Rapper highlights Tuscaloosa musicians

Back in December, Uri Horton and Loyd Watson Jr. went to Woodshed Studios in Tuscaloosa to record some music.

The Tuscaloosa natives had previously received a music sample from Josh “M16” Banks, an Atlanta-based music producer they knew who wanted them to record music over keyboard, programmed drums and guitar sounds.

“I had come up with an instrumental project called ‘Soul Trap'n,’ ” said Banks, adding he typically makes instrumental records that he gives to fellow musicians to use for themselves. “I was just getting different people to do different stuff on the records I was producing.”

For the track, Horton recorded a bass guitar part while Watson recorded parts featuring soprano and tenor saxophone. In the past, Horton and Watson had played in different bands together around Tuscaloosa and Birmingham.

After the session, Horton and Watson did not give the song much thought.

The track would eventually become the foundation for “Burglar Bars,” a song by rapper 2 Chainz featured on his latest album, “Pretty Girls Like Trap Music.” "Burglar Bars" features vocals by singer Monica as well as an introduction by the Nation of Islam’s Louis Farrakhan.

“Pretty Girls Like Trap Music,” which was released June 16, features contributions by artists like Nicki Minaj, Drake, Pharrel, Trey Songz and Gucci Mane.

2 Chainz, a native of College Park, Georgia, is known in music circles for his role in performing “trap,” a subgenre of hip-hop that originated in the South that incorporates synthesized sounds and lyrics about life in the inner city. Formerly a member of Playaz Circle, 2 Chainz released his debut album in 2012 called “Based on a T.R.U. Story.”

In fact, Banks had known 2 Chainz from his time in Playaz Circle, producing their debut single “Duffle Bag Boy” in 2007. At the time Horton and Watson were recording their parts, 2 Chainz had already begun work on “Pretty Girls Like Trap Music.” Banks, who is credited as one of several producers on the album, has also collaborated with other artists and was nominated for a Grammy for his work on the Young Jeezy song “I Do,” featuring Jay-Z and Andre 3000.

“I was really liking the beat of the song, so I sent it to 2 Chainz and he told me he would go with it,” Banks said.

Banks, who grew up in Northport and Alberta, said he tries to honor his Tuscaloosa roots by calling in people from home to play on his recordings.

“Once I got my foot in the door, I always tried to find ways to reach back home and get some of these people on,” he said.

Horton was not aware that the song would be used on the album until a few days before the album was released.

“How amazing is that,” Horton said. “I was just playing some stuff in the dark and now it’s on a record by 2 Chainz.”

Watson said he felt honored to be a part of the record.

“It makes you feel all the work you’ve done to the past has led somewhere,” Watson said.

Both Horton and Watson spent years playing music around Tuscaloosa. Growing up in Tuscaloosa, Horton played piano and studied music and English at Stillman College, but quickly made the transition to bass. After years of working different jobs, Horton made the shift to playing music full-time, often playing different places in Tuscaloosa.

Watson also grew up in Tuscaloosa and studied music education with a concentration on jazz at Jackson State University in Mississippi and served four years as a music director at Aliceville High School, Westlawn Middle School and Central High School. Watson currently works at BFGoodrich, but also does work in the music department at Stillman College.

In fact, 2 Chainz’s “Feds Watching” was a song he worked with alongside the Stillman marching band.

“It never dawned on me that one day, I would perform on a 2 Chainz record,” Watson said.

Both Horton and Watson hope the song leads to more work as musicians.

“I’m hoping it will allow me to follow my dream of being a full-time musician,” Watson said.

Horton said he is excited about what the exposure could mean for his career.

“We’ve done work with lesser-known artists, but now we’ve done something with 2 Chainz,” Horton said. “Now, we have to do more because of this new opportunity.”

Reach Drew Taylor at drew.taylor@tuscaloosanews.com or 205-722-0204.