February 3, 2009

KO Interview: Trakaholikz Got Next!

Posted in Exclusive Interviews by Zay | Tags: Bangladesh, Bun B, KO, Mya, T-boz, TLC, Trakaholikz

KO (Trakaholikz Music) Shouts Out EarStyle.NET –

What’s up KO?

Everything’s good man, how about you?

I’m good. I understand you produce, correct?

Yeah, I am a producer. I have a company called Trakaholikz Music.

How did that come about?

Well me and my sister (T-Boz of TLC) got together. My sister is a writer and I am a producer so we thought that we would make up a company and I just came up with Trakaholikz and then put Music on the end.

What was your inspiration to get into the music scene?

Well being a round my sister while growing up. My sister got signed around 1992, so I’ve been around her. She bought me some equipment and then I use to mess around with her equipment when I was like 13. That’s how I got my start right there!

So your sister is T-Boz, correct?

Yeah!

Have you always been on the road with her?

Not when I was younger, my sister is like 13 years older than me. When TLC were in their prime I was in school.

Who are some other individuals that inspired your music and your style?

Timbaland and I use to listen to Mannie Fresh alot back in the Cash Money days when they were all together. That’s about it! (laughs)

How would you describe your sound?

I use alot of synth and I like all of my tracks to be full, big productions. I think big productions equals like more single-ish.

So you definitely aiming for the hits?

Yeah, Fasho! Right now we are working on my sister’s solo album right now.

Really? How many tracks do you have on that?

We recorded about six with her, but I am thinking maybe 3 or 4 of them will make the album. One of them have Lil’ Wayne on it. We have another one that is empty right now, but we are working on getting a rapper on it.

So I am guessing she is coming with the dirty south swag?

Yeah! (laughs) Well, the album is real pop though. She have pop songs and more heartfelt songs such as “Waterfalls”. She did a couple of Bangladesh tracks too that are more urban.

That’s whats up. Do you have any more projects that you are working on?

I just did a song with Mya. She has an album in Japan, I think it’s called “Sugar & Spice”. I did the track “Shy Guy”, it’s a cover of the Diana King track.

Oh yeah!? That’s actually one of my favorite tracks on the album. I didn’t even know you did that. That’s crazy!

I think it went number one for a second over there. I got a producer named D-Boy that we signed to Trakaholikz. He’s from Denver. One of his tracks should be on Yung Joc’s album (See footage of them recording the track below).We have a track with Bun B and M.O.F. but you all probably won’t hear that, because he was recently was dropped from Jive. It’s a real hot track though. (Laughs) Right now I am just focused on my sister’s album though.

Speaking of your sister and Japan. She just had a song called “Someday” that made the top 10 on the Urban Itunes chart over there.

Oh yeah, she told me about that.

Yeah, but that’s crazy that you did the Mya joint. That’s a real good look, so for all of those who want to hear some of KO’s work you can go check the track out!

Appreciate it! I am also supposed to be working on the one over here. She has an album that is coming out over here and I may be on that.

Cool, what is some of your favorite equipment to use for production?

I use a MPC-4000, a Multi, a Roland V-Synth, I use Logic and then Protools.

I’m kind of clueless right now.

I did a couple of tracks on Fruity Loops actually (laughs).

Ok, I do know of that one before (laughs)!

It’s cool though if you sample in the drums and all. I can’t use any of the stuff on there. It has a few cool sounds, but you have to buy stuff to make it sound right, because it sounds kind of computerized. It’s cool though, but yeah that’s what I use.

So which are you reppin’, Iowa or Atlanta?

Atlanta! Trakaholikz, we got next!

So what are the Trakaholikz looking for?

I’m looking for some writers and producers right now. They can hit me up on my email, trakaholikzmusic@gmail.com. We make big production tracks, not no little small stuff. I’m looking for people to compliment my style.

Basically come with your A Game.

Yeah, exactly!

Cool. So how do you feel about the current economy and how does it effect producers?

Really, record labels are kind of scared of trying out new producers. Record sales aren’t great. The economy is bad. People are just sticking with their own in-house producers or who’s already hot instead of outside producers. That’s how it’s hurting us.

Do you remember any memories of you being young and your sister basically being on top of the world? How did it feel?

Ummm, it was cool, but I really did not understand it, because I was young. But now it is like Wow. My sister has sold over 40 million albums and she has been in the game for over 20 years. All I can say is Wow.

Does her success push you, is her success a main force behind your drive?

A little bit, I have a drive of my own.

What is some advice that you would give to aspiring artists?

Never give up. The best thing to do is send full songs to these labels. That’s for R&B, and if you have rap songs always have a hook ready. Just stick with it and never give it up. I know people who have been in the game for 15-20 years that have the hottest shit, but never made it yet. Never give up!

What’s your favorite Timbaland track?

It would definitely be the Nelly Furtado album and Justin Timberlake. He got down on that too.

What’s your favorite Mannie Fresh track?

All of the old ones. I’m not too much of a Mannie fan now, but back in high school he was like my favorite producer. That was back when he had Wolf on his side, when Wolf was his piano man.

What artists do you want to work with?

That’s a good one. Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, any big artist.

Trying to make that money? (laughs)

You know what I mean! Back to when I said I needed producers. I need Rap producers. I really don’t mess with that I do R&B and Pop.

Rap Producers get at KO! How about your favorite TLC track?

Well my favorite album they did was “CrazySexyCool”. That’s a classic. My favorite one is a JD track, “I Been Watching You, Watching Me”.

“Kick Your Game”?

Yeah, that joint right there! That’s one of my favorites right there.

I’m definitely looking out for all your future projects. EarStyle and I am sure all of her fans are looking forward to T-Boz’s album.

Oh yeah! It’s crazy, crazy album. It should be out this summer.

What do you have to say to all of your fans?

Just look out for Trakaholikz 09! We got next, just support us.

EarStyle is going to continue to support you, so stay in touch!

Fa Sho!