UB Celebrates: ‘Set It Off’ Soundtrack 25th Anniversary | Ivan Matias Takes Us Back

Directed by the great F. Gary Gray, from a screenplay by Takashi Bufford. The film became a blockbuster success!

The high-stakes action-drama, “Set It Off,” stars Jada Pinkett, Queen Latifah, Vivica Fox, in her film debut Kimberly Elise, Blair Underwood, John C. McGinley and Ella Joyce.

“The whole experience was so surreal;” Kimberly Elise told UB last year. “It was a big process of getting the job. I had to do several auditions. Then when I first got it, I was just in a whole different league. That was surreal, but at the same time really wonderful. The ladies were great. They were all very kind especially Dana.”

Stay Tuned for Our Full Feature on the film Coming in November.

Today, we celebrate the Soundtrack that accompanied the film. The “Set It Off” Soundtrack was released 25 Years ago this week, on September 24th of 1996.

Organized Noize, DJ U-Neek, Andrea Martin and Ivan Matias produced majority of the album. The soundtrack reached #4 on the Billboard 200 and #3 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. The album would go platinum just two months after it’s release!

The hits that helped the album reached that status included, Gordon Chambers lead single “Missing You” (went Gold) performed by Brandy, Tamia, Gladys Knight & Chaka Khan, “Days of Our Livez” from Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, “The Heist” by Da 5 Footaz, “Come On” by Billy Lawrence featuring MC Lyte and “Let It Go,” which was Ray J‘s debut single.

However it was the song performed by En Vogue and written by Ivan Matias and Andrea Martin, “Don’t Let Go (Love)” that became not only the soundtracks biggest single, but the most successful single of En Vogue‘s career.

“Don’t Let Go (Love)” was an international hit peaking in the Top 10 in various countries, while reaching #1 on the Billboard R&B chart for one week.

The song was the last single by En Vogue to feature former band member Dawn Robinson, who is the lead vocalist on the track.

To celebrate the “Set It Off” soundtrack, UB spoke to one of our favorites Ivan Matias. Who’s always candid, about how he got involved in the project and how “Don’t Let Go (Love)” a song written for a rock group, became to be En Vogue‘s.

Ivan also shares why his single with Queen Latifah had a video, but ended up being halted due to label politics. Plus he shares his proudest moment, of being apart of that soundtrack.

Ivan Matias is a singer, songwriter, producer, arranger, hip hop ghostwriter, and entrepreneur.

He’s primarily known for writing and producing other hit songs for Angie Stone’s “Wish I Didn’t Miss You”, SWV’s “You’re The One”, Tracie Spencer’s “Still in My Heart” and Blu Cantrell’s “Breathe.” Among others, which have sold over 44 million records worldwide.

UrbanBridgez.com: How did you get involved with the soundtrack?
Ivan Matias: Sylvia Rhone was negotiating a deal with Andrea to sign her as an artist. I was waiting on my release from Arista at the time. In good faith, Sylvia said she’d feature Andrea on the “Set It Off” soundtrack single to break her as a debut artist if she signed with Elektra. Andrea really wanted to sign to Arista, but told Sylvia she agreed.

Sylvia flew us to Atlanta to collaborate with Organized Noize for the soundtrack. We wrote 2 songs for the soundtrack. “Don’t Let Go” for En Vogue & the theme song “Set it off” featuring Andrea, Queen Latifah & myself with Organized Noize. Sylvia then flew us to L.A. to film a video for the theme song. Andrea waited until Sylvia released the single & told her a week later she was signing to Clive & Arista. Sylvia halted all promotion of our single & released “Don’t Let Go.” Ironically, during the recording of “Don’t Let Go”, Sylvia sent the VP of Elektra to L. A. When he arrived at the vocal recording session, Andrea was out getting her nails done & Organized Noize was still at the hotel. I was alone with En Vogue producing their vocals. I’d never met Merlin (the VP) or Sylvia in person. He was visibly annoyed that I was alone, but as soon as he heard what I was doing, he smiled & sat down. As I was demonstrating an ad lib for Dawn to record, he picked up the phone & called Sylvia. Not only did they love the song, but Merlin suggested to Sylvia that they sign me. Within 2 weeks, they offered me a deal & half of En Vogue’s album to write & produce which included “Don’t Let Go.”

UrbanBridgez.com: 7 songs from that album charted in Billboard with “Don’t Let Go (Love)” being the biggest hit and one of the biggest songs of the 90s according to Billboard. Tell us how you and Andrea developed that song and how it came to be En Vogue’s?
Ivan Matias: There was no formula. Andrea had an idea for the hook. She mumbled a melody & we sat on the studio floor & cranked it out in about 45 minutes. It wasn’t with En Vogue in mind. We were thinking Aerosmith or Steven Tyler. When Sylvia Rhone heard it, She then said it would be perfect for the quartet. Andrea & I thought we might ruin the group, but Sylvia had the vision & we went with it. I wrote the bridge as En Vogue was literally recording vocals. I’d write a line & sing it to Maxine. As she was recording it, I’d write the next, just flowing with the vibe. They were so professional & precise. In spite of their group troubles at the time, they maintained a strong work ethic during the recording of that song.

UrbanBridgez.com: What’s your proudest moment being a huge part of such a successful soundtrack?
Ivan Matias: I’m glad to have met & worked with Sylvia Rhone as a result of my contribution to the soundtrack. So many things I learned from her that I still carry with me today. Some things took me years to understand. I was young, socially awkward & not a great communicator. She took me under her wing & made me feel like I mattered in an industry of faceless, aspiring writers. With her incredible music legacy & contribution, she chose me to extend opportunities of a lifetime. I am eternally grateful to her. Delivering a record that Sylvia felt was worthy of her backing is my proudest moment of working on this soundtrack. AND she worked that record into En Vogues biggest hit ever too!

UrbanBridgez.com: Any favorite quotes from the actual film?
Ivan Matias: Well, not from the film, but my favorite quote came from Sylvia during a meeting about the film. She called Andrea & I into her office to play us our “Set It Off” video rough edit. Halfway through playing the video, Sylvia paused it on a beautiful shot of Andrea. Sylvia said. “I got you looking good RIGHT? I heard you’re planning to sign with Clive even though we had a deal. That better be a rumor because I will fade you & this single so fast. NOBODY at any other label is gonna get you looking this good baby.” Sylvia then pressed play, put down the remote & walked out of her office, leaving Andrea & I to watch the rest of the video. We looked at each other with mouths open, because although I begged Andrea to sign with Sylvia; we both knew she was going to Clive.

We Stan for Sylvia Rhone, ha!

Take a Trip Back and ReVisit One of The Last Soundtracks with Multiple Hits “Set It Off!”