Trust Me integrates a great deal of Hispanic influences. What led you to Cuba for some of the recording sessions?
It was all about timing. One of the things about my music is that it's always about a hook and lyric. The producer I was working with was involved in different projects along the way. He believed we could have something that moves people, if I traded in a performance section. In a country like Cuba, you don't have the luxury of the studios you have over here, so the final product was going to be a little more raw and have a little more color. So, we put it out there, and next thing I know, we were booking tickets to Havana. I couldn't complain.
What song do you think is the most reflective of your time in Cuba?
I think it would probably be either "6 of 1 Thing" or "Friday Night." Those songs were produced by a one-section percussion — the pianist, who was a 17-year-old kid, played the piano like it was second nature. I think those two songs are definitely uplifting and energetic. A little about rhythm, plus the melody just kind of flows and the lyrics make it just right.
"Hot Stuff (Let's Dance)" served as the lead single off of Trust Me. Did you at any point feel intimidated by sampling such a well known hit?
To me, it was like the magic behind "Been Around the World" when Puffy and Mase did it. When I approached it, I thought, "Let me put it down and see how it goes." I was loving the energy of it, so I don't have a real reason why I went with it. The song has an awesome bassline and it just sounded good to me.
Have you been able to get a response from Bowie?
Yeah. I went to see if he would care to hear the sample and get clearance from the publisher's side if he was cool. I got a response saying, "We liked how you approached the song. You brought something new to table and it is an extension of the original. We'll get you in contact with all the necessary people to clear everything so you can use it on a creative level." I was like, "Even if I don't make a dime from this, it's about the fact that someone as iconic as David Bowie was telling to me that he appreciated what I'd done as a songwriter." That for me was the real key.
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