Hip Hop Music Producer

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

A: My “Feeling Like Money” record is one of the projects I’m most proud of because it was the final music video I created with my close friend and frequent collaborator, Darrius “DareRowe” Rowe Jr., before he passed away in September 2025. I was the artist and creative lead, helping shape the record, performance, and overall visual direction. Beyond the music, the project now represents our friendship, creative chemistry, and the work we built together. It will always hold a special place in my career.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Im looking for new artist to sign to Hartboyz Musik Group. I want to build that next Major label, a young Jimmie Iovine if you will. I also want to close out the year with the Vol.3 of my Codebluu''s Classics Series.

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

A: Sara Sangfelt

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: I mean, my set up is a hybrid one, so why not both? Digital give you a clean, and precise workflow but the analog portion provides the richness and authenticity that can't be simulated. With life, one must be balanced and constantly seek balance, a true yin/yang experience.

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

A: My promise is to treat your music with the same care, honesty, and attention I give my own. I’ll communicate clearly, respect your vision, meet the agreed expectations, and never promise results I can’t deliver. You’ll receive professional work, honest feedback, and release-ready files designed to elevate your sound without sacrificing what makes you unique.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love music and how it can help people heal in their times of need. I would make music if I never made a dime from it. I enjoy that connection with that divine force that sends a song to you without notice.That organic idea that translates into a record that touches someone.

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

A: One of the questions I hear most is, “Will you manage me?” My answer is: let’s talk about your music, work ethic, experience, goals, and what we can realistically build together. If there’s a strong creative and business fit, we can put a clear agreement together. If we both accept the terms, we can give the partnership a serious try.

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

A: The biggest misconception is that because I’m flexible and willing to work with independent artists, my services should be cheap. Flexibility is part of my professionalism—not a reflection of my value. Another misconception is that someone must be famous to be knowledgeable. My expertise comes from more than 15 years of hands-on experience, 90+ verified credits, millions of streams, professional training, and the results I consistently deliver. Fame and skill are not the same thing.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I ask what service you need, your creative vision, reference songs, intended release platform, deadline, and required deliverables. I also want to understand your experience level, where you are in your career, and what goals you’re working toward so I can recommend the services that will genuinely elevate your music and development. We discuss the song’s current condition, recording quality, available stems, and whether you need clean, instrumental, TV, mastered, or Dolby Atmos versions. For production or features, we also confirm the concept, credits, and splits upfront.

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

A: Come prepared, communicate your vision clearly, and keep realistic expectations. I can elevate a strong performance, improve the production, and make your record sound polished and competitive—but no engineer can manufacture talent or emotion that was never captured. If your vocals need development, I’ll be honest and may recommend vocal coaching before you invest more money. I’d rather help you improve than promise a miracle I can’t honestly deliver.

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

A: Assuming the computer is already covered, I’d take my Neumann TLM 49 for vocals, Rupert Neve Newton Channel for tone and dynamics, Apogee Symphony Mk II for pristine conversion, Dangerous Music D-BOX+ for analog summing and monitor control, and Sony MDR-MV1 headphones for accurate monitoring. That setup would let me record, mix, and finish professional records from the island.

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

A: I began my music career in 2008–2009 with one goal: becoming a rapper. As I recorded and developed my own music, I became deeply interested in every part of making a record—from writing and production to recording, mixing, and mastering. That evolution led me to establish Hartboyz Musik Group in 2014 and build my own professional studio. After more than 15 years, I now work as an artist, producer, recording and mixing engineer, mastering engineer, and Dolby Atmos-certified mixer, helping other artists bring their complete vision to life.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: My style is polished, powerful, and artist-focused, combining clean modern production with warm analog character. I favor big, present vocals, hard-hitting drums, controlled low end, clear separation, and musical depth. My goal is to make every record sound expensive and competitive without overprocessing it or losing the emotion and authenticity that make the artist unique.

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

A: If I had a choice and could pick from someone living or deceased, it would be Michael Jackson and Quincy jones. In my eyes that the epitome of a musical partnership.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: You can't polish a turd! if you start with a shitting sound, the end result will be just as shitty.

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

A: I primarily work on hip-hop, R&B, pop, and melodic rap, with experience ranging from hard-hitting street records and luxury rap to soulful vocals and radio-ready crossover music. I also produce and mix cinematic music for television, film, and sync opportunities. Whatever the genre, I focus on powerful vocals, impactful drums, strong low end, musical balance, and a polished, competitive sound.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Connecting with people from all walks of life and an ear for their potential.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring an artist’s instincts, a producer’s creativity, and an engineer’s attention to detail. I know how to identify what makes a song special and strengthen it without losing the artist’s identity. Whether it needs bigger vocals, harder drums, better arrangement, added production, cleaner balance, or more emotion, I focus on helping the record connect, compete, and sound finished.You have to do what's best for the song, not your ego.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I start by discussing the artist’s vision, references, goals, timeline, and required deliverables. For recording or production, we build the song around the artist’s sound and capture the strongest possible performance. For mixing and mastering, I review the files, organize the session, and address any technical issues before shaping the record’s balance, tone, depth, punch, and emotion. I then send a reference for feedback, complete the agreed revisions, and deliver clearly labeled, release-ready files—including masters, instrumentals, clean versions, TV mixes, stems, or Dolby Atmos deliverables when requested.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Hartboyz Musik Group Studio is a private, professionally treated facility near Atlanta, centered around Pro Tools Ultimate and an Apogee Symphony Mk II system. My signature vocal chain pairs a Neumann TLM 49 with a Rupert Neve Newton Channel for warm, detailed, larger-than-life vocals. I also use an AKG C414, Aston Spirit, and Focusrite ISA Two. Mixing and monitoring are handled through a Dangerous Music D-BOX+ for analog summing, depth, width, punch, and cohesion. Monitoring options include Dynaudio, Yamaha HS5, Auratone, Sony, Audio-Technica, and Slate VSX references. The studio offers a relaxed, comfortable creative vibe with enough seating for the artist’s entire crew.

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

A: I’m inspired by Dr. Dre’s attention to detail, powerful drums, and polished production; Young Guru’s technical precision and ability to preserve an artist’s identity; Jean-Marie Horvat’s clarity, depth, and musical approach to mixing; Bruce Swedien’s groundbreaking recording techniques and timeless sound; and Quincy Jones’ unmatched talent for arrangement, artist development, and bringing complete musical visions to life.

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

A: Most clients come to me for professional vocal recording, mixing, mastering, and music production. I specialize in capturing big, polished vocals, improving the balance and impact of full mixes, and delivering competitive, release-ready masters. I also provide Dolby Atmos mixing, custom production, vocal production, song development, and professional rap verses or hooks. My work commonly includes clean versions, instrumentals, TV mixes, organized stems, and final files prepared for distribution.