Pretty Please and Late To The Party are out now!
Image: Paulo Cesar Salazar
Brooklyn-based producers and songwriters The FunkLabb have been teaming up with Myah to bring you funk-infused 70s bangers like Pretty Please and Late To The Party. We caught up with the duo to chat about the releases and so much more!
We’re loving your new single Pretty Please! Tell us a bit about the conceptual nature of the track and the inspiration behind it…
First, we want to thank you very much. We wanted Pretty Please to have a 70’s danceable groove with that 70’s analog sound. We developed the track completely for Myah Marie and as you can hear she smacked it out of the park.
The song funk-infused 70s sonics, built upon horns and thumping bass. How did you arrive at the style and genre of music you make?
Growing up listening to lots of 70’s music, it’s naturally instilled in us. The 70’s music era was a feel-good era of music there were no rules in music, artist would just go with whatever felt good!
You’ve also teamed up with Myah on the track, how did that collaboration come about and what do you think she brought to the track to make it what it is today?
Myah! What else can we say but incredible and I still don’t think that’s a strong enough word to describe Myah’s talent. It’s crazy that Pretty Please is the 4th song we did with Myah! We created the track specifically for her, we knew she would kill it and she definitely achieved that. Myah gave it that sexy, 70s feel with a pop melody that stays with you all day. We knew we were releasing it as soon as we heard it!
The release arrives alongside a great visual, which continues on from Mama Said No. Can you walk us through your process when it comes to conceptualising the visuals and how involved are you with the development of the visuals?
We are always involved with anything we put forth to the world, but Death-cats should take most of the credit, Danin and her crazy ideas just work! She’s a Big talent!
What’s your favourite scene from the visual and why?
Ed: My favorite scene is the Ruba scene. The colors and Ruba’s commitment to his character is cool!
Wes: I guess my favorite scene was the Myah manipulation scenes with thelgor the Alien (male alien), I also love the performances of Sarina the Violin Diva and Young Dinero Banks, I think everyone hit the mark!!
Just this week another track with Myah dropped, Late To The Party. What do you think makes your creative collaboration with Myah so successful?
Our goal is to produce the music so that it’s complementary to Myah, and Myah always writes melodies that complement our music. She has a clever lyrical ability and that’s dope!
What’s one line from Late To The Party and Pretty Please you find at times could be stuck in your head? Or a line that you come back to?
Ed: Pretty Please. Definitely the chorus especially the second half of the chorus, “Give me whatever you got, all day that cherry on top, I need to tell you what I need.” I can’t shake it some days, it’s just stuck, lol and that’s the dope part, if it’s stuck in my head on loop I hope it’s stuck in a lot of people’s heads too!
Wes: In Late to the Party, I would also have to say the chorus, “Maybe I’m late to the party”, but the post-chorus sticks too, “That’s ok cause you threw it away cut the cake decorations down.” I find myself singing that part a lot as well and definitely not sounding good, lol.
You’ve been working together for three decades, how has your creative process and approach to creating changed throughout your career?
Now that we sit and think about it, not much! We have a formula that we kind of go with over the years, we both can start an idea and then it seems like we go with it. This has been our process and it works for us!
You’ve worked with the likes of The Notorious B.I.G. and Will Smith to R&B favorites Sharissa and Allure. Is there a particular artist that stands out when looking back on your incredible work and career?
Sharissa! With her raspy, voice and big personality it was very fun working with Sharissa!
What do you have in store for the rest of 2021? Will we be seeing an album or EP, and if so what can listeners expect from it?
We have some incredible songs coming soon like Bedroom Eyes Naked and more videos as well! Yes, an EP with Myah Marie is in the plans too.
With everything that’s been happening in the world touring has changed, what are your 2021 live performance plans, what can fans expect from a live show, and is there a chance we’ll see you performing in Australia when you are able to do so?
YES, live shows are also in the plans. Myah is eager to get back on stage so we can’t wait to perform some of the songs live, it’s going to be very exciting.
RAPID FIRE
Biggest influences? Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Dr Dre, Q (Quincy Jones), Timberland.
Dream collaboration? Wow, we’d like working with many different artists - Rhianna, Beyonce, Halsey, Usher.
Album that has had the most impact on you? Michael Jacksons Thriller and the SalSoul Orchestra lol.
How do you define your musical style in 3 words? Funky, Free, Brooklyn= (Urban, Street, Grit, With Swag).
Best song of 2021 so far?
Of course, Pretty Please.
Album you would listen to on repeat on a road trip?
Anything Michael Jackson and Dr. Dre’s The Chronic.
First concert you went to?
The Time, and The New edition Concert Madison Square Garden, NYC.
Best concert you have been to?
Janet Jackson “Janet “tour and Prince “Purple Rain” tour.
First album you ever bought?
Michael Jackson Thriller, The Sugar Hill Gang Rappers Delight.
Guilty music pleasure?
Classical music, there’s something about one hundred people playing together sounding like one, amazing! And country music!
What advice would your current self, give your future self, for a year from now?
Stay focused! Remember how you got here!
The moment you knew you wanted to be a musician?
Wes: I always knew from a young kid I loved music; I not only want to listen to music but wanted to make it!
Ed: Watching Soul Train as a kid inspired me to want to be a musician.