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E.D.I MeanTalks All Eyez On Me And More

Courtesy of EDI Mean

Can you describe your experience as an executive consultant on The All Eyez On Me the Tupac Biopic?

Being an Executive consultant on “All Eyez On Me” was a labor of love and obviously, a biopic about someone who was a very close friend of mine. So, with that being said, it was very important for me to be on the set every day to make sure this movie was done properly and the best possible way to represent who Tupac was. Movies last for a generation at a time, and it is very important that the story is told correctly. Benny Boom and everyone that has been a part of it did a great job with it.

Can talk about Johnny J and his contributions to the “All Eyez On Me” Album and Me Against the World?

Johnny was unique in the sense of he was mostly a sampler and created a lot of his Beats on SP 1200, but his and Pac’s energy worked well together in the studio and made so many records. Pac’s lyrics and the emotion came. First, Tupac would draw you in with his personality and Johnny would try to find a track the would compliment it the production had to be a backdrop because Pac’s message was so strong. Johnny J was able to provide that for Pac on those records.

What do you want the public to know about Tupac that will not be shown in the film?

It is very hard to replicate someone’s energy, and unfortunately, you would have had to be in the same room with Tupac to know the passion and the love he had for not only his love ones but for people in general. So, it is hard to replicate that, but in music, you can recreate that energy and fortunately his music will live on forever.

Can you tell us about your weekly show “The Dinner Club” on Dash Radio presented by XXL?

I have a weekly radio show every Wednesday from 9 pm to 11 pm Pacific Standard time, and 12 am to 2 am Eastern standard time.  My show is called “The Dinner Club,” and it is a playoff of the Breakfast Club, we are a trio featuring a DJ, my fiance and myself as hosts of the program.  We talk about a little bit of everything from trending topics, personal topics, but we put a focus on the musical content with the independent artist, mainstream, and the old-school hits. We are a program that gives a lot of positive energy and plays music that the people want to hear.

If you could single out any of the Pac records that you worked on which one of them is your favorite?

Most of the production that I was a part of was after Tupac passed away, but it allowed me to reconnect with a dear friend of mine and our connection was through the music. So, it was very fitting that I had an opportunity to be a part of it.  All the projects that I worked on were fun, but my favorite would have to be “Catching Feelings” on The Better Days Album.

If Pac was alive today, what would the music industry look like in your opinion?

The music industry would probably be the same because no one artist is bigger than the industry. If the industry can move post-Michael Jackson that goes for all the other legends as well. One artist can shift the game for a while, but waves come and go all the time. The wave can’t be stopped it will go on with or without you.

What do you think Pac would say about the impact that Eminem has had on the hip-hop culture?

Pac liked unique artists and music, and we know how creative Eminem is as an artist. Pac would have appreciated that in my opinion.

Apart from “All Eyez On Me,” what are some of the things you have planned for the rest of 2017?

Touring and creating a lot of content. We have some things in the works, and when they become finalized, we will let the public know more. There is a possibility that we will drop another Outlaws album this summer. It may or may not be the last one, and I will be releasing a follow up to my “The Hope Dealer Part 1,” and I appreciate everyone that supported the first one and I will be stepping my game up on Part 2.

What are your thoughts on Tupac being the first solo Hip Hop Artist to be inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame as a culture?

Great Question and I am glad you asked that way. For the culture of Hip Hop, it’s another stamp of approval and not like we need someone’s approval, but it validates the culture. Let’s be clear and honest it is the number one form of music in the world. It shapes the culture of the world, especially through the youth. By listening to hip-hop, they are taking it into their adulthood. Hopefully, they can use it to break down some of the barriers that are currently in their way to bring change. With Pac being inducted it will help a kid that does not listen to hip hop want to go look him up, and this is the biggest honor an artist can achieve in my opinion especially since he was not able to win a Grammy.

You released The Hope Dealer Part one last year. When can we expect the second installment and who will be a part of this project?

If we can work out things behind the scenes, fans can look for a special track that I have been holding onto with Ceelo Green.

What do you think?

Written by Landon Buford

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