BANGIN-TABLES

@ISTANDARD Interview with Multi Platinum Producer @JimiKendrix

2013-05-23T07:42:00.001-07:00

The Hits Keep Coming – by J Hatch

Today’s technology makes it easy for some to call themselves producers. When you can make a beat on a computer, send it out to millions on the internet and get immediate critique and interest, to some it may take away from what the title of producer is historically identified as. Not to knock anyone’s process (or hustle), producers have always been simply known to create something from nothing and deliver complete records. One producer who is new to the business, but not to music himself is Multi-Platinum Producer Jimi Kendrix.

From his smash single “Wonderful”with Ja Rule and R. Kelly to his latest mega hit“I Like The Way” with G-Unit, it’s relatively easy to determine his identity. Come take a musical journey with one of today’s rising stars in the world of production as he shares his story with us all on iStandardProducers.com

What’s good Jimi Kendrix, for those who may not know the name but have definitely heard the music, give the readers some background on yourself.

Queens, NYC. Born and raised, I am new to the music business but not new to music.

I grew up in a hard working Christian background to, in time, getting a chance to work with artists such as Jay Z, Ashanti, Ja RuLe, LLoyd, Styles P, Jadakiss, Rick Ross, 50 Cent, Patti Labelle, Kelly Price, Papoose, 2pac, Foxy Brown, Rubin Studdard, Shyne, AZ, LL Cool J as well as some work with Disney, a few movie scores and much more.

Very impressive list there JK, that’s a great discography so far, why don’t we start at the beginning with your stint at Murder Inc. How did your relationship with Irv and Ja begin, and then ultimately end?

Well, It began basically when I was in the streets hustling music and basically giving the streets an ear to my music. To me I was paying my rent to get by, but I didn’t realize more people then I thought were paying attention.

Eventually they came to the streets looking and I guess from there the music spoke. When I signed on to the INC, I already had 6 joints on Ja Rule’s ‘Blood in my eye’ and around that time Ashanti and LLoyd were working as well, so to me it was a blessing and it was the timing. We all have those opportunities that will come and then you have those times that come and if you’re not ready it will pass, I didn’t let it pass…

You definitely had a great run over there though, several records with Ashanti, you did one of Ja’s biggest record’s ‘Wonderful’ F/ R Kelly. How did you feel about the body of work you put in while under that umbrella?

The best thing I did coming into that atmosphere was stay my behind in the studio working. It was easy to party and hang out and soak up “the life” as some say but I was basically determined not to let my window close.

I was a little nervous going in and working with such big artists but when Irv and I linked and I got a chance to vibe with the artists, the nervousness was out the window and I knew I wasn’t just a beat maker but a producer.

Right away Irv started giving me space to create. At times when I didn’t see Irv for long amounts of time, I thought I wasn’t doing my job but it actually meant the opposite, basically I had things in control and the product was talking.

I really don’t see a difference in songs I do, nor do I have a favorite I guess because my mentality with making records is “its only 1″ and your as good as your last record. So with that in mind I just started working and I let the label pick the records. With that mind set,

I came in and grabbed a lot of work and didn’t let up until the investigation slowed momentum. Though I’m not with the INC, I’m still in that mode wherever I go.

That philosophy has paid off for you so no need to fix something that’s not broke. Fast forward to present, you have one of the biggest records in the game out right now with G Unit’s smash single ‘I Like The Way You Do it’, I bet everyone you meet with wants a beat like that, how do you pitch your musical talent when the A&R or artist may see only one lane?

It’s very easy to follow a lane already cleared and you may not see where it hurts you or benefits you as a producer but it does. I always tried clearing fresh lanes because I felt there is more longevity in creating something new.

Irv use to tell me whenever you get a hit record don’t just do 1 but a few because that’s how others are going to approach you, usually there line will be “can I have one just like how you did … ” and that’s how artists kind of want to follow the same pattern and how creativeness kind of takes its toll.

People are afraid to be different maybe because they don’t have an identity. I would advise all producers and artists before you decide to do music to first think about what your identity is and shape it before you market and promote. It isn’t cool being compared to another known producer, just like for an oil driller to dig for oil in a hole already drilled. You have to find your own avenue.

Well one thing that helps you create your identity is your musical talent- because you do play instruments too, where did your influences come from?

My influences come from home first, being that my mom and pops were both singers and musicians. It also came from being in church where I learned to play instruments and sang, to being around some of the best musicians I know such as the Smith bros, Dinky Bingham, Kelly Price, Uncle Boogs, and the legendary Gap Band who I played drums for as a little kid.

Then going to china to do Broadway opera music, to just being influenced with those greats like Earth Wind & Fire, The Clarke sisters, Curtis Mayfield, Stevie Wonder, Frank Sinatra, Eagles, Marvin Gaye, Aretha, Patti, etc. the list goes on and on. Basically “Real Music” and last just having faith in God because all of this music I’ve done so far came from the “man above” I have no music training and if I did I probably would be even more of a problem.

That’s incredible, from your parents down you have a strong musical background, with that being said, can you discuss your partnership with your family in your production company Family Bizness.

That’s basically my family. (Blood and beyond) They love me if I got the single or if I fell short on placing on an album. We all work together, look out for each others families, party and pray together so when I look at these plaques I look at all the people that were there to get it! It’s tattooed on my hand but it’s really burned in my heart. LOVE GOD FAMILY MUSIC is the motto.

Sounds like a strong bond, another bond was recently created when you teamed up with an up and coming producer J Math to start Street radio, how do the companies differ and what measures are you taking to brand each individually so they stand out in the market?

Though it seems easy to separate, its become harder and harder to split time. Street radio at first was just an idea I started to kind of create another face because at the time I wasn’t big on listening to hip hop and the message was a little hard to swallow coming from my background so there’s a thin line I straddle each time.

Basically J Math, who I met while being interviewed for scratch magazine, became a big part of creating my sound as a hook man. I used to do it for fun to kind of imitate people but then when a few hooks begin to place and people begin to request more of them is when I looked at it like ‘Hey, we got something’ only real team that had hooks and beats and sold it that way were the Neptune’s but now we were them with a raw street feel, better vocals and were coming from a NY side of thing not no skate boards, and when you put Jimi into the picture now you have no idea what your going to get.

A lot of the records recently placed are records taken as they heard it so it’s a great feeling. Now were also doing full scores as well as working in the community to better what we see around us. That’s another thing… you can see us in the hood, I don’t see that with many artists who break in. We move to our own tune and people see and have contacted us about helping to really brand the name to another level.

Congrats on those placements and the fact that your keeping it 100% real, now one thing about you is that you have a genuine talent of creating street to radio cross over records, but yet you can do the ballads and you can come with that hood shit too, how important is the versatility when it comes to being a successful producer in today’s music industry?

Very important because it’s like cattle branding- when that cattle wanders off, no matter how far or long, the brand is there to locate its identity. Right now were doing Disney shit and scoring in LA but if we never tried building a solid structure who is to say we’d be here now. It’s important to maximize your opportunities from not just hip-hop but to anything possible.

Money and music are like cousins just like rich people and other rich people somewhere down the line they meet up or work hand in hand from movies to ring tones to McDonalds commercials. Music is needed for any and everything, and when they know you and your established, that is when money comes to visit! And usually when you least expect it.

I wish I could get some visits like that, for sure, but being the caliber producer that you are, do you get the chance to be in the studio with most of the artists you work with? And, is there a difference in the overall feel of the work and chemistry between producer and artist when your not their to control the overall direction of the song?

It’s great to get a track placed but its even better when you can create with the artist- hands down. You build a relationship and trust with that artist where if they love you, chance is you will be back around. Once the trust of a producer is established, not just with the resume but the work environment, then that’s when the magic comes out.

Had great opportunity to work with many of the artists I produced and that will be a lasting impression for both.
It also showed me how to be a producer and not just a beat maker and it gave me the confidence going into any session because how can you be a great motivator to others when your not motivated your self.

A lot of these egos in the business are unnecessary and can stay out of the session and a lot people don’t need to even be there because their music is trash anyway and the artist is with them because of hype. People know me, they know how I am or have heard of my work habits and if you don’t have an ego and want to win, then come see me, if not ill still lace you up. The best environments breed the best music

No doubt, very well put Jimi, now lets discuss your opinions on sample versus sample free style production, I know you got in the game sampling with Jay Z’s ‘I did it my way’ where you used a well know Frank Sinatra song, how do you feel about it now that you’ve gotten checks from either type of production style? What are the pros and cons?

I love both because the idea is either what motivates me or grabs me. Some can’t do both or equally the same and nothings wrong with that. Go with your strength and always try to well round yourself.

Samples kill your money but you can’t get the feel of a sample talking back to you like an “Oh Boy’ from Camron or ‘Hard Knock Life” from Jay Z. That will always remain. On another side, with the way this industry is and how strained its been, the best way to get all your money and keep others out (just as the Neptune’s have) is not sampling.

When you see the difference in the money and less headache you get from the new g unit single, then it makes you think twice. Regardless, keep it hot and they’ll keep coming. You never know what you going to get. That comes from a few years of being seasoned, a lot of work and confidence that regardless of what it is sample or not it’s going to be hot!

Yeah my man Needlz told me one day he bought a house with the check after not sampling, so that’s def good advice, but what type of direction can you give new producers looking to get their feet wet in the music industry?

Whether you have 1 or 30 placements regardless keep working like you never placed. It’s not just good to have good product but know how to sell it right to the consumer. Make sure you don’t sign anything without good representation, take advantage of all the websites and producer based info and showcases, seminars and events to meet people and pass your work. If youtube and myspace is getting artists signed then so can a producer.

Timing is everything, so always be prepared. One hit wonders aren’t cool so plan or prepare to stay around and that starts with how you apply yourself to your craft. I’m still that dude on the block cooking joints in my basement apt. And that mind set will take you as far as you want to go. Stay humble keep god first and stay grounded. After 5 to 10 plaques in, then talk yo sh$%.

Good advice, especially the talk ish part!! So, what’s next for you JK?

Music is great, definitely more placements. I am working on Mona Lisa album, Max B, Brandon Kane, projects at Bad Boy, Hanna Montana, JoJo, the last 50 Cent album I also have a production deal in works and am shooting a pilot for a reality show about the life of an up an coming producer. I am also looking for proper management for my company Family Bizness.

Sounds like the rest of 08 and beyond has bright lights attached big homie, what If someone is serious and wants to inquire with you for your production services, how can they contact you?

www.myspace.com/fbmuzikinc
EMAIL ME HERE
Assistant: (347) 417-6637

Any last words for our readers?

There’s alot I can say to you guy’s but ill just say what I believe and live… Jesus Loves You!!

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