Song Writer/Singer/Producer

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

A: I had the opportunity to work with a female vocalist named Farren Sherelle. I co-wrote, produced, and engineered a song titled “senses” for her. She had such a beautiful voice but didn’t really know how to bring the song to life. I was very humbled by her coming to me. After the song was complete, it just sounded like a masterpiece. I felt like the music I created complimented her voice and captures exactly what she wanted. She felt the same. I still listen to that song today even though we finished years ago.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm Currently working on a female r&b/soul singer's project. This is her first EP so the pressure is on!! So far it's pretty dope though.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Right now I'm feeling analog. It just feels a bit more organic compared to digital.

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

A: To always provide the best service possible. To always communicate, and provide a finished product on or before the time agreed upon.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love creativity. Music has alway been my 1st love.

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

A: How much do you charge and hour? lol I usually try to find out what exactly it is that they're trying to do, I give them a price based on a blocked schedule. You cannot rush the creative process. Sometimes charging by the hour puts too much of a limit on the artist.

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

A: That my time is not valuable. I'm always willing to help others when I can. But its must that the artist shows up on time so that I can provide them with my bet service in a timely manner.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What are your goals? What would you like for me to help you accomplish with my services? What do you think I can do to make the creative process easy, comfortable, and inspiring for you?

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

A: I'd say to be honest and open with me. I'm here to help you bring your ideas to life. Team Work makes the Dream Work. When we agree to enter the creative process together, we are in fact a team!

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

A: Britney Jayy!! She an amazing Vocalist and song writer.

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

A: Most Definitely my MPC Live, My Macbook Pro, Apollo Twin, AKG 214, and headphones lol

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

A: I've wanted to be a singer/song writer/producer for as long a I can remember. I've been doing this for about 15 years now.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I'd say most of the time its in between hard hitting trap and soft R&B. Its doesn't hit enough to have you jumping up and down at the club. It also isn't soft enough to put you to sleep. But it is just enough to make you want to dance a little bit and feel a good vibe. Its like the perfect in-between point of trap and r&b.

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

A: I'd say Pharrell Williams. I think Pharrell really understands creativity & i'd love to just work with and learn from him. Never stop learning! Thats Key!

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Never be afraid to layer. Sometimes layering stings under keys, or motion synths on top of other motion synths can give you a really dope sound. Sometimes a sound you'd never hear in your head.

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

A: Most of the time I'm working on R&B/Hip Hop, Funk, anything urban. Depending on the client, I'm working on Pop a well. I really became a pop fan around the time Britney Spears released the Blackout album. That changed everything for me. After that I began to compose pop records.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I believe my strongest skill is song writing. Writing came first for me before I even recognized that it was considered a gift/talent.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I am most definitely a wordsmith. I take pride in coming up with clever ways to present and idea/topic to the listener. In the area of production, I strive to make the music sound full while leaving just enough emptiness for the vocalist to shine. Thats most important. I try my best to make the music feel like it's taking you on a journey. Thats what the creative process is anyway, a journey.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: It all depends on what the client wants. If i am writing a song from scratch, I usually work on the production 1st, then the melody usually come as I am producing. Once I finish the format of the production, then i write the song while recording. If I am only writing, I sit with the music to try and feel a vibe. Once the vibe is felt, I begin to play around with melody idea until that "ah ha" moment. Then I write the song.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: My professional studio setup includes an avalon mic pre, an apollo 8, and an apollo twin duo, Maschine Studio, Fantom X8 keyboard, komplete kontrol, Neumann U87 Mic, & Mpc Live "Portable" My home setup includes an apollo twin duo, maschine mikro, console 1, akg 214 mic, and my Mpc Live

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

A: There are so many to name from producers to song writers to vocalists. But if I had to choose, I would say Prince is my #1 all around musician. Then to name a few, D'Angelo, Lenny Kravitz, Jamie Foxx, Tank, James Fauntleroy, The Dream, Bryan Michael Cox, Justin Timberlake, Pharrell Williams, Timbaland, Static Major....The list could go on, I apologize if that was too much. lol

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

A: Most of my time is spent producing, writing, and engineering for clients.