Just Blaze on Shaping Roc-A-Fella’s Sound, Writing Hit Records & Disrupting the Video Game Industry

On this week's episode of IDEA GENERATION, Just Blaze takes us on a journey from his early days as a math prodigy in Paterson, New Jersey, to becoming one of the premier beatmakers in music. From helping shape the sound of Roc-A-Fella records, to earning a reputation as one of the most sought after pens in the game, to scoring new worlds within video games, Just Blaze has built one of the most impressive resumes in music... and it all started with one idea.
Act I
00:00 Intro
1:36 Family values
3:20 Getting started in programming
4:25 Stepping into the hip-hop DJ scene
5:18 Early days at Rutgers // “Fat Funky Wednesdays”
5:43 Meeting idols, playing his own beats
7:10 Role models
7:35 Graduating high school early
8:27 From college to internships
10:24 Holding onto your passion
10:50 Engineering at the Cutting Room
12:00 Meeting Mase, landing “Harlem” record
Act II
13:42 Finding his voice
14:53 Understanding the business side of the industry
15:40 Two Way Branding, “ringtones before ringtones”
16:40 Origins of the name Just Blaze
17:45 “My biggest advantage”
18:18 Finding placements & new opportunities
20:16 Growing “the Rockefeller sound”
22:42 Girls Girls Girls (remix)
23:57 Life structure around success
25:23 The wind down, entering a new phase
Act III
28:12 Opportunities after Roc-A-Fella
29:23 Saigon era
30:07 “I wasn’t looking to make a body of work”
30:34 Check your ego at the door
31:32 Shifts in his relationship to music, leveraging work outside of the studio
32:32 Transition into game scoring
34:12 “You can’t just do the one thing forever”
34:24 “Exhibit A” - Jay Electronica
35:38 What does money mean to you?
35:49 Seeking alternate revenue streams
37:35 Entrepreneurial pursuits, ramen business
38:40 Brass Lion Entertainment
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Credits:
Noah Callahan-Bever
Creator & Host, Idea Generation
Starring: Just Blaze
Musical Director: A-Trak
Animations by: Sang Bleu / IDEA GENERATION
Executive Producers: Helena Ox, Tricia Clarke-Stone and John Walaszek
Producer: Jack Erwin
Creative Director + Editor: Kyle Gaughan
Produced by: 5 Towns Media House
Director: Katie Paul
DP: Alex Stikich
Producer: Jagger Corcione
Production Manager: Zena Khafagy
Cam Ops: Sabrina Marki, Brian Dauphin
Sound: Anthony Charles
PAs: Sabrina Alvarez
MUA: Tatiana Mendez
Photography: Kai Tsehay
Special thanks to:
Juan Guerrero
Sony Music Entertainment
Universal Music Group
MassAppeal

[@IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL]

What's your all-time favorite Just Blaze beat? We'll go first: "Exhibit C" by Jay Electronica

[@TheDoknoh]

"You Don't Know" by Jay-Z is the only answer.

[@musiclover-cn7tb]

@@TheDoknoh that is a bop .

[@musiclover-cn7tb]

Alright by Freeway / Allen Anthony.

[@nicholaswilliams4552]

Beanie Sigel - Get Down

[@TheTeamYDKChannel]

Bitches & Sisters by Jay Z the Blueprint 2 or Exhibit A by Jay Elec

[@jaimerodriguez1550]

This man produced the hits that made my teenage years memorable.

[@freesocietybeats]

That's a fact 💯 percent ✨️

[@johncwalaszek]

NBA Live 2003 is a goated soundtrack... so sick to hear him touch on that

[@teoifolis]

NBA Street Vol 2 too 🔥

[@MrRafie82]

​@@teoifolis Just literally was all over that game. I LOVED it! The Wurlitzer track was one of my favorites.

[@seanleaf3165]

Lmao brah I still got that cd that came with the game 😂

[@saygreedi]

Facts. I remember the blue back ps2 disc and booting this game up to hear one of my fav producers in the game. And he was playable character 🔥🔥🔥

[@TheDoknoh]

I love Just Blaze's combination of curiosity and virtuosity. From the outset of his career his ambition has been to explore the limits of his own creativity-never being content to live in a box-and he matches that passion with discipline and a conscientious desire for mastery that is just so inspiring. It's one thing to want to be versatile, it's another thing work tirelessly to achieve it. Hope you guys enjoy watching our conversation as much as I did having it.

[@erman_]

this one and alchemist one are the best episodes so far. thank you so much! You are the best interviewer currently. Respect from Türkiye !

[@ajlavilla]

@@erman_ word!!!! The one with Al was dope too!

[@luisbarahona6255]

You guys need to check out the episode with ghazi helps guide the path between the creative and business great knowledge and insight in that episode one of my favorites 💯😁👍🏾

[@BackToTheBoomBap]

I thoroughly enjoyed it! You asked great questions and I love watching Just Blaze interviews because I'm such a big fan of his production. With so much content coming out calling his creativity into question on other podcasts, I stand in support of him and his legacy because of his genius as a producer as well as a mixing engineer. These things are evident when listening to his music and through what he says as well.

[@romeod7549]

Just Blaze stole Binks aound and claimed it as his own. Bink actually created the Rocafella sound.

[@PrinceMalachi7]

Saigons the greatest story never told is very underrated! Just Blaze's production, and how that album is mixed is on another level. It's one of my favorite albums

[@digispeak0]

It may have been considered a classic if it had dropped when originally intended.

[@PrinceMalachi7]

@@digispeak0 good point. It was actually old music when it dropped. But in my opinion it was still an amazing project and it still is

[@tenslider6722]

100% the transition from track to track is something spectacular

[@digispeak0]

@@tenslider6722 I remember Saigon and Just did an interview, I think it was with Scratch Magazine, they said the track transitions were inspired by the face-changing effect in MJ's "black or white" video

[@tenslider6722]

@@digispeak0 damn bro, you took me back to 2007-2008 I had a subscription to scratch magazine in the feds. I regret Saigidy ain't blow up like he should have cause that album is a masterpiece for me.

[@Solsurvz92]

I love how “hip-hop” this dude is. Look at his hat. Only true heads will get that reference. He’s not wearing it for fashion reasons, it’s a specific code for heads, like “if you know, you know.” Shout out First Priority Music.

[@LULUThaCannon]

Just Blaze is one of the most legendary producers of all time. I’d put him in my top 10 easily. Maybe even top 5 if he keeps going and continues to make holy beats

[@LULUThaCannon]

Also fucking wow I’ve never seen or heard of this channel until today and I’m going through all of the guests they’ve had on, and I’m at a loss for words. I can’t wait to binge every video

[@UrbanNoizeMusic]

Huge Just Blaze fan here. Had to stop what i was doing to see this. You always have some of the best and most insightful interviews.

[@IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL]

thank you so much, glad you're enjoying the interviews. more on the way 💡

[@UrbanNoizeMusic]

@@IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL You're very welcome and thanks for the informative & inspirational content.

[@JayBee6801]

Money doesn't buy happiness... It just free's you up to do the things that make you happy.

[@UPROXXVideo]

this is awesome!

[@IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL]

yoo thanks for watching!

[@TheDoknoh]

🙏🙏🙏 If you felt so inclined-and that your audience would enjoy it-we'd be ever so appreciative of a share on your community tab. 🤗

[@drewbny78]

​@@IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL can we get the background instrumentals?

[@TheDoknoh]

@@drewbny78 I'm talking to A-Trak about it.

[@DippedInInk]

My world stops when a new episode drops. Thank u for this.

[@IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL]

thank you for watching!

[@luisbarahona6255]

Same here

[@RiskyKillmoves]

NBA Street Vol 2 soundtrack, a masterpiece.

[@mindprintmusic5333]

This will be one day being interviewed 🏆🙏🏾

[@IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL]

manifest it let's go

[@toryherbert2283]

This is a very well executed interview, presentation is EVERYTHING 🔥

[@powpow50cal24]

THESE INTERVIEWS ARE INCREDIBLE, thank you

[@Curling_Rack]

Bink punching the air because the audio quality is better

[@dluena]

I was just watching that bink interview

[@andrewb-d4778]

lolol

[@lowkeyloki8832]

Hilarious that I just posted a similar comment about Bink then saw this 😂

[@nickparreco1044]

One of the best episodes yet…. Nothing gets me going better than cruising around with coffee to these videos…. THANK YOU!!!

[@ConductorWilliams]

This was incredible! Thank you so much

[@grezzzo_]

im so excited for this episode. one of my major inspirations when it comes to producing.

[@ajlavilla]

Omg I been waiting for this 🔥

[@IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL]

🔥🔥🔥

[@RussellMills1877]

This man has had so many hits that he has produced and worked with so many artist and he is a legend as a producer. And on a side note I have a you tube channel type in Russell Mills May 22, 2017 to find me.

[@peeldemlayersback]

Big s/o to NCB for asking the MJ/Girls Girls Girls question!!

[@willemalejandro7889]

Y’all never disappoint with these legendary guests

[@IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL]

can't stop won't stop

[@ohdagee]

A must watch for us producers. Another gem, Noah. Peace!

[@ScottThrill]

I could listen to Just talk for hours. Great questions too. Thanks for sharing.

[@unc1589]

Had a long Drive so I punched in just blaze and man, that kid made bangers! The tracks have so much energy

[@zy823]

Came here just to hear how Just Blaze speaks after listening to Cam'ron's story lol!

[@305donkryder8]

Not really. I want to be on Wall Street and have restaurants LOL

[@IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL]

Want to hear more from Just Blaze? The podcast version of this episode has over AN HOUR of extra interview, stories, and gems. Listen here: podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ideageneration

[@BLVCKSEA]

Just blaaaaaaZzzeeeee

[@Tyler-beats]

Great interview with one of the greatest legends in music, inspiring as always, thank you.

[@saundrawatts1371]

Great questions. I love when a host ask relevant questions.

[@lourenzosmith5392]

Jus! This is legendary.

[@IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL]

🔥🔥🔥

[@AZTHYSELF]

Great interview 💪💪💪💪💪 Grew up on Just & the whole Roc era

[@nicholasmarshall6361]

JUST BLAZE!!

[@rodiesham2855]

Needed this free game. Salute to a legend

[@Barney-ii1no]

The sound stealer

[@chomptonstoodios5140]

Legend and a class act!!

[@Chucbthewriter]

Exceptional interview! 🎯

[@1ronlungzzz]

This is a great interview, love just blaze

[@mgk_moloko]

I love these👌🏾 good work

[@kennykah4466]

Just Blaze that dude. Great interview

[@djairalert422]

One of my fav producers, I put a lot of his beats on my Biracial Blends Vol 2 🙏🏽

[@musiclover-cn7tb]

Just Blaze is excellent 👌👍 love his beats

[@thegroove2000]

BIG UP YOUNG GURU AND JUST BLAZE.

[@FlyHighSociety]

The tier of the quests alone would make these shows a must watch but the interviewer, production and whole presentation are fantastic too 🙌🏻 Ps I know you have already been asked a million times, but Madlib interview would peak this series.

[@lhbbq]

Amazon content! Thank you for sharing!

[@supahmariostyle]

Just is my favorite producer out of Roc-a-fella and he's definitely my top 5.

[@thaexception3406]

Insightful!

[@FlyYoungIntellectualMedia]

Great conversation!

[@HiCeeB]

Salute to Blaze

[@AntonVSEDELA]

В конце 90х - начале2000х, если бит начинался с войстэга Just Blaze, значит 100% мясо!!!

[@dmercy8477]

Super underrated producer definitely one of the best ever. Blaze never gets the credit he deserves. The credit is mostly given to Kanye who is also a legendary producer but I feel Blaze needs credit too.

[@A.Panthera]

Accidentally hit a button on my FIRESTICK and this popped up...🤯 I'm binge watching all your other episodes now - great job🦾

[@CR-yr7ot]

Wow a great interview

[@shawlion2547]

You cold bro. Been that way for a long time

[@hhhhhh-vj2uc]

Noah is just doing Complex Blueprint all over again

[@ryanb4370]

Dope shit, this interview was necessary

[@IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL]

💡💡💡

[@misterjahi]

Well done.

[@SupremeFree]

That pic with Dame's foot on the chair while Jay is sitting in a suit says a lot.

[@mont-doggBeats]

Salute to Just Blaze he is a dope producer and he is a huge part of the shaping rocafella sound but respectfully Ski Beatz actually is the architect and shaped the Rocafella sound way before blueprint

[@ryanlittle-ug2we]

Great video

[@churamontgomery6063]

Thank you very much, that was a good Idea😏

[@MikeStoan]

Great questions.

[@InAntWeTrust]

Jersey 🙌🏿

[@andiddigital]

Great watch. Just has always been a source of inspiration. Just need that full Hov/Blaze album and I can leave happy.

[@smizzomgmt9957]

That's never happening...... more because of just than hov

[@andiddigital]

@@smizzomgmt9957 Why Just? Last I heard, it spoke of Hov being worried about them topping their previous work.

[@smizzomgmt9957]

@@andiddigital yea i heard hov say that. Pretty hard to recreate that energy. But just never wanted all this. He wasn't into the fame or games in the industry. He's said it a few times. Hes happy creating when and how he likes,and has other interests than music. Similar to rocwilder.

[@andiddigital]

@@smizzomgmt9957 Got you. Just is a scientist, and he loves the culture of hip-hop. Would love to get that before he goes off into the sun on his game project. But it may be another Detox.

[@edasoundgod871]

Was I the only one waiting on a question about Bink?

[@ACOTMProductions]

This was a fire episode! S/o to the Polo Ralph Lauren Don Just Blaze! 🫡

[@TruthTV1Truth]

Saying this without fully watching ... YET. I hope he Give Bink his credit for his influence on him

[@luisbarahona6255]

Great episode!! #GEMS!

[@luisbarahona6255]

Whoever else is behind these you guys are super special!! 🙏🏾

[@IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL]

@@luisbarahona6255 thank you so much! appreciate you watching and supporting

[@luisbarahona6255]

@@IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL 🙏🏾🙏🏾💯😁

[@gamefantasticcuz]

This after the MEO interview is funny.

[@musicsimply9197]

Super Big Ups

[@kingech_B15]

Dope. Now let’s get young guru on there.

[@joelhenderson2837]

My all-time favorite Just Blaze beat has got to be Safe to Say (The Incredible) by Fat Joe

[@bigthings1818]

🐐

[@chidianuforo3670]

Actors. Acting is a life long career and many have found success throughout their lives. Love Just, tho. My beats sound like his because he is my favorite producer and my greatest influence.

[@BGTenders]

PROGRAMMERS UNITE!

[@djgreenhornet2892]

Salute! 🫡

[@YoungDirtyMexicanOfficially]

dude u always interview the dope producers, u got timbaland, hit boy, alchemist, now just blaze. you need pharrell, metro boomin, or ski beatz, scott storch has a dope story too. bro but if u get marly marl. please do... he an OG and i think its only right. or Hank Shock Lee.

[@djgreenhornet2892]

Definitely Marley Marl!

[@loganpoke1523]

Bink! Is pissed

[@Omowalemayasa]

Already squashed and settled

[@Curling_Rack]

LOL daamn

[@ShaqSoWavii]

😂😂😂😂

[@BackToTheBoomBap]

@@Omowalemayasa this is good if that's the case. I'm a fan of them both so I definitely didn't like to see them talking about bad about Just like that.

[@Omowalemayasa]

@@BackToTheBoomBap they met up at freeway's 20th anniversary show in philly and talked thing out. If you haven't seen it yet, check it out dope show.

[@edswayze]

Who here after the Cam’ron story 😂

[@ARE_YOU_SICK_OF_YT_CENSORSHIP]

5:25 The Artifacts

[@michaelfrails]

“Program the vibrator” is wild 16:23

[@gemsound]

BINK! is somewhere watching this right now HOT, screaming at the screen.

[@Ehiphop7]

Fantastic🙏🏾

[@DJObiSmalls]

Was wondering why my “Girls, Girls, Girls” videos had a spike in views. Dope

[@Neego283]

Just blaze on biting B!NK style, a 40 minute special.

[@laaa7833]

The intro beat is hot

[@IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL]

shout out A-Trak for that!

[@celestialsamurai]

Dope. Just growing the locs again

[@thedopegems]

Yep, childhood relives

[@foreverseethe]

Has Just Blaze ever made a personal studio tour? I'm a synth nerd myself.

[@ivannparker4073]

Bink somewhere punchin the air right now. 😂😂😂

[@MrJ1S]

so why didnt the MJ vocals make the final cut???

[@kevinstoby3271]

Jus was talking about nba live

[@KWEST7558]

I think you and Bink should have a conversation

[@2ssidbou980]

i love the song per minute Who begins 22min45. What's this song ?

[@lowkeyloki8832]

Bink somewhere punching the air right now 😂 Yes, Just might have borrowed from his sound initially but he built on that and made his own way. Legend in my books.

[@romeod7549]

Blazed copped Binks entire style..... You can't claim you built on something that wasn't yours

[@gregorydunston2952]

@@romeod7549 that’s exactly why Bink, Kanye & other producers have called him out on it too. Just pay the rightful homage

[@lowkeyloki8832]

@@romeod7549 I didn't deny he copied but you can't act like he never added anything of his own to the mixture overtime. Also, he made tracks like Pump It Up, Roc Da Mic, Flipside, Live Your Life that sound nothing like Bink and they're hits. Explain that then.

[@FlyAwayChi]

​@@lowkeyloki8832 Exactly, these goofballs just gon run with any narrative they hear and it's so sad

[@TheSstretch68]

Borrowed from BINK, YE, SELF, SWIZZ and even DJ EVIL DEE.

[@PLANETROCKWELL]

Listening to his story I can see what Ye and Bink was saying

[@uptownquontv]

Facts that man on this interview capping

[@highcry]

Yo Just, if you're reading this, do you remember a beat cd by a production team called "The Stereotypes?"

[@rustyshackleford706]

Is Just growing the locs back??!

[@takeover5478]

He got his whole style from Bink. Bink started the Roc sound.

[@BTman58]

So where's Bink now??

[@takeover5478]

@@BTman58 wym? He was on Drake’s last album. Just Blaze hasn’t put out anything dope in a decade if we’re being honest.

[@mont-doggBeats]

Ski Beatz started the rocafella sound..people never give him credit

[@ARE_YOU_SICK_OF_YT_CENSORSHIP]

5:48 MUSICIAN LOL