By Ishmael Bayoh
He has been a music producer for 12 years producing, managing and recording ground breaking beats for the country’s finest hip-hop artistes like Kao Denero and LAJ. His real name is Mohamed Lamin but he is fondly called Teteh. In this one-on-one interview with Politico’s Ishmael Bayoh, he cited disloyalty and ungratefulness from several of the artists he had produced or managed.
The producer said that’s why he respects and loves LAJ for acknowledging him or the Cathouse label.
Politico: Who do we have on politico?
Teteh: You have the simple and humble producer people call "The Problem", but I am Teteh.
Politico: How comes you are called Teteh?
Teteh:It’s a childhood nickname. My real name is Mohamed Lamin. There was a mentally challenged boy growing up that couldn’t call my name Mohamed Lamin, instead he called me, Teteh Mami. hahaha, so that’s how it stuck!
Politico: You have grown to be one of the biggest Sierra Leonean producers, can you explain how you came about that?
Teteh:It came about from hard work and dedication. Ain’t no secret or formula about it. I've been producing for 12 years and I don’t get comfortable when people praise me. It makes me go back, study and research because I know I am a target now hahaha.
Politico: I am told that you have produced beats for almost all the finest and best hip-hop artistes in the country. Is that true?
Teteh:Yes I have. Not just produce, wrote, record, manage, mix and master. I am kind of a jack of all trades in music.
Politico: Sometimes your name was dragged into a controversy for siding with one artiste against others. How could that happen?
Teteh:Really? I don’t know when I sided with any artiste. It’s better my name was dragged and not whipped.
Politico: Many hip-hop fans came to know you after producing beats for Kao Denero but things went sour later on. Would you want to explain what went wrong?
Teteh:I knew a question like this will come up. Nothing went sour between me and Kao. What I do is business. My shop is always open to who comes and buys an item. We did a whole lot of tracks; I guess we both needed to explore other types of art of music making. But nothing went sour.
Politico: Later it was said also that you made beats for LAJ, how did you discover him?
Teteh:Well LAJ and I have been close friends since 1997, before we ever thought of doing music. It was when he came to the US and he found me producing music and had started Catthouse. We just restarted our brotherhood in another form.
Politico: Many Black Leo fans accused you that you sided with LAJ primarily to revenge Kao’s action. What can you say about that?
Teteh: As I said earlier, I don’t side with or participate in fights. LAJ is a very good and talented artiste. He had improved and developed way before you guys heard Money Na Bank. He can handle any rapper or artiste without my help. I don’t have to join him. All I do is make sure the music that we do, becomes classic and national anthem. I have never produced any 'diss" song or whatsoever. It’s great that there's peace now though, thanks to the RFM and BLACK LEO fans for that. Everyone can compete with their music now.
Politico: You produced Moni Na Bank, which was a bang and Kao was featured there, where do you think the beef emanated from?
Teteh:You might wanna ask them, not me. But I think that’s old news now. That was 2 to 3 years ago. Let’s focus on the future "Catthouse Records".
Politico: How many artistes are presently with your label, Catthouse?
Teteh: Seven, namely: LAJ, Teddy Mack, Xzu-B, Missy Creams, Lil Mark, Jaga
Man and Manolito. Already produced all of the new artistes’ albums, we are in the process of doing videos before we start promotions... Oh! Including my own debut album and am currently working on deals with 3 more artistes in Freetown. If the deal goes through, it will be a surprise to you all..So am a busy man.
Politico: What is the link between Cathouse and RFM?
Teteh:Teteh owns Catthouse, LAJ owns RFM...plain and simple.
Politico: Being a producer, what are some of the difficulties you face in the industry?
Teteh:There's a lot. The top on my list would be disloyalty and being ungrateful. I've developed at least six artistes in the US years ago that have slammed Freetown and I've hardly heard one on public media acknowledging me or Catthouse and how I helped develop and taught them how to make music. And that’s why I respect and love LAJ. Whenever he acknowledges me or the label Catthouse, it’s even better than paying me. He is really a loyal person. Others are being cheap. Don’t want to pay for the quality of their music. Bribery between artistes and DJ's is another one. It’s like talent doesn’t even matter these days. I think ANTI-CORRUPTION should investigate some of them...hahaha.
Politico: What is the thin line between you and the artistes?
Teteh:The thin line is simple, music.
Politico: You also rap, the Lehdemtok track by LAJ?
Teteh:Well I wouldn’t call that rap. It’s more of an intro. I rapped and sang on Freedom though. You will be hearing singles off my first album soon, don’t worry.
Politico: Do you see a future for the Salone rap artistes?
Teteh: What kind of question is that? hahahahaha...If I see no future for Salone artistes, why am I doing it then? Of course we have a brighter future. We just have to keep working hard and praying. Eventually, it will happen.
Politico: Many people have accused the DJs of frustrating some of the musicians, what do you think as a producer to overcome that problem?
Teteh: Like I said, ANTI-CORRUPTION...hahahaha. But it’s crazy, check this out! The Radio Djs get paid by their station monthly. They scream corruption on the radio every second and in order for them to play your promo, na money! It’s crazy.
We just have to structure our industry properly. Now DJs act and perceive themselves as artistes. Radio hosts are Djs now. They blame the artistes everyday but I can’t count five DJs that know how to properly mix two songs with the same beat count. Hahaha, we really need to structure our industry.
Politico: Who is your best rap artiste, devoid of favouritism?
Teteh: Besides myself and the Catthouse artistes, I would say Shadow Boxer of WAF ENT. I enjoy his delivery on tracks. You should check him out. Supa Laj would be next on my list.
Politico: Thanks a lot.
Teteh: You are welcome and i appreciate your time.
