Interview with Dr. Stay
The Waldorf Astoria in Manhattan, New York. It's the late afternoon before Dr. Stay Dry shows up. He comes alone, not a bodyguard in sight. "They ain't up yet," he grins apologetically. Dr. Dry calls down freshly-squeezed OJ and a hard-to-pronounce type of coffee.
? What's this ... you're wearing a white tie! What happened to green? Any special reason for this?
! Oh come on man! I'm just creating a new outfit. You know I do it every day, basically. It makes me feel different, it inspires me.
? But surely green's your favourite colour?
! You bet it is! They say green is the colour of dreams, but that ain't the half of it! Green is the colour of dreams made real.
? Explain please!
! It's like this: I was in Vegas, and I didn't have much cash. C'mon, I was an artist! There were cocktails, and any number of thirsty ladies, know what I mean? So I took a seat at the roulette table. I only had $100,000 left. This was no time for half measures, so red or black were out of the question. I bet the pile on green, the zero. How shall I put this: I was all right for cash again after that. It was time to restart the party! Green means good luck!
? Did you ever consider making a living from the tables, as a poker pro perhaps?
! Not really, no. My father William, a very wise man, once said this to me: money makes the world go round, but money can't buy you love. Although that was good coming from him: my daddy was a rich kid, man!
? What did he say when you quit your studies at the elite school?
! He said it was a pity for the professors. I was top of my class. The other students called me "Doctor" as a joke.
? Is that where your 'doctorate' comes from?
! That's how it is, man. But that's all that's left from my days as a student. I am quickly tired of the whole thing, it was so boring. And my lifestyle didn't exactly fit with life on campus.
? You became an artist after that, and you were the hottest thing on the New York circuit for a while.
! You know what, it was fun! But there was bad stuff too, the pseuds who hang around galleries at night and spit out their pretentious crap. And they always serve Prosecco! I really do prefer champagne, but there was no way. These were real small-minded folk, so uptight. They thought I was totally outlandish, just 'cos I have a better taste in ties.
? How come you got together with Wyclef Jean, who produced your single Don't Sweat That?
! Completely by chance. Some time back, I was clubbing and got to know Jonathan Finegold, you know him, the famous A&R man, the Clive Davis of R&B if you will. He introduced us. Nice guy.
? And you went straight into the studio?
! No way. Wyclef Jean is a total pro. He knows what he's doing. He stopped and asked me if I knew how to rap.
? And what did you say?
! I said sure, man, sure I can rap. I just ain't tried it yet. But right then, I still wasn't totally convinced.
? You showed him respect, there in his studio?
! You bet I did! I said it already, Wyclef is a really great guy. But spending the whole night hanging out in a studio with him alone, that I don't know. So I gave my friend Lumidee a call, and asked if she'd like to drop by. I just thought having a lady in the studio would makes it a whole lot more pleasurable.
? And what's next? What's the plan for the future?
! Right now I need another cup of coffee. Then let's see.
Dr. Stay Dry, thanks for talking to us.