Waka Flocka Flame taps Halifax musician for big role on new album

Halifax electronic dance musician Corey LeRue is helping reshape the musical stylingsof an American rap celebrity.

Three weeks ago,LeRue flew to the hometown of Waka Flocka Flame in Atlanta, Ga., to begin working on the star's new electronic dance music crossover album Turn Up God.

It's a major opportunity for LeRue, one he credits to a "fluky act of God"that gave him the chance to play some of his own music for Waka Flocka Flame.

Back in January 2014, LeRue had the opportunity to do direct tour support for the rapper's concert at the Halifax Forum.

"I forgot my laptop charger at the show, so I went back to the Forum and looked around,"LeRue said.

"I didn't see my laptop charger but I did see [Waka's DJ] again and he's like, 'You should come play some beats for Waka.'

"I went into his green room and played beats and it's pretty much history from there. We just started developing our business relationship after that. And it just so happens I had my laptop charger in my bag."

Waka Flocka Flame is best known for his hit single Hard In The Paint, but last year announced he was venturing into the electronic dance music world.

This album will be LeRue's his first major label release. It has given him the opportunity to record in Atlanta's Patchwork Studios, a legendary spot for urban recording artists.

"You look up on the wall at Patchwork and you see all the albums that were recorded there,"LeRue says. "John Legend, Young Jezzy, JoJo, P. Diddy, Usher, anybody you can imagine.

"We're in here working on a new record I feel has potential to do something really, really big."

LeRue recently found out he'll be one of the executive producers on this project, which will also include contributions from Steve Aoki, one of the biggest DJs in the world.

Turn Up God is scheduled for release this year.

• Listen to Corey LeRue on Friday on CBC Radio's Mainstreet