Hip Hop/Rock Guitarist

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

A: “One project I’m especially proud of was working on The Weeknd’s Kiss Land album, where I contributed guitar tracking and helped shape the sonic texture of several key tracks. My role combined performance and production, blending my technical skills with creative input to add depth and emotion to the music. Being part of a project that reached billions of streams and connected with millions of fans worldwide was incredibly rewarding and helped me grow as an artist and producer.”

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: “I’m currently working on several exciting projects, including producing and recording guitar tracks for upcoming hip-hop and R&B artists, collaborating on a fusion metal EP under my Bizzythowed project, and creating custom guitar lessons that help players unlock new techniques and styles. I’m always exploring ways to blend genres and bring fresh sounds to every session.”

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Analog vs. Digital really depends on the context and what you want: Analog gives you warmth, natural imperfections, and that organic vibe many musicians and producers love. It’s great for capturing raw emotion and character, especially in guitars and vocals. The subtle saturation and harmonic richness can’t always be perfectly replicated digitally. Digital offers precision, flexibility, and convenience. Editing, recall, and processing are faster and more accurate, making it perfect for modern production workflows, mixing, and genres where clarity and punch are key. My personal approach: I blend both worlds. I track and capture performance with analog gear when I want that natural warmth and feel, then use digital tools to shape, polish, and finalize. It’s about using the right tool for the job.

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

A: “I promise to deliver top-tier guitar performances and productions that elevate your project. I’m committed to clear communication, fast turnaround, and exceeding your expectations with every session. Let’s bring your vision to life with precision, passion, and professionalism.”

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: What I love most is helping people bring their ideas to life. There’s nothing like taking a rough voice memo or a raw guitar riff and turning it into something that sounds polished, emotional, and undeniably real. I also love the collaboration — the back-and-forth with artists who care about their craft. Whether I’m laying down guitar, mixing a record, or building a full track, I get to make something that didn’t exist yesterday. That’s still magic to me, even after 20+ years.

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

A: Q: Can you make this sound like [insert big artist]? A: Yes — I can match the vibe, energy, and quality while still helping you sound like yourself. I usually ask for 1–2 reference tracks so I know what you're aiming for sonically and emotionally. Q: How long will it take? A: Most projects take 2–5 days depending on the scope, but I’ll always give you a clear timeline up front. If you need a rush, I can usually accommodate it. Q: How many revisions do I get? A: I typically offer 2–3 rounds of revisions — but my goal is to get it right the first time, and I’m flexible if we’re close. Q: Can you work with my budget? A: I try to be flexible — especially if it’s a passion project or something long-term — but I also price based on the level of experience, gear, and attention your song deserves.

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

A: The biggest misconception is that I “just play guitar” or “just mix tracks.” What I really do is help bring a song to life — emotionally, sonically, and professionally. Whether it’s guitar, production, or engineering, I’m making creative decisions that shape how people feel when they hear your music. Another one is thinking that fast = cheap or that professional gear alone makes something sound great. In reality, it’s the ears, experience, and intention that make a track stand out — not just the tools.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I always start by asking a few key things to make sure we’re aligned creatively and technically: What’s your vision or goal for the song? (emotion, vibe, audience, placement, etc.) Do you have any reference tracks or artists in mind? What services do you need from me? (guitar, production, mixing, etc.) What’s your timeline and budget? How involved do you want to be in the process? (collaborative vs hands-off) From there, I tailor the workflow to your needs — whether that’s fast delivery, detailed creative input, or just staying out of your way and making it sound incredible.

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

A: Know what you want the end result to feel like, even if you don’t know all the technical terms. A good provider (like me) can translate your ideas into reality — but the more honest you are about your goals, vision, and budget, the better the collaboration will be. Also, hire based on vibe and track record, not just price. You’re not just paying for gear or skills — you’re investing in someone who will care about your music like it’s their own. Look for someone who communicates clearly, delivers on time, and actually listens to what you need.

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

A: Fender Stratocaster – versatile, expressive, and durable — I can get clean, dirty, funky, or emotional tones all in one guitar. Universal Audio Apollo Twin – rock-solid interface with killer preamps and UAD plugins baked in. MacBook Pro loaded with Pro Tools, Logic, and Ableton – gotta have options to record, produce, and arrange. Omnisphere – endless inspiration for textures, ambient scoring, or even drums if I get creative. Line 6 Helix – powerful amp modeling and FX in one box. Sounds great, super flexible, and no cab needed on a beach.

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

A: I’ve been playing guitar since I was 11 and went on to study at Berklee College of Music at 18, where I focused on guitar performance and music business. After college, I trained as a sound engineer in Miami, then launched my own production company and band while engineering for major-label projects. I’ve been in the music industry for over 20 years now — as a guitarist, producer, and engineer, with credits including The Weeknd, Kehlani, Nicki Minaj, and Pitbull. I’ve done session work, live shows, mixing, sync licensing, and full song production. Today, I run Mean Stringz Publishing, work with clients globally, and help artists build timeless records from start to finish — while also teaching and mentoring upcoming musicians.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: My guitar style is a blend of soul, grit, and cinematic energy. I grew up on rock, blues, and funk, but I bring those influences into everything from trap and R&B to pop and film scoring. Whether it’s a clean melodic line, a heavy distorted riff, or ambient layers with effects — I play with emotion, tone, and space in mind. I focus on what serves the song. I can keep it minimal and tasteful, or go full-blown and wild — whatever brings the track to life.

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

A: I’m open to working with any artist who’s serious about their craft — someone who’s willing to invest in themselves, their sound, and the creative process. I love collaborating with artists who aren’t afraid to experiment, who care about quality, and who show up with vision and energy. Whether you’re just starting out or already making moves, if you’re committed to leveling up — I’m all in.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Don’t chase loudness too early. A common mistake is trying to make a track slam before the mix even breathes. Focus first on balance, space, and emotion — let your instruments and vocals sit in the right pockets before reaching for limiters and mastering chains. A clean, well-built mix will hit way harder with less effort in the final stage. The feeling always wins over the volume.

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

A: I work across a wide range of genres, but I’m most active in R&B, hip-hop, trap, alt-rock, cinematic, and soul. A lot of my sessions blend styles — I might be laying guitar over a trap beat, mixing a pop-R&B track, or producing something that fuses rock and cinematic elements. I also love working on music for film, TV, and sync, where emotion and mood really matter. Whether it’s a stripped-down ballad, a heavy anthem, or a lush instrumental, I focus on making the music hit both sonically and emotionally.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skill is bringing out the soul and identity of a track — whether it’s through a standout guitar performance, a hard-hitting mix, or building the entire production from the ground up. I’ve spent years developing my ear for tone, emotion, and balance, and I know how to make a song feel alive and hit hard at the same time. Whether I’m playing, producing, or engineering, I approach every session with a mix of technical precision and creative instinct — and that’s what helps artists get something that not only sounds great, but feels real.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring emotion, edge, and pro-level execution to every song I touch. Whether I’m laying down guitars, building a track from scratch, or polishing a final mix — I focus on what the song needs to connect with real people. With 20+ years in the game, I know how to blend musicality with commercial quality. I can add the soul, the grit, or the cinematic drama — whatever gives your track its signature identity. Artists come to me not just for the sound, but for the feeling I bring to it. My goal is always to elevate the artist’s vision — not just to finish a song, but to help create something that lasts.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I start every project by getting a clear sense of your vision — whether it's a full production, a guitar feature, or a mix/master. I’ll ask for references, rough ideas, or just a vibe you’re going for. From there, I usually lay down initial ideas quickly — whether it’s a beat, a topline guitar pass, or a mix draft — so we can align early. For guitar sessions, I typically record multiple takes and layer tones for texture and energy. For production, I build from drums and chords outward, incorporating emotion, movement, and space. Mixes are handled with care — balancing warmth and punch, and optimized for streaming and radio. I deliver high-quality WAV files, stems, and project elements via Dropbox or WeTransfer. Revisions are welcome — my goal is to make sure you get exactly what you need. Communication is fast, honest, and collaborative.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: My studio setup is lean, powerful, and built for creativity and high-quality output. I work on a MacBook Pro running Pro Tools, Logic Pro X, and Ableton Live, depending on the needs of the project. For instruments and sound design, I use Line 6, Native Instruments Komplete, and Omnisphere, giving me a wide range of textures from clean and organic to experimental and cinematic. I mix and master with industry-standard plugins from Waves and iZotope, ensuring radio-ready results with warmth, punch, and clarity. I track guitars using Fender, Gibson, and Ibanez models — covering everything from soulful leads to heavy riffs, ambient layers, and modern trap textures. Whether it's a raw guitar solo or a polished production, my studio is dialed in for fast workflow, pro sound, and creative flexibility.

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

A: I draw inspiration from genre-blending legends like Prince and Jimi Hendrix — artists who pushed boundaries both technically and emotionally. As a guitarist, I’ve always respected the tone mastery of David Gilmour, the raw power of Tom Morello, and the phrasing of John Mayer. On the production side, I’m influenced by visionary producers like Rick Rubin, Mike Dean, Timbaland, and No I.D. — creatives who understand not just the sonics, but the story behind every beat and texture. I also admire modern composers like Hans Zimmer and Ludwig Göransson for the way they fuse cinematic scale with raw emotion. Whether it’s a trap banger, a soulful ballad, or a guitar-heavy score, I take cues from these greats to keep every project fresh, emotional, and timeless.

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

A: I’m most often hired to perform session guitar, produce full tracks, or mix/master songs across genres like R&B, hip-hop, trap, rock, and cinematic pop. Artists and producers come to me when they want unique guitar textures, clean and powerful radio-ready mixes, or fully produced songs from scratch — whether it’s a custom beat, a sync-ready instrumental, or a full vocal arrangement. I also regularly collaborate remotely, providing layered guitar stems, building beats around vocal demos, and finalizing polished, ready-for-release mixes and masters. My clients value not just the sound quality, but also the creative input and fast turnaround I bring to every project.