Interviews
& Profiles
NELSON “FFWD” CRUZ
Interview by Francis Tanneur
 |
Could you
tell us a little bit more about you?
WELL, I WAS BORN IN BROOKLYN, NEW YORK. I
GREW UP IN THE TOUGH STREETS OF THE SOUTH BRONX IN NEW YORK AND I NOW RESIDE IN QUEENS,
NEW YORK. MY MUSIC AND FILM WORK IS MY LIFE AS WELL AS MY YEARS OF BEING A NEW YORK STATE
MENTAL HEALTH THERAPIST.Your
“musical C.V.” is very impressive! You worked in different kinds of music
(House, Dance, Rap, R&B, Latin, Freestyle, Jazz, Rock, Music from India, Pop, etc.).
Why are you such an open-minded producer, musically talking?
BECAUSE
I RESPECT, LOVE, FEEL AND TREASURE ALL UNIVERSAL MUSIC.
Does every
genre (that I mentioned above) bring you something different and unique?
ACTUALLY
NOT MY CHALLENGE IS TO BRING SOMETHING UNIQUELY NEW AND DIFFERENT TO EACH GENRE. |
In which musical style do you feel more comfortable? Why?
IF
I’M NOT COMFORTABLE WITH THE MUSIC I JUST DON’T DO IT. I LOVE ALL MUSIC!!!How did you
get involved in the Music business?
AS A
BILLBOARD, CASHBOX, WKTU, KISS-FM, WBLS REPORTER, STREET AND CLUB DJ I WAS |
 |
| NOTICED BY
BILLY NICHOLS WHOSE DANCE SONG: “GIVE YOUR BODY UP TO THE MUSIC” WAS AN
INTERNATIONAL RADIO, CLUB AND CHART SMASH HIT #1 SONG. AFTER MIXING A FEW SONGS WITH AND
FOR BILLY NICHOLS I MET AND DISCOVERED CHRIS BARBOSA WHILE ATTENDING A REGULAR HOUSE PARTY
IN THE BRONX, NEW YORK WHERE CHRIS WAS DJING. I QUICKLY RESPECTED AND TOOK NOTICE IN HIS
MUSICAL MIXING TALENTS. I WAS VERY IMPRESSED SO I INTRODUCED MYSELF AND EVENTUALLY WE
BECOME FRIENDS AND DJING MUSICAL PARTNERS. BUT SADLY AFTER CHRIS WROTE AND PRODUCED
SHANNON’S “LET THE MUSIC PLAY”, WHICH I CO-MIXED WITH HIM OUR DJING
MUSICAL PARTNERSHIP WAS TERMINATED DUE TO THE DEMAND OF WORK WE BOTH STARTED TO GET AND
EVEN THEN WE STILL MIXED A FEW SONGS TOGETHER. TO THIS DAY WE ARE THE BEST OF RESPECTING
AND CARING FRIENDS. SHORTLY AFTER THAT I WAS ASKED BY ANOTHER WELL KNOWN PRODUCER, CRAIG
PEYTON TO CO-WRITE AND PRODUCE A DANCE SONG FOR EMERGENCY RECORDS, THE SONG: “LOVE
OASIS” BY PATRIS WAS A SEMI INTERNATIONAL HIT SONG. “LET THE MUSIC PLAY”
AND “LOVE OASIS” GOT ME NOTICED BY ARTHUR BAKER WHO ASKED ME TO JOIN
FORCES WITH HIM AND HIS NEW RECORD LABEL, CRIMINAL RECORDS. SHORTLY AFTER THAT I CO-WROTE
AND PRODUCED A NUMBER OF #1 HIT SONGS FOR CRIMINAL, MINIMAL, MICMAC (THANKS TO MICKEY
GARCIA) AND TUFF CITY RECORDS. |
 |
I was intrigued to note that your name didn’t appear on some of
those records (as for instance Xena “on the upside” or “Let the music
play” by Shannon)? Any particular reason?
THIS
HAPPENED BECAUSE SOME OF THE MIXES I DID WERE WORK FOR HIRE AND OTHERS WERE JUST LABEL
CREDIT ERRORS. |
| How did get
in touch with Chris Barbosa & Mark Liggett (from Ligosa productions), and why did you
accept to work with them? CHRIS AND I
WERE SIGNED TO EMERGENCY RECORDS AS RAPPPERS AND COMEDY ACTORS. MARK LIGGETT WAS GONNA BE
THE PRODUCER OF OUR FIRST RAP SONG BUT AFTER CHRIS PLAYED MARK THE INSTRUMENTAL TRACK OF
SHANNON’S “LET THE MUSIC PLAY” THE REST WAS MUSICAL HISTORY AND THE
CHRIS AND NELSON RECORDING GROUP AND COMEDY MOVIE TEAM NEVER CAME TO BE. |
How did you feel when “Let the music play” became one of the biggest
Freestyle hits and certainly one of your huge success?
IT’S
WAS UNBELIEVABLE!!! IT’LL ALWAYS BE THE FIRST #1 HIT SONG THAT I WAS PERSONALLY
INVOLVED WITH SO IT WILL ALWAYS HOLD A SPECIAL MUSICAL SPOT IN MY HEART AND SOUL.
You also worked with such famous producers as Arthur Baker on one of
the John Rocca’s song “So this is love” (formerly with the group Freeze),
and with Tommy Uzzo / John Bastianelli (on Donna William’s Freestyle hit
“Alabyes” and Coco’s track “Cross your heart”) How was it?
THOSE
WERE THE DAYS!!! TO BE THERE WORKING AND LEARNING AMONG ALL OF THAT TALENT DEFINITELY
PREPARED ME FOR MY FOREVER MUSICAL AND FILM WORK FUTURE. |
Nelson FFWD Cruz & John Bastianelli
|
Is it easy to
work with other famous producers on a same project? Did you sometimes encounter some
difficulties or divergences?
YES FOR
ME IT’S ALWAYS BEEN VERY EASY BECAUSE I ALWAYS RESPECT, TRY TO ENHANCE OR LEARN FROM
OTHER PRODUCERS TALENTS.
NO I NEVER
HAD ANY PROBLEMS BUT SADLY THERE IS A TIME WHEN SONGS WRITERS, PRODUCERS, REMIXERS,
RECORDING ARTISTS, MANAGERS, ETC. DO OUT GROW EACH OTHER AND EACH PERSON HAS TO MOVE ON.
Nelson FFWD Cruz & Lydia Lee Love
|
You had the
opportunity to work with many great artists (Shannon, Lisa Fischer, Nyasia, Eileen Flores,
Johnny O, George Anthony, Maribell, Clear Touch, Donna Williams, Brenda K. Starr, Nayobe,
etc.) Most of time, is it the artist who calls you or do you contact the singer to ask
her/him to work with you? How does it work?
IT WAS
MORE ME DISCOVERING OR ASKING THEM AT FIRST BUT AFTER A WHILE THAT LOOK FOR YOU BUT
I’M ALWAYS READY SEEKING TO DISCOVER NEW TALENT AS WELL. Could you
tell us what the work of a producer is?
AFTER
THE SONG IS WRITTEN THE PRODUCER PUTS ALL OF ELEMENTS TOGETHER (ESPECIALLY THE MUSICIANS,
LEAD AND BACKGROUND VOCALS) WITH THE HOPE, DREAM AND DESIRE THAT IT BECOMES A #1 HIT SONG. |
Could you
tell us what the work of a producer is?
AFTER
THE SONG IS WRITTEN THE PRODUCER PUTS ALL OF ELEMENTS TOGETHER (ESPECIALLY THE MUSICIANS,
LEAD AND BACKGROUND VOCALS) WITH THE HOPE, DREAM AND DESIRE THAT IT BECOMES A #1 HIT SONG.
As a
producer, which important factors determine your choice to work with this or that person?
THEIR
DOWN TO EARTH, ONLY HUMAN ATTITUDE AND TALENT.
When I
checked your producer’s discography, I noted that you worked with more female singers
than male artists! Are you feeling more at lease at work with women or men? :-))))
NO,
ACTUALLY IT REALLY DEPENDS ON THE SONG. I GUESS I JUST WROTE AND PRODUCED MORE FEMALE
ORIENTED SONGS.
Do you have
any artists or producers that you would love to work with in the future?
DIONNE
WARICK, MICHAEL JACKSON (AGAIN) AND QUINCY JONES.
What about Freestyle music?
WITH
THE OTHER SONGWRITERS AND PRODUCERS I’VE WORKED WITH IN THE PAST OR JUST BY MYSELF. |
Nelson FFWD Cruz & Noel
|
 |
Do you have
any upcoming projects in Freestyle or Dance music for this year or the year 2002?
YES
LOOK OUT FOR:
A SONG & VIDEO RELEASE OF THE ENGLISH AND SPANISH VERSIONS OF:
THE #1 POP/R&B/DANCE/CLASSIC HIT SONG:
"AIN'T NO STOPPIN' US NOW (NO NOS PARARAN)"
ORIGINALLY RECORDED BY MCFADDEN & WHITEHEAD
AND NOW RE-RECORDED BY: “ARTISTS AGAINST TERRORISM™”
AN INTERNATIONAL ANTI-TERRORISM MUSICAL MOVEMENT |
| ALL VOCALS ON
THE SONG AND IN THE VIDEO ARE PERFORMED BY SURVIVING VICTIMS AND FAMILY MEMBERS OF THE
LOST VICTIMS OF THE SEPTEMBER 11TH, TERRORIST ATTACK ON NEW YORK CITY’S
WORLD TRADE CENTER, INTERNATIONAL RECORDING ARTISTS, CELEBRITIES, SPORTS & POLITICAL
FIGURES. PROCEEDS WILL PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE FOR THE DEPENDENTS OF THE VICTIMS OF
THE SEPTEMBER 11TH TRAGEDY BY BEING DONATED TO THE FOLLOWING TWO (2) CHARITABLE
ORGANIZATIONS: |
CONCEPT AND DESIGN BY: PETE HERNANDEZ
2001
HERNANDEZ GRAPHICS / E-MAIL: PEDRO@SPACELAB.NET
|
1.
FORMER UNITED STATES PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON IS TEAMING UP WITH FORMER UNITED STATES SENATE
MAJORITY LEADER BOB DOLE TO BACK AND ASK AMERICANS TO DONATE TO THE:
“FAMILIES
OF FREEDOM SCHOLARSHIP FUND™”
OF:
CITIZENS' SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION OF AMERICA (CSFA)HTTP://WWW.FAMILIESOFFREEDOM.ORG OR
WWW.CSFA.ORG
2.
ANTHONY GARDNER, LOST HIS BROTHER DURING THE SEPTEMBER 11TH TERRORIST ATTACK ON
THE WORLD TRADE CENTER. IN HIS BROTHER’S LOVING MEMORY, ANTHONY GARDENER HAS
ESTABLISHED AND IS THE CHAIRMAN OF:
“WTC
UNITED FAMILY GROUP, INC.”
WWW.WTCUNITEDFAMILYGROUP.ORG
PLEASE ALSO
BE AWARE OF OUR UPCOMING RECORDING GROUP:
“WTC”
WHICH WILL ALWAYS STAND FOR:
“WE THE
CHILDREN OF THE WORLD TRADE CENTER™”
PROCEEDS WILL
PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE FOR ALL “WTC™” MEMBERS WHO LOST A LOVE ONE
ON SEPTEMBER 11TH.
FURTHERMORE
PLEASE BE AWARE OF OUR UPCOMING:
“ARTISTS
AGAINST TERRORISM™” & “WTC” MUSICAL CONCERT IN RUSSIA FOR
PRESIDENT PUTIN AND THE AMERICAN FUNDRAISING “ARTISTS AGAINST TERRORISM™”
MUSICAL CONCERT AT THE WORLD-RENOWNED ROSELAND BALLROOM IN NEW YORK CITY. DATES TO BE
ANNOUNCED.
ALSO BE ON
THE LOOK OUT FOR MY FIRST LATIN (SALSA, MERENGUE & BACHATA) CD ON MY NEW LATIN RECORD
LABEL, CRUZIN’ NELSON LATINO:
“NELSON
FFWD CRUZ”
“EL BAD BOY DEL MAMBO”
I’LL
ALSO WILL BE WORKING ON A NUMBER OF DANCE REMIXES, WRITING AND PRODUCING MUSIC &
VIDEOS FOR NEW HIP-HOP, R&B, POP, DANCE, FREESTYLE & LATIN RECORDING ARTISTS FOR
CRUZIN’ NELSON LATINO AND THE RETURN OF: CRUZIN’ NELSON RECORDS AND FILMWORKS.
Club DNA (Queens - May 2001)
|
You also embraced a singer career under the name of FFWD (“Fast
forward”). What is the exact meaning of FFWD? Why did you choose this name?
TO ME
IT REPRESENTS FAST SPEED THAT IS ALWAYS AHEAD OF ALL OTHERS THINGS OR PERSONS AND
IT’S SELF.
THAT’S WHY I CHOSE IT. |
In 1987, your
first single “Baby don’t go” quickly became a hit and a Freestyle classic.
How did you react on this success?
I WAS
TOTALLY SHOCKED AND TAKEN BY SURPRISE. I LOVED AND ENJOYED IT THEN, I’M STILL DOING
THE SAME NOW AND WILL FOREVER. |
Club DNA (Queens - May 2001)
|
Even if you
have interpreted other songs (“You’ve got that touch” and “What’s
the need”), you have decided to privilege your producer’s career? Why have you
made this decision?
IF YOU
DON’T CHANGE WITH THE TIMES YOU WILL ALWAYS BE LOST AND TRAPPED IN THE PAST. I
DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU BUT I DON’T WANT TO BE LOST OR TRAPPED IN THE PAST. GIVE ME
TODAY AND THE FUTURE.
| What is your
main goal into the music industry, and most particularly in Freestyle music?
I WANT
TO KEEP GROWING UNTIL EVERYONE ELSE HAS ALSO GROWN WITH ME. FREESTYLE MUSIC WILL ALWAYS BE
A MAJOR PART OF MY PAST BUT FOR NOW AND IN MY FUTURE I’M JUST NOT GONNA FORGET IT. IT
WILL ALWAYS INFLUENCE EVERYTHING I DO. THERE WILL ALWAYS BE A NELSON “FFWD” CRUZ
FREESTYLE MIX VERSION ON ANY AND ALL SONG I EITHER WRITE, PRODUCER, MIX OR EDIT.
Who have been your main influences?
ELTON
JOHN, BILLY JOEL, LUTHER VANDROSS, CHICAGO, QUINCY JONES, EARTH, WIND AND FIRE,
GRANDMASTER FLASH AND THE FURIOUS FIVE. |
Nelson FFWD Cruz & Rockell
|
What his your
personal definition of Freestyle music?
LOVING
MUSIC TO DANCE AND SING TO OR TO DEDICATE TO OR SENADE THOSE WHO ARE VERY SPECIAL TO YOU.
Club DNA (Queens - May 2001)
|
In the
80’s, this music was called Latin Hip-Hop. In your opinion, who named it first
Freestyle music? Do you think that this change of name was a benefit for the music?
THE
NAME FREESTYLE MUSIC WAS A USED BY CERTAIN CLUB OWNERS, MANAGERS, |
PROMOTERS AND
DJS IN A VERY NEGATIVE DISRESPECTFUL WAY TO DEGRADE FREESTYLE MUSIC AND FREESTYLE
RECORDING ARTISTS. TO THEM IT SIMPLY MEANT THAT IT WAS A STYLE OF MUSIC THEY DIDN’T
HAVE TO PAY FOR OR AS MUCH AS OTHER STYLES OF MUSIC - IT WAS CHEAPER OR FREE – LIKE
IN A CHEAP OR FREE STYLE OF MUSIC.
NO WAY…
IT HONESTLY KILLED THE WHOLE RESPECT FOR THE MUSIC. |
Nelson, I don’t understand. Year after year, why did the producers, labels,
artists, etc. still continue to use this name, especially if it was not respectful for the
music?
BECAUSE SO
MANY OF THEM DON’T EVEN KNOW THAT THE CLUB PERSONEL WERE GIVING FREESTYLE MUSIC SUCH
A NEGATIVE NAME BUT I KNOW 100% THAT THEY ALL KNEW AND FELT THE DISRESPECT THAT WAS BEING
THROWN THEIR WAY BY SO MANY RADIO STATION AND CLUB PERSONEL. SOME FREESTYLE ARTISTS JUST
NEVER REALLY CARED AND OTHERS JUST FOUND OUT A BIT TOO LATE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.
What is your
favorite Freestyle genre(s) (Electro, New & Old School, Progressive Freestyle, etc.)?
Why?
ALL OF
THE ABOVE!!! THE ENERGY, THE ENERGY!!!
What is your “all time favorite” Freestyle song?
“WITHOUT
YOU” BY GEORGE LAMOND.
What do you
think of the Freestyle scene and market?
IT’S
BEEN HURTING FOR A WHILE AND IT’S GETTING WORST.
In your opinion, why is it getting worst?
BECAUSE
OF THE NEVER CHANGING, NON-SUPPORTING OR NON-UNITYING MINDS AND ATTITUDES OF THE ORIGINAL
SUPERSTARS OF FREESTYLE.
Why did
Freestyle music become an underground music?
BECAUSE
MANY OF THE ORIGINAL SUPERSTARS OF FREESTYLE JUST CAN’T DEAL WITH THE REALITY THAT
THEY ARE NO LONGER SUPERSTARS AND THAT THEY SHOULD BE SUPPORTING THE POSSIBLE NEW
FREESTYLE SUPERSTARS OF TOMORROW JUST AS THE POSSIBLE NEW FREESTYLE SUPERSTARS OF TOMORROW
SUPPORTED THE ORIGINAL SUPERSTARS OF FREESTYLE FOR YEARS AS FANS.
Why is
Freestyle music not represented in any official Dance music awards (Grammy Awards, etc.)?
FREESTYLE
MUSIC NEVER REALLY SOLD ENOUGH RECORDS WITH THE EXCEPTION OF SHANNON, LISA LISA, EXPOSE,
STEVIE B AND TAYLOR DAYNE.
What would
you change in the Freestyle industry today?
THE
SUPERSTAR MENTALITY ATTITUDE OF MANY OF THE ORIGINAL FREESTYLE SUPERSTARS.
What advice
or message would you give to future artists/producers?
GO FOR
IT BUT FINISH YOUR STUDIES, STAY AWAY FROM DRUGS AND KEEP YOUR DAY OR NIGHT JOBS.
Do you have any particular message to give to the Freestyle community, and to your
fans?
THANK
YOU ALL FOR THE YEARS OF MUSICAL SUPPORT THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN MY MUSIC, RECORD LABELS,
RECORDING ARTISTS AND ME.
What is your
best and worse souvenir in Freestyle music?
THE
FIRST BEST WAS WHEN I DID MY FIRST SHOW EVER AS FFWD, THE SECOND BEST WAS GOING TO
ORLANDO, FLORIDA WITH THE TWO FAMILIES AND THEIR TERMINALLY ILL CHILDREN AND THE THIRD
BEST WAS WHEN I RECENTLY WENT TO BARBADOS WITH SEVEN FAMILIES WHO LOST LOVE ONES DURING
THE SEPTEMBER 11TH TERRORIST ATTACK ON THE WORLD TRADE CENTER. |
Club DNA (Queens - May 2001)
|
THE WORST OF
THEM ALL WAS WHEN A YOUNG LADY IN THE AUDIENCE DURING ONE OF MY PERFORMANCES IN CALIFORNIA
GRABBED ME BY MY MANHOOD AND SHE WOULDN’T LET ME GO UNTIL SECURITY INTERVENED.
When you
don’t produce, write, sing, remix… you deal with the management of many artists.
Could you tell us a little bit more about this activity?
IT ALL
ABOUT TRYING YOUR HARDEST TO MAKE OTHER PEOPLES DREAMS BECOME REALITIES BUT SOMETIMES
MANAGERS ARE THE FIRST STEPPING STONES TO SUCCESS. THAT’S WHY SOME PEOPLE CHANGE
MANAGERS AFTER BEING MANAGED BY SOMEONE FOR YEARS. IT ISN’T THAT THEY WANT TO,
IT’S JUST THAT THEY HAVE TO SO THEY CAN REACH THEIR NEXT LEVEL OF CREATIVE GREATNESS.
What are your favorite hobbies?
READING,
WRITING, TRAVELING, MONEY, POWER, FAME, FORTUNE AND SEX!!!
Could you
give us more information about Cruzin’ Nelson’s foundation for environmental
protection and human rights?
IT WAS
FORMED BY ME TO HELP ALL OF THOSE WHO NEED TO BE HELPED:
NELSON
“FFWD” CRUZ'S FOUNDATION CRUZIN' NELSON FOUNDATION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION,
HUMAN AND HUMANE RIGHTS IN COLLABORATION WITH JR AND TOMMY PRODUCTIONS ORGANIZED A
FUNDRAISING MUSICAL CONCERT EVENT AT THE WORLD RENOWNED ASTORIA, NEW YORK DANCE CLUB
KRASH.
THE FUNDRAISING MUSICAL CONCERT
EVENT FEATURED PERFORMANCES FROM OVER THIRTY POP/DANCE/TRANCE/HIP-HOP/RAP /R&B
RECORDING ARTISTS AND IT BENEFITED THE VICTIMS AND FAMILIES OF THE SEPTEMBER 11, 2001
TERRORIST ATTACK ON THE WORLD TRADE CENTER IN NEW YORK CITY. ALL DONATIONS WERE SENT TO:
THE NYPD AND
NYFD (EMS) WORLD TRADE CONCERT RELIEF FUND.
NELSON
“FFWD” CRUZ'S FOUNDATION CRUZIN' NELSON FOUNDATION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION,
HUMAN AND HUMANE RIGHTS IN COLLABORATION WITH UNIVISION - CHANNEL 41'S SABADO AL
MEDIODIA/EL NUEVO S.A.M. FILMED AT GIVE KIDS THE WORLD VILLAGE, WALT DISNEY WORLD, EPCOT
CENTER, SEA WORLD, UNIVERSAL STUDIOS, MGM STUDIOS, WET 'N' WILD, PLANET HOLLYWOOD, &
HARD ROCK CAFE TO BRING AWARENESS OF CHARITABLE SERVICES FOR TERMINALLY ILL, FOSTER OR LOW
INCOME CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES IN FLORIDA. THIS EDUCATIONAL AND INFORMATIVE PROJECT
WAS PRODUCED AND HOSTED BY SABADO AL MEDIODIA/EL NUEVO S.A.M.'S ASSOCIATE PRODUCER
FRANKLYN REYNOSO AND CO-HOSTESS EYLIN POLANCO TO BE AIRED ON SEVERAL WEEKLY SEGMENTS OF
THE SHOW.
NELSON
“FFWD” CRUZ'S FOUNDATION CRUZIN' NELSON FOUNDATION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION,
HUMAN AND HUMANE RIGHTS ANNUALLY SHARE’S TWO FLOATS IN THE NEW YORK CITY NATIONAL
PUERTO RICAN DAY PARADE WITH THE EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
AGENCY, ASPIRA OF NEW YORK. THE FLOATS ARE ANNUALLY DEDICATED TO AND WELCOME POPULAR
RECORDING ARTISTS, WHO PERFORM, AS WELL AS NATIONAL STUDENTS AND STAFF MEMBERS OF ASPIRA
OF NEW YORK, WHOM MARCH.
Anything else
you want to talk about?
IT'S
GONNA PISS OFF ALOT OF PEOPLE BUT IT'S TIME FOR SOMEONE TO STEP OUT AND LET THE TRUTH ROLL
OR OTHER WISE FREESTYLE WILL BE LOST AND STRUCK IN THE PAST FOREVER.
UNITY IS THE
SECRET TO ALL SUCCESS BUT PRAYER IS THE ONLY ANSWER TO BEING SAVED LET GOD ALWAYS BLESS,
LOOK OVER AND PROTECT ALL OF US – AMEN!!!
USA, USA,
USA, USA!!!
Thank you
very much Nelson.
NO THANK YOU
FRANCIS FOR THE YEARS OF SUPPORT, BEING YOU AND EXISTING.
THE END
Interviews
& Profiles