Everyone who makes beats isn’t a producer. Producers oversee the overall song including the vocals, instrumentation, mixing, and mastering. Rising producer SmoothProducerMidnite is making a name for himself as one of the most gifted emerging talents in 2023.
What made you want to get into music production, and how did you get started?
I got into music production because I just like the thought of making it. I didn’t think of it as a career at first. I just wanted to do it because it seemed fun. Putting sounds together to make a song seems fun and I got started when my brother downloaded a music program called Fruity Loops.
How would you describe your style of music production, and what sets it apart from others?
I would classify my style as smooth, simple, groovy, and soothing. none of my beats take away from experience and what sets me apart is the change of direction each beat sends you. Each one tells a story.
What is your creative process like when making beats, and how do you come up with new ideas?
The first thing I do is listen to what’s in. I listen to what’s popular and go in another direction. After that, I just create what I feel. Everything else comes naturally. I also come up with ideas based on whatever mood that I’m in. My beats are also tied to my personality.
How do you incorporate live sounds into your music, and what are some challenges you face when doing so?
There’s a lot of talent out there and a lot of sounds are pre-made so getting live sounds and notes is hard. How I do it is I actually reach out to maybe a piano player or a trumpet player and ask them to listen to my beats and see if they can add something. The hardest part is placing it where it needs to go because the notes have to make sense.
What advice would you give to aspiring music producers who want to create unique sounds like yours?
The best advice I can give is to create what you want. There is no “right way.” No matter how many times. There are so many people in this world that someone will like what you have to offer. However, have an open mind to change and learn to adapt. Adjust but never compromise.
How has your experience with kidney failure affected your approach to music production, and what have you learned from it?
Kidney failure made it so I can’t just up and leave if an opportunity presents itself. From the production side, nothing much changed since my studio is mobile but as for traveling, if I don’t set up treatment in that set city, I can’t go. However, I have learned that everything is possible with proper planning and I become better at that.
What is the most challenging aspect of producing music, and how do you overcome it?
The most challenging aspect of making beats and producing music is that results may vary. This is a result and an “as needed” profession. So have patience. keep making beats and understand when you’re starting fresh, nobody knows you. To overcome this, you gotta be patient.
How do you balance your health needs with your passion for making music, and what strategies have helped you stay motivated?
Well, I balance this with rest. The days I do not have treatment, that’s when I’m the most productive. That keeps the passion and fire burning. And how I stay motivated, Is always remembering that at one point, I was no longer able to make beats. There really is no strategy. It’s just the will to keep pushing.
What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your journey as a music producer, and how has it influenced your work?
The biggest lesson I learned is to find your sound and stick to it. I was told, “Don’t try to impress other producers.” That’s not why you make beats” and when I tell you that made making beats easier, it made it easy. It influenced me to just relax and get better at my own pace.
What are some of the biggest risks you’ve taken in your career as a producer, and how have they paid off?
The biggest risk I have taken so far is sending beats to the National Kidney Foundation. They wanted me to create a playlist for people on dialysis, an official playlist. I sent fifteen beats. I have never been asked to do something like this. It paid off because they loved it and will be promoting it in November. So, it paid off.
How do you stay up-to-date with the latest trends in music production, and what resources do you rely on for inspiration?
Social media. Social media quickly lets me know what’s hot in music production. New songs drop every day, so getting my ears on new sounds is easy. As far as inspiration, don’t laugh but, video games have a lot of influence on my sounds.
What is your favorite project that you’ve worked on so far, and why is it special to you?
That playlist was the biggest thing and my favorite to date. I have done some projects and placed some beats on a few albums but this playlist was special because I’m part of the community I did it for. The people on dialysis.
How do you handle creative blocks or periods of low motivation when working on new projects?
I step away. Sometimes when you’re not seeing the results, you want to keep pushing. You want to keep working. Not for me. If I hit a creative block, I just shut everything down and get away from it all. If it’s a new project for someone, and there is no deadline, I work smarter.
What are some of the most memorable moments from your career as a producer, and why do they stand out to you?
The most memorable moment was when I fired up TikTok and saw a few videos around the world making videos to my beats. That was dope. It stood out because I didn’t know till months later. I won’t lie, I was super happy.
What can fans expect from your upcoming projects, and what are some of your long-term goals as a music producer?
The next thing I’m working on is another playlist (title announced soon) and it will be more hip-hop-based and my long-term goal is the same, to get that first hit record. Those are the two things I’m working on now.
Check out his music today at: https://soundcloud.com/whoismjc
Be’n Original
