April 2001, 8:18 AM.
In the control room, the director watched the busy camera switches on the monitor with tension. In truth, he was still unsure about the guest invited today because this singer currently only had one song. Although that song was indeed very popular—he sometimes couldn't help but sing along with 'Yeah, Yeah, Yeah'—he had heard that this person was primarily an actor.
In the "Good Day New York" studio, Rosanna Scotto was organizing her cue cards while Mike Woods took a sip of coffee. The audience seats were already full, with some people still adjusting their positions.
Landon stood backstage, forcing himself to calm down. Unlike the interview with Marie Claire, this time he had to face an audience. Although it was a recorded broadcast, the atmosphere was completely different.
And this was also Landon's first true interview in a real sense.
As the opening music slowly faded out—
Rosanna: "Welcome back. I'm Rosanna Scotto—"
Mike: "—and I'm Mike Woods. On my way driving here this morning, WNYW radio did something I haven't seen in my twenty years in the industry—they played the same song twice in a row during the morning rush hour. The producer told me the request line is about to explode."
Rosanna turned to the camera:
"And the performer of that song is in our studio today. Please welcome—Landon Williams!"
Landon walked out. Wearing dark jeans and a light gray knit sweater, he waved to the audience before shaking hands with the two hosts. Landon: "Good morning, Rosanna! Good morning, Mike!"
Rosanna motioned for Landon to sit: "Please, take a seat. Mike was right; I also heard 'Yeah!' in the car this morning. To be honest, that melody is still looping in my head right now."
Mike stared at Landon seriously: "My son told me at dinner last night, 'Dad, if you interview the guy who sings "Yeah!", ask him for me how he thought of a song meant for the club that can still get people pumped up at eight o'clock on a Tuesday morning?'"
A burst of laughter came from the audience.
Landon: (also laughing) "Please tell him... it's probably because I often work at the wrong times when I'm writing songs. For example, writing the chorus at dawn and finishing the verses at seven in the morning."
Rosanna: "That sounds very real. So how was this song born? Was the inspiration really found at a party?"
Landon leaned forward slightly, "Yes, at a friend's party. I noticed a few people arguing about something—I couldn't hear the content at all—but every few sentences, one person would nod vigorously and say 'Yeah!', and the others would follow with 'Yeah!'. That rhythmic, almost drum-like response suddenly put a melody in my head."
Mike: "So those 'Yeahs' in the lyrics are literal?"
Landon: "Exactly. Sometimes the simplest words have the most power. You're agreeing, you're confirming, you're echoing with the rhythm—one 'Yeah' can contain all of that. When Lil Jon heard the demo, he said, 'Bro, it's like you're shouting to a friend across the whole room at a party, but he can hear you clearly.'"
Rosanna turned to the audience and asked, "How many people here have heard this song in the past week?"
About four-fifths of the audience raised their hands, and a few young people whistled.
Rosanna: "Wow, that's a lot. Mike, your son isn't the only one infected."
Mike: "My wife was at the supermarket yesterday and heard an employee in the produce section humming while stocking lettuce. She said even the organic vegetable section has a beat now."
Landon: (laughing and shaking his head) "Then should I consider partnering with supermarkets? 'Buy organic, get a free beat'?"
The audience's laughter became even more pronounced.
Rosanna: "On a serious note, we noticed your profile says you're also an actor. Is music a side gig, or is this a career transition?"
Landon: "Neither, it's more like... parallel interests. I've always written songs, and I've always acted. Actually, I'm filming a movie in New York right now, so lately I've been living a life of being on set during the day and in the recording studio or radio station at night."
Mike: "Sounds like you need two calendars. Between acting and making music, which one makes you more nervous?"
Landon: "Strangely enough, making music is actually more relaxing. When filming, you have a whole team watching you—the director, the cinematographer, the other actors... When making music, at least in the creative stage, it's just you and some simple equipment."
During the creative process, you feel anxious and helpless. But you face it all alone."
Rosanna: "We received many audience questions. Anna from Brooklyn emailed to ask: 'As a young man who looks very mainstream, have you encountered any skepticism making music with such a strong street style?'"
Landon thought for a moment before answering:
"Of course I have. But music has never been about looks or background to me; it's about resonance.
When I'm in the studio with Lil Jon, and Ludacris joins in, we only care if the rhythm is right and if the energy can be conveyed properly. The music itself becomes the most powerful answer."
Mike: "Speaking of Ludacris, his part in your song really gives the whole track a different layer. How did you two collaborate?"
Landon: "Lil set it up. After we finished the basic framework, we needed a different delivery for that rap section, and then Ludacris came to the studio. He listened to it twice, looked at the lyrics, said 'Give me twenty minutes,' and then that rap came out, almost in one take. The way professional musicians work is mind-blowing."
Rosanna: "Those shots in the music video where you're dancing in a speakeasy—were they carefully choreographed, or more improvised?"
Landon: "A bit of both. We had a great choreographer who designed the basic framework, but the director would often say on set, 'It needs a little more... I don't know, a little more swagger?' Then I'd have to figure out on the spot how to dance with 'more swagger.' The most memorable part was that shot of the freeze-frame after a spin; we filmed it eight times."
Mike: "Eight times? What was the problem?"
Landon: "For the first seven takes, either I was dizzy after spinning, my hat flew off, or my expression was wrong. On the eighth take, a staff member happened to accidentally knock over a light stand, and in the middle of the chaos, the director shouted, 'That's the one! Because now you really look like you don't care about anything.' Sometimes perfect imperfection is actually the most right."
The vivid behind-the-scenes stories left the audience enthralled.
Rosanna checked the time: "Last thirty seconds. Has life changed in any specific way since this song blew up?"
Landon responded with a smile: "The biggest change is that I've started receiving attention from strangers. While waiting in line at a coffee shop, someone will nod at me and softly say 'Yeah'. It feels very strange, but also very good."
Mike stood up to shake hands: "Great sharing. Thank you for coming today, Landon."
Rosanna: "Good luck with your movie filming. We look forward to hearing more of your music."
Landon: "Thank you both. Have a wonderful day, everyone."
He left the stage amidst applause. The camera cut back to the hosts' desk.
Rosanna: "Likable young man, isn't he?"
Mike: "Talented and doesn't take himself too seriously. That's rare at any age."
Rosanna: "Indeed. Next up is the weather. Chris, will this sunshine last today? I have an outdoor dinner tonight..."