My crew Costra Nostra Chain Gang and BHF add to the vibe when I record.
What type of vibe do you like or try to create while working in the studio?
The type of vibe I like is a smooth, late, late night vibe when it’s not so much going on in the city and it’s quiet and I can focus. That’s when I’m in my zone, working hard, the smoke is in the air and it’s when my thoughts get channeled into songs.
When do you prefer to have your recording sessions? Is the time of day relevant to your creativity?
Nighttime is best time for me to record.
What are a few things that’s a must have at your sessions?
My super producer B Trill, my engineer, some beautiful ladies and my crew. I know my folks are not gonna sugarcoat nothing and will tell me what sounds hot and what’s not.
How did you come up with the album title?
Units in the City was my debut album title but now that I’m with G-Unit, I’m keeping it flowing cause I ‘still got units.’
How do you know or determine that you have had a successful session?
When everybody in the studio is happy and they keep saying ‘play it again.’
Who are sum of the producers u worked with on the album as well as any features?
I worked with producers like Zaytoven, Drumma Boy, DJ Toomp, Ensayne Wayne and DJ Spinz. But also I like to work with rising producers so I hooked up with Alex, Josh Butler, Lumberjack, B Trill, Da Vette Boys from St. Louis and Mercy Beats. As far as guest appearances, I got 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, Lil Wayne, Jim Jones, Wale, Twista, Rick Ross, Gucci, Rocko, Future, Tity Boi (2 Chainz), Ludacris, The Dream, Trey Songz, Gangsta Boo, Birdman, Bobby V, Yo Gotti and my folks Costra Nostra Chain Gang.
If there was one thing you wanted people to know about Shawty Lo what would that be?
I’d rather lose a lover than to love a loser. And also, you can hate me cause I love cash anyway.
On your last album you gave us songs like “Dey Know” and “Dunn Dunn,” what can we expect from Still Got Units?
With this project you can expect more of the same, which is even more hits. What I got lined up now, going from an indie situation into this new situation, is gonna be more than you can imagine. It’s a movement.
Lets talk about your first single “Pocahontas,” how did that come about?
“Pocahontas” is the name of the first single featuring Twista and Wale and it came about one night just all of my people in the studio and when I did my verse, everybody said it was a hot record. But I don’t choose my singles, I let the streets choose and “Pocahontas” is what they chose. It’s about girls in the club and making it rain.
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