S1 aka Symbolyc One
Brother just to name a few. The biggest production credit that got him into the spotlight was the Hit single “Power” for Grammy Award Winning Artist/ Producer Kanye West. Yes, S1 co-produced that reBy L. Thompson Are you familiar with who S1 is? If not, I’m sure cord along side of Kanye West and Mike Dean. All some of his beats may have aroused your eardrums, of this is great stuff, but I saved the best piece of but you just didn’t know he was the mastermind information for last. The best thing or the most subbehind it. S1, born in 1976 as Larry D. Griffin Jr., stantial thing that made me want to speak with S1 has been grinding throughout his career to make his is the fact that he is a Christian! He is a man of God mark in the music industry and he finally had his and I was intrigued to find out how a Christian man big break last year. He has produced for multiple in the spotlight deals with and achieving great sucmainstream acts like, Beyonce, Erykah Badu, Stat cess while being highly active in the secular music Quo, Rhymefest, Rah Digga, Ghostface and Little industry. Read our interview on the next page. 1
First off, let me say congratulations on all of your recent success. You’ve produced some huge records for Kanye West, Beyonce and many other prominent artists. How does it feel to finally be rewarded for all of your hard work? Thank you, it’s truly a blessing and I’m so grateful for all that God has blessed me with. I’ve been producing for about 13 years (5 years full-time as career) so to be at this point after a decade of setbacks, disappointments, and sacrifice it feels great. God is so faithful.
ing bad rumors about him. He brought it up the first time he heard about him being in “The Illuminati” that he had to look up the definition to see what it was and what it meant. Months later I heard a non-written freestyle that he publicly performed at a spoken word event and during the freestyle he said “…….and all these rumors of this illuminati talk, like my first hit single wasn’t Jesus Walks”. So I get a little more detailed insight and more of the other side than what the media gives. In any sense, God knows ALL of our hearts and will deal with each of us accordingly to that. There’s no limit to who God can I was delighted to find out that you have a Christian background, change and transform. so have you had any conflicts dealing with the “secular” industry? Have you been placed in any uncomfortable or compromis- So true, and some people probably will never understand you ing situations? Nothing different from when I worked as a bill utilizing your services for the secular world, but at the end of the day it is a business and you have to feed your family. Do you collector in Corporate America with unsaved co-workers and reported to managers/supervisors who were not Christians and ever see it as an opportunity to minister to the people you come in collected from customers who were unsaved as well. Scripture contact with that do not know Christ? Or do you stay away from those topics doing business? tells us to “Be in this world, but not of the world.” Meaning physically in it however to set ourselves apart by living in a such Oh, most definitely. I realize that God has elevated my career a way that they (world) will notice that there’s something differ- and put me in certain situations and around certain people for a ent about our language, our lifestyle, our values…. Being that reason. That reason/purpose is to represent HIM and let HIS light to those who are in spiritual darkness. Sharing the word light shine through me wherever I go or whomever I’m with. and praying for those who are lost but with compassion to bring I’ve been in situations where individuals were down and out or them closer to Christ, instead of pushing them away from going through something really heavy in their lives and have Christ. Not saying that we should sugarcoat the word however told me my presence and positive energy really helped them to we should present it with love. I don’t think there will ever be a get through. Even Kanye sent me an email after the first time I time on this earth when any of us Christians will ever ONLY met him and said “S1, thanks for the incredible beat and I love work with and for other Christians. It’s not realistic. However your positive energy and Great Spirit”. I know that spirit that he It’s our job to represent Christ in ALL that we do no matter spoke of has nothing to do with me but everything to do with where we’re at or who we’re around so I try to do that to the Christ that lives within me. I’m never ashamed to share God’s fullest. Now I’ve been blessed to be around these Mega stars word or just pray with someone. I don’t care who it may be. I and High profile artist/groups now that may of have peace of tell Kanye I’m praying for him all the time. mind of knowing who Christ is and they’re watching me to see if I am who I say I really am. Don’t ever think that people don’t You’ve been producing for well over a decade; at what point in your life did you receive Christ? notice who you say you are. If Christ is shining in our lives I can guarantee you that others are paying close attention and I gave my life to Christ back when I was about 9 or 10 years can see the difference. God has given me this confirmation in old. so many different instances where people I’ve been working Wow! Such a young age. How important has your relationship with have stopped and said “S1 are you a Christian? Cause with God been before your success and after your success? Has there’s something different about you” or “S1 I can truly see your faith been tested more before or after the success? God in your life”. To the point where I’ve gotten chills just hearing that from people whom you wouldn’t expect. All I can It’s been very important. I know that I have a personal relado is give God the praise for that. Not putting myself on a ped- tionship with my Lord and can’t anyone tell me any different. estal or anything because I’m still learning and growing and God knows my heart and I have so much confidence in HIM making mistakes like everyone else. I had to realize that no and HIS word! The Trials will always be the same process. No matter what I do, there’s always going to be people that want to matter what status of success there will always be trials and tell me how they think I should live my life, and most of those temptations around us however it’s our approach on how we people are living outside of Gods word anyway. Everyone’s handle these things. I believe these things bring us closer to dealing with something. No ones exempt. We are all sinners, Christ. Whenever things are going well that’s when were furhowever God’s Grace saves us! So as long as I know that I ther from HIM. And I have to say; I truly believe my drastic have a personal relationship with my Lord I’m great and what career change came when I totally committed myself to God. 7others say about me really doesn’t affect me. 8 years ago I would wonder why I was praying for God to take me to another level in career and life but on the other end of it I Nicely put. Last year a lot of Christians were perplexed about you was being disobedient to HIS word. A lot of times we expect for producing the “Power” record for Kanye West. Since you worked God to bless us but we’re living totally opposite of how He want so closely with Kanye on the track, how did you feel about the us to live. I had a lot of personal strongholds and inner demons “Power” video and all of the Illuminati talk? Did it bother you? that I had to battle and conquer before God would take me to a Yes, when it first came out I heard a few people say that and I higher level. Once I truly let it go and fully committed to HIM, wondered if it was true as well. When I was with Kanye out in HE let the floodgates of blessings come down in my family lives Australia, he was conversing with a group of us and he was just and me. speaking of how people can be so mean spirited by spread2
You are with a group called Strange Fruit Project. Is that a Christian Hip Hop group or strictly Hip Hop? And how long have you been working together? We’ve been categorized as Christian Hip Hop group at times but we just speak of truth and real life situations. We don’t use profanity and create positive vibes. We’re all our own characters in the group so that what makes us who we are. I would say 95% of my career verses mention Christ…. lol that’s the perspective I’ve always represented in SFP. 95%? I would say that’s Christian Hip Hop lol? Do you plan on spitting any rhymes in the near future or has your seat gotten real comfortable behind the boards? I still rap but not like I used to. As my passion for producing grew, my rapping desire decreased. Now I just freestyle for fun every now and then or I’ll write a verse sometimes.
What are your goals for the remainder of 2011? What other projects can we expect to find your name on the credits? My goal is really just to creatively try to continue to push the envelope. The Beyoncé album just came out. My production partner Caleb McCampbell and I co-produced her new single “Best Thing I Never Had” on there along with Babyface, Shea Taylor and Beyonce. I got a joint on the Kanye/Jay Z “Watch The Throne” project. My group Strange Fruit Project new album comes out Aug. 2nd. And I’ve been crafting songs for Fantasia, Rihanna, 50 cent, and some more artists as well. Sounds like you are staying busy! What has been one of the most rewarding experiences you've had as a producer so far? What will go down as one of your best experiences so far? I would say just seeing the positive impact that you have on people from around the world. Whether I’m in another state or country, so many people approach me or hit me up to tell me they have been inspired by my faith or my story.
Your production sound is very original and diverse. Where does your influence and inspirations come from? Awesome. Secret time. Tell me something that no one knows Thanks! I have an old soul so I grew up listening to old 70’s music. I listen to all genres from Hip Hop, Pop, Gospel, R&B, to about S1? alternative so that all plays a part in my sound. I love collecting and watching movies DVD’s. Lol I want to know your thought process when creating a new beat. Do you typically make beats with a specific artist in mind for that beat or do you just go off of how you feel at that moment? Both. Most of the time, I just go in and put ideas down and whatever it comes out as, is what it is. But in some cases I have to produce for specific artist so it really just varies on task or my mood.
LOL. Last question. What would you like for the readers to get out of this interview? Its really hard to get to know a person from a 200 word interview.lol I wish I had a platform where everyone could be around me to get to know me more on a personal level but I know that’s not realistic. Lol But really it has nothing to do with me, I just want readers to know that God is Awesome and able and HE has ALL power in HIS hand. Sometimes we don’t know exactly Any Christian or secular artists that you would like to work with in what God is up to, but we have to believe Romans 8:28 …ALL the future? things work together for good for those who love God, for those I’m a big Fantasia fan. I’m putting some records together for who are called according to his purpose. her now. I just met Mary Mary at the ASCAP Awards. Big fans We appreciate your time because we realize how valuable it is. We of theirs as well. wish you nothing but blessings in your career. Do you have any Those would be nice collaborations! You’re a super producer right shout outs or last words to your supporters? now, so is it out of the question for an independent CHH artist to Awh man, Thank you so much for reaching out and giving me get production from you? the opportunity to have a platform to share my faith and experiMy plate is full however I still work with not only Majors but ences. Continue to pray for my family and I and I will do the Independent artist as well. same for all of you! Love yall! S1 “Sometimes we don’t know exactly what God is up to, but we have to believe Romans 8:28 “ - S1
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