Interview: Detroit Production Values - Platinum Pied Pipers

Writer: Ike Ikwuemesi

Currently in the middle of their European tour promoting their much anticipated debut album, Triple P, Wajeed and Saadiq, otherwise known as the Platinum Pied Pipers are the freshest duo from da D (that’s Detroit to you and me). We hooked up with the cutting edge beat makers just before their London show for some essential Q&A.

For the millionth of being asked, I’m sure, how did you guys get together?

Saadiq: We met through Baatin of Slum Village, around '92. He introduced me to Wajeed. So we have been friends for a while.

Wajeed: Way before the music.

Any truth to the rumours you were all once in a group with Dwele?

Saadiq: Nah. The only thing I did with Dwele was when we once both played in a jazz band for an artist in Detroit.

How did you come up with the name Platinum Pied Pipers?

Wajeed: It’s a joke. We joked about who could come with the silliest name. From there we kinda found our focus.

It wasn’t too long ago when it was about the vocalists fronting the records. Now it seems it’s all about the producers. Is that something you feel is necessary just to get the music you like out there?

Wajeed: Totally, man! The producers are the cornerstone to our music. Just like the foundation to a building, it sets the course for everybody to follow. It’s definitely time for producers to step up…be seen and be heard. We're the people that are spending the endless hours in the studio. So when you hear the drops in the records that you love, the producers are responsible for that. It's definitely time for the producers to step up to the front and be recognized

Saadiq: We play such an intricate part in not just the music, but the songwriting. The producers are the backbone.

Is it fair to label the album as a hiphop / soul album?

Wajeed: I don’t think it’s fair to label the album at all. It’s about music, not labels. You know what I’m saying? Unfortunately, in my past, working with Slum, Dwele and all the different cats. It seems like how labels force them to stay in one genre of music and it doesn’t allow them to make house music or techno or whatever. So the part of the reason we have made this album so broad is to avoid labels. You can take the record and put it into almost any category in a record store. Was it Dizzie Gillespie that said there are only two types of music: good and bad? So we wanted to make the record a genre-less thing, get rid of all the bullshit labels.

One of the more interesting tracks on the album is 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover. Tell us a bit more about that record.

That was a joint we wanted to do because nobody would expect us to do. It was a sharp left turn. Being labelled a hip hop producer, we kinda wanted to break the mould a little bit. I laid the foundation and chorus down to it and have a cat like Mark De Clive Lowe play on it.

Is it always going to be a rotation of artists coming to play on a PPP album?

Saadiq: Yeah, pretty much. Things can always change. As of right now it’s important for us bring out new artists and a new way of thinking. We always want come out of the box fresh.

Will you be working with Dwele again?

Saadiq: That’s a no brainer. Dwele is family.

Wajeed: He is like a brother.

Why is it all about Detroit right now?

Saadiq: If you ask us, it’s always been about Detroit.

Wajeed: We might be a little biased, but to us it’s always been about Detroit. Being born and raised there. Detroit will be in our hearts forever. It always has and it always will. Detroit has set such a precedent in regards to music. Not just in the past but currently.

And right now, it seems to be a hub for progressive techno, hip hop, soul, rock…

Saadiq: The thing is Detroit has always been there. It’s always been around. Right now, I guess it took certain artists to shine. But for me, Detroit has always been on its thing, as far as, innovation and cutting edge. Just good music.

Wajeed: Just good music and less politics. Less bullshit, ego, attitude, you know what I’m saying? Don’t get me wrong, that comes with the job but we are not about the shine. Like a lot of other cats from da D, we just about the music. We are not trying to look pretty or like Rick James and shit.

Ok, what do you think of Sa-Ra as producers?

Wajeed: Wow, that’s funny. Why would you mention Sa-Ra after I mentioned Rick James? What are you trying to say?

[Slight confusion ensues with laughter]

No reason. It was my next question anyway. You are all label mates, right?

Wajeed: Yeah sure, along with Jeremy Ellis, Theo Parish. We love what Sa-Ra is doing. I hope you ask them about us when you interview them. [Laughter]

Sure! The first time I heard you guys was when I heard the amazing Riding High. That was a couple of years ago. Had an album always been in the works since then? If so, how come it took so long?

Wajeed: Album was always in the works! Ubiquity kinda stepped up to the plate first to introduce the idea of an album. Initially we were gonna do something as Bling 47, at some point we still will. But an album was always within the scope. Ubiquity helped us in reaching the idea of focusing on an album but it was definitely always part of our plan. The plan was that me and Saadiq would have a rotating cast. Exact same picture that you are getting now. Also a large part of what took us so long was getting that cash together. You got a bunch of people you could always throw on an album but we wanted to make sure that the chemistry was right, that the people were cutting edge, new, fresh. And also, the reason the album took so long was the transition of moving from Detroit to Brooklyn. We also started touring before the album was even done. A lot of contributing factors for reasons the album took so long. Like we said to Ty “You can’t rush fine wine”.

I know you've got Steve Spacek contributing to the album. You thinking of working with anymore UK acts?

Sure. It can happen.

And what do you think of the UK music scene?

Wajeed: We think it’s fresh.

Saadiq: Dope.

Wajeed: I like the stuff that’s going on with grime. Also, the stuff that I.G. is doing, as well as Kaidi, Dego, Mark De Clive Lowe, Ty. We love the progressive black music scene out here. It’s an inspiration to us in America. You guys breaking the mould and doing something new.

You're currently touring - how has that been so far?

Wajeed: It’s been really good. People have been so receptive to us.

Saadiq: We are humbled by it all. It only makes us wanna make better music.

I think what’s so interesting about you guys is how you are managing to stride that fence between the underground music scene and potential mass appeal. Is that a conscious effort on your part?

Wajeed: No, not at all. It’s just a reflection of our taste. 50 Cent is in our playlist as well as MF Doom. I probably have more of a passion for underground music, but I think the album is a reflection of what we are about.

Musically, who are your influences?

Saadiq: Musically, I love Prince. Joni Mitchell. I grew up on her music…Cat Stevens, man, there are so many.

Wajeed: Where do I start? Slum Village, James Brown, Ohio Players, Michael Franks. Could go on.

Finally, what’s the last really good album you bought or heard?

Wajeed: De La Soul’s Grind Date.

Saadiq: Joni Mitchell, Hissing Of The Summer Lawns.

Anything else you wanna say?

Wajeed: PPP! Just let your readers know the album has dropped.

RELATED LINKS:
Triple P - our review
Ubiquity Records - label home to PPP

Buy Platinum Pied Pipers' Triple P album at Amazon UK (CD / Vinyl) | US (CD)



PUBLISHED: 21 May 2005

More Features