Sam Sneed, known for collaborations with Dr Dre, speaks with Music Talkers in a one to one interview about his new album Street Scholars

In his exclusive interview with Music Talkers Sam Sneed also speaks about fighting back from a brain tumor, the massive rap icon Dr Dre, the notorious Death Row Records label and his favorite rappers today.

Described by Sam himself, the meaning of his new album 'Street Scholars' is that he has graduated from all the bull**** ,and evolved into another level. Also a talented producer, Sneed has worked with the likes of Jay-Z, G-Unit, Scarface and more. Now he's set to make a bigger come back than ever.

Sam Sneed, who is famously known for the catchphrase "My name is Sam Sneed, you better recognize!" was first signed in 1993 by Death Row Records. In 94, he released a song 'You Better Recognize' featuring Dr Dre. Since that time he's been concentrating on music production, until now, when he decided to release his album 'Street Scholars'.

Here's a copy of what Sam Sneed told Andrew Braithwaite at Music Talkers

MT: So you're new album is called Street Scholars?

Sam: Yeah, basically what Street Scholars means is that we have graduated from all the bulls****. We evolved and now we are on another level.

MT: In 1999 you were diagnosed with a brain tumor, and then dedicated track 8 on the new album called 'The survivor' to you overcoming it.

Sam: Correct

MT: So how did this change your outlook on life?

Sam: Well, you know my faith was pretty strong at that time period. I mean, it didn't really change that much cos I always believed I'd get through. It wasn't as if I was a terrible person and dealing with that became a greater person. You know, I was already a pretty good person. I just had to deal with that situation. I was very thankful, especially to a lot of my fans, they were very supportive

MT: You have worked with some pretty big names, producing with the likes of Dr Dre. When was the last time you saw or spoke to Dre?

Sam: That would be in 2007. I just went out there to hang out. Then one of my partners took me to a gym where Dre worked out

MT: Cool

Sam: Yeah he popped up on the scene and he was like Yo man, you wanna be out here. Things were going kind of slow though, so I had to head back to Atlanta

MT: You ever spoke or met Eminem?

Sam: I met him once on a 2001 tour, when Dre and Em came to Pittsburgh. That's the only one time

MT: I understand you were in a movie in the 90's. Was it called 'Murder Was The Case'?

Sam: Yeah.. Murder was the case movie. I had a little cameo in that movie

MT: Who are your favorite rappers of today?

Sam: Well.. I would'nt exactly say 'favorite' rappers, I would say rappers I like. I would say Drake. I mean I've done many interviews and I tell people I really like Drake. I dont count Jay-Z cos I would say Jay-Z is a different time period. I always like Jay-Z, Jay-Z is like in the time period of Biggie and Tupac and all that. As far as the younger guys I like Drake, also like Lil Wayne,

MT: Do you have plans to work with any other artists in the future?

Sam: If we make those connections, then yeah.. I would be definitely open to it

MT: I checked out your album and I see the recording label says Death Row Records and WIDEawake Entertainment. Have they kind of murged into one label now? I know Death Row was a big label in the 90's

Sam: Well WIDEawake bought over Death Row. They still use the name cos its very common and known to people, so it's part of their marketing strategy, but WIDEawake is actually the company.

MT: Any other message you would like to get out?

Sam: Basically just want people to check out the Street Scholars album, go buy the T-Shirts, I've got T-Shirts for the ladies too.

Sam: Also looking forward to hearing my groups, Money Inc is one of my groups, also Rimage is one of my artists and I have an artist called Nat Powers from the UK. Those are the people you should be looking out for. You can always hit me up on www.samsneedmusic.com

MT: Thanks for taking the time and good luck with your album

Sam: Thanks I appreciate it