When you think of your favorite song, what do you think of first? The lyrics, the beat? Maybe it’s the artist singing it? No matter what it is you’re thinking of, most of the time it’s never the production of the song. Or who produced the track, is it?
Our favorite records wouldn’t be what they are if they didn’t have an amazing producer behind the scenes working to make the tracks what they are. Often times the producer is over looked. There is so much more to song than just the lyrics or the artist that sings it. Sometimes people do not realize that. The work that goes into just one song could take hours, sometimes days. The people who produce these tracks work their magic and often create a hit song.
We recently sat down with producer and DJ from Metro Detroit who goes by the stage name “DMG”, he is learning the craft of creating eccentric beats and producing the songs that those beats are apart of. Read our interview below.
BTS: Describe what a producer is and what you do exactly?
DMG: As far as producing, it is basically making beats. That’s what everyone could relate it to for the most part. There is way more to it, like bending sound and manipulating sound. You have to find the right sounds that go together, and collab with other people and you know like reach out to other musicians. On the producer side is when you’re in the studio helping the artist, you direct vocals and do stuff like that. You’re actually producing the song, not just making beats.
BTS: When did you get into making music and why?
DMG: I got into actually producing about four and a half years ago. It all started because of an artist named Kid Smitty. He is a good friend who I produce for and DJ for. At first I was the hype man for the shows and stuff, eventually I decided I wanted to DJ the set. I got a computer, got the controller and started dj’ing his sets. Shortly after that I realized no one is making beats and I decided I wanted to try making beats. It was a lot of trial and error. I like to make it sound good. That is how it all started.
BTS: What makes you different from other producers?
DMG: I think my versatility with some of my beats. I like to think I can make multiple different types of things. I mess around with 90’s kind of stuff, some trap stuff and some feel good stuff. A lot of beats with live instrumentation. I think its probably my versatility. There are a lot of producers but I am just trying to find what makes me have my own sound.
BTS: Why did you choose this?
DMG: It is kind of weird because I feel like I didn’t really choose it. I didn’t have a musical background or anything, my parents just always played good music throughout the house. I grew up listening to music, like alternative rock, and obviously hip hop. I think hanging out with Smitty a lot, he is my best friend has a lot to do with it. I don’t know I guess, like I chose it, but I also feel like it just kind of chose me.
BTS: What are your steps to creating a perfect beat?
DMG: Well I don’t know if any beat is ever perfect cause there is always so much you can do. Steps would probably be to just make sure I feel good about it. After, make sure everything sounds right together. Like make sure the snare is hitting right, making sure the drums are hitting right. If I feel good about it at the end of it and I am really liking it then that to me would be the perfect beat.
BTS: Where do you find inspiration for certain beats?
DMG: A bunch of different things honestly. Good music, first of all. I just love good music and it just makes me want to be better at what I am doing. I watch a lot of anime and I am really inspired by the soundtracks and stuff. So I like the soundtracks of anime. Other producers inspire me as well. The ones who came up before me. Legends like Dr. Dre, DJ Premier. Legends like that and obviously newer ones like ill Mind, he is a real inspiration for me right now. There are a bunch of producers that are inspiring too. I also get inspired by a ton of other little things, sometimes its super random.
BTS: Where do you see yourself in five years?
DMG: In five years? Hopefully having my brand as a producer going up and hoping to set new goals after that as well. But mostly having my brand going as a producer, getting my sound known to some bigger artists.
DMG produces beats on his own and you can also check out his work on projects from Kid Smitty as well.
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