As the debut release on Strange Lane, Young Bleed’s Preserved has received a considerable amount of buzz from the Strange Music community. With features from Juvenile, Tech N9ne, and Brotha Lynch Hung, the album marks the return of a seasoned veteran.

The lead single “Holla At Uh Dog” caught listeners off guard and proved to be a smash hit online as fans received their first taste of Young Bleed’s Southern vibes. Like a hometown nod, “Holla At Uh Dog” embodies everything about Bleed’s native Louisiana and manages to capture the very core of his hustler mentality. While Young Bleed took the hit to the streets of Baton Rouge, it was producer Robert “Sweathogg” Dew who gave the single its undeniably catchy melody. Working from Louisville, KY, Sweathogg has been contributing to Young Bleed’s music well before he came to Strange Lane. As a Strange Music enthusiast, Sweathogg looked to give Young Bleed something that could catapult him into the spotlight with fans everywhere. This resulted in Sweathogg contributing numerous tracks to Preserved, including “It’ll Go Down”, “Gangsta’s Gangsta”, and “M.O.E. (Money Over Everything)”. In an exclusive interview, Sweathogg shared some insight on the origins of “Holla At Uh Dog” and how he came to work with the Strange Lane MC.

How did you first begin working with Young Bleed?

Actually through a friend of mine. Really my girlfriend at the time was working with a guy from The Stupid Crew and they were working from here in Kentucky. Bleed did a few things for them a while back, and one day I was making some tracks and they were over at the studio. He had came over and heard what I was doing and liked what I was doing. Basically he wanted to work with me. He had me start sending him tracks and he was trying to pick through them. It was a few years back.

What’s the story behind “Holla At Uh Dog”?

That was actually a track that he picked. I had made it, I think it was December of last year and it was just sitting around. I sent it to him to see what he thought and he was like, “Yeah, it’s different.” He was trying to write to it. It had some kind of oriental feel to it and I just kind of added on it and it became what it is. That’s one track that I thought he would never pick. I just liked the way the flute sounded and I was just kind of playing around. I kind of made it as a mistake and then I was like, “That sounds alright.” I kind of added to it and added to it, it came out the way it did.

What was your reaction once you heard the final track?

I really liked it, I was impressed with what he did. Like I said, him being from the South I thought he was going to pick something more Southern because I didn’t think it was a Southern type track. What he did with it, I was really surprised. Then, when I got online, I was really surprised that people really liked what he did with it.

What are your thoughts on the the positive reaction it received from the fans?

It feels really good because I’ve been a Strange Music fan for quite a while. One of things I asked him was if they would accept it because it’s different. It’s not what tech does or anything else. I was kind of afraid that it wouldn’t be accepted the way it did. So, I was really shocked at the response that it got.

What can you tell me about the other tracks you contributed to Preserved?

Some of the ones that he chose from me, I was shocked. I was trying to work on something more Southern and he was like, “Nah, I need something faster. I need something mid-tempo, nothing too slow.” Basically, he was trying to make me speed them up a little bit and make it a little bit more club to fit what he was trying to do with the album.

How has it been working with Young Bleed?

He’s laidback, kind of easy going. When I first met him I was intimidated because he’s been in the game for so long and I’m just trying to get into it. He makes you feel comfortable with what your working with and gives good advice. He’s just real down to earth and makes you feel right at home, doesn’t make you feel real nervous. I’m happy for him. I’m glad he’s being accepted very well into the Strange Music family. That’s something I never saw coming. I never saw that coming.

Fans can hear more of Sweathogg’s work on Young Bleed’s Preserved. Be sure to follow Sweathogg on Twitter: @Sweathoggbeats

–Victor Sandoval, Assistant Editor Strange Music

Follow Victor on Twitter: @VicMSandoval

Click here to pre-order Preserved.