OC Music Magazine

David Sachs

Interview transcribed by Kellie Stekol

Arguably one of the best producers in California, Richie Stites has produced albums with everyone from Michael Jackson, Outkast, Sleepy Brown, Tupac, to Tim Armstrong, The Transplants, Hollywood Undead, George Clinton, Candyman 187 and Optimus. When offered the opportunity to interview this local legend, I leaped upon the phone and the digits dialed themselves.

What was your first experience with music; what drove you?
Born in Jersey and it was something that I always wanted to do. I figured that I needed to go to California or New York to make it big, so I chose California because I liked to surf. After that, I got together with a couple people, put together a four song demo and everything happened from there. I landed a manager, played the demo in a couple offices and they signed me.

What’s the transition like from being behind the microphone to being in the engineer room?
When I was signed at Interscope, they had plans for me to be the new Eminem. They wanted me to be the white Bobby Brown. They put me with a bunch of producers and discovered it couldn’t really happen with an R&B singer; the world wasn’t really ready for it. Then he knew it wouldn’t happen with rap because Vanilla Ice had pretty much ruined it for everyone there. Until Dr. Dre was brought in with Eminem, he was trying to make it work with me. The rest is history. The producers were called Organized Noise which I later became partners with. We did Outkast and Bubba Sparxxx. Then, when I came back from LA, I got a call from Teddy Riley. He had gotten some of our music and said he played a couple songs to Michael Jackson. He liked them and asked me to fly out and produce them for his record, Invincible, which went on to be number one in ten countries.

Tell us more about working with Michael Jackson
He was awesome, nothing like the tabloids said. He’s funny, he’s nice, and he really loved candy. He’d just walk around the studio eating Skittles. He just loved singing. I mean, you can really tell why this guy is so incredibly huge as a major superstar; his presence was just remarkable. It was like being around some sort of important figure; he put out an amazing vibe. That was really my first shot into producing a major superstar.

Right now you’re producing White Noise with Optimus; tell about the process
It’s going really well. Optimus and I spent six months in my studio in LA, kicking around different ideas until we came up with the core of the record. We did a co-production from JR Rodham which was really great. It’s funny, Optimus used to be my neighbor and would always play music; that’s how we met. After that we’ve always stayed in touch. He sold out 47 dates across America and he’s really doing it; he’s really awesome. We’re still up in the air about the name, though—we’re tentatively calling it White Noise. It might be ‘Jordan Towers presents: Optimus.’ He’s a star, man. He can sing and he can rap so it’s hard to categorize him and put him in a box. The album really sounds amazing though.

What about yourself? What are you doing now as an artist?
I just finished doing a tribute to Michael Jackson. I’ve also done some hooks for various records but mainly I’m focusing on Optimus. He’s got the fire and I’m going with it. I’m working my hardest to go with that.

What went through your mind when you heard of Michael’s death?
I didn’t really believe it. I always thought he’d come out of it and he’ll be okay. I thought of his mother, she’s so sweet, and my memories of the whole Jackson family. My thoughts automatically went to her. It was unbelievable; I didn’t want to believe it. He’s 50 years old and in great shape. He doesn’t drink, doesn’t smoke, doesn’t do drugs, and that really separated him from everyone else. He led a different type of lifestyle.

What does the future hold for you?
I just completed a record with Sleepy Brown and landed a track on a movie called The Delivery Man. In addition, we just did the title track to this new film that should come out in nine months starring Val Kilmer called West Texas. Producing right now is the goal though. The rap business has completely changed since I’ve been in it, at least. It’s new and it’s fun. Optimus is making music that’s fun and makes you wanna move. My artists are definitely my main focus right now.