Music

DJ Paul Explains How Drake’s Mom Helped Him Land A Beat On ‘Scorpion’

Drake’s mom may have a bright future as an A&R. …

While Drake‘s 2018 album Scorpion has a song dedicated to his mom, “Sandra’s Rose,” that many fans appreciate, one of the Toronto rapper’s collaborators recently revealed that fans can thank Ms. Sandra for another fan-favorite track from the album as well. In fact, “Talk Up,” Drake and Jay-Z’s fourth song together, may have had an entirely different beat if not for The Boy’s mother and a chance meeting with her neighbor — a neighbor who turned out to be none other than Memphis rap legend DJ Paul of Three 6 Mafia.

Paul recounted the story on the latest episode of his podcast Mafia Radio while conversing with fellow rap pioneer MC Lyte. As he tells it, “I ended up moving into a condo, and when I moved into a condo I end up running into a neighbor of mine that was Drake’s mom. didn’t know who she was, she didn’t know who I was, but she was like ‘he’s such a nice guy.’ She asked the security who I was and then told Drake. Drake hit me on the DM like 3-4 in the morning, ‘Hey man, my mama told me she ran into you, a really nice guy named DJ Paul, but I need some beats.’ I sent him a beat, he ended up putting Jay-Z on it, and ten million copies later we got this.” He emphasized that last point by calling attention to the platinum plaque for Scorpion on the wall behind him.

Does Sandra Rose have a future as an A&R? Probably not, but if there’s any takeaway from the story it’s this: Being a nice person can pay off in unexpected ways… so be nice.

Watch the full interview above.

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Album Review

Paul Terry, Aptøsrs & Cellarscape unite on bold new album “Alternative Piano Club”

Combining his three artistic alter egos, Paul Terry presents an awe-inspiring new 12-track album, “Alternative Piano Club,” written in collaboration with Aptøsrs and Cellarscape. This is an album-length voyage of music that blends acoustic, rock, and piano-driven cinematic sounds.

Torn between this complex emotional spectrum, all the while the piano remains at its core throughout. Paul Terry opens his “Memento Mori (Chromogenic Phase)” contemplatively, creating a solemn, reflective mood. Cellarscape’s “Three Years Of Roses“ is warmer, whereas Aptøsrs’ “Questionnaires“ is much more textured as a large, sculptural post-rock.

“Dave’s Theme,” written by Paul Terry, musically expands the narrative with a touch of cinematic elevation that aligns well. “We Shape The Clouds” by Cellarscape is fluffy and heart-warming, “Writers Behind The Curtain” is somber, more narrative. We are all together in “A Place We Made,” an honest, intimate, emotionally grounded space.

The project contains vocal warmth and cultural depth in the song “This Is My Home“ by Silas Miami & Lana Crowster. Proceeding in a totally different direction is the stronger emotional clarity of Paul Terry’s acoustic storytelling on “Any Time You Want To Fly” and “No Sleep Has Come.” Cellarscape presents a wide, spacious atmospheric moment in “Cygnus,” while Aptøsrs ends with “Rust Mountain (Monochrome Piano Version),” a simple gem that brings the project full circle.

The mixing of Sam Okell and Adam Noble, the mastering of Alex Wharton and Robin Schmidt have, in many ways, brought their polish to it while still making it feel human. “Alternative Piano Club” is a work entity, where three musical personalities met and talk mind in the same emotional language.

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Artist Spotlight

LAST ALEX! balances precision and pulse on the electrifying track “Plus 1”

LAST ALEX!, a Chicago-based artist and producer, comes out with “Plus 1,” a high-energy release that combines technical prowess with an undeniable melodic instinct.

LAST ALEX! puts both craftsmanship and creativity on display here. The song’s strength lies in its balance, in detailed execution without sacrificing feeling, and in complexity without losing momentum.

LAST ALEX! doesn’t fully lean into the cold technique or loose emotion, but finds the sweet spot where skill and soul meet. This yields a polished, vibrant, and musically confident track.

Connect with LAST ALEX! on Spotify