Statik Selektah discusses new single, “Keep It Moving.”
Legendary producer and DJ, Statik Selektah joined us to discuss the release of his new single and upcoming album The Balancing Act. New single “Keep It Moving” is the first single off of Statik’s upcoming 9th studio album, The Balancing Act, and features Nas, Joey Bada$$, and Gary Clark Jr. This soon to be iconic single marks the first, but long-overdue collaboration between Nas and Joey. Selektah’s upcoming album discusses his balancing act of being both a parent and artist and how COVID intensified his situation. The star-studded album includes features from Jeezy, 2 Chainz, and many more. Find out what else Statik had to say in our full interview below.
The Knockturnal: How did “Keep It Moving” come together?
Statik Selektah: This was my first project coming out with Mass Appeal. I’ve been DJing all of their events with Nas. I produced a record on The Lost Tapes 2 that came out last year. There were a lot of things aligning. Basically when we came together to make the project we were all in agreement that I want Nas on the first record. And to bring it full circle, I thought it would be dope to have Joey Bada$$ and Nas on a joint. That’s something Joey and I have been talking about since I met him. that was 2012 and eight years later here we are. We were in LA for Grammy weekend and I was about to sign the deal with Mass Appeal when Peter told me he was with Nas, so I hit up Joey told him to come through. We all just chopped it up about how we’re gonna make the record happen. About a month later the world started to change. COVID happed and everything got pushed back. Fast forward to June, Joey and I started the record and went back-and-forth with Nas. When I reached out to Gary Clarke Jr. Joey and Nas were not even on the record yet he had just agreed to do it. We never spoke before that. He let me know that he respects my music and he’s a legend in his own right. We originally connected through DM’s on Instagram.
The Knockturnal: What was the motivation behind getting Joey and Nas on the same track? Were you trying to bridge the gap between old school and new school?
Statik Selektah: It was definitely that. One of Joey’s biggest influences is Nas. From his first project to now there are influences of Nas. He’s also one of those rappers that came out and got Nas comparisons. For me it was kind of bigger than that. It was about brining my career full circle, from the work I’ve been doing with Nas for over 10 years to the work I do with Joey.
The Knockturnal: How much has the game changed since you started out 25 years ago?
Statik Selektah: It’s changed a lot but it also hasn’t. If you told me in 1995 that there would still be stuff sounding like GangStarr I’d be kind of blown away by that. Because when I started in 95 we used to look at old school as Run DMC and this was in 95 and there’s still music being made when that 95 essence.
The Knockturnal: Can you talk about your upcoming, 9th studio album, The Balancing Act?
Statik Selektah: It had everything to do with how I was living at the time. Going to pick up my daughter from school and then going to my studio- just balancing being a dad and a producer. When I was touring, if I had a day off I would fly back to spend it with my daughter and that was getting to be difficult. Because of COVID, I was home more than ever just like everyone else and I was really grateful for all the time with my daughter during that. Now I’ve got my daughter 3 1/2 days a week which is another level of parenting that I wasn’t used to. Having that on top of finishing the album was a balancing act.
The Knockturnal: Can you talk about the features on the project?
Statik Selektah: It’s a lot. Obviously Nas, Joey – Joey on more than one track, 2 Chainz, Dave East, Method Man, Jack Harlow, Jadakiss and a couple others.
The Knockturnal: Can you talk about your favorite track off the project?
Statik Selektah: The one that really surprised me when I got the verse was the Jack Harlow joint. He retells a story I told him about Mac Miller. More than anyone else I think his record captures 2020 the most because of the subject matter.
The Knockturnal: How did it feel to be named one of the 48 greatest hip hop DJs of all time by XXL?
Statik Selektah: It was an honor. It’s surreal to see that sometimes. It means a lot to me because I’ve definitely studied every DJ on that list.
The Knockturnal: Who are your top 5? Producers, artists, DJs?
Statik Selektah: Top 5 DJs who influenced me are DJ Premiere, Kid Capri, DJ A.M., Funk Flex, he definitely got me into radio and Clark Kent.