It would be highly unlikely to see this producer flaunt his wealth on MTV, just as it would be to see him strutting his stuff on red carpets. 9th Wonder may have only been prominent in the game for a little over four years, but damn has he made his presence felt. As a college lecturer at North Carolina’s Central University, Ninth has found another avenue that has just as much appeal as the studio and that is the classroom. Talking to HipHopDX you get the distinct impression that the man who brought soul back to Hip-Hop might be happy throwing down the MPC and picking up the chalk. Industry talk, family life, advice from El President and just what awards show he would go all out for, HipHopDX gives you the heart, and soul, of North Carolina… 9th Wonder

DX: Seeing as you are a notorious producer when it comes to your own projects do you prefer to just stick with yourself production wise?
9th Wonder: I come from a generation where one producer handles all the production on a record and that is the way I stick to it.

DX: When you see so many albums being leaked, I mean you went through that with Jean Grae's Jeanius, which was possibly one of the greatest losses to real Hip Hop, is that still a concern?
9th Wonder: No, because there is still a lot of people out there that do go out and buy the music; they don’t listen to the album leaks. Just because an album leaks doesn’t mean it is the be all and end all. People do still believe in going to the store and getting music. There are people out there who don’t sit on the net all day searching for music. When you get married and have kids, your time for sitting on the net all day is limited. There are a lot of people who just don’t have the time.

DX: How long have you been working on Dream Merchant Volume 2?
9th Wonder: I am going to say about another year and a half now.

DX: Do you find it hard concentrating on your own projects when you are working with so many different artists and stuff?
9th Wonder: No, the Justus League has kind of taught me how to do that. You know I was working on two or three albums on one time. I am drug free and alcohol free [too], so that helps me concentrate. I have a clear frame of mind and not saying that someone who does that don’t, I just think it definitely helps to concentrate on more than one thing at one time.

DX: You have worked with some of the games most notorious celebrities. I mean working with Mary J Blige that had to be a serious career move right there.
9th Wonder: Man, I am a big Mary fan, just as I am Jay-Z. But Mary J Blige, man she is my favorite; she is my number one R&B artist for all time. I am hoping to work with her again. It was through Jay Z that that came about, you know they were on tour together and Jay-Z was talking about me and talking about my sound and Mary said she was a fan of my tracks. The next thing you know I get a call from someone at Geffen, from a guy called Jah Ha and he said he needed a beat for the Mary album and that was that. The only thing was in this situation I never got to work with her in the studio at all due to scheduling situations. I was in the studio with Jay and I have been in the studio with Destiny’s Child. There is just always that problem of scheduling.

DX: You prefer the studio session approach to producing?
9th Wonder: Yeah, I would rather (go) that way, as I am a personable person who enjoys talking to people. I have been told a lot by many of the artists I have worked with, that they feel they can “lay back and chill around me” as I don’t really get into all that image thing. You know you don’t need to put on no front for me man. We just hang out, make music and go home and be happy. I don’t like a lot of stress.

DX: Do you have to believe in an artist before you start working with them? You know would you still work with someone who you weren’t feeling lyrically?
9th Wonder: I think everybody has the capability of being a lyricist. Now whether they choose to do that, or if they think it sells records, is another thing. I think if you put me in the studio with someone who you think I wouldn’t be in the studio with, I think that person could come out with something good.

DX: So you would say you are competent in providing a backdrop for people to better their lyrics?
9th Wonder: There are certain beats where you don’t have to do much, but then there are beats that you really have to come off, You have to give it. Working with me, a lot of rappers know they have to come with it.
DX: You are not up in the limelight like some of your contemporaries are. Do you think that gives people a misconception of you?
9th Wonder: Yeah, they might think I am not a hard worker. Continued on page 2 »