Producer | Writer | Performer

Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

A: My promise is clear & concise communication and producing work to the best of my abilities. Most importantly, I go into every experience with the intent to create lasting relationships/moments. Yes, work can be temporary, but we should feel comfortable tapping back into those moments, or the people we made them with.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love, that I love what I do. We are raised to dream big, then grow up with opposing limitations in the career world. But, once you acknowledge what it is you love or what moves you, and what you want to do with it, create your own story.

Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A: I'm normally asked for mashups or questions in regard to mixing on offbeats for dance mixes. My answers can range. Firstly I let my clients know I have to review the music first, and I'll even cut drafts to test, and if it is something we agree on, then we discuss price, timeline, etc... For dance mixes, it is common that a count in choreography will bounce between instruments, lyrics, or simply vocal delivery. I tell them with the right sound effect, voice clip, or exiting/entering beat, any transition can be smooth.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: 1. What's the genre? 2. What's the story? 3. What's the mood? 4. What's the song's form/layout? 5. What are you open to changing?

Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

A: I began dance training at the age of 9, I went to an activism-driven middle school that encouraged the voices of their students especially artistically. It was here, I discovered my voice as a poet and songwriter. I went to a theatre arts high school, allowing me to explore both behind the curtains and on stage. When I got to college I joined the competitive dance team and quickly became their mixing engineer as well as for the sistering step team. I continued mixing for schools after graduating, and the work's consistency encouraged me to begin in other parts of my dreams, such as producing and starting to work with other artists. I would say I have been creative for the majority of my life.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skills for production would be, original (playback) editing and comping. My strongest skills as a songwriter are that I am a vocalist and a lyricist, so I have a habit of bouncing in between voices. This means that not only can I hear/deliver different voices in a melody, or changes from verse to chorus, but I also can hear/deliver/write the transition between the singer and the rapper in one piece. This can be good for example, in a hip-hop song, that may have 2 rap verses, but an r&b chorus and an alternative hip-hop bridge or transition at the end.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Firstly, introduction and concept conversations are important between myself and the person(s), about the desired service(s), and getting to know my clients. Following would be the current project review, this helps me with the mood and (imagined), visual ideas of what is desired. With an open project file I can create, remix, modify, write, sing, rap, etc. I require and accept projects that are presented in 1-2 weeks (depending on the size of the project) before the desired due date. If it is an entire album or large project of that magnitude, 2-3 weeks to maintain balance with my other ongoing projects.

Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

A: I have a long list of inspirations, but to name some; Mimi Spence, Pharrell Williams, Calvin Harris, David Guetta, Swiss Beatz, Alicia Keys, Tinashe, Kehlani, Kelly Rowland, Keri Hilson, Victoria Monet, Sade, Beyonce, Jay-Z, Queen Latifah, Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill, etc...

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

A: Two projects I am currently working on are for an artist named, Mimi Spence. I was graduating high school when she produced her first album, Freedomology, but I co-wrote a couple of choruses' and melodies on it. So it was an honor after a decade, to be asked to produce an EP and an album for her.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I am currently a freelance Producer and Mixing Engineer, as well as an In-House Producer for a social app called, Mayk.It.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: BOTH!!!!! When I was in school, we were given the opportunity to appreciate the raw quality that comes from analog and the labor efficiency of digital.

Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?

A: For me, it's that I can only belong to one part of the job, genre, or idea. I was a theatre arts kid, so we got to learn about all the roles because they all matter. You don't have to deny all the parts of yourself in order to co-create or seek help from outside sources.

Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A: If you have an idea, you have already begun your work. Don't be discouraged by what you lack in physical manifestation. When you start writing things down and networking you will find more encouragement to work harder and complete the smaller tasks for your bigger picture. Follow your instincts, this doesn't mean a direct answer, but it will be your "inner you" giving direction.

Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

A: 1. Solar panel generator 2. Solar power outlet 3. Laptop 4. Portable drive with all my music 5. Hunting/Sporting knife or Cutless

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I would describe my style as having an emotional experience. I can see what I feel, in color, in shape, in images, etc., and I can turn it into thought and those thoughts translate into production.

Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

A: My dream of work is reflective of my inspiration list. Why, because these are creators who make space for imagination. Their work allows you to be any and everything you feel.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: One tip would be to ask questions about whatever it is you're working on, and make sure you get to know your artists or co-creators so that you know what is needed and expected. Most importantly remember yourself in your work, as creatives, we reflect in everything we produce, make sure you are staying true to yourself while creating these spaces for others.

Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

A: I bounce between genres weekly. Mostly I work with Hip Hop, R&B, Soul, Pop, Electronic, House(s), and many of their subgenres or alternative placements.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring space and imagination. The idea that many things can exist in one space is possible, it just depends on their placement. Imagination is important because music can touch anyone, as long as they can see it for themselves and of themselves.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I currently use Logic Pro X and Acid Music Studio, though I also can work in Abelton, Reason, and Protools. I have Arturia Lab and Esoniq Midis & Synths. For instruments, I have an electric and an acoustic guitar, djembe drums, and an electronic Drumkit.

Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

A: I produce songs for requested genres or with reference tracks/lyrics. Mixing/Engineering for high school and college dance team(s) performances and competitions include sound effects/clips and voiceovers/clips. Co-writing choruses and sometimes verse editing.