Sleepy Brown

Sitting at a keyboard in a dimly lit recording studio in Garden Grove, CA, Sleepy Brown (Patrick Brown) tries to finish laying down a track before getting into his interview. As a producer, first and foremost, he wants to let his creative juices flow before he forgets what musical sound he’s aiming for, as he works on tracks for his upcoming compilation album. When he’s finally happy with what he’s recorded, his attention turns to the interview, but you can tell his thoughts are back on his music.

Although being a producer is Brown’s first passion, the industry veteran is best known for his sexy voice on the chorus of OutKast’s 2003 hit single “The Way You Move.” Brown was a member of the Atlanta-based producing team, Organized Noise, from the mid- to late-’90s. The production team is credited to having helped shaped the sound of Southern hip-hop as a whole, grooming and producing acts like the Grammy-award-winning Big Boi and Andre 3000 from OutKast, as well as Goodie Mob.

When he finally decided to step into the limelight with his own album, his musical plan didn’t turn out the way he figured. Although, the Southern crooner’s 2006 debut album, Mr. Brown, fell under the radar, he’s determined to change all that this time around. “This album has more of a rock edge to it,” he explains in a smooth and distinctive voice, reminiscent of musical greats from the ’70s like Smokey Robinson, Isaac Hayes and Marvin Gaye. Particularly known for his ’70s-influenced, lush, funk-driven songs he’s produced for others and made on his previous album, Brown is evoloving his musical talents to reflect a more “Hollywood” scene that he’s been accustomed to since coming to L.A. from Atlanta, GA. “I’m part of this Hollywood lifestyle and you can hear it in my music. It’s dirtier, grimier and raw. It’s not so smooth anymore; there’s a rock feel to everything.” His first single off the new compilation album will be called “Rock Chick” that will be hitting airwaves soon.

But, the new sound isn’t just heard in his music, he’s personified it through his style. Talking about his music from behind some bling’d-out Valentino sunglasses, you vividly see how he has meshed his ’70s-inpired persona that he is primarily known for, with his new L.A.-rock edge. Resembling Isaac Hayes a bit, Brown’s attire consists of some dark, distressed jeans, Chucks and a bit of bling around his neck for the inteview at the recording studio. Even his perfectly manicured nails feature black nail polish with white stars. The new Sleepy Brown has emerged, but his love of all things classic is still seen through his taste for vehicles.