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 For those deeply entrenched in the US Hip-Hop scene, breaking into the extremely cliquey market is something that for a non-native isn’t an easy task. Many have tried to take their act to America, but the sheer size and scale makes outsourcing abroad a less likely task than 50 surviving without beef or Lady Sovereign gaining the success in the UK that she has seen in the Land of the Free.
For one Aussie Melbourne native, the first steps into America have been etched, and his debut outing into the market is with one of the hottest commodities that reached a respectable high in the heavily competitive scene.
For those that don’t know you, or where you’re coming from, just quickly introduce yourself?
What’s good? Styalz Fuego here straight from the bottom of the world, the deep south, Melbourne City, Australia. Right now I’m just doing my thing and having fun producing hits for artists around the world.
How exactly does a little known Melbourne based producer get in contact with, and work with a relatively famous Hip-Hop icon like Chamillionaire?
Grinding day in day out, not just in a business sense but also being in the studio so much that I forget about other things going on in life… haha. That’s how it’s been at times, just perfecting my music, getting to a point where I can stand up next to the great producers out there. The connection with Cham was through my management So Empire Mgmt. Cham had heard a CD of mine and was really feeling my tracks. Shout out to Myst… we making things happen!
That track, Not a Criminal, reached 103 in the Billboard Charts, making it onto the ‘Bubblin’ Under Hot’ radar and narrowly missing the Top 100 cut off point. How does it feel to have been part of that success getting recognition as a producer?
It’s ridiculous. I really appreciate it... and it’s opened so many doors for me. Of course I wish Cham’s album didn’t get pushed back from its previous date so the single could have had a chance to grow with a video but it is what it is. I feel honoured to have landed the lead single, but with the album getting pushed back it was a little unlucky in the sense that it was too early to throw too much into its promotion… otherwise it might have been more like Ridin’ Dirty.
How important was the track to get your name out there? Being an Australian producer, and without any disrespect to people like Hilltop Hoods and other Oz artists, but surely it’s a whole new level for you to be getting respect from Stateside…
I’m getting quite a bit of attention out here for it. It’s definitely a good look. I don’t really think about being the first to break into the states as a hip hop producer or nothing like that too much. It’s cool, but the goal is to become a great producer not just a great Australian producer ya know?
Your first international mixtape dropped a few months back, Truck, The Best Of Styalz Fuego, and features some big names like Kool G Rap, Grafh and Jin. How did these come about? Any plans to pair with these artists again in the near future?
Yes! If you haven’t downloaded my mixtape, head over to www.styalz.com for the free download... oh we’re also giving away Mike23 clothing to selected visitors to the site! So if you hate the music you might get free shit, haha. “Truck” is a collection of my favourite tracks I’ve produced for artists around the world since 2003.. There’s everything on there from Not a Criminal pt. 2 featuring Snoop and Busta Rhymes to Stylah’s upcoming single featuring Grafh. I wanna hear more producers release Best Of mixtapes.. how ridiculous would a Timbo or Just Blaze tape be when they first came out?
Who else have you been producing for?
I won’t drop any specifics just yet ‘cause the ink ain’t completely dry on the contracts ya know, but I been doing a lot of work with major label artists out in the US, UK, Germany, Australia... We’ve actually recently just started diving into TV in the States, got some music on a few shows for HBO, MTV etc... I’ll actually be in Europe to start work on a few projects in August/September... Should be dope, I haven’t seen Europe in years.
If it was on you to work with any acts, big or up and coming, who would it be? Who else are you feeling right now?
I’d love to work with Lil Wayne, Joe Budden. I wanna work with The Clutch as a writing team, they’re crazy… Uh, obviously to get on the new Britney record would be crazy. I’d like to work with Craig David and create something groundbreaking like Mark Hill did with “Born To Do It”. There’s alotta artists I feel that I could make a great record with ya know.
Whilst trying to find a little more about you, I came across a number of references to you sounding similar to the big dogs, Timbaland-esque was one comment I saw in reference to the production on the Pictures Remix for Sneaky Sound System, and the ‘Jordans On My Feet’ track has a nice crunk vibe to it. You’re able to produce beats that fit into most regional stylings with ease. Is that how it’s going to be in the future, or are you planning to settle into a specific sound?
I've seen some strange comparisons and a few that are valid... One thing about the way I work is I don’t restrict myself to sticking with a sound all the time. I like to explore different genres and styles of music in general. I definitely have my own style of production overall and I think once people hear more from me they’ll start to recognise it. The drum programming stays intricate and percussive... Fuego is for the 80’s babies, haha... I’m like new ‘new wave’.
In terms of Australian Hip-Hop, what projects you running with Down Under? Are you gonna keep with the home crowd and continue to work with Australian artists, or do you have plans to up and move to the States?
I’ll always fuck with artists in Australia. I think there are a number of talented artists out here... and if it ain’t for money it’ll just be to make dope music. An ideal situation for me will be to spend half my year in USA and half in Oz.. we’ll see how it works out.
AMG, Affinity Music Group, is your production base in Aus. What’s going on with that? Which artists are we to look out for?
We’re currently developing two artists, R&B and Hip Hop.. looking to situate ourselves with the right major once our artists projects are ready to go. Affinity looks like it will eventually be a lifestyle company... right now we have a lot going on with fashion and alcoholic beverages. We’re just building it up, trying to make our crazy drunken ideas turn into profit!
Finally man, just wanna say it’s been great to hear your stuff, and congratulations on what you’ve been achieving so far. Breaking the US is a big look, and I wish you all success in the future. Peace.
Words By: Andrew Milner
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Turn It Up only made it to mid way up the Billboard Chart, despite constant love from 106 & Park. 
Feeling what you're doing man, good to see you working with some UK people too!