Bei Maejor has produced and sang in some tracks for Trey Songz, Justin Bieber, Tinie Tempah, Nelly, Iggy Azalea, and Ne-Yo. So who’s to say he’s not the next R&B’s/hip-hop’s go-to guy? But although he’s generous enough to share his magic and upscale sound with the household names, he’s saving some for his own as he ventures as a solo artist signed to RCA Records. STATUS talks to Bei about his new album, Disney movies, and moving to a beach somewhere in the Philippines.
“I’m almost waiting for someone to say, ‘It’s over now. You gotta do something for real.’ [But right now] I’m just making songs, traveling, meeting cool people.”
Hey, Bei! How are you? How is your album recording going?
It’s going great. I can’t wait for you to hear it. I have some amazing songs in it. I’m putting out a song in a couple of weeks.
When did you know that you want to make a career out of making music?
I don’t know. I still don’t know. It kinda moved really fast. Everyone just starting liking it so I’m just gonna roll with it. I’m almost waiting for someone to say, ‘It’s over now. You gotta do something for real.’ [But right now] I’m just making songs, traveling, meeting cool people. It’s fun, you know.
You created songs for The Princess and The Frog and Bratz the Movie, which is definitely an unexpected move. What made you decide to do these projects and what was it like?
I grew up watching Disney movies, that was one of the first times I remember music. That played a big role in me liking music. Just watching these movies and watching different people… Ever watched Lion King before? So yeah, you know what I’m talking about. I would watch Lion King and see how important the music was to the scene, to the whole feel of it. So when I got the position to do it—shout-out to Ne-Yo—when we did Princess and the Frog, I was so excited to do that.
If you could mix your own style of hip-hop with another genre of music (like rock, country, pop, etc.), which genre would you pick?
I feel like I kinda do that already. If you listen to “Trouble,” that’s hip-hop like drums and rhythms…the sounds that go with it are dance or electronic. It’s not the typical hip-hop beat. In my song with Trey Songz, I used rock, bass, and guitar. I always try to mix up different styles.
What kind of girl spells trouble?
A girl that could cause trouble is someone confident, that’s the main thing. It’s about how they carry themselves.
“Definitely I’m gonna use that style that I made, that upscale sound.”
How would you describe your upcoming album? How will it be different from the two mixtapes you released?
Definitely I’m gonna use that style that I made, that upscale sound. Like in “Trouble,” I actually made that style up. I spend a lot of time on it so I’m gonna make it the best I can. It’s just gonna be my best work yet.
Where was the weirdest place/moment you had an idea for a song or beat?
Recently I heard a firetruck going by, and there was like a siren and I made a beat out of that. I guess that’s kinda weird.
Fast forward to 5 years from now, where is Bei Maejor and what is he doing?
I don’t know. I’m gonna be in outer space. I’m gonna be in the Philippines. I’ll be living there. I’ll be on the beach in the Philippines, chillin’.
Aside from your new album out this year, what can we expect from you this 2012? Any more exciting collabs or any concert tours?
I just finished in the studio with Justin Bieber—he’s super talented; talking to Wiz, Trey, Waka Flocka; I got to work with Nelly. Just keepin’ it going, doing music, having fun. I’m gonna post the dates and everything soon.
Interview by Viva Gonzalez
Photographed by Ace of LA
For the full story, grab a copy of STATUS April 2012 issue
