DJ Quik is one of the greatest and most slept-on West Coast producers of all time.
In addition to having an illustrious solo career, spanning three decades, the Compton OG is well known for producing for the likes of rap luminaries like 2Pac, Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, Kurupt, E-40 and more.
But what a lot of people don’t know is that Quik contributed production to 50 Cent’s blockbuster hit single “In da Club,” the song that would propel the Queens rapper’s debut album into the stratosphere.
Featuring production from Dr. Dre and Mike Elizondo, “In da Club” also features banging drums from Quik. In an interview with Pitchfork, the producer said that it was working with Dre where he was at his most creative.
“I was findings samples and making clap sounds that nobody else was doing,” he said. “Just super raw, raucous-ass beats. Hopefully I can catch that back and do another “In Da Club”. Wouldn’t that be awesome.”
In a separate interview with The Village Voice, Quik explained how his drums ended up on the song:
They don’t even know why they like that song “In Da Club” by 50 Cent. They just know that they’ve heard it more than any other song, and it never gets old somehow. Well, it’s because I helped Dr. Dre with the drums. I gave him those claps, and that kick. He acknowledges that now. I used to say for years, “You guys don’t understand! I gave Dr. Dre those drum sounds!” “Yeah, yeah, okay David.” And now when I go into the studio with Dre, he’ll tell his people. And I’m like, Dre, that right there is worth more than any advance you could have ever paid me, any royalty or publishing. Acknowledgment like that from you? I’m good.
Q&A With DJ Quik: “I Still Got My Talent. That’s Not Going Anywhere.” | The Village Voice
