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What was it like writing for Puffy on Press Play?

It was one of those experiences that was a blessing. I put working with Puff right up there with working with Dre because you learn so much. You learn work ethic. Those dudes were looking at me like I had a strong work ethic. Puff’s follow-through is sick. I must have written 50 verses for the “Tell Me” record. That’s not even counting the other records. The average person would sit there and complain, but when you see the way that Diddy works, it’s an around the clock thing. He has three rooms working at once. You look at that and you say, “Now I see why this nigga’s so rich. He doesn’t stop. He’s like a fucking machine. What’s driving him to be this way?” 

It makes me say, “I should be this way. I was out drinking last night and this motherfucker was in the studio. I’m complaining about why his chain is nicer and what makes his music so special.” It’s because he started ten to fifteen years ago and he has not stopped since. That’s my thing.

I tell myself every day that when I’m not hearing my wheels turning in my head, that’s when I know I’m not focused. I don’t have to be focused to do my job. I realize that. I can be drinking every night and going back and forth to the studio and taking the risk of driving home drunk and still make dope records. That’s not enough. Along with that shit comes the hoops that I have to jump through. Mentally, I can’t jump through no hoops anymore. I have to get to the level I know I should be at. I’ve wasted a lot of years fucking around. That’s what I learned being around those dudes. They walk in the room, you see how they operate and you know they know what they’re supposed to be doing. 

I spoke to Pharoahe Monch about his experience with Diddy. He said his work ethic completely changed through working with Diddy. Did your work ethic change working on Press Play?

Yeah. My work ethic is going to be way different from now on. I’ve never lacked as far as spending time in the studio. It’s just how my days go. If I go out one night and get drunk and I’m in the studio the next day, I’m still feeling the shit from last night. I’m not as sharp as I could be. I’m working in a job where I need to use my mind, but I’m fucking with my mind doing other things that I feel are fun. I come up with my best shit when I’m focused around the clock. I’m sharp. When I’m sharp, I don’t think anybody can fuck with me. Any hindrance there is me hindering myself. If I can perform to my highest capabilities, I don’t think I can be touched. I’m not there right now. I haven’t shown enough in my actions to claim that right now. That’s something I’ve kept to myself, but you’re going to see.