Stove God Cooks & Swizz Beatz Talk Making ‘All This For Me?’: ‘Album of the Decade’
Billboard ·
The duo's long-awaited and much-talked-about collab album has found a home — and they're excited for fans to hear what they've put together.
Stove God Cooks is finally ready to follow up his underground classic Reasonable Drought , which he dropped alongside Roc Marciano back in 2020. Since then, he’s been on an impressive feature run (mainly on Grisleda records) and has had to deal with a plethora of leaks that have only sent demand for a sophomore album to a fever pitch, especially after his scene-stealing chorus on the Clipse ‘s LET GOD SORT EM OUT standout “F.I.C.O.”
Now, after a year of label drama and false starts — including one scrapped project in Goat Stamp , and a March 27 release date for the album we’re here to talk about — his parent label Babygrande has a entered a joint partnership with Warner Records in an effort to finally give fans what they’ve been waiting for in a new full-length album.
Part of the reason for the delay has been because Stove wasn’t really aware of how things worked on the sample-clearing side of the business — because he’s used to working alongside prolific rappers like Griselda Records founder Westside Gunn, who craft albums and drop them in a span of a week.
“I didn’t understand a lot of s—t, you know? So, things that was pissing me off, it was really the way I was seeing s—t,” he explains to me over Zoom. “My references wasn’t the way s—t really go. I’m seeing my people move this way. Why we taking so long to drop albums? I see West drop an album in three days. I know he got samples in his s—t. I’m on the songs. So, it’s that kind of s—t. But once you rip the sheet off and Gunn starts telling me about the lawsuits and s—t that he deals with, I’m like, ‘Oh, no, this s—t is for real.'”
Now, alongside legendary producer Swizz Beatz , he’s finally beginning the rollout for his long-awaited sophomore album All This For Me? They first dropped the warm up single, “ Welcome to My Garden ,” earlier this year in February (which has been “elevated,” according to Stove and Swizz) and the duo recently released the project’s second single and music video in “Stovie’s Home (Down Down)” this past Friday (Nov. 6). And the Syracuse, N.Y. rapper is excited for his fans to finally hear what he’s been working on and put the rollercoaster that was this past year behind him.
“The s—t is a super blessing, man,” he says. “That’s the reality of this moment for me right now. All the other s—t, the old s—t, none of s—t matter to me right now.”
Check out my conversation with Stove God Cooks & Swizz Beatz below as we talk their creative process, their chemistry and what fans can expect once they finally get to hear what they’ve been cooking up.
So, the word is you signed a deal with Warner. So what can you tell us about that?
Stove God Cooks: S—t feel good.
You’ve ask Jay-Z for help in regards to your label situation, did he play a part in any of this? Whether that be with the Warner partnership or you and Swizz linking up.
Stove God Cooks: Definitely me and Swizz. Hov planted the seed, but he didn’t have anything to do with Warner.
Swizz Beatz: I always show Hov a lot of the artists that I’m working with, and I was working on — I think Godfather of Harlem season one — and I was just showing him all of these different vibes, and he was just like, “Yo, you and Stove gotta get together immediately. He’s one of my favorites out right now. He got it. And you can compliment his sound. He can compliment your sound, You need to get on top of that.”
And I take what he says serious — because Hov has got great insight, and I love to see him listening to artists like Stove. That’s what he’s playing in the crib, smoking a cigar, vibing — and I just thought that was super cool. Now we here and people are gonna get to see the results. I was already a fan, but Hov definitely put the stamp on making it happen.
I just like the way it organically happened. Because even beyond Hov saying that, Stove was really, very talented, and everything that I thought he was already, even more. So, that was just a blessing. I’m just happy to be a part of the project and just riding it out for him until all of the business got settled. Most people would have just left, but once we connected, it was just like, “Yo, I’m already committed.” So, whatever we need to do to make it happen, the world need to hear this talent, this energy, this sound. It’s just refreshing. I’m happy to be a part of it.
How did the album come together? Did you already have a pack of beats with Stove in mind?
Swizz Beatz: The first, initial vibe of us was stuff I had, but once we started getting into the conversations and the ideas, and me speaking to him and actually knowing him, everything was tailor made after that. Myself and Avenue Beatz, we just wanted to put together the best s—t for him that would complement his style.
And the crazy part is, the album took a little bit long, but even the verses got better. You know what I’m saying? The verses got better, the the beats got better. Everything got better with this little wait period that we had. We used the best out of it and kept elevating the project. Stove would be like, “Yo, wait till you hear the new verse.” I’m like, “Damn.” [ Laughs .]
He works fast.
Swizz Beatz: He’s different, man. They ass is grass.
Stove God Cooks: The first initial pack he sent, I was like, “Oh, I gotta show him I’m for real.” So I was like, “Yeah, let me lock in” I sent a few back, like five.
Swizz Beatz: I couldn’t believe it.
You guys are dropping another single with “Stovie’s Home,” but a while back you released “Welcome to My Garden.” Is that still going to be on the album or is that just like a loosie now?
Stove God Cooks: It’s on the album.
Swizz Beatz: And it’s elevated, by the way.
Stove God Cooks: Yeah, the elevation.
Swizz Beatz: We wasn’t really prepared as we thought we was when we dropped that. There were still things that needed to be handled. It was like a start and a stop situation. People love that joint, but the cool part is, I think they’re gonna love it even better now.
You added some bells and whistles in post production.
Swizz Beatz: Bells, whistles, hammers. Saws and s—t.
Were you guys able to link up together in the studio, or was this done over email and text? What was the process in putting this together?
Swizz Beatz: A little bit of both.
Stove God Cooks: A little bit of both, but the energy is always there.
And you guys went back to the lab, though, and made new records. Is what you’re saying too?
Stove God Cooks: Yeah, we did that too. After the little slowdown period, when we had to figure some things out, we locked back in and made it that Frankenstein moment.
Is there any particular reason why you guys are waiting to drop this early next year?
Swizz Beatz: We’re not really waiting on anything, which is why the song comes out Friday. When it comes out, we already starting. The project deserved the runway. And with the visuals and the storytelling, people won’t even feel that because we gonna be hitting them with so much action, bro. They gonna know what time it is.
I think that dropping the project all at one time, I think it sounds great — but I think that giving people the story that’s leading to it, I think Stove deserved that, because it took so long to even get here for him to just throw out the project without any storytelling. I think the storytelling is great. I think that people are gonna have so much content that they’re gonna appreciate the album more. Give people what they actually been waiting for.
Stove God Cooks: That’s what it deserves.
Swizz Beatz: Yeah and there’s not going to be silence at all. Once we pop this thing off, it’s go time. It ain’t no more stopping. We got so many plans. They ass is grass.
You said that in the trailer. I’m assuming you guys shot the video already too?
Swizz Beatz: They ass is grass. [ Laughs. ] I’m tellin’ you.
You initially were gonna drop one album that you were happy with, and you scrapped it, then Swiss sent you some stuff and it got you back motivated. What was it about Swizz’s production that got you excited?
Stove God Cooks: Just the energy. It felt like what we do with with jumper cables on it. It felt like the soulful s—t like the Griselda lane and everything that I’m coming out of times a million. Just with the drums and Swizz’s touch on in our world. That’s what it felt like.
Swizz, what is it about artists like Stove that gets you excited. Because you’ve been in the game for a minute. You’ve done it all, and seen it all. How does he motivate you?
Swizz Beatz: I just love that he really, really, really takes his craft seriously. Stove is a dangerous weapon. It’s like a samurai sword that’s getting sharpened in Japan by a family of masters that have been around for hundreds of years. They make a blade cut like butter, and it could also go through a brick.
Like the Hattori Hanzo sword in Kill Bill .
Swizz Beatz: Yeah, he’s that. I like that he show people better than he could tell you because Stove don’t really speak like that. He speaks with his art, with his craft. A lot of people talk so much and their craft don’t match up to it. I love that Stove speaks through his craft, his art. He could be going through a lot of s—t and he be quiet, but that music is gonna rumble in the jungle, and I just I’m just used to that. Because that’s like Jadakiss. That’s how Kiss is. That’s how Styles is. They like Ginsu knives. They hit you with some s—t, and it’s like, “Damn, that’s what you’ve been thinking this whole time?”
I came up around nothing but lyricists, with the Ruff Ryders and the other artists I was producing for, when you really had to be who you say you was for people to feel you. Stove belongs in that category. It’s like the no-gimmicks category. It’s great to be able to work with artists like that in ’26, when I started in ’98.
That’s a perfect segue, because you came up with an underground imprint with the Ruff Ryders and you guys were able to break through into the mainstream. I think Stove is in a similar position. How can you use your experience to help him do the same?
Swizz Beatz: I mean, he’s doing most of the work. We’re just supporting. And that’s the same thing with The LOX and DMX and everybody. They did the work. They just needed the supporting team. That’s why I like this partnership with Warner. I think it’s a positive addition to what he’s doing, and even for Babygrande to understand that it makes sense. I think that’s a power move for everybody, because the more that we can get behind the his talent, the more he gonna fly, and people want it.
We put up a BTS, and there’s more comments on that joint than a person that got 100 million followers. So, the engagement is there, the people, the audience is there. He got a product that people want. We just gotta give him the right airplane to take off and land with, and the rest is history. He’s very selective of what he does, which I think is great, and I think the consistency from this point on is going to be major for him and for us. I think this is a great celebration. The energy’s right, the visuals are right, these interviews are right. I think that it’s worth the wait.
A lot of people want to hang on to the negative side of what they’ve seen. Now we gotta celebrate the positive side. Even like with us posting stuff, I’m correcting people and I really don’t usually do that, but you got to set that tone. Like, yo, we not on that timing, we not talking about yesterday, we giving you what you want today. Let’s stop talking about yesterday because today’s a new day for him and for the project, and for the projects, you know what I’m sayin’? We ready to rock and roll. I’m with whatever.
Are you guys working on multiple projects? Is what you’re saying?
Swizz Beatz: We got Za’s ready.
You got the packs ready? [ Laughs .]
Stove God Cooks: The zone is ready.
Swizz Beatz: Multiple missiles.
Stove, I’m assuming you have a bunch of projects in the stash because you basically try to every day.
Stove God Cooks: Absolutely, but I’m not just recording just to record. The s—t that Swizz was sending me the first time was so inspiring. That’s what “Garden” came out of, and a couple other joints that made that album. When I’m inspired its nonstop, but I never want to get to the point where I’m just doing it just to do it. It’s when I got something to say. There’s joints that I recorded that Swizz heard and was like, “Nah, bro. I understand you going through this, but nah, bro.” I was talking too crazy.
It’s all inspiration. Whether it’s, “I’m going through something,” or, “We’re gonna step on everybody.”
You mean Swizz was telling you to be a little bit more political with what you say?
Stove God Cooks : Nah, not at all. He’s not telling me anything. He’s just saying…
Swizz Beatz: I can’t tell that man what to say.
Stove God Cooks: With the joints I sent, I was just like in my feelings. It’s never like “Nah, we can’t do this.” It’s more like, “You sure?”
Okay, I was just trying to clarify that. Is it going to be easier for you to put out music in this new situation? Will you be going on hiatus again after dropping this project with Swizz?
Stove God Cooks: We don’t know what what it’s gonna be. You’re thinking too far ahead.
You’ve been active, though. You’re on that song with Fat Joe and Jadakiss, and then you’re on another one with French Montana and Max B. You’re kind of the go-to hook guy right now. “F.I.C.O.” helped put you on another level. How did you end up on those tracks?
Stove God Cooks : That Fat Joe joint came from me working with Dre. When Joe started working on his album, Dre was like, “Yo, I played that joint for Joe, and he wanted [it].” So I said, “Yeah, give it to him.” I just had a hook on there. I didn’t have a verse yet.
You mentioned elsewhere that you had played the French song for Gunn, and he told you it wasn’t the right time. So, when is the right time to drop something? Have you figured that out?
Stove God Cooks: Well, he said that record wasn’t the right record for me. That’s why I ended up giving it back to French. He said, “After all this time, that can’t be your record.” But when “Garden” came out, he said, “Now this is what your record’s supposed to sound like.”
He’s like, “Yeah, drop that s—t.”
Stove God Cooks: “Then he said, “Send me the beat.”
Oh, okay, so he’s gonna be on the remix or is he going to be on…
Stove God Cooks: I told you we elevated it.
Is there anything else you guys can tell us about the album that’s not gonna spoil anything?
Stove God Cooks: It’s amazing, man. I listened to it this morning while I was jogging. I’m like, “This n—a’s amazing.”
How many miles you put in listening to that?
Stove God Cooks: Oh, I do like five miles a day.
I wanted to ask you about what good with you and Gunn too. Are we still getting Michelle Records?
Stove God Cooks: Yeah, the Michelle album is coming also, but he got Heelmatic dropping this. I’m on that. That’s a dope moment. But right now, Stovie’s home. I gotta accept that this my moment, and really cement my footprint right now. Etch my name in the wall of the pyramid for real. We did a lot already, but this is the moment of of cementing everything.
How do you feel now? I feel like this past year has kinda been a headache for you.
Stove God Cooks: Nah, I’m good. S—t happens, but I done seen worse s—t. We’re making amazing music, I got a lot of money. I can’t complain for real. I get upset because my fans deserve the music, but I rather them get it this way, rolled out on a red carpet with a real runway. The partnership is dope. They done dropped the bag. We good. I don’t have no reason to be mad.
Did you get in trouble for saying you sent Jay a hook. There was a lot of chatter online. Did you get the “This is HOV” text?
Stove God Cooks: Bro, I’m grown as f—k. What the f—k are you talking about? [ Laughs .]
Jay’s been known to be secretive, so the talk online was about you maybe ruining an opportunity for letting the cat out of the bag.
Stove God Cooks: I’m just one million percent honest.
Now that he announced the Super Bowl, fans feel like an album might come right before or right after.
Stove God Cooks: Even if he didn’t have that chatter around him about doing an album or whatever, I still would’ve said that I sent him a hook.
Swizz Beatz: I don’t feel no album coming out. You crazy? Ain’t no album coming out.
Stove God Cooks: It had nothing to do with me confirming there was an album. I don’t think there’s an album, but I still sent the hook. And like I said on there, “No matter what you use it for, just use it, big homie.”
Swizz, your theory is that there’s no album coming out?
Swizz Beatz: I would have been working on it.
Listen, you could still be working on it, but it’s cool.
Swizz Beatz: But who knows, that man a wizard.
Exactly.
Swizz Beatz: He’s very unpredictable. But I speak to him a lot and I just haven’t felt that motion.
How many tracks can fans expect to hear on All This for Me?
Stove God Cooks: Thirteen. Album of the decade.
Okay, and we got one confirmed feature with Westside Gunn being on “Welcome to My Garden.” We”ll have to wait and see for the rest of the features.
Stove God Cooks: Yeah, West is on there. The album is amazing, bro. I’m not gonna hold you. Not just because it’s me listening to it. Sometimes I gotta step out of myself and listen to it. The album is amazing for real. From the production to me being able to say what I wanted to say and really being able to get off my feelings. And it still has that dusty, raw feeling, I’m still talking the way I talk.
And the album is finished? You guys are done tinkering with it?
Stove God Cooks: Yeah, the album is done.
And we can expect more music videos?
Stove God Cooks: Yeah, bro. You asking with a lot of doubt.
I’m just asking questions, bro. [ Laughs .]
Swizz Beatz: Yo, Stove, I ain’t gonna lie, y’all got people traumatized over there.
Stove God Cooks: Nah, for real. That’s that’s how he asking the question.
Swizz Beatz: People got PTSD.
Listen, this is my third interview with Stove this year, man.
Stove God Cooks: Seriously, and with every one the energy is different.
It’s not that I don’t believe you, I’m just trying to get more details about the album, since its not dropping just yet.
Stove God Cooks: I’ma keep it real, man. It’s a blessing, even to partner with Warner. We were doing the album either way, but we were able to do that partnership and we got a lot of money out of that s—t. The album is amazing, and to have this opportunity to work with the Big Homie and him really putting the jumper cables on my s—t and take it to where I always felt it should be.
Right now, it’s just getting the fans what they want, and I’m standing on this album. This s—t is amazing. The Most High got a funny way of leading me where I gotta get to. It don’t make sense, not even to me, until we get there, and then it’s like, “Oh, this was worth the wait.” Because what else can you do? Just let it play out.
All the talking stops at some point. All the faking stops at some point. All the hating stops at some point. All these broke n—as, they power get shut off at some point, so they can’t charge them bum ass phones no more and comment. All this s—t stop at some point, and then everything just got to play out the way it’s supposed to. And that’s where I’m at.