styles p explains why he can’t waste either on his sophomore joint time is money.

styles p has been working hard since his first album, A Gangster and a Gentleman, dropped in July 2002. While preparing for his second album, he has maintained a heavy presence on the monthly mixtape circuit and released three full-length, solo mixtapes of his own. All the while, he recorded roughly 50 “solid, real tracks” towards his second album. Exactly three years after the first album, Time Is Money is the best 16 of the bunch. Scratch takes you through some highlights.

first in line f/ Mario Winans Produced by Mario Winans
This is where I kept the ladies in mind, but it’s talking to the niggas too. It’s basically saying, “If I ever spend a dime, you’re going to be the first one I see. First in line.” It’s up-tempo and it’s feel good music. Mario Winans gave me the beat with the hook and I ran with it. But with these types of joints, I told the producers how I was trying to do it. I said, “Make something for the ladies, but still maintain who I am. Keep it universal.” He hit home for me with that.

how we live Produced by Havoc
This is my first time working with Havoc, besides “Last Day” with B.I.G. He had just finished up with Kiss on the “Why” joint. I think he was touching it up. We were in the studio and he was playing tracks one day. I heard this track and I was like, “Let me get that one right there!” I would describe the music as deep and emotional. It’s real musical too. Some crazy shit. The song talks about how niggas do in the hood and predicaments we in.

the ghost f/ pharrell Produced by The Neptunes
I got that from Pharrell. It’s so crazy, so left field. He was like, “I made this just for you. You got to rip it.” That’s my man; he likes my lyrics and shit. I was like, “Let’s do it.” He came with the song and I really felt it. The music is nuts. I’d just have to call it ghost music.

watch ya self f/ sleepy brown Produced by Bink
That beat was just so crazy. I knew I wanted to get someone on there that the people wouldn’t expect and who would complement the beat. I sent it to Sleepy Brown with my vocals on it, and he just knocked it out for me. That’s move-your-ass music. When you’re on the highway, just speeding music. This is my first time working with Bink. He came with some real moving, high-speed shit.

testify f/ talib kweli Produced by Hi-Tek
I was kicking it with Tek one day at his home. I knew what I wanted. I asked him to redo A Tribe Called Quest’s “Luck of Lucien” record. He made the beat and then one day me and Kweli knocked it out downtown. It’s just like the old song but more knocking and real updated. It was marvelous working with Kweli. I had been looking forward to that. It came out beautiful.

day you die f/ sheek louch Produced by Scott Storch
This one is energetic, fire music. Real wild out, move fast, do-what-you-want music. When I heard the beat, it hit me because I wasn’t used to hearing nothing like that from Scott. It’s darker than you would expect from him. It’s really like the producers catered beats to me on this album.

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