Producer/Engineer/Musician

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

A: I got my first #1 Billboard record with Kidi & Mavado, a song called BLESSED that I co-produced. Needless to say it was a blessing working on this song. Crazy thing was, we all worked on this record from different parts of the world. We were never in the same room. KiDi in Ghana, Mavado in Jamaica, and I, in Los Angeles. To create such a vibe, across the seas was really dope. It was also totally backwards than how I normally make records. KiDi had lyrics first. I got the lyrics over a basic drum loop. Normally I start chords first, drums, then vocals as a basic start. But this time the vocals and drums were already started, so I built around it. It was fun and definitely memorable.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm currently working on 2 tv shows in production and prepping to release 2 eps with upcoming artists this year, one of which named Nakkia Gold. Check her out!

Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?

A: I saw BigDuke was on here! If yall don't know he's a great producer/beatmaker. The fact you can get a dope producer like that on this platform is really dope.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both. They both have their place. We don't get digital without the foundation analog gave us.

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

A: To make you feel good about your decision to work with me. When I work with clients, I have a goal to leave them with one thought: "I loved working with Los. We gotta do it again". I want to be one of your favorite producers.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I literally get to make music for people, artists, tv shows, etc. for a living. I get to think something and then it becomes a reality. A song or an album, or a tv placement... Doing my job is living my dream. The idea that my childhood dream came true is a really dope thing to think about, and be grateful for.

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

A: Customer's tend to ask: Whats your fee? I tend to respond with: What's your budget?

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

A: I make beats all day lol.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I want to know the good stuff. How do you want to feel when you hear the finished product? If you close your eyes and imagine hearing your song the way you want to hear it ideally, what colors do you see in your mind if any? Where do you want your music to exist, in life? In other words how do you want people to experience your music while they're experiencing life? (Do you want it in the clubs, elevator music, while people are shopping, etc etc)

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

A: I think its great if you know what you want, but if you don't know what you want or where exactly you want to go with a record, be open to what the producer offers you when it comes to guidance and the big picture. Songs and records are 2 different things and he traditional title for a music producer was a "Record Producer". So if you have a good idea or a good song, be open to understanding the producer's job is taking your good song to a dope record, and sometimes the creative choices that make your song a dope record may not be what you were thinking. But be open to trusting the producer to take your song to the next level. Be confident in your decision in whoever you hire, and let them do their thing. HOWEVER, while letting them lead you in making a dope record, remember they are working for you. So speak up if you do know what you want or if you start to figure it out along the way.

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

A: Does my laptop count as gear? LOL If not, I'll need my Apollo, some set monitors w/ sub (I know thats 3 pieces alone lol) , a keyboard (maybe a JUNO or through back to a MOTIF with at least 61 keys), and the MPC LIVE II.

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

A: I was a child actor but I always wanted to make music. Especially for tv/film. Along the way I learned to DJ and engineer at 11 years old.I engineered my first engineering live gig at 13 years old working the monitor mix for a show that Outkast headlined. That was in 2000 I believe. I made a full transition away from acting and studied music. By the time I was 15 I was hired as the youngest person to ever work for UMG. I'd say that was a pretty solid start in 2003. So I've been officially working in the music industry lets call it 20 years.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Like water. Adaptable. I believe I bring value and good vibes to any room or session. However being able to adapt to whatever a client needs is a key ingredient for a producer as we are basically in leadership and service positions.

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

A: I wish I could have worked with MJ and Whitney Houston... The passion and magic they both possessed was unmatched.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Learn Music Theory... I know I know, but hear me out. It's literally like a book of cheat codes that help you articulate your ideas, musically. Imagine hearing a song, chord progression or melody in your head, and just knowing how to play/build it. Doesn't that sound better than guessing and dragging midi clips? I'm Just sayin'

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

A: I'm generally producing a blend of mainstream style and production music. Lots of sync opportunities out there. Genres are typically Urban (Hip hop and R&B) and Pop.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Seeing the potential in a good song/idea and making it a great record.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Life. That's always my goal. Even if it already has a little life to it I want to bring all of it out. More life, more vibe...its that emotional thing that you can't really put into words. I like to make songs feel like good records. Sure some people make records louder, clearer, warmer, big or wide... I bring life to the record. I want to make you feel the record, not just hear it.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: If I'm producing, I usually start with playing chords and shifting through sounds and textures. I may find melody first and build chords around it, but generally chords first, then the skeleton of the drums. From there I may go to top line melody, and generally will start wrtiting from there. After recording vocals, I take the post production approach and add more musically, and really produce around the organic idea. That's my favorite approach. However sometimes I'll finish a track (for the most part) and then let the artist/writer do their thing lyrically as I guide the recording process. If I'm mixing, I start from the bottom up. Drums and low frequency sounds first and build my way up,

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Depends on where I am and what the job calls for. At home its primarily in the box, Apollo interface and way too many plugins lol. But sometimes you gotta step into the big room with the big toys. SSL 9000J w Atomic PS. 24 Channels of Neve 1073 Preamps 2 Neve 33140 (1081 Vintage) Manley Tube Monoblock Preamp Tube – Tech CL-1B Compressors 1176 We could go full list but I don't want to bore you with the tech stuff lol

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

A: As a producer I got my start tagging along behind 1500 or Nothin while they were getting their start. So of course SoCal natives like 1500, BattleCat, Will I Am, Dre, DJ Quick all have heavy influence on my production style, but I also take a lot from Rick Rubin, Pharell Williams and Quincy Jones.

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

A: Generally I'm in the producer role, however any real producer knows that the title may come with a few roles/duties... beatmaker/composer, engineer, top-liner, arranger... Whatever needs to be done to finish the record. That's what I'm here for.