Symbolyc One
Interview with Symbolyc One
Larry D. Griffin Jr., known worldwide as Symbolyc One or S1, was born and raised in Waco, TX. S1 found his passion for music early in life while listening to his parent´s soulful record collection.
S1’s dedication would pay off in 2009 when prolific songwriter/artist Rhymefest (“Jesus Walks,” “Glory”) would introduce his music to Kanye West. This introduction led to S1 co-producing West’s first single “Power” off West’s Grammy Award Winning Album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. The following year, S1 would team up with Beyoncé to co-produce her multi-platinum selling hit single, “Best Thing I’ve Never Had.” Then in 2012, he traveled to South of France with Kanye and Jay-Z to create a track called “Murder to Excellence” which was featured on the critically acclaimed Watch the Throne album
Shortly after, S1 teamed up with Dallas-based singer-songwriter Sarah Jaffe to create the collective, The Dividends. Together, the dynamic duo co-produced and co-wrote Eminem’s “Bad Guy” that was on the Grammy Award Winning album, The Marshall Mathers LP 2.
Today, S1 has established himself as one of the top music producers in the industry. From working with iconic legends such as Madonna and Gladys Knight, to crafting songs for other great artist such as Drake, Lorde, Talib Kweli, The Game, 50cent, Adam Levine, Common, Little Brother, Lecrae, Keyshia Cole, Logic, Lupe Fiasco, Cyhi the Prynce, amongst others as well as being a core member in Erykah Badu’s electronic band, The Cannabinoids.
Question: If you could have a video of any one event in your life, what event would you choose?
S1: My life event video would be of my birth and existence into this world. Life is such an amazing gift. To witness and see that initial moment that God gave me breath and made my existence a reality would be preposterous.
Question: If you could take one album, one book and one luxury item to a desert island, what would they be?
S1: My album of choice would be Like Water for Chocolate by Common. The Bible would be my book. And my luxury item would be nice house to dwell and lay my head each night.
Question: What is your definition of being “successful”?
S1: Being successful to me is being able to do what you love everyday and support yourself and your family from doing it. For example, if you were making 30K a year salary at your corporate job but now you’re able to make 50K a year doing what you love to do everyday, then that’s success to me.
Question: How was your childhood? What would you say to your teenage self?
S1: My childhood was amazing thanks to my wonderful parents! I would tell my teenage self to have more patience. Things will happen when God says so.
Question: What has become more important to you in the last few years and what has become less important?
S1: My family, building my own brand and legacy, and also being of service to those in need has become more important. I tend to focus less on material things and what people can do for me.
Question: Who is your favorite artist of all time?
S1: Michael Jackson. Greatest of All time! Period! (lol)
Question: What is the worst advice you see or hear given in your trade or area of expertise?
S1: The worst advice I hear is that you need a major record label deal to make it as an artist and/or a publishing deal to make it in the music industry as a producer or songwriter. All lies! Build your own product, team and company, then create your own movement. Never wait on others to validate your vision and dreams.
Question: What is your motto for life?
Pray. Focus. Plan. Execute
S1(Symbolyc One)
3 x Grammy Award Winning Producer
3 x Grammy Award Winning Producer
Instagram @symbolycone
*YBN Cordae – “Locationships” (Single)
*Boogie feat. Eminem – “Rainy Days” (Single)
*Eminem – “Normal”, “Nice Guy”, “Bad Guy”
* Lorde – “Sober II”, “The Louvre”
*Drake feat. Young Thug “Ice Melts” (Co-producer)
*Ruel – “Younger”/ “Not Thinking Bout You” (co-prod)
*Kanye – “Power” / “Guilt Trip”
* Lil Uzi Vert – “Loaded” (co-prod)
• A-Trak feat. Lil Yachty & Quavo “Believe” (Co-prod)
*Madonna – Rebel Heart LP (co-wrote 7 songs)
*Future/Mike Will Made it “Razzle Dazzle” (Co-prod)
*Royce da 5’9” – “The Caterpillar” feat Eminem, “Tabernacle”,
*Lecrae – Church Clothes 3 LP (Exec. Producer)
*Jay Z/Kanye(WTT) – “Murder to Excellence”
*Beyonce – “Best Thing I Never Had”
Full Discography:
