Arguably one of the best urban music producer/audio engineer in Nairobi, Kenya; worked with Bensoul, Nazizi, Karun and many more top industry artists in Kenya. Now located in Kitengela, Athi River just near Nairobi, Robin is the founder of Artbeat District which is a cutting-edge audio and motion picture production house.
In the winter of 2019, the then Kisumu based music producer voiced some of the most notable musicians in Kenya including: The legendary Nazizi Hirji, B.E.T. nominated Karun, Bensoul from Sol Generation a record label run by the best group in Africa Sauti Sol, on a project which was released in early 2020. This project also features rappers Nafsi Huru and Mazzi who is a Def Jam artist and lastly The CBK Music from Kisumu. Robin has been on the grind cutting records for Gabiro, Steve J. Bryan, Javada, Flaqo 411 Society, Akoth Jumadi, Natalia J Music, Japesa, Grammy winning trumpeter Owuor Arunga, Mitchelle Omondi, Jazz band Nairobi Horns Project among many more.
Contact me through the green button above and let's get to work.
Interview with Brian Robin
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: Akoth Jumadi - Ere Yo EP This was an 8 track Ep that I produced each song. This project brought along some valuable contacts across borders.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: My Ep
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Digital because it's what my clients understand.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I control my time
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: Which songs I have produced. I send them my YouTube playlist of all my productions.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: Making music is easy
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: Why do you do music?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Listen to my previous work and decide if I'm the right pick before you engage me for the job.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Bike, Water bottle, keyboard, My phone, Laptop
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I have been producing for 4 years now.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Authentic
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Trey Songz, he inspired my live for studios.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Listen with your ears.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Afrobeats, Afro Soul, Zouk, R&B, Gospel, dancehall, HipHop, Trap
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Songwriting and Arrangement
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: Authenticity
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: Book session, Make an Instrumental, Track Vocals, go back and finish the instrumental using the recorded vocals, mix and then master the tracks.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: ArtBeat Music Studio is located along Mamboleo - Miwani Rd Kisumu City. We are set up 200metres off the main road. We occasionally include live guitars, keyboard, and live percussion to add authenticity in our production.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Bryan Michael Cox
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Music Production. This involves song writing, beat making, vocal tracking, mixing and mastering.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: Quality
- Beat MakerAverage price - $150 per song
- Sound DesignAverage price - $50 per minute
- Mixing EngineerAverage price - $50 per song
- Recording StudioAverage price - $150 per day
- Vocal TuningAverage price - $40 per track
- Bass ElectricAverage price - $70 per song
- ProducerAverage price - $200 per song
- Burna Boy
- Sauti Sol
- Tems
- Casio Privia
- MXL Mic
- TLM 103
- Fender steel
- flute
- Focusrite 2i2
- Jumadi - JangoloMar 25, 2020
This is the first release off her forthcoming EP "Ere Yo". Jangolo is a beautiful song and the story behind it is even more beautiful. This is also the first song that was done almost entirely On The Road with @artbeatmusic and has not seen the light of a professional studio setup. And... this is also my first ever production without a piano sound.
Listen on YouTube
- Gabiro drops Kus Kus Produced by Brian RobinSep 24, 2019
Gabiro Mtu Necessary drop visuals to his new song Kus Kus which borrows influence from trap, rap and ragga-tone brings a feel good dancehall vibe. The song was produced by arguably the best music producer from Kisumu/Nyanza Brian Robin at One Vibe Studio.
