If Hip-Hop were actually a human being, it would be quite easy to consider him/her a nomad. After all, the definition of a nomad is to move from place to place, without having a permanent home right?

Well the characteristics of Hip-Hop, definitely fit into that category. It's been all over the country, and pretty much the world for that fact.

Shedding light on every single last participant, waiting to bask in its glory. Although Hip-Hop has been rumored to be on its last legs, it seems like some good 'ole boys have been able to show it some Southern Hospitality.

There is a whole line of confederate soldiers on the battlefield, assuring us that this art form will be here for many years to come. Songwriter/producer Shawty Redd, happens be a general leading one of the brigades. After gaining notoriety for producing "Left Right, Left for Drama"; his star continued to rise by working with everyone's favorite adlib specialist, Young Jeezy.

With his own project in the works, as well as upcoming projects with T.I., Juvenile, Young Joc, Rich Boy, and Young Buck; he sets the record straight about "supposed" beef with Young Jeezy, and brushes off stereotypes about producer/rappers.   
     

How did you first get involved with Hip-Hop?

Well I wa s always doing music, like in church. When we moved to Atlanta that was the only skill I had. As far as hanging out in clubs, and as for making beats.

So you grew up in a church atmosphere? You must have been in there every Sunday?

Yeah, [laughter] my grandfather was a preacher. 
 
What was the first track you produced that started getting you attention?

Ah.. It was for Drama, it was called "Left Right, Left". I basically produced the whole album, and then my phone just blew up. That's how I got my start.

What makes your production stand out more than other producers?

To tell you the truth it's really about my 808's, and my drum patterns. I'm good with the keys also, and I try to stay different from everybody else. I'm on some real gothic-type stuff, I'm into orchestras. So I try to bring that along with my 808's, and my drums.  

Do you have any methods when shopping your beats around?

To tell you the truth, the artists that I worked with, give my information to somebody else that's looking for me. It’s basically like a "word-on-the-streets" thing.

So tell us about your own project? What can we expect from it?

Well I just wanted to go out and entertain the folks, and show them what I can do. My album is like promotion for myself, and to let people know I do all types of music. Also to let everyone know I'm hot, and put to pressure on these labels. To let them know they gotta pay me, and give me what I want.

Does it bother you when people consider you as a producer trying to rap, instead of just considering you an artist?

It bothers me, but at the same time I don't have that marketing/promotion that I need to really stand out like I'm supposed to. So it kind of gets to me, but at the same time, I know its something that I have to work on, and basically establish myself. Also be able to stick my own foot in the door, and be able to break my own door down. 

So how much attention would you say you gained after doing tracks on Lets Get It: Thug Motivation 101, and The Inspiration albums for Young Jeezy? 

It was some unexpected stuff for me, but at the same time everybody was looking for me. So that was like the hardest thing, because they didn't know where I was. But to tell you the truth, that was like a blessing. Everything moved like I wanted it to move, like back in the day when I was hot. Now everyone thinks I'm a new n***a.

So that's the reaction you get now?

Right, because you can be hot somewhere doing ya thing, but the whole world doesn't know you. Now people are just realizing I did the Drama and all the other stuff.
 
So what's your relationship with Jeezy? Are you guys still really cool?

Yeah, definitely, I just wanted a break. I just wanted to be fresh for when we did the next project. Now people are imitating my style, and I done produced everybody in Atlanta. So I just wanted to take a break so, I can be fresh when we get back together and work on something hot.

So that's why you didn't have any tracks on the U.S.D.A. album?

Yeah, basically if I feel like I'm not fresh, then we're not going in. I wasn't feeling fresh.

So there's no truth about you two being in a legal battle?

Nah man, its like big brother/little brother. I'm straight, know what I mean. We don't have any beef, everybody thought that, but I just wanted to be fresh. I wanted to make another classic album, like the last one.

Do you plan on reaching out to artists from other regions, besides the South? 

Actually I did a couple tracks with Busta Rhymes.
 
Oh really? You worked with Busta?

Yeah, a lot of up North cats been coming at me, like Beanie Sigel and Freeway. Freeway actually came to my house, and kicked it with me for a couple hours. So I've been grinding with  New York cats. I don't know if they'll use what we did, but that's a good look.

What are some of the differences you've noticed in production? 

It's not as musical as it used to be. Right now anyone can make a beat off of Fruit Loops, that's why I try to make it a lot more musical. I'm not knocking anybody for what they're doing, but it's not really musical now; because everybody's a producer.

What would you say is the hardest part of being in the music business?

The whole business side, like the paper work, and waiting for the checks to come. That's the only negative thing.

Would you say there's a rivalry between producers? Or more of a friendly competition?

Well you can be hot today, and that producer that's really hot is on TV. Then they take would you did, to build his own skill up. So that's what creates the beef. So just I sit back and I'm like; "okay he done stole my style, so I'm gonna come with something harder."

Has there ever been a time where you thought the music wasn't working out, and thought about quitting all together?

Yeah man, when I did the Drama I thought I was the sh*t. I thought I was fixin' to be on top, and then it went over to Pharrell. When Pharrell took over the game, they weren't looking at Southern producers as real producers. We got caught up in that market, and they weren't messing with us. Then I wanted to quit, cause they didn't consider me to be a real producer. But now I'm enjoying myself, and counting my blessings.