Live Fast, Die Young

Album: Teflon Don (2010)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Despite the serious title, Ross told MTV News he expects this collaboration with his Def Jam label mate Kanye West will bring people out to the dance floor. Said the Miami MC: "It's gonna be most definitely a club banger, but it has that edge to it. That's how 'Ye loves to make music, he loves to take it to the edge. That's where we went with it. It makes you feel like if you had that one record the rest of your life to play, that's it right here. It's really gonna make you feel good. We both talk about seeing the pitfalls in our rearview [mirror]. It's a feel-good record."
  • West discussed working with Ross in Teflon Don: The Bossumentary, pointing to a number of similarities between the two of them. "I just remember Ross had so many verses," West said. "When I started hearing the records come out, I always felt a connection, 'cause I felt like we came from similar places and we paid so many dues. We all had ups and downs in our lives and sh--. And now, this is the highest caliber you can get to, you know what it is. And it didn't happen overnight, it's 10, 15, 20 years in the making."
  • West told MTV News that he believes some of his best work has been behind the boards for other artists. "Because I'm such a notorious pop character, such a hated guy, or a loved guy, controversial or whatever it is, that people kind of forget that I sit and work hard as hell on beats." he said. "I listened to CDs for three days to find the 'Live Fast Die Young' sample, which was 'If This World Were Mine' flipped by the Bar-Kays. And I loved the sample so much that I played it for two days. Just over and over and over, and I thought about it and said, 'Claps. I want handclaps to go with this sample. That's what I need to juxtapose it and not make it just some takeoff of a '94 hip-hop song, but to make it a 2010, 2011, 2012 futuristic version of itself.' And I started the claps and put the 'hey, hey, hey' and the drums, and I just programmed it. It's kind of important for people to realize I'm a producer also."
  • The song was originally recorded during Kanye West's My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy rap camp in Hawaii. The sessions produced four songs that ultimately landed on MBDTF: "Power," "Monster," "Gorgeous," and "Lost in The World." However, West decided that "Live Fast" should be gifted to Rick Ross.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Jules Shear - "All Through The Night"

Jules Shear - "All Through The Night"They're Playing My Song

Shears does very little promotion, which has kept him secluded from the spotlight. What changed when Cyndi Lauper had a hit with his song? Not much, really.

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy Talent

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy TalentSongwriter Interviews

The frontman for one of Canada's most well-known punk rock bands talks about his Eddie Vedder encounter, Billy Talent's new album, and the importance of rock and roll.

Hardy

HardySongwriter Interviews

The country hitmaker talks about his debut album, A Rock, and how a nursery rhyme inspired his hit single "One Beer."

Narada Michael Walden - "Freeway of Love"

Narada Michael Walden - "Freeway of Love"They're Playing My Song

As a songwriter and producer, Narada had hits with Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Starship. But what song does he feel had the greatest impact on his career?

Brenda Russell

Brenda RussellSongwriter Interviews

Brenda talks about the inspiration that drove her to write hit songs like "Get Here" and "Piano in the Dark," and why a lack of formal music training can be a songwriter's best asset.

Why Does Everybody Hate Nu-Metal? Your Metal Questions Answered

Why Does Everybody Hate Nu-Metal? Your Metal Questions AnsweredSong Writing

10 Questions for the author of Precious Metal: Decibel Presents the Stories Behind 25 Extreme Metal Masterpieces