Just like with rap, it’s a long process to make it. They’re like an actor; they might go through a lot of stages — in the beginning, when they have a few songs to try and get to the final product.

The biggest challenge with getting a song released?

The biggest hurdle is knowing your identity. That thing is the hardest part of making music for artists. When you first come up, you put out a track, which just happens to be on the Internet, and everyone hears it — and no one recognizes who the artist is. It’s a difficult thing to learn, and if you don’t feel like you’re living the life you want to live, you’re just not going to do it.

What do you find is the hardest thing to learn about art and hip-hop?

The toughest thing is the fact that you could be a great artist but people don’t recognize it. At the same time you can think that you’re great, but you might not know what the hell you’re doing. It’s the combination that’s probably hardest.

Why is “Panda” so powerful?

I think it’s the message in the song. It’s about love and being open-minded. It’s also a lot of fun. For example, the first time I read that song, I said to myself, I don’t even like those words. They sound stupid. But to me, they are powerful — and because of that, I think the track works so well.

What about your upcoming projects?

I’ve got two more full-lengths in the future.

What do you love most about being in the industry?

I love the experience itself. It’s always so much fun. It also gives you an opportunity to do different projects, like a film, and even a book. I also like that the industry comes in different shapes, shapes, shapes. There’s always a certain industry that you don’t need to have your hand in, and there are others that are very important and very serious. There’s the real stuff — the shit that’s out there — and there’s the bullshit that’s out there, or stuff that would make you feel uncomfortable.

What was the first track you got on someone’s album?

I got on Kanye West’s “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.” It was an instant record. I had just finished a lot of work for his album, and I had just

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