Interview by: Kristen Teesdale & Frankie P
You were first working with another producer; Tell us how does it feel now to be a solo producer now.
It feels somewhat the same, being that I was always the creator and he just pretty much handled the business end of things. The only difference is I’m now involved with more of the business part of production, but for the most part I have good management (DJ Nasty & Dj Khaled) to deal with that, so it feels good.
Talk a little bit about your method of producing.
There is really no method or steps I take each time I create, everything is started from an idea. Sometimes I will start with a melodic idea and work around it , or sometimes i will start with a drum idea and work around that. Which ever works at that moment.
What is your go-to equipment in the studio?
The majority of it is software, so my go- to equipment will be a simple piano vst and also Ez drummer. Shoutout to toontracks!
You first exploded on the scene when you worked with Ace Hood and Trey Songz. Since then, you’ve worked with chart-topping artists like Flo Rida, Young Jeezy and Jay-Z. What is your dream collaboration?
Jay – Z was one of them, i would say now my dream collaboration would lean more to the Pop & Rb side. Beyonce, Alicia keys, katy perry ..etc
Virginia boasts some of music’s most successful names including Timbaland, Missy Elliott, Clipse and The Neptunes. How do your VA roots translate in your production?
One things I like about VA is we have a little of everything out here as far as southern and east cost music. I wouldn’t say Va has a sound but there are sources to get inspired from southern, to gogo, to east coast music, very wide genre of music.
Does that different sound help you stand out in a sea or artists who are living and working in NYC, LA or ATL?
I think at times it does, but being Versatile does help as well.
Talk a bit about the Blueprint 3 placement. Aligning yourself with a veteran in the industry like Jay-Z is a powerful thing.
The blueprint 3 record “Real as it gets” was a blessing from God. It was suppose to be young jeezy’s record which I would have been just as happy to place, but being that it landed on Jay Z’s album was a honor.
How did it feel to get heavy weights such as Rick Ross, Jay Z, and John Legend on the “Free Mason” track? How did the beat come about?
It felt great to have those heavy weights on 1 record, not to mention to have Jay Z on another record of mine. The beat came along pretty simple, I laid a concept idea with a few instruments, got a friend to replay the guitar parts then built around it.
How do you re-invent yourself when you feel like you’re getting stuck?
Usually when I get stuck, I would start from scratch, but if that doesn’t work I have to step away from it for awhile, clear my mind and then I’ll get right back to it.
Networking is certainly a powerful tool in any business. How does a producer community like iStandard Producers help in any phase of a production career?
Istandard is definitely a benefit to anyone whose trying to take on this career. You get the 411 from people whose already in it, you get the opportunity to meet all the right people, its definitely a great tool.
Is it equally useful for both veterans and newbies?
Yes, veterans or newbies.. You can never gain too much knowledge.
You’ve said in interviews that you really focus on doing work for good artists and helping people as you’ve been helped in your careers. So what do you say to producers who are just trying to get their start?
I would say, continue to network, Study this business, and stay creative.
Words of advice?
Stay humble and always continue to work hard, no matter the level of your success.
What can we expect to see from you in the coming months?
A lot of unexpected things! Stay tuned!
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