Episode 130: Focus...

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The producer Focus… is best known for his work with Dr. Dre, and had his hand in half a dozen songs on the legend’s long-awaited new album Compton: A Soundtrack By Dr. Dre. But the versatile beat maker’s work can’t just be summed up by his contributions to one album, however well-known. He began his career as a rapper, but quickly moved into production. He made not just hip-hop, but also hit r&b songs for artists like Beyonce, Christina Aguilera, and Jennifer Lopez.

Focus… first came to Dre’s attention in the early aughts, and worked for the NWA member’s Aftermath label for seven years before taking a brief hiatus. After several years off, and some superb solo albums along the way, he returned to help make Compton possible. One might say that Focus…’s job is in his blood. His father and namesake is the late bassist Bernard Edwards, best known for his work with the great dance band Chic.

Tracks featured in this episode:

1. Focus…, “Movin Somethin (Swing Ya Partners Remix)”
2. Kandi, “Cheatin’ On Me (a-Foc-alipse Remix)”
3. Mary Mary, “I Sings (Focus Remix)”
4. Monica, “Before You Walk Out Of My Life”
5. Monica, “Before You Walk Out Of My Life (Pete Rock Remix)”
6. Solé, “Pain”
7. Beyoncé, “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)”
8. Destiny’s Child, “Bills, Bills, Bills”
9. TLC, “No Scrubs”
10. Mya, “Case Of The Ex (Whatcha Gonna Do)”
11. Kandi, “Pants On Fire”
12. Montell Jordan, “MJ V Intro”
13. Montell Jordan, “Mine Mine Mine”
14. Montell Jordan f/WC, “MJ Anthem”
15. Christina Aguilera, “Sex for Breakfast”
16. Jennifer Lopez, “Dear Ben”
17. Christina Aguilera, “Morning Dessert (Intro)”
18. Beyoncé, “Yes”
19. Destiny’s Child, “Spread A Little Love On Christmas Day”
20. Focus, “eAST&wEST”
21. Bob James, “Take Me to the Mardi Gras”
22. Bob James, “Nautilus”
23. Melvin Bliss, “Synthetic Substitution”
24. Skull Snaps, “It’s a New Day”
25. The Soul Searchers, “Ashley’s Roachclip”
26. Incredible Bongo Band, “Bongo Rock”
27. The Cipher Episode 117: K-Def
28. Focus… f/Rapper Big Pooh, Sha Stimuli, & Kurupt, “Homage to Pete Rock”
29. Focus… f/Pro-Verb, Ras Kass, Kendrick Lamar & Latoiya Williams, “Homage to Daz & Soopafly”
30. Focus… f/Crooked I & Jay Rock, “Homage To Dr. Dre”
31. Focus… f/Von Pea, Donwill, & Chaundon, “Homage to Ali Shaheed”
32. Mountain, “Long Red (Live)”
33. Focus… f/Cilvaringz & Blue Rasberry, “Homage to RZA”
34. Focus…, “iN&oUT”
35. Sister Sledge, “We are Family”
36. CHIC, “Forbidden Lover”
37. CHIC, “Sao Paulo”
38. CHIC, “Savoir Faire”
39. CHIC, “Open Up”
40. Joe, “Get Crunk Tonight”
41. *NSYNC, “It Makes Me Ill”
42. Mala Rodríguez, “No Pidas Perdón”
43. Salah Edin f/Focus, “NGN”
44. La Fouine, “La danse du ghetto”
45. Kamini et Focus d’Aftermath (le label de Dr Dre)
46. Salah Edin f/Focus, “Zwarte Gat Op Het Witte Doek”
47. Kendrick Lamar f/Dr. Dre, “The Recipe”
48. Dr. Dre, “Talking To My Diary”
49. Focus… f/Stat Quo, “It’s Not So Hard”
50. Focus… f/Busta Rhymes & Bishop Lamont, “Shine”
51. Focus…, “Introduction”
52. Focus…, “Intro”
53. Focus…, “sPACE&tIME”
54. Truth Hurts, “Next To Me”
55. The Game f/Nate Dogg, “Where I’m From”
56. The Game, “Just Another Day”
57. Dr. Dre f/Kendrick Lamar, Justus & Anderson .Paak, “Deep Water”
58. Dr. Dre f/Eminem, Candice Pillay & Anderson .Paak, “Medicine Man”
59. Marsha Ambrosius, “I Lost You”