As we all continue to quarantine during this time, we all know that Instagram Live has become a primary source of entertainment for us all. Many celebrities have taken the opportunity to connect with their fans, and battles between our favorite artists/ producers have become a trend thanks to Swizz Beatz and Timbaland‘s ‘Verzuz’ brand.
However, recently Dallas Austin and Jermaine Dupri switched things up as they hosted a live version of their “I Wrote That Song” sessions. Last Friday, they took fans down memory lane as they played some of their classic hits, and told the stories on how these hits came about while offering advice to songwriters as well.
Dallas Austin stepped into The Shade Room to talk about their successful live session, who he could see himself battling in a ‘Verzuz’ competition, music education, and more.
We all know Instagram battles are the trend right now, but you and Jermaine decided to switch things up with “I Wrote That Song.” Why would you say it was important for you guys to switch it up, and put a different spin on something that has been considered trendy at the moment?
Dallas: ‘I Wrote That Song’ isn’t new, it is just something that we brought to Instagram because we are all in quarantine. People were trying to get Jermaine and I to battle on ‘Verzuz.’ But since we are friends and partners in JDA, our new entertainment company, we decided to do something different.
This is a way to let the public know that we are joined forces. Sharing our personal songwriting experiences and sending some love out to people shows our appreciation for each other and Atlanta at a time when people need it the most.
During your live with JD, you guys not only told the stories behind writing your hit singles, but you also offered tips when it came to songwriting, what would be the biggest lesson you hope viewers walked away with?
Dallas: One thing I always say is, ‘a great song is a story crammed into three minutes’. When you watch movies you have two hours to tell that story but with a song, you have to get to the same points in a shorter amount of time and with a great melody. Another lesson was for them to understand how much commitment Jermaine and myself put into our music to get us this far.
One thing that stood out about your songwriting skills, was your ability to write for different genres throughout the years. Why would you say having that diversity is so important to your legacy?
Dallas: Growing up on so many different types of music, I learned to write through loving those records. I never wanted to be boxed into one type of sound. As a writer/producer, I think it is more important to help translate the artists to the public as vividly as possible. Each artist should sound and feel like who they are, not who I am. Every time I do another record it is like starting over again because they don’t sound like the last ones. I like to turn into the act I work with.
You and JD made it very clear that your live was not a battle, but you said you are more than open to battle when it comes to the whole concept of ‘Verzuz,’ who could you see yourself going up against?
Dallas: Well, like I said, if you go to my Wikipedia, you have to go through each letter of the alphabet to see all of the songs I’ve written. So I will battle anyone with the same catalog haha. But seriously, I think that Rodney Jerkins could be a good matchup because we have worked on the same types of records and he’s a great writer/producer as well.
One thing you’re also very passionate about is music education. How has it been working with the students at Georgia State University?
Dallas: It has been a great start but we are really about to get into the flow because all of the Rowdy Records artists are coming out now. We use the students for marketing and any other field that they are interested in that relates to music. Also, ‘The Dallas Austin Foundation for Music Education’ is located there and that is where we do the planning for placing music studios in public schools.
If you missed Dallas Austin & Jermaine Dupri’s “I Wrote That Song,” Instagram Live session, check out the clips below:
