Monday, 05 October 2009 08:14 Last Updated on Monday, 01 March 2010 06:07 Written by Administrator

 

Success Story Interview

So tell us a little about yourself.  When did you fall in love with music?  When did you marry music production?***
I'm originally from the North side of Omaha NE. I went to college at FAMU in the mid 90's and have been living in Virginia Beach/Norfolk, VA for the last 10 years.

I fell in love with music during the height of the break dancing era. I grew up enjoying rock, pop and R&B songs from the early 80's, but it became personal to me once break dancing came in. Remember that Tour De France record by Kraftwerk with the red, white and blue cover? That was my shit! I was in love with HIP-HOP music then. By the time I was in 3rd grade, I had already been playing the piano for 2 years but didn't really see the link between the two. I used to sneak my Whodini tape into class and listen to it when we were supposed to be listening to storybooks on tape.

I played the saxophone in junior high and started writing rhymes at the same time. I thought I was Rakim, Kane or Eazy-E, depending on which day of the week it was. My man and I had a little group on my block back then. He ended up signing to Tru Game records in the 90's and that's when I knew it was real. So I kept rhyming over songs that I liked but I always knew that I would have to get beats at some point in order to make my own songs. I bought an ASR-10 in 98, locked myself away in a house with no phone or cable, and started cooking. It wasn't long before I realized that I not only liked making beats more than rhyming - I was better at it too. I figured that there were many more rappers than producers and decided to stay in that lane. I still write rhymes and record from time to time, but I'm mainly the track guy now.

Those who've been in the production game for a minute knows that it's evolved from the art of production to the way that music is delivered.  How do you use technology and software to improve not only your music, but your hustle as well?
I would be nowhere without technology. Although I was initially resistant to it, software makes the workflow easier, more efficient, and gives endless options. I was using the MPC and rack mounted gear in 03-04 when my man put me on to FL. I didn't want to even see the software based on the name. But once I heard his beats and saw how he did it, it was perfect for me. Just think about these terms and how important they are in your life now. (VST's, soundfonts, zip files, au's, wave editor) People were making tracks before these things came along, but they sure changed the game!

Obviously, from the perspective of exposure and contact, technology is HUGE in anybody's success. Email, file share servers, websites, Electronic Press kits, mp3's the list goes on... Where would we be without this stuff? Most of the joints I've done with people were via email. I wouldn't have been able to join DP and touch the world in this fashion without technology.


We live in a day and age where everyone makes beats and where many producers are on edge for a major label placement.  What's your take on the impact of the recession on the industry and how it relates to new producers trying to get that first major label placement?
Honestly, I don't think the economic recession in and of itself has much to do with producers and the chase for that golden placement. Blame it on the internet and file sharing, the lack of music quality, the abundance of FREE music - whatever. I don't think things would be any different if the recession wasn't upon us. The industry is oversaturated and records just don't sell. The fact is, people don't buy albums like they used to - simple and plain. The result is smaller budgets for albums and less artists getting signed. The result of that is less money being given for tracks and less opportunities to get on an album. The balance is getting more lopsided as more and more artists and producers are being born and brought into the fold. Not to mention that the industry is so clique-ish, without that "COSIGN" it's damn near impossible to bag that big placement alone.

However, I personally think that the placement isn't nearly as important as building the brand. The end all be all goal shouldn't be getting a placement. That album only has a life expectancy of what, a few months? A year if you're lucky. Then what? Find an artist that you believe in and push them. I truly believe that the placement situation will come to you if you do that effectively.


Now let us offer you a HUGE CONGRATULATIONS for selling your first track!!   Breakdown from inception of the track to placement to give our readers some insight into how it all went down.
Big up to DP first off. From the sample that I used to the submission - it was all from DP.

The story is pretty simple. I emailed a track to G-Unit sometime in 08 for a DP Submission. The track is about 4-5 years old and is a joint I did for a sample competition for a past DP conference. (I did not win the sample competition battle, but I damn sure won the war!)

I got a call from Tony G at G-Unit while I was in NYC for the annual conference. He left a message while I was hosting a panel. I finally checked my voicemail, got Tony G on the phone and he basically said, "50's recorded a song to one of your beats and I need to email you the paperwork if you're interested in doing business." I told him I'd be there in 15 minutes and took off walking! (Cabs wouldn't stop for me)

I got to the office and Tony was waiting outside. We went up and Dre McKenzie was there. They replayed the instrumental track (nobody has heard the song yet) and Dre explained the process in completing the transaction. I invoiced them for the track, filled out the tax paperwork and divulged the sample information to begin the process of clearing it.

Now I'm just waiting for the final paperwork to be completed and to hear the song.


So what's on the horizon for HOODMADE? Where do you see yourself in 4-5 years?
I'm in negotiations for an admin deal with a reputable music publishing company right now. Looks pretty good so far!

I'm working on the next project for Mic Legacy. We have the Feed Yo Kids album available on Itunes - please support! We've got 2 free mixtapes out, "Something to Snack On" and "Channel Zero." You can check the videos/songs anywhere, YouTube, Nahright, 2 dope boys, smoking section, vimeo....we're all over the blogs. We've got the Mick Boogie mixtape coming up in the spring, as well as the EP featuring my production exclusively. Be on the lookout for the single, "You Aint Never Seen" featuring Truck North from the Roots and Quan. All of this is leading up to the "Rebel Cadillac Muzik" album.

I'm in the process of organizing a unified VA movement with the help of some radio DJ's in the area. Look out for my project featuring the 757 area artists and producers soon. I'm also creating a bigger project to include many DP heads. More details to come. In the meantime, I'm working with Khizman from DMP, Darnell McClain, Heist, Al Great, Stupid Genius, Jaay Peso, Starting 5 productions, Wallstreet, Goldy and Fuego on numerous miscellaneous joints. Expect more joints from NYOIL and Nickelus F in the near future as well.(I know I'm leaving something/somebody out.)

In 4-5 years, I will be a decent guitarist and keyboard player. I expect to be a "good" songwriter and a reputable producer by that time. I fully anticipate finding that breakthrough artist and developing him/her to achieve success on that major level. With any luck I will no longer be a business consultant during the day and do music full time. I will definitely need luck for that! I don't just want to produce and song write forever though - my goal is to segue success in those areas into more of an executive position. I know hits, even if I can't make them. I just have to get people to learn to trust my ear.

We sometimes feel that producer websites and organizations are almost the new hustle. For a new producer trying to navigate their way to grow both sonically and from a business perspective, why would you recommend producers join Dynamic Producer first and foremost before anyone other website, organization, or event?
It is the new hustle! There's a lot of profit to be made off of other people's hunger. By all means, I would recommend using any and all legitimate outlets to get heard and known. However, you should be strategic about how you spend your time and money.

I'm familiar with a few of the other online communities that are similar to DP. I know about the beat battle sites and the like. I'm all about productivity. Battling somebody online is cool, and a nice way to get known, but completing a SONG is more important. I'm trying to get a plaque!

This is the mindset that DP has put me in. Make RECORDS. Make RELATIONSHIPS. Handle business. You need songwriters? DP has them. You need contacts? DP has them. If you're gonna pay for a conference or a membership to an organization, it's hard to beat the artists, panelists and guests that show up at a DP joint or are accessible through a submission opportunity.

Again, I'm from Omaha Nebraska. There aren't any labels or major artists there. How do you get on from a middle of nowhere ass place if you don't already have connects? Within my first year in DP, I had an A&R from Sony contact me about joining his production team. This wouldn't have happened without DP's influence, even after I moved to VA.

I can only speak from experience. DP is as close to having an industry insider as you can get. I tell people all the time, if it cost 10 times as much per year, it would still be worth it. How often can you say that you feel like you've been undercharged for a service?

Never, right? Exactly.


In closing, what would you say to producers new at trying to get in as well as those who've been grinding for a minute?
1. Get out of the studio.
If you don't have someone that you trust to speak for you out there shaking hands, buying drinks, knocking on doors and creating relationships, then you gotta do it yourself. I think that a decent producer, such as myself, can outshine a great producer if his network, hustle and business are on point. My strong point is that I know how to effectively talk to people and forge great relationships. I use those relationships too! Be it a place to stay when I'm out of town, someone that can plug you in with an artist/label, somebody to bail you out of jail, whatever. These are by far the most valuable assets you can have.

2. Work smarter, not harder.
I use my resources to make me better. If you are really trying to make an impact on this game, you can't do it alone. I can't sing well, but I can damn sure write. So, I go to Darnell McClain to help perfect my melodies and sing my reference joints. I can't play the guitar very well, but I know exactly what I want to hear. So, I go to my guy Tom Oliver to do that. My accompaniment game isn't the strongest, so I go to Stupid Genius to help me with that. If I need live drums, I go to P.I. from Certifyd... The list goes on... What happens when the joints I do with these people get noticed? The people involved get noticed as well. If you create strong relationships and mutually beneficial situations, people will ride with you all day.

3. Do NOT stop, be patient!
It's been more than 10 years in the making for this 50 Cent thing to happen. For those of you expecting to get rich quick, or even make a decent living off of this - slow ya roll and reevaluate. It's a long road but if you really love doing it, it doesn't seem so long.

4. Check your ego.
No matter how dope you are, there's someone hotter than you. You'd be better off meeting them than beating them.


Alright, so DP members can catch you on the forums if they wanna chop it up further, right?  And let everyone else know where they can find you, what's your website?
I'm definitely on the forums real tough. HOODMADE is the name. That's Hustlin Over Obstacles Daily Making All Dollars Equal for those that don't know. It's not just a name, it's a way of life. Either you are HOODMADE or you aren't.

You can email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

I'm @hoodmadeallday on twitter and Maliek Washington on facebook. (please let me know your forum name on FB when you add me as a friend.)

The website is under reconstruction, but will be up and running soon. www.hoodmademusic.com

I'm probably the most collaboratingest (yeah, I just made that word up) cat in DP. I've got a lot of tracks and songs that I've done with close to a dozen DP heads and have slept on just as many member's couches. Don't just say what's up and congratulate me on the forums - hit me up and let's go in. Send me an acapella to remix or an instrumental to write to or SOMETHING.

I'm all for the pleasantries, but I'm more about work.

DP for life, yall.

 

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