I believe a proper introduction is due. Ms. Durand toured with Foreign Exchange when they fist established their live road act.  Most prominent adding a layer of heavenly on the Nicolay Shibuya CD, the intro track to the third Little Brother album, “Get Back” (Sirens),  on the Buckshot & 9th Wonder (”Go all out”) single and (man listen) from “ The Formula” their 2nd collaboration together. All though no longer involved with FE she just this holiday weekend dropped the free gem “The Doug & Patty EP” along with Vaughn Garcia.

1. Best worst/moments in the studio?

Well the only time I can think of an univiting time in the studio was a couple of years back, with this guy who thought he was the shit. I didn’t say a word. He kept telling me what to do over and over and over again so he could piece it together…. it was whack. I never went back. But when we’re working in the studio and get the job done? “Good times” All my favorite sessions have been with Phonte. Before actually recording, there is what I like to call “funny video joke time” (Laughs) We bug out watching funny ass YouTube videos or listent to some funny ass songs for a couple of hours then get to work. Khrysis is always there… sooo many inside jokes. I like working with Skyzoo too, he’s really easy to work with, he knows exactly what he wants. And for the record I’m no longer touring with Foreign Exchange, I’m focusing on my solo career

2. (Nice.) What are some dream collaborators, you’d look forward to doing in the future & who are people you’ve supposed to get in the get in the studio that are always busy?

My dream collaborators Prince, Sade, Stevie, the Roots.. I’d like to work with j.Cole and if 2Pac was still alive, with 2pac. Oh No, Madlib and MF Doom, and as far as the second question? Nobody not yet. But I’m excited to work with any dope artist… Ienjoy working with people.

3. In an iconic era of recording industry dominated by shady label execs & their outdated business practices + dwindling physical cd sales what would you say to yourself in the past/future change anything?
If I had a glimpse of the future or had a time machine to go and change anything in my career, I probably wouldn’t change anything. i maybe work harder, but I’ve learned so much and it’s helped me be the artist I am today from my first collaborations with Little Brother to working with 9th Wonder and Foreign Exchange everyrthing has made me stronger and made me wiser. My faith and relationship with God gotten stronger as well… I would, in fact give advice to fans or other artists, I would definetly let them know that being an independant artists is best, work on your own, make your own decisions, put out your own music, if you believe you are dope enough push and promote your own music, stay griding, book shows, work on your craft daily, network well, never burn any bridges.. and never geive up, there will be testing times you’ll want to give up but persistence pays off.

4. How did you first look up 9th wonder & Phonte in the first place.

Through a friend, I met Phonte first then was in a hip hop class at school that 9th was teaching.

5. I remember reading about that. Cant tell you how jealous I am about that. Must have been crazy, getting into the lab with your Professor.

(Laughs) Yeah, I knew who Little Brother was before I took the class so it was kinda weird because I was a fan.

6. What do you think of the kryhsis & 9thmatic tracks? I’m only just now hearing “I’ma make it Big, Tom hanks big”

Its cool but I like them better making beats

7. You were saying before about a pilgrimage to LA to continue working in the industry. What about living out here do you think would make up in the huge jump in the cost of living that you could’t do with a publicisit and a heavy internet presence?
Well, I’m just trying to get out of North Carolina, Los Angeles sounded good to me. I wanna live travel and experience new things, I live with mom and dad again, not cool. (Laughs) and twitter has offically taken over my life

8. so when are you moving out to the best coast?

(Laughs) Um… Not sure sometime next year

9. Last question how well do you work with your collaborator what were other titles you came up with for the mixtape?
‘

(Vaughn) He’s like my brother and we vibe and work very well together.. That was like our third choice for a name. Doug and Patty was just my randomness (laughs) then we picked up the name and everything else came together.

Click the link to download

RELATED POSTS:

• Nicolay – City Lights Vol. 2: Shibuya Somewhere in between producing for both Phonte and Big Pooh of Little Brother and doing a full album with Texas MC, Kay,...
• Another L for Doug Christie Being that free agent Doug Christie’s wife demands that she accompany Doug while he’s being interviewed by ...
• The Foreign Exchange – ‘I Wanna Know ‘(Video) Phontigallo gets his Morris Chestnut on in this flick. I Wanna Know was a track off of Leave it All Behind: Foreign Exch...
• Cut Copy and some black kids Black Kids and Cut Copy at Studio B, Brooklyn NY Black Kids are nothing if not cute as hell and ready to rock. They s...
• New link: Big Pooh remakes Rappers Delight Check out Little Brother Big Pooh’s solo mixtape, Rapper’s Delight. The title track is a reworking of the o...