Papi Yerr Discusses His Involvement in Chixtape 5 and His Musical Influences

In the midst of all the excitement of album releases, we often focus on the artist who has released the music. Albeit, the artists put an undeniable amount of hard work into projects, we often overlook those involved behind the scenes.

We decided to have a talk with the mastermind behind the hit singles Jerry Sprunger, The Take Down and Luv Ya Gyal//Love Sounds from Tory Lanez Chixtape 5 - Papi Yerr. The producer managed to revamp classics and they have proven to be big hits with social media and within the charts. His production discography goes beyond Chixtape 5, he has worked with the likes of the late XXXTENTACION, Gunna and more.

We caught up with the producer and found out about his experiences.

Q: Which producers did you look up to, growing up?

Swizz Beatz. I loved Swizz Beatz; his sound was so different and unique. He didn’t even have a producer tag but when you heard his beat you knew it was him. His drum patterns were crazy and distinctive. He inspired me to make beats.

Q: How did the conversations of you being involved in Chixtape 5 come about?

Honestly everything came about organically. I really wanted to be on Memories Don’t Die & Love Me Now? but it just didn’t fit. So I knew Chixtape 5 was up next and I was making like 4-5 beats a day I was going crazy. Then I’d just pull up to the studio with new beats every session. I just knew the

magnitude of this project and I made up my mind that I’m going to be on it and it worked out. Tory is a person that respects work ethic. If he sees you working he’s going to add fuel to your flame.

Q: You made Jerry Sprunger in bed, If you knew what you know now about T-Pain actually being on the song, how different do you think the song would sound?

I probably would’ve overthought it honestly. But I didn’t think too much about it in the moment. I just wanted to give the song a new feel that’s why I made it more uptempo with those particular drums. That beat was made in probably 20-25 minutes. Then Tory recorded on it, bodied it and then added some guitars and postproduction.

Q: What is the most nerve-racking part about recreating classic songs?

None of it is nerve-racking. It’s just music honestly. I make music everyday of my life whether the music is being made in my head or with my hands. It’s second nature like breathing and walking. When you spend so many years doing the same thing over and over you develop what Robert Greene refers to as “tacit knowledge”. Tacit knowledge is unspoken knowledge held by practically every normal human being based on his/her emotions experiences insights and intuition. Your tacit knowledge can pretty much be strengthened by intensely focusing on particular artistries or crafts.

Q: Have any artists hit you up since the release of Jerry Sprunger?

A lot. Almost everyday there’s a new major artist dm’ing me or calling me. It’s crazy but it’s a good feeling. Before I would try to convince people to work with me but now artists/labels/managers are just organically showing love.

Q: What is your favourite song on the project that you didn’t produce?

'Still Waiting.' Still Waiting is crazy...I run that back every day. Tory & Trey Songz bodied that. The melodies and how he’s talking about this girl that tried to play him but now she’s trying to run back. I can relate (laughs).

Q: The tape samples songs from 2000 till 2006, what songs were you listening to then? Especially RnB

I was listening to a lot of Fabolous, T- Pain and The Dream. All of the wavy R&B music.

Q: You also produced ‘The Take’ ft Chris Brown, what was special to you personally about this song?

Chris Brown is a legend. He’s been on top since he was a kid. In high school that was one of my favourite songs. I just remember always wanting to work with him. So remaking one of the classics by him was legendary. What was special was how we flipped it and listening to him and Tory come in with the crazy flows and melodies. It was unexpected It’s like two legends of our time coming together for a classic.

Q: Who was your first big collaboration with and how did that come about?

XXXTENTACION. Ronny J introduced us and we made the song on the same day.

Q: What is your most memorable studio moment with XXXTENTACION?

The most memorable moment was X coming in the room and just jumping on the song with us. I didn’t know who he was at the time. This was a few months before he blew up on a mainstream level. He was so cool and humble. Then we just kicked it all night. The next day he told me to pull up to his show and it was crazy! The show got shut down because people were raging and it got moved to a different venue over 30 minutes away and people still showed up, it was crazy. Much love to X.

Q: What is your sampling process like? What equipment/software do you use?

Sampling is simple I just go off feeling. I’ll take a piece of a song, chop it up and just go. I don’t use much equipment at all I only really use Logic X and my keyboard. I’m not too big on equipment. I feel like you can take two pencils and bang them on a table and it can sound good. Then boom that’s a hit! We’re at a different point in time where you don’t need much, just a laptop, some software and a microphone.

Q: Which artists from the UK do you listen to and if you could work with some, who would they be?

I’ve been listening to some of the UK drill music. It’s fire. I want to work with J Hus, Stormzy and Giggs. They’re dope.

Q: You’ve got two singles in the charts; how do you feel?

It feels great. Let’s me know the power of my Lord Saviour Jesus Christ.

Q: Last question, what are your plans for 2020?

Dropping my solo album. I also have a multitude of songs I produced for other artists that’s dropping in 2020. I’m DJing as well. I have my hands in a lot. I’m always working. I’m young with a lot of energy and ideas so I think it’s important to maximise all of that right now in the present moment.