Skateboard P graces Complex’s “Best of 2013” digital cover and speaks on race, Miley Cyrus, his son, upcoming album, and more in a super candid interview with Complex’s Joe La Puma.
On race: “I got called “Oreo” as a kid because I was black, but I hung with white boys and skated.”
On getting his start: No matter what my mom told me about being different and special, you go to high school and realize you got to pick a team. And because I didn’t belong to one, it was, “I’m going to do this, fuck it.” So when I was given the opportunity to write Teddy’s verse for “Rump Shaker,” it was like, “Alright, fuck it.”
On criticism from Rush Limbaugh: “I was like, “Yo, why you fuckin’ with me? By the way, I’m a producer, dude. I’m in this little niche band called N.E.R.D. Why you fuckin’ with me?” But you know what? Instead of getting really mad, I rose to the challenge.”
On his next album: “I love rapping. But something’s coming, and I’m not rapping on it.”
On Miley Cyrus: “I’m not worried about Miley. I’ve seen her soul in action. She’s 20 years old and enjoying her life. She’s enjoying her freedom.”
On his growing family: “My son. Our son. It’s like, that’s our world. Helen and I having Rocket, it’s been awesome. It’s the best song that I’ve ever co-written.”
READ: Pharrell Williams: Gravitational Pull (2013 Cover Story)
