Mike Nappi on SoundBetter

I CAN: - Replace samples in hip hop records with original instruments -Add guitars, bass, keys, synths to your songs -Write and co-write to help the vocalist find the perfect pocket in a song -Make custom beats based on emotion, a reference track, lyrics, acapellas in all genres -Need a booming 808 that cuts through the mix ? I got you

I do whatever it takes for whatever is best for the vision of a song. I have no ego and as both a producer and an artist I understand the emotional attachment each artist has to their work. All ideas are worth trying no matter what level of experience anyone on the team is at. I work time efficiently and will send back a mix as well as two packs of organized, gain-staged stems (fx and dry).

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Interview with Mike Nappi

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I co-produced, co-wrote, and/or wrote and performed guitar and bass for eleven songs in a four-EP series for the rap icon Canibus. As a writer, Canibus is one of my favorite writers and the opportunity to work alongside him was life changing. Executive producer of the entire series was Domingo Padilla, legendary NY hiphop-producer. He has become my close friend and mentor and the lessons are endless with him from music to business.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: I work for SampleFix at mediafamous.com. I replace samples in hip-hop songs for artists that can't afford or can't clear the sample. I will capture the emotion, sounds, and vibes of a sample and create original music to fill the space of where the sample was. I am also an artist, Mike Nappi. I self-produce and release music regularly. I am a content creator and am active daily on youtube, instagram, and tiktok. I perform original music weekly and my digital and physical following is currently growing daily.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: not at this time
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Digital simply because it is what I have spent the most time with. I had one internship in an analog studio in 2006 but since then I have worked primarily in digital realms and often within the box.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I promise to keep your vision as a priority and deliver accordingly.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Educating and making others happy. Watching/hearing reactions to something I was a part of.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: "why aren't you signed?" ... My answer: "I'm not signed but I work and have worked with record labels."
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: The layers of thought that are behind every question I ask and decision I make during the creation process.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: Do you have any reference-songs (original or someone else's) that are similar to what you are going for ? Feel free to send me a voice message and hum a melody. What emotions are you wanting to capture? When would you like this project finished? Do you have any demo-ideas I could hear? I offer stems as-is or "dry" if you prefer.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Find someone that prioritizes what you want in the time-frame that you need. Ask as many questions as you need to feel secure with the job. Do research on the provider and check out their social media and streaming links/references. There's no such thing as a bad idea. It's better to suggest an idea than to wish you did. Agree on a price and pay on time.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: My 12 string acoustic guitar (with lots of extra strings), a solar panel set-up that could give me infinite electricity, MacBook +interface, my fender strat (with extra strings), a bass (with extra strings).... and I'd try to smuggle a microphone otherwise i'd have to chuck the bass and rely on octave-fx haha.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I started with piano lessons at age 3. I went full time artist/producer/songwriter six years ago.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: urban
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: I would like to work with Anderson Paak because we are very similar. My primary instrument is the guitar and his primary instrument is drums. We are both incredible songwriters, rappers, and musicians. I met him once and rapped for him and he liked it but look forward to when we can really build. I respect Anderson a lot.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Let the fun guide you always!!!! A great song is a great song.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Pop, Hip-Hop, Rock, Reggaeton, Singer-Songwriter, Rap, Trap, Drill Music
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: My strongest skill is fluently translating ideas from a client's head into the music they want.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I bring a supreme knowledge of pop, rock, and hip-hop music. I am an artist and a producer and will never cross the line when I am producing/ co-producing. I also have an artist's brain and understand the emotional attachment a client may have with their song. I empathize with that and I bring an ability to fuse the client's love for an idea and a complete song. The rules matter less than always having the client being happy and having fun. Work can be done and fun can be had. I work very well under pressure and believe in positive reinforcement. I will never insult a client but will always remain honest with constructive criticism, keeping in mind my main focus listed above.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I ask the client to be as specific as they can be in regards to what they need with the music. Often I will encourage to include emotions and reference tracks to ensure I successfully deliver what they need. I work very efficiently with time. Once I have ideas that I think are in line with the client's vision, I share them and allow the client to decide which direction we go. I include the client in the creation process as much as possible because it is the client's vision, not mine. I am confident in my knowledge of song creation, arrangement, and songwriting. In certain circumstances, a client may need guidance in those areas and I will not only find a solution, share teach my knowledge and help the client learn some new skills. I am skilled in artist development.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: Logic Pro X, AT4040 vocal mic, multiple guitars and basses, focusrite interface
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Thundercat, Mac Miller, Pharrell, Anderson Paak, Kanye West, Eminem, Timbaland, Jamiroquai, Tyler the Creator, Chad Hugo, Rick Rubin, Zaytoven, Tainy, Bruno Mars, Q-Tip, Domingo, DJ Premier, ?uestlove, Nile Rogers, Hit-boy, Max Martin, Dianne Warren
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I write and produce original music and beats for clients. I replace a samples in songs with original music that holds the same vibe without the need to worry about sample-clearances . I produce beats/music based off of reference tracks, emotions, video, lyrics, and more. I contribute live guitar and bass lines to to songs in many genres. I arrange beats from loops into full songs. I write lyrics and top line melodies. I am confident in everything I can offer, work very well with others, have no ego attached, and the client's vision is my main priority.