Superstar Producer for Jay Z, Lil' Kim, Ja Rule, Limp Bizkit, Mary J. Blige, and others tells us why the Music Business loves Car Audio
Swizz Beatz is everywhere. Whether it's creating major film scores in Hollwood, producing Platinum rappers in New York City, or flying to Europe to put a down payment on the new Lambo Murcielago, Swizz can run with the best of them. At the top of the highest echelon of music producers, his immense commercial success and well-cultivated aesthetic for cars go beyond his youthful 23 years, as does his philosophical approach to his career and his hospitable realness. After speaking with him for hours about things like body kits, Lowenharts and Brabus Wheels, carbon fiber interiors, to Import performance tuners and the hotness of the new Honda Civic Si, I can safely declare that Swizz Beatz is the most serious autosport enthusiast in the urban music game. His passion for cars and performance tuning is genuine; he is not just leasing cars like so many celebrities do, or driving around factory; in fact, he's got so many that his peers buy his personally designed cars from him! The man responsible for many of the records that we dance to at clubs and bop to at bars is getting into stealth audio; his next car's audio setup will be designed in this book by a guest installer of the highest order, so stay tuned. In the meantime we Q&A Swizz on the music business, passion for cars and why the music business loves custom car audio.
CA&E: You have so many cars, but today we are shooting your Diablo. Run it down for us.
Swizz: Okay, it's a 2002 Lamborghini Diablo 6.0 V12 with too much tonnage (torque) for the neighborhood streets, with the sport kit; the interior panel work is done in entirely carbon fiber, leather seats with oyster colored leather piping, and the engine is housed entirely in carbon fiber as well. The shoes are Lowenharts of course and the rubber is Pirelli PZeros.
CA&E: I noticed that you have the wide body kit, but doesn't that normally include the wing?
Swizz: Yeah, but I really didn't like it so I took it off. I know it sounds wild but it's not me to be riding around with a wing.
CA&E: I hear you. You really living like that - so you paid for the wider profile, sport kit, rumbling a boosted engine but trashed the wing. That's big! (Laughing) This car is already the lowest daily driver I've sat in, but I see the button right there, that's the racing profile, right?
Swizz: Right, it brings it down to real racing profile, but with the streets in urban cities being jacked and what-not, I don't drop it unless I can run it at a track somewhere or on some testing grounds of manufacturers we are cool with.
CA&E: What are some of your other rides?
Swizz: I got the SL500 brand new, 2002 Bentley, 360 Modena, Benz G Wagon, Custom Executive van with Satellite, Internet, etc, a freaked Denali to pull the jet skis and Cigarette, a TRex, a Harley - Shaq gave me a custom Cadillac truck; it's all the way custom tuned - and one of my favorites, a Z with aftermarket custom Twin Turbo. I got a lot more, but that's some of the favorites.
CA&E: Which is your favorite?
Swizz: It's hard to say, I love them all!
CA&E: Which car has the sickest audio install?
Swizz: The Custom Cadillac Truck has the most complete install. It's completely audio finished in every way possible. Plus the tour van with the recording studio inside.