In today's issue
Loon-ey tunes
The rapper and P. Diddy protege; Loon is all set for a double gig this weekend.
- By Kelly Crane, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:27 November 27, 2008
Coughing slightly as he answers the phone, Loon apologises for being slightly under the weather. "I'm drinking a lot of soup right now,'' he jokes. "Gotta get better.''
On top form is where he'll need to be as rapper Loon is an extremely busy man. Think of someone famous in the music business and the usual names spring to mind Britney, Justin, Snoop.
But that's just the tip of the iceberg for Loon, who has worked with the best in the business for years. Usher, J-Lo, Pharrell Williams, Timbaland, Missy Elliott, Alicia Keys, R. Kelly, Jamie Foxx, Mase, Busta Rhymes, Toni Braxton, The Game, E40, 8Ball & MJG, Jagged Edge, Kelis, Jermaine Dupri, N.O.R.E., Ryan Leslie, Faith Evans, Angie Stone and Ginuwine are just some of the artists he's collaborated with. Phew!
As if that isn't enough, he also manages to write for P. Diddy in his spare time no wonder he's sick.
The ex Bad-Boy Records rapper and Diddy protégé is all set a double gig weekend in the UAE. "Diddy helped shaped my career by giving me a chance.
Most influence
"I was supposed to visit Puff for a day and write two songs. I ended up staying four weeks and I wrote 11 songs. The rest, as they say, is history,'' he says.
"Diddy has been the most influential for me when it comes down to work ethic. He has no limit to his competitive side. Pharrel has helped me when it comes to creativeness, because when he creates a song, he does it from not only a producer's side, but also as an artist. Dr Dre as well.''
Finally making time to launch a solo career after working with the stars for years, Loon is already a multi-platinum selling artist. And he has just been signed to Sony.
Loon says working alongside the big guns was never going to be easy with demands, expectations and attitude coming from all angles. But he's happy to accept a challenge. "I love him to death, but I definitely gotta say Puff was the biggest challenge, because he is obsessed with winning.
"So trying to satisfy someone like that is very difficult at times, but I handled it,'' he says proudly. "Diddy loves my swagger.''
Loon will perform in the UAE for the first time at Etoiles at the Emirates Palace Hotel tonight. Tomorrow night he's off to the Grand Hyatt in Dubai's Mix club, for an Obama Jam Thanksgiving party.
"I have been around the world with Diddy performing for kings, royals, Hollywood celebs, the Sultan of Brunei, the King of Kazakhstan, Monte Carlo and Jordan. I've played private parties on private islands, jets and yachts, but I'm very excited to be coming to the UAE.''
And it may sound like he's done it all, but if Loon had the choice to work with any artist, who would it be? Without hesitation: "Mary J. Blige. She's the undisputed queen of hip-hop and R&B. A record with her would be powerful, because she sings from her soul. And it would bring out another side in me, which would be great. It would also be easy, because she's amazing.''
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