Work began on her debut album, The Fame, with Akon and producer RedOne.
After that hit, I told my management that I wanted to work with established artists.
She was like, “Oh my God, I love ‘Whine Up!'”
Credit: Getty Images; Todd Williamson/Getty Images; Brian To/FilmMagic; Earl Gibson/BET/Getty Images
In those five minutes, I felt like she was so special.
And those five minutes turned into a few sessions.
[Despite multiple attempts, EW could not reach Vincent Herbert for comment.]
Gaga recorded Boys Boys Boys at RedOnes Queens studio later that day.
but we needed “Boys, boys, boys!”
instead…and that created the sounds for the whole album.
That’s what “Just Dance” is!
And every artist got scared of her and asked me to not bring her again.
I remember telling her, “Gaga, you’re an incredible artist and they feel your energy!”
And Gaga started crying, like, “I just want to help them!”
I said, “Yes, but keep those ideas for yourself.You’rean incredible artist.
AKON:I [was struck by] her in general.
When I see a star, I just know it.
She was so fearless.
When I [had discussions with] Jimmy Iovine, from that moment everything ignited.
We got excited about her, started making records, and started to craft her image.
When we finished, there was no way “Just Dance” could be for them.
REDONE:We met with Jimmy and he heard the songs.
He said, “I love the song.
Can I give [it] to the Pussycat Dolls?”
And Akon was like, “No!
She can be the next big thing!”
I was like, “Who is her highness?”
And he said, “Gwen Stefani.
She reminds me of Gwen Stefani.'”
And Akon goes, “No, she’s totally different!
“[EW spoke to Iovine.
AKON:Literally every song that we wrote was done within 30 minutes to an hour.
It was all chemistry.The Famewas done in 30 days: mixed, mastered, and ready to push out.
We opened our minds and tried everything.
It was the first time she had no one telling her what sheshouldbe doing orhowshe should be doing it.
AKON:I featured on the song originally, but Universal didn’t clear my vocals.
[Several contacts at Universal and Interscope did not respond to EW’s request for comment.
It was so political that I didn’t want to fight it.
[O’Donis did not respond to requests for comment.]
Whoever heard it didn’t care if it was Akon or not.
They just heard a good song.
It waswrittenas a good song.
…and yet the song still took nine months to peak at No.
1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in January 2009.
It wasn’t accepted in America, [but] she became No.
3 right away in Sweden because that’s the country of pop and they loved it!
“Just Dance” didn’t fit the format.
We flew out to the U.K. and tried to do things over there, but it didn’t work.
When we went to Canada, that’s when it hit.
The gay community was the one that actually was like, “This record is a fing anthem!”
and they supported her from that moment, and that became her core audience.
From there, everyone else caught the wave.
The race to the summit was a hard-fought battle against reluctant radio.
[We didn’t] venture to A&R it.
We let the audience choose.
That was [what I said] to every station that I went to.
Just give us a fair shot!
You don’t have to give us a full-time rotation, just play it one time a week.
Give it to the audience raw and let them make the decision!”
We couldn’t give up.
I’m happy I did that.
At the end of the day, it opened up for a new genre and wave of music.
It was worth the fight!
REDONE:Every time I hear it, it’s like yesterday.
It’s so beautiful.
It’s the song that changed our lives.
The lyrics are Gaga.
I can’t take any credit for the genius lyrics.
It comes to her so fast.
I love perfection and she gives you perfection every time.
She’s a machine!
but I can take credit for melodies, chord progressions, and production.
AKON:The artists that have the door open to be themselves are the ones that win.
Their opinions should be the first thing that matters.
This is the story of my life, that the world thinks she’s saying “red wine!”
Especially because Gaga sings, “I’ve had a little bit too much” at the start.
People think she’s talking about alcohol!
Like she had a little bit too much red wine.
I’m still happy that we made history, so I don’t care!
It’s a beautiful thing I was a part of.
We created history that will last forever.
