RMB Interview

What inspired you to start creating music, and how long have you been creating music for?

I think one of the biggest inspirations for me was watching how my mom worked. She played classical music as I was growing up, and she played in a quartet and a symphony here in Chicago. That made me want to experiment more before wanting to be a producer. Initially, I wanted to DJ because I didn't think much about the intricacies of making music. I wanted to scratch, inspired by movies and stuff where I saw turntables. As I grew older, I delved deeper into music. At that point, my uncle, who was dabbling in music, came by with a copy of one of those programs, maybe Reason 1. That was a while back. I also had Fruity Loops 3, before it became FL Studio. I kept messing with it and got better over time. It felt like a tattoo addiction, where once you get one, you want to keep doing more and trying different ways. So, I've been making music since I was 13, but I consider my professional career to have started at 19.

Do you have any placements? If you have had any placements, who have you had them with?

I've had placements with Taylor Gang as a label since I'm an in-house producer with them. Artists like Chevy Woods, Juicy J, and Ty Dolla Sign. I've also had placements in video games like Mortal Kombat 10 and MS Legend in 2014. I've done shows on Netflix like "Girl Boss" and a Formula One show called "Drive to Survive." I've had a range of sports placements and worked with artists like Baby Face Ray and the duo The Moonlight, who have a Middle Eastern influence in their R&B. I've also collaborated with Young Jeezy. I've been blessed with a nice range of placements.

What samples do you normally like using when creating your own beats?

My main approach is usually in-house, and I take pride in that. I've been in debates where people say certain individuals shouldn't sample, but I believe in doing whatever makes you happy and working from there. I do both sampling and creating from scratch. I play a bit of piano and can handle keyboards well enough to make it sound like I hired a bass player. I experiment and try to make things from scratch, creating my own sound. I have a company with another producer called Glitch Realm, and we've developed sound design tools, loops, and melodies to maintain our unique sound. We didn't outsource much and preferred starting from the drawing board when trying something new.

What vibe were you trying to achieve with the sound pack?

Typically, I go for a trap vibe. There's a big soul element in my trap sound. I'm into ambient sounds, pads, and keys, sometimes with more reverb than expected. It's like ambient trap soul, or we can go completely soulful. I like adding elements that might throw curve balls and deviate from the everyday workflow. It's about doing something that sparks your mind and leads you to create something you wouldn't have thought of before.

How do you see other creators and producers using a sample pack?

I hope they use what I provided as a source of inspiration and see what they can take, flip, and change. They shouldn't be afraid to experiment, reverse melodies, or make the sounds their own. While it's fine to take a melody and add drums, I encourage them to dig a little deeper and find unique elements that grab attention.

Do you have any specific tips that you would recommend for creators when using this pack?

One suggestion is to try downsampling. It's a bit of a complex topic because sometimes people confuse downsampling with using a low-pass filter to make it sound more powerful. In reality, they are similar but not exactly the same. There are specific artifacts that get removed, while others remain, resulting in a whole new sound. So, I recommend experimenting with downsampling and exploring different plugin options. Another tip is to try slowing down everything by half speed.

What advice would you have for upcoming creators?

My biggest piece of advice would be to stick with a sound that you feel comfortable with and have practiced. Put your own twist on it and find something that sets you apart. Master it, but don't be afraid to experiment as well. Keep an open mind because you never know when pressing a button accidentally might lead to creating the best thing you've ever made. So, maintaining an open mind can open doors you never expected.

What are the top three producers of all time?

Pharrell Williams is undoubtedly number one, with no competition or discussion. Next is Timbaland. When I was young, Pharrell and Timbaland inspired me to start making beats their way. I remember having an old Yamaha keyboard. So, those are my top two. Number three would be Dr. Dre and the fourth is Quincy Jones, as he is truly a monster in the industry.

What is your favorite studio snack?

Aside from the beer, which is not plant-based, my favorite is coffee, for sure. I drink coffee all day, maybe too much. I'm already on my fourth cup now. But yes, coffee helps me wake up and get my mind working. I think it's more of a psychological effect rather than a scientific one.

What's your dream collaboration?

Hans Zimmer.

Interview by Sean P. Jones

You can check out  RMB's sample pack.