David Longstreth Quotes

Well, I worked with lots of different artists, of course.

I've just tried for all of these years to find the best records, the best songs that I could find that fit me, and I've had great people to work with all these years.

No matter what I'm doing for myself or someone else, I'm constantly writing and working on other people's albums.

I'm really excited because Interscope is really focused on artists. They've been working side by side with me creatively and allowing me to make a lot of the creative decisions, which you don't always hear about. That's why I didn't want to sign originally with a major label.

I'd love to work with some of the people I've remixed for - Ed Sheeran or Chris Martin or The Weeknd. But it's not just big names like these guys that I want to collaborate with.

One of my favorite things is producing other artists because, in many ways, it's a lot more freeing than working on your own music.

I did a track with Khao, out of Atlanta, who's worked with T.I. Did a track with Maylay, who did a lot with John Legend's album. I got in the studio with Kanye West; we did a song. The dedication for the career takes a lot of work, but if you love it, it's worth it.

Working as a producer, an arranger, and, in some cases, as a writer for some other people gave me a super different perspective.

I always knew I wanted to create original material, and after having meetings with all sorts of record labels, I decided that Sony was the right place to do it. They knew what I wanted to make and gave me the freedom to express myself.

And I had such a great working experience with Paul during the 'RAM' album.

I'd like to produce something with Kanye. Like, my production plus his, I think he'd make something really cool.

I feel like I kind of earned my stripes working with The Stereotypes. It was maybe my 6th songwriting session I've ever been to, and they just gave me and a writer I used to write with 3-4 tracks and kinda just let us come up with whatever.

I want to write just as much as Kanye may have for whomever Kanye has written for.

When we got with Dallas Austin, he was just getting on. He was kinda like the fourth member of TLC.

As songwriters, we can go in and write for other artists in a time where you aren't necessarily feeling inspired for yourself.

I first heard Trouble in 2008. At that time I was on my grind, trying to work with all the next-up artists. I had sent him a couple beats; he had done a couple songs. We was always around the same age.

I started singing backgrounds for Mary Mary and Usher during 'Confessions.' Then I jumped to working with Anthony Hamilton, Jill Scott; jumped again to Kanye West, The Killers. I kept saying, 'OK, this is the last time; then I get to do my music.'

It was [Kanye West] who spoke, and then we met and recorded some songs. After, you know what it is: we all bump like crazy.

All I really want is a beat from Kanye West. I've met him, and I think he's real cool with us. If I get that beat, I'm going to rap the best verse I ever dropped - even if it's his worst beat.

Yeah, I came in at the end of the Notorious album, played on about five tracks and then we went on a tour. Then we did another album, Big Thing, and then we started writing songs together in 1989.

I would probably work with Drake as he is massively inspirational to me as a writer as well as an artist. If not him, then Susan Boyle!

That's the cool thing, when I get to work with people I love. The biggest has probably been Kris Kristofferson on 'Bloodworth.'

I have been with the record company and Tommy was there doing records with other people.

I'm confident being at Universal, which is a great home for me, 'cause they understand what I'm trying to do.

I love getting into a studio with a bunch of friends. When the day's done, we've made something. We recognize that we're from different walks of the music industry, and there's no reason we shouldn't be collaborating. That's what I'm trying to create with thenewno2 - a sense of community.