CHAPTERS
- 0:00 – 1:38
Iconic beats and the "perfect imperfection" of "Still D.R.E."
Joe asks Scott Storch to name his most iconic beat, and Storch immediately lands on “Still D.R.E.” He demonstrates the famous piano line and explains how subtle “sloppiness” and feel can make a part more human and memorable.
- •Storch identifies “Still D.R.E.” as his most recognizable creation
- •Live piano demo and discussion of articulation vs sterile perfection
- •Concept of “perfect imperfection” and feel as a creative choice
- •How tiny timing/texture decisions create signature identity
- 1:38 – 4:20
From self-taught piano kid to Philly: discovering hip-hop’s jazz-soul DNA
Storch traces his origin story back to learning songs by ear on an upright piano, with minimal formal lessons. After moving to Philly as a teenager, he falls in love with early ’90s hip-hop that sampled jazz and Rhodes-heavy textures.
- •Self-taught approach: learning favorite songs from cassettes
- •Early ’90s context and first deep connection to hip-hop
- •Influences: Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Native Tongues, jazz-rap era
- •Financial constraints shape his early gear and hustle
- 4:20 – 7:20
Couch-hopping at 15, joining The Roots, and building a sound with a busted Rhodes
After leaving home, Storch describes surviving on hustle, landing in West Philly, and joining The Roots (then “The Square Roots”). He recounts scraping by with makeshift electricity and a cheap Fender Rhodes that became central to his soulful style.
- •Leaving home young and grinding in West Philly
- •Joining The Roots and early band-life realities
- •Buying a $200 Fender Rhodes and making limitations into a signature sound
- •Balancing construction work with music ambitions
- 7:20 – 11:11
Finding your niche: passion, talent, and "receiving satellite" in the studio
After an ad break, they discuss what talent really is—Storch argues passion is the engine that creates skill. He describes entering a trance-like creative state where ideas feel downloaded, then “reading the room” to know what’s working.
- •Sponsor read interruption (ExpressVPN)
- •Talent framed as passion + obsession + results over time
- •The muse/flow state described as “receiving satellite”
- •Feedback loop: gauging reactions in the room to choose ideas
- 11:11 – 19:47
Health detour: inflammation, hydrogen water, CBD, diet, and the sea moss debate
A conversation about Storch’s hand inflammation turns into a broader discussion of hydration, CBD, and anti-inflammatory dieting. They joke about wellness fads like sea moss while emphasizing how diet and recovery habits affect performance.
- •Hydrogen water and hand inflammation/carpal-tunnel-like issues
- •Turmeric, ginger shots, electrolytes, and hydration strategies
- •Joe’s emphasis on cutting sugar/bread to reduce inflammation
- •CBD anecdotes for arthritis and muscle soreness; sea moss skepticism
- 19:47 – 24:43
Leaving The Roots and betting on himself: early producer wins with Busta Rhymes and CNN
Storch explains why he left The Roots—feeling unappreciated and hurt by onstage comments—despite fears of becoming the “Pete Best” of the group. He details the early hustle of visiting labels and landing pivotal sessions with Busta Rhymes and Capone-N-Noreaga.
- •Motivations for leaving The Roots and wanting more than “keys guy” status
- •Incident of being labeled “the white devil” onstage and its impact
- •Producer grind: A&R meetings and leveraging contacts in New York
- •First major clients: Busta Rhymes (“Blowed Out”) and CNN sessions
- 24:43 – 29:17
The Dr. Dre break: first LA trip, earning trust, meeting Eminem, and joining the camp
A chance encounter in LA leads to an introduction to Dr. Dre, where Storch impresses him by playing keys on the spot. Dre’s team asks him to stay, and Storch’s role quickly expands—crossing paths with Eminem and solidifying his place in Dre’s circle.
- •Meeting Dre with nothing prepared except his playing ability
- •Dre’s quiet evaluation and the surprise “stay here for a long time” offer
- •Early Eminem proximity and contributions in the studio environment
- •How one successful day can lock in long-term creative partnerships
- 29:17 – 34:28
Nashville vibes, Kid Rock stories, and a pivot into Mar-a-Lago & culture talk
They bounce from making music in Nashville (including The Black Keys) to stories about Kid Rock and performing at Mar-a-Lago. The conversation widens into cultural observations—like how fashion got more casual and why “fancy hats” disappeared.
- •Working with The Black Keys and enjoying vintage gear experimentation
- •Why Nashville feels like a special “music town” with a shared creative memory
- •Kid Rock anecdotes and the idea of doing a podcast from Mar-a-Lago
- •Cultural shift: casual dress, roaring ’20s looks, and the decline of fancy hats
- 34:28 – 52:48
Money, ego, and collapse: $100M lifestyle, car collections, Miami temptations, and moving for balance
Storch reflects on extreme wealth, conspicuous spending, and how ego and environment fueled destructive loops. He describes Miami as both alluring and dangerous for him, and why moving north to Boca helped restore focus and “unlock blessings.”
- •Spending spirals and living “a billionaire’s life as a millionaire”
- •Fame signaling: diamonds, cars, and the pressure to look successful
- •Miami as a trigger environment; advice to “attack it from the outside”
- •New partnership and relocation to Boca as a stability/focus strategy
- 52:48 – 1:00:32
Celebrity nightlife to cocaine spiral: Paris Hilton, Kim Kardashian, and losing the plot
Storch recounts how high-profile relationships and nightlife culture pulled him into heavier drug use, especially cocaine. He describes the early glamor—travel, paparazzi, A-list access—before it turned corrosive and undermined his priorities and work.
- •Paris Hilton relationship as an entry into intense paparazzi/nightlife world
- •How glamorized partying transitions into dependency and chaos
- •Kim Kardashian before major fame and Joe’s respect for her reform work
- •Escalation: chasing status, bigger homes/yachts, and the costs of ego
- 1:00:32 – 1:07:42
DMX, rehab efforts, and the reality of addiction’s comedown
Storch shares stories of DMX living with him, the “blind leading the blind” dynamic, and attempts to get him treatment. They discuss how addiction hijacks obsessive personalities and how comedowns, sleep deprivation, and constant escalation can become life-threatening.
- •DMX anecdotes: humor, chaos, and attempts to intervene
- •Rehab logistics and heartbreak when efforts don’t stick
- •Obsession vs addiction: the same fire can build or destroy
- •Physiological danger of multi-day runs and sleep deprivation
- 1:07:42 – 2:00:23
Biopic plans, media distortion, and rebuilding through new music and new artists
Storch explains plans for a major film about his life and vents about tabloid narratives that flatten people into villains. He then pivots to the present—new projects, breaking emerging artists, playing a new single, and re-centering authenticity over hype.
- •Meeting blockbuster producer Charles Roven; discussing the biopic’s tone
- •Critique of hit pieces and how negativity sells
- •Showcasing Abbey Starre track and emphasizing organic, non-autotuned talent
- •Rebuild strategy: developing new artists, consistency, and rediscovering passion
