An Enlightening, Hilarious Chat with Young Nudy & Pi’erre Bourne

It’s the middle of December, and Young Nudy and Pi'erre Bourne are "jet-lagged." They’ve just flown in from Miami to New York City. (Yes, both cities are in the same time zone.)

And after a long day of travel, and maybe a few other—cough—factors at play, they’re in a silly mood. They can barely get a word out without bursting into laughter.

The two have an easy camaraderie, a genuine friendship that shows in their chemistry. Over the past decade, they’ve become one of the most recognizable rapper-producer duos in hip-hop. And on this day, they’re in town to talk about Sli'merre 2, the long-awaited sequel to their 2019 mixtape classic.

The album finds them in familiar territory: Pi'erre delivering playful, colorful beats that often sound cartoonish. Meanwhile, Nudy brings the brooding, dark energy, rapping in a stern delivery, peppered with random zenisms. (“I have no worries, hakuna matata,” he raps on the album). Think of it like a black-and-white cookie: one half light and playful, the other dark and heavy. (Nudy and Pi'erre, creators of tracks like “Hot Wings” and “10pc Teriyaki,” would definitely appreciate the food pun.)

Their unique dynamic and chemistry has sparked countless memes, something they’re fully aware of—but, according to them, doesn't drive their creative partnership.

“If you really pay attention, it’s a lot we’ve stamped, but when we work, we just work," Pi'erre told Complex. "We’re not trying to make the same song or beat. If it sounds similar, that’s just a coincidence.”

For Sli'merre 2, they added a new wrinkle to their process: they went international. They linked up in Paris, one of Pi'erre’s favorite spots, to record part of the album. (Pi'erre was also working on his long-teased Made in Paris album.) Afterward, they headed to Nudy’s hometown to lock everything down in Atlanta.

During the interview, Nudy was quiet at first, with Pi'erre taking the lead. But once Nudy warmed up, the conversation quickly turned into a whirlwind of jokes, banter, and random side conversations about their quirks.

“I try to learn how to be a ‘people person,’” Nudy laughs. “But that shit just don’t work for me.”

We had a fun conversation with Nudy and Pi'erre about their new album, their working relationship, and how they like to celebrate each other’s birthdays.

It's been five years since the first Sli’merre. When did you guys decide that you would start working on this one?

Pi'erre Bourne: We usually be locking in just randomly, stacking up on all the fire songs and shit for times like this when we're going to put out an album. And then we linked in Paris randomly; Nudy finally came to Paris when I was actually out there. So that shit was cool. We did some of the songs on the album out there and then he went back home and I was still there and he was like, “Man, just come to the A. Let's get back to work.” And that's how we started. That was like in July.

Does doing shit in Paris change how y'all work?

Pi'erre Bourne: Hell no, man. I put him on some chicken and waffles out there. I tried to make it as normal as possible for him because that's how I am out there. I don't want to feel like I'm converting. But no offense to Paris, because I really love Paris, but they showed me a good time and showed me some restaurants that's similar to home, so I put 'em on that stuff. So we was good to work in the studio.

Nudy, what'd you think of Paris?

Young Nudy: That shit was cool. Paris was straight…I like it. I like the fashion and shit. I can't really get into the food. I mean he put me onto some chicken and waffles and shit. It was certain little shit. But I like the fashion and the people.

What about the fashion you like?

Young Nudy: I don't know, shit. I just feel like—to me—it looked like everybody out there just doing their own little thing, creating their own little clothing brand that’s what it look like to me. They know how to dress out there.

Pi’erre, why do you fuck with Paris so hard?

Pi'erre Bourne: Ninth grade in French class—that's kind where I got my name from. I always wanted to go there and when I finally got there, they put a big ass mural of my name in the subway, my first time out there. It was like 2020 when I did a show and I was like, “Damn, they really fucked with me out here.” So I just kept going back. So yeah, that's really why I fuck with it.

How good is your French?

Pi'erre Bourne: Shit, now that that's another discussion. I might need one of them apps. They speak a lot of English out there so it ain't really as hard as it used to be at first. I used to have to pull out my phone and type some shit. But I took French class. I just don't remember that shit.

What's a working dynamic between you guys?

Pi'erre Bourne: It's changed over the years because we've grown as artists and just as a person we've gotten bigger. But even though we are busy as hell, we still manage to make time to lock in and stuff. So that's why I really fuck with Nudy because shit, nothing's changed since the beginning. It's still this kind of the same format. If I'm not around, I send beats. But if I'm around then we really go to the old formula where I record 'em or mix the song.

Young Nudy: Make it easy to work with. Chemistry type shit…My boy.

How is working with Pi'erre different than working with like Metro Boomin or any other producer?

Young Nudy: That's my day one. So it’s really kind of easy dealing with Pi'erre with certain type of shit. It probably ain't how it was back in the day. Everybody's shit grows and shit. But as far as working with him for me it’s easy. So it be smooth.

How do you guys handle disagreements with a song?

Young Nudy: We ain’t got no yes man around. You better tell me if you don't like it. Because I'm going to tell him I don't like a beat.

Pi'erre Bourne: He going to pass on a lot of beats. He picky as shit, bro. But that’s what makes his shit so dope though because he real particular on how he want shit to sound and all that shit. So when you hear his shit, you really hear him. Even with the production too, it's all his choice. I fuck with it because it's easy. It is easy to work with him. I just got to make sure I make a bunch of fucking beats and then you got a bunch to pick from and we good.

Is there a song that's out that you are surprised that he really fucked with the beat?

Pi'erre Bourne: There's a few. I would say definitely “Yeah Yeah” was a shocker. That's when I learned he will definitely do other beats for sure. Because at first we was doing a certain type of sound. When he picked the “Yeah Yeah” beat I was like, “oh shit. Alright, bet. I didn't even know you liked them type of beats.” I would've been playing them type of beats—like the spacey, get high type beats.

Young Nudy: I like them type of beats. They're my favorite.

What do you like about them?

Young Nudy: I just get high to them—be zoned out, make you feel good like you floating in the air.

It’s been known for years your beats are bright and upbeat and Nudy’s lyrics are dark. How purposeful is it creating that kind of difference?

Pi'erre Bourne: Nah, I mean if you really go back to the stuff we started on, we made all type of dark shit. We done made all types of worlds with the music. So I think what people are noticing now are the bright stuff. But if you really pay attention, bro, we kind of cultivated certain sounds and shit. It's a lot of shit we done stamped. But when we work, we just work. It's not like we need to do the same fucking song or the same beat. So if it is where it's similar or the same type of sonics I guess then it's like that's just a coincidence. But other than that…he picky as shit, man. I don't know what else to tell you, man.

Nudy, why are you so picky?

Young Nudy: I don't know. I like certain type of sounds and shit. I'm big on noises and shit like that. I might fuck around and hear a little stupid ass noise in this motherfucker. So ain't no telling what it is. I might like it though. I'm just attracted to sounds and stuff like that. I don't know—one of my little fetishes, type shit. I love sounds and shit.

Pi'erre, how come you don't rap on the album?

Pi'erre Bourne: Shit, we probably figure something out. But he on my album, Made in Paris. He is the only feature on my album. That's the feature. If y'all want to hear some shit with us together, we usually do it on my albums and stuff, to be honest now that I think about it. That's a good question. We ain't even think about that.

Young Nudy: I don't think about that type of shit. We be working.

Pi'erre Bourne: My mind be on the beat so much.

Paint a picture of what a typical session is with you two?

Young Nudy: Shit, we chilling. We rolling up, we getting high. He making beats. I'm going in the booth, that's it. And we just kicking it. There ain't too much too extra. It depends on the situation or whatever going on, but outside of that we just chilling. That's what I like to do. Get high, play the game until he say, “Hey, go on the booth and do your thing.”

What's the status of Made in Paris?

Pi'erre Bourne: Shit, I really just wanted to take my time with everything. I don't want to rush it. So as far as the videos and the visuals for it, I want to make sure that shit looks right. The music's always good to me, but I want to make sure my visuals and shit is right. And in Paris—it's kind of a language barrier dealing with America and American business and trying to do it in France.

So I think with the Olympics that kind of got in the way. So other than that shit, I really was like, fuck it, I just come to Atlanta and work on the album and shit, drop this shit. So that's kind of why we did Sli’merre 2.

How did the Olympics affect the album?

Pi'erre Bourne: Yo, they shut the whole city down. What you mean? It's the Olympics. They got to protect the world because everybody from the world was coming to one little city called Paris and everybody's staying there. They had gates up and there was zones. The [Airbnb] you would stay in, sometimes you have to have a barcode. It was a lot of little variables I guess it got in the way, but it's no issue really. It's just I was like fuck it, I just got more time to make it better.

Both you guys have struggled with leaks. I'm curious, are you guys more protective now around that stuff? Have you switched anything up? What kind of guardrails do you use now?

Pi'erre Bourne: I mean I preferably wouldn't want to talk about it to keep it safe. That don't even make sense to answer that question. No offense, I would love to answer, but if I answer it then my shit ain't safe no more to be honest—because they good.

Is there a leak that hurt the most?

Pi'erre Bourne: Shit, I don't know because so much has leaked.

Young Nudy: Shit don't ask me goddamn shit. I don't know. I go with the flow of life, man.

Pi'erre Bourne: Fuck it. It happens. I can't really be stressing about that shit anymore. It is what it is. Just got to keep creating and stay focused on what was the original plan. That internet shit. That internet shit. Real life is real life. So as long as you can separate the two, we good.

Nudy, what was your reaction to being sampled on Drake and 21 Savage’s “Rich Flex?”

Young Nudy: It is what it is (laughs.) I appreciate it though. You know what I'm saying? Shout out to Drake type shit.

Did you know or did you hear it?

Young Nudy: No, I ain't know but I mean I kind of heard about it after they made it, but nah, I ain't know at first that much.

We did the 50 best Atlanta rappers list.

Young Nudy: Yeah.

Did you see this list or no?

Young Nudy: I probably did. I don't be paying attention to shit like that or whatever though. What number was I?

You were 38. This is of all time.

Young Nudy: It's all good as long as it's dealing with something to do with the number eight, that's one of my favorite numbers. I ain't tripping. I ain't picky.

Is that too high or that's too low?

Young Nudy: I don't know, shit. Shit be low, high, shit. As long as I'm making somebody out there happy in the world and I know—I sleep good and live good at night. Yeah, I ain't tripping about being 38. That's a mind thing. I don't really be caring about that type of shit.

Nudy, you put “John Wayne” out recently. Are you working with anything longer with Metro or was that just kind of like a one off?

Young Nudy: Metro we just be fucking around with shit man. Here and there type shit. Out-of-the-blue type nigga with me when it comes to working with Metro and shit. That family though.

I'm curious, how do you guys feel about the reaction Sli’merre 2 got?

Young Nudy: I don't know besides numbers and Instagram stories and shit, they ain't really judging. I don't know. For real, for real. I like to find out when I got shows and shit. Yeah, when be outside on tour and shit like that and shit and I can be able to tell you right now, I can't just really say.

You’ve been kicking a lot with Baby Drill, taking him on tour and he’s on the album. What's your relationship with him?

Young Nudy: Drill the best, man. I love that little motherfucka, man. He's silent man. Music is relatable…he’s the one, man.

What do you think of the newer, younger Atlanta rapper scene coming up?

Young Nudy: I feel like it done kind of changed a little bit. But to me, I mean that how the world works. Shit don't supposed to stay the same anyway. So ain't nothing wrong with it. It's probably a little more violent—way more than my time was. But shit is still what it is. I ain't stopping it. I ain't knocking it either.

You think the music is more violent?

Young Nudy: You know they more violent, man (laughs.)

What's something that has you excited?

Young Nudy: My birthday's coming up (edit note: December 17th), but honestly, you get to a point where you’re used to it. So I’m really just ready to see 2025.

What are you going to do for your birthday?

Young Nudy: I ain't doing shit.

No, that's a lie. Come on.

Young Nudy: It’s probably going to be a birthday where I really don't want do shit. I don't feel like really being bothered with people.

Do you guys exchange birthday gifts?

Young Nudy: Nah don’t think we ever gave each other no birthday gifts. I made sure he fuck around and come around if I'm doing something in the city.

Pi'erre Bourne: We celebrate some times.

Young Nudy: Yeah, we do celebrate.

Pi'erre Bourne: [Nudy], you came to my birthday party in LA when I did it with Jordyn Woods and Kylie Jenner. Remember that? We were smoking weed, they were right there, [we] blowing gas in their face and all. That shit was cool as hell.

Young Nudy: Oh yeah, you’re right. I remember. I was like, "Damn, you got Kylie Jenner at your party and shit.”

Pi'erre Bourne: That shit was crazy. I was like, "Damn, man, everybody watching my stories the next day." They too damn famous. But that shit was cool though. I forgot what year that was—2018? [Nudy], you had some cool birthday parties too.

Nudy, you ever have anyone as famous Kylie Jenner come to your birthday party?

Young Nudy: I mean, no—besides people I already know. Ain't nobody just poppin' up at my shit. I be trying to learn how to be a people person, but that shit don't always work.

Wait, what's the issue?

Young Nudy: I don't know, man. I go off energy and shit. Some people's energy just don’t be right. That shit might rub me the wrong way. Some people know how to work their way around shit, deal with it. I’m still practicing how to do all that.

You seem like a personable guy.

You got good energy. (Laughs)