Artist: WMS The Sultan
Interviewer: Stephy Cyn
WMS The Sultan is the hot new producer hittin’ the scene heavy with THREE tracks off Joe Budden’s new MM3 mixcd… And the timing couldn’t be better. Joey may be sittin’ at the top of his production list (for now) but on the real, his credits are runnin’ deep. Artists like Skyzoo, Drag-On (Ruff Ryders), Akrobatik, and the Godfather of Boston HipHop, Edo G… Bring on 08’. Cash in now, cuz Sultan is the future.
((Above track is “On the Block” by Q. Production by WMS the Sultan))
ThatsHipHop: So what’s good… Do you officially go by WMS the Sultan, or just the Sultan?
WMS The Sultan: yea it’s WMS The Sultan
THH: That’s some heavy shit… Where’d you come up with that name?
WMS: Well WMS are my initials and Sultan is my birth name. So when you hear that WMsssssss sound on the beginning of a song you know it’s gonna be some heat! The WMS sound was chopped up off an old kids record.
THH: ahhh word, for real?
WMS: Yep, Curious George, still got the record. Cracked it by mistake though on one part.
THH: So you grab your samples anyhow anywhere huh?
WMS: Yep, any and everywhere, like the “Roll Call” beat I used a Zelda sample. Then when I can’t find what I want in a sample I play it out with the motif. Versatility is key. Gotta be able to do stuff with samples, no samples all that…
THH: Aight so speaking of “Roll Call”…. Let’s get right into it. You grabbed 4 slots off the new Joe Budden’s Mood Muzik 3 mix cd (MM3), How’s that feel?
WMS: 3 slots. Someone else did the “5th Gear” joint. The credits should be fixed soon. But it’s crazy. I thought I was only going to get one at first
THH: Oh word? It’s good timing tho no? Cuz MM3 was pretty highly anticipated…
WMS: Yea perfect timing, like I started sending beats/song ideas over in July. Then found out I was on the cd around like September maybe, like the exposure on it has been crazy. I am confident in my work and feel like I got some hot tracks but just needed the right platform for them to be displayed, which MM3 has been. Right now I am working on stuff for the album which will be even bigger.
THH: which album?
WMS: Whatever Joe is dropping next. I think he is doing an independent album 1st, “Padded Room”. Then a retail joint on a major label. I am working on getting on both of them just working on tracks song ideas etc
THH: ahhh we gotta wait and see huh…. How’d you hook up with Joe?
WMS: Through Killah BH, heard my joints and me and him started talking and there was this beat I sent that stood out like crazy. It’s not on MM3 though, might be on the album not sure but that joint grabbed their attention. Then from there me and Killah built on song ideas and directions to take the production then I went to Jersey in like November and met Joe. It all happened fast… started sending that heat in July, then in December I had a few cuts on the cd.
THH: Yea cuz you’re a Boston dude….
WMS: Yep Boston, the home of the champs Red Sox, Patriots all that. But I have a crazy work ethic I think they recognized that too. Like I sent over 150 easily for the MM3 joint. And for the album probably over 100 at this point.
THH: Yo, Boston’s tough for hiphop but the talent that’s been there for a minute… I see people finally startin’ to shine the light on…
WMS: Yea, there are a lot of artists in Boston on the come up. I have a group I am working on with out here Static and Messiah. They got a remix dropping feat Skyzoo and a surprise guest if I can make that happen. Should be out mid January, just trying to wrap up the last feature.
THH: Well I guess I won’t force you to ruin the surprise, haha… and you’re down with the godfather, Edo G (currently of “Special Teamz”)… who else have u worked with?
WMS: Yea I did a joint with Edo G a few years back, it’s gonna be on my mixtape dropping early 2008. It’s Edo G, Akrobatik, Jv DaRapSinga and Backdraft on it. The song is called “Blastmass” you can year it on my myspace page. www.myspace.com/wmsthesultan I have also worked with Skyzoo, Drag-On, of course Joe Budden and basically all the local talent out here in Boston which you can hear on my cd “The Sultan mixtape vol 1: By Any Means Necessary” in early 08.
THH: I know you got a lot on your plate, but are you working on anything else we should be looking out for?
WMS: Definitely. Artist by the name of Q out of Boston, got about 90% of the production on his album. Dude is crazy on the mic. He can go toe to toe with like 95% of the people in the game, I would put my 07 beat catalog on it. You can check him out at www.myspace.com/qbrainstorm - Also the group Static and Messiah out at www.myspace.com/staticandmessiah
THH: Worrrd. Anyone you’d really like to work with but haven’t yet?
WMS: I got some industry artists I am trying to get placements with I don’t want to let the cat out of the bag but I am working on doing music with a few big NY artists and Miami too. As far as people I would like to work with, Nas, Joel Ortiz, Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, Jadakiss, Beanie Seigel, Juelz Santana, Cam’ron, Lauren Hill, Little Brother, Papoose, mad artists…
THH: So how long have you been producing and how’d you get into it?
WMS: Been producing like about 5 years now and some change. Got in the music thing late, started as a hobby basically just to kill time and I just kind of picked it up real fast. I always had an ear for music being a fan of rap, soul, classical jazz etc. Then once I started producing I started to learn how to make the beats then eventually construct songs. Now when I make a beat I already have a song concept in mind for it. I am writing a lot of hooks for singers too then have the mc come in and rap on the beat based on the concept I have the singer lay down on the hook. I got so much planned for 08, it’s gonna be a great year. I am dropping my cd as well as working with a lot of independent artists doing most the production on their projects and trying to work on some major albums too.
THH: That’s whats up. I’ve been on this kick lately of shining the light on some hard hittin’ producers. You guys definitely don’t get enough love…
WMS: Yea most producers just play the background and are faceless. I am trying to build a brand. So when you see Sultan on the credits you know it’s going to be solid quality material. I work on making quality music first and foremost.
THH: If you can quickly, take me thru the process of being a producer…. Cuz you really hafta know what you’re doing and copy write all your stuff. I don’t know if people understand what goes into it.
WMS: Yea, reading is key for the business end. You gotta make sure you copy write your tracks before you start sending them out. You can download the SR form (sound recording form) at www.copyright.gov Once your music is copy written then work on making songs instead of beats because songs are what will get you exposure. Like a lot of people are starting to check for me because of the songs I produced because a beat by itself is just a beat, you can give the same beat to 10 artists, you’re going to get 10 different songs. Key is to have a song concept in mind when making the beat or structure it to lead the artist in the direction you want them to go.
THH: You’ve obviously got the knowledge and the credibility… and your beats are for sale?
WMS: Definetley got beats for sale! Artists can contact me by email wmsproductions@gmail.com by myspace at www.myspace.com/wmsthesultan or by phone: 1-800-915-HITS -Definitely got tracks in the range of a budget for an independent artist.
THH: Did you have a lot or any creative control on MM3 or did u just provide the beats?
WMS: The 1st song I got was just a track out of my catalog I sent to a lot of my contacts with the other songs I basically custom made the tracks for Joe, like I submitted certain types of beats that would fit his style. Like with the “dear diary” joint it was so soulful, it’s something you spit something real on, like I couldn’t see that being a club song. So I sent over beats that fit the song style I thought would be hot. Me and Killah BH went over ideas for the production, etc. Like as far as the production style I am working on for the album its totally different then the mixtape. I am going for a global sound that can appeal to a lot of people vs MM3, I did hard and soulful beats. I am doing a lot of joints with no samples for the album and just bouncing ideas and concepts back and forth.
THH: So we can expect to see a lot of versatility….
WMS: Definitely. The thing people have to keep mind too is that I had 3 tracks on MM3, I sent over like 100 already for the album so you’re bound to hear a different sound.
THH: You have a record label as well?
WMS: I have a production company WMS Productions and I am also down with a Boston based label, Iceman Records and I work with illite entertainment as well as a joint venture. I am just trying to spread myself out by getting placement but also putting out my own product and investing in artists I think have talent by providing production for them and helping them construct hits. Artists you can look out for me working with and hearing on a lot of production on their projects in 2008 on the independent level are: Static and Messiah - Boston based group, “Q” solo artist I am working with and Leanne a singer I am working with. She has some crazy record that might end up on some big projects.
THH: Well you definitely have the means to make things happen, so rappas need to holla atchya!! What’s that 800 number again? It is a real 800 number, right?? Haha
WMS: 1-800-915-HITS Yep, it’s a real 800 number. Got the promotional campaign for it and everything with the flyers, t-shirts, etc. I wanted to make it 617-hits but that was taken. So artists email me at: wmsproductions@gmail.com or call 1-800-915-HITS -Also hear music at www.wmsbeats.com I can help take your music to the next level by providing high quality production that can compete with todays industry standard. Think of it as an investment in the future because 2008 is going to be a huge year, cash in now.
THH: And I hear you’ve never been to a Patriots game? Do you also have a “will work for Pats tix” sign posted anywhere?? Haha
WMS: lol… Hopefully this time next year I will have tickets to every game due to being one of the hottest producers in the game! Once artists realize what I have it’s going to really jump off. Like MM3 was a small fraction of my sound. The people can look forward to hearing some great records in 2008.
THH: Well I wish all that and more for ya, and while we on it… F tha haters.. Are the Pats going alll the way this year?
WMS: Yes! Patriots are winning the super bowl, Sultan said it. *disclaimer* if the pats don’t win then Sultan didn’t say it
THH: Hahaha…well hey, like you said… big biiig things bout to pop off in 08. Yo, anything at all you wanna say that I may have forgotten. Anything you wanna shout out before I let ya go?
WMS: Look out for “THE SULTAN MIXTAPE VOL 1 BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY” dropping in 08. For more updates on THE SULTAN and to hear music visit www.wmsbeats.com, www.myspace.com/wmsthesultan -To buy beats contact THE SULTAN at wmsproductions@gmail.com or call 1-800-915-HITS. Shout out to Static and Messiah, Iceman 2000, Q and everyone out there grinding! Pats game is on!!
THH: Which is why I’mma let us both peace out! Haha, Worrrrd…
WMS: lol thanks again!
*Aight ma dudes, write it, tattoo it, take a picture, I don’t care, just remember it. You can check out WMS The Sultan for beats at:
www.wmsbeats.com
www.myspace.com/wmsthesultan
wmsproductions@gmail.com
or call 1-800-915-HITS (yes, the number is real. Serious inquiries ONLY, aight!?)
*((Above track is “On the Block” by Q. Production by WMS the Sultan)
*Be sure to download MM3 as part of our free weekly mixcds or get it at any major online outlet
*Also, Don’t forget to check out www.myspace.com/ThatsHipHopInterviews for exclusive audio interview content, info, videos and more!
*Shout Outs*
Static and Messiah
www.myspace.com/staticandmessiah
Q
www.myspace.com/qbrainstorm
Edo G (Special Teamz)
www.myspace.com/SpecialTeamzBoston
Akrobatik
www.myspace.com/TheRealAkrobatik
Iceman2000
www.myspace.com/IceManRecords
Skyzoo
www.myspace.com/Skyzoo
