"When keeping it real goes wrong."
The famous saying isn't referring to a classic Dave Chapelle skit, at least not this time. Unfortunately it applies to Grammy Award-winning music producer Scott Storch, who is recovering from a three-year cocaine binge in addition to blowing $30 million on exotic cars and lavish trips among other things.
To make matters even worse for the chart-topping hit maker, who is responsible for crafting hits for the likes of Beyonce, 50 Cent, Dr. Dre, and Chris Brown, he fell behind on the taxes on his multimillion-dollar Miami residence (which resulted in foreclosure) in addition to child support payments for his two children.
Since his sudden exile from an extravagant lifestyle, Storch has been relatively quiet and taking his road to recovery "day by day."...
"I found myself slipping a little bit," he told 'MTV News' exclusively. "I got involved in doing drugs. I had to get myself into recovery. Being in the life that I was living, very fast-moving, option to do anything you want, go anywhere you wanna go, it definitely takes its toll on you, and you lose your concept of reality."
He continued, "I had to get it under control. I had to take it back to the beginning and back to the Hit Factory, where I made a lot of my hits."
Although the former Roots member is back to making hits for the music industry's elite, he admits that his recovery to stardom is far from over.
"Just taking it day by day. I haven't won the war," he said. "It's not like something you can just fix and it's just gone. Addiction is a disease, and I have to constantly battle it. I feel so much better and have more clarity, especially in the studio. It's cool. It's been a really productive period. ... With the help of my publisher, TVT, I've had the chance to woodshed and come up with a whole new vibe. I'm very happy right now."
To avoid more legal trouble, Storch was recently charged with grand theft auto after failing to return a leased 2004 Bentley GT Coupe, which he began leasing in February 2006. According to the Miami Herald, Storch failed to return the vehicle in March 2008. He is scheduled to appear in Broward County Court on May 29.
For now, the producer is residing in a three-quarter house, where he is being supervised by a live-in counselor.
Beyonce and Solange Fashion Transformation
In 2001, Destiny's Child won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Song for their hit single 'Say My Name.' Beyonce was 20 years old, and Solange was 15. New to superstardom, these young girls from Texas would take their time developing their sense of style.
Kevin Mazur, WireImage.com
Looking just like her mom Tina, Beyonce began her career with hair extensions based on braids, way before she would "upgrade" to lace-front wigs. Beyonce's mother's taste would continue to influence the her, as she would struggle to develop her own looks apart from her mother's sensibilities.
Jim Spellman, WireImage.com
Working a strange mix of accessories, Beyonce used her ensemble to promote her self-penned hit 'Bootylicious.' We do what we must to reach the top! It was 2001, and still a few more years before Bey would cement her top spot without resorting to desperate fashion moves.
Kevin Mazur, WireImage.com
At the 2001 Teen Choice Awards, Beyonce and Solange fully evoked the over-the-top tacky look that became synonymous with their mother's style choices. Matching neon yellow outfits and braids in clashing shades of auburn were made worse by the wrong make-up colors. Having their mother as their stylist was quite the cross for B. and Solange to bear.
Gregg DeGuire, WireImage.com
In outfits containing a range of colors in clothing, hair, make-up and accessories that defy my capacity for negative description, Solange and Beyonce attended the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards -- wearing more clothes designed by Tina Knowles. Need we say more?
Theo Wargo, WireImage.com
As a teen, Solange grew up in the fast lane. Her braids, scarf, tee and jewelry were clothing any average girl would wear. As much as she needed to develop her sense of style as a star, Solange's deeper struggle would include developing an identity apart from her sister.
Photo AOL
Solange and Beyonce posed together in 2002. This is an uncharacteristically dressed-down look for Bey. Do you think she still has that 'Michael Jackson's Thriller' shirt?
L. Cohen, WireImage.com
Through this two-tone hair sculpture in the form of a lace-front wig, Beyonce shows the world that they do indeed do things big in Texas at the 'Austin Powers In Goldmember' premiere in 2002. While Beyonce began to branch out into acting roles at this time and slightly mature in her sense of style, Solange still seemed like a non-entity totally dressed by Mom.
Gregg DeGuire, WireImage.com
These two sisters made an appearance on MTV's 'TRL' in 2002 wearing distinctly different casual looks. While Beyonce took her relaxed dressing to a costume-like extreme, Solange still looked like a normal young person.
Kevin Mazur, WireImage.com
At the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards, Bey gave a knockout performance and revealed what many would come to term the "Beyonce Look" in full force. The huge blond mane and over-the-top sexy outfits were here to stay.
Frank Micelotta, Getty Images
Comments: (11)
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By: "DimePiece" on 4/28/2009 7:35AM
All I can say is WOW! ISH happens, but didn't have to? $$$$ and fame can lead you down the wrong path. You can you loose things and SELF. I say, if you live God's way you will be blessed, be prosperous in all areas of life. He is a talented producer and I hope he has a good recovery and comes back producing GOOD HITS! But come back when he is ready. Keep ya head up Scott Storch keep takin care of your children, do the right thing, and EVERYTHING will be ALL IGHT!
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By: Daniel Asamota on 4/29/2009 12:58AM
I feel sorry for the brutha' for I know it's a bummer losing all he has. But that's the danger of fast fortunes, they can go just as fast. I'm kind of glad that my fame is building slowly and so is my fortune. Prayerfully, I will avoid the same pitfalls in my career. But bruthas' need to stay away from drugs! Anybody who starts a relationship with drugs will end up in a bad marriage and trying to get away from them is like a nasty divorce. It's hard I'm sure when all of your peers are doing drugs (lets face it, that's what's happening) but you have to be strong enough to resist coz' nobody is strong enough to handle drugs and their responsibilities to their family and career. The drugs will win out everytime.
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By: Rick James on 4/28/2009 1:47PM
Cocaine is a hell of a drug....
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By: Urbanprincess on 4/28/2009 5:09PM
Your funny :-)
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By: Sloane on 4/28/2009 7:29PM
Man...I just heard Rick's chuckle in my head...thanks for the great memories of Rick and that was classic timing...I am sure Scott had to laugh at that too!
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By: deeny on 8/27/2009 4:55AM
lol!
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By: demillicent on 4/28/2009 10:02PM
I thank God that I was too much of a chicken to try drugs. I was so poor when I was young, the thought of spending money on drugs was unthinkable to me. I liked eating and having a place to live; bathing and all that stuff.
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By: ANDRE BIG DAWG on 5/12/2009 12:15AM
That's what he gets, he wasted alot of money, watch MTV Cribs. Him being a drugs, were suppose to feel sorry for him, what a idiot!! All the songs he produced sounded the same, music changes but he doesn't, good luck, dude. Timberland was right, maybe you can get a keyboard gig with him.
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By: Scott Storch on 11/17/2009 11:13AM
Thanks for all the positive comments everyone.
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By: Martez Gibson on 11/27/2009 5:11PM
Scott duck all the negative ish some of these people are talking about you man,everybody who's human can make mistakes in life.Man just because a person made a mistake and done drugs doesn't mean that they are human trash.Especially if you are making a sincere effort to get your self together.Man I know you still have the ability to do what you do in music,and if other people want to talk ish and turn backs on you I believe in you homie and I have a brother who's nice on the mic and you really need to get at me man.
Give a little back to your true fans who got your back no matter what..Get at me man and check this kid out you might be surprised.
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