Baby J
is a producer from the UK currently splitting his time between the UK and NYC.
An experienced producer he has worked internationally for the last six years. He
was first found back in 95 when an A&R at Wu-tang heard a demo he had produced
and brought him in to work with up and coming acts.Baby J 's biggest project at the moment is his new album FTP. The album features a collection of the UK and USA 's best hip hop artists including Skinnyman, TY, Blade, Rukus, Shystie, Mpho Skeef, Dead Prez and many more. FTP is due for release in October.
How did you get into production?
I started really just from being a fan of the music, black music in general. I used to buy a lot of old soul and rare groove and then when I started getting into hip hop I recognised a lot of the breaks and samples used and I thought ‘I could do that’, it wasn’t quite that easy but it was the start of my journey so to speak.
What's your thought process when you make a beat?
I just have to get moved by something. It can be a sample, it can be a record, or just a melody or rhythm idea I hear in my head. Once the sparks there the rest kinda falls into place. I usually start with the melody, whether bass, sample etc and then works the drums round that. After the basics are laid I start trying to hear an MC on it to think how it will fit then I work on rounding and finishing it off. That’s the hard part; it’s a lot harder to finish a beat properly than start it.
Do you want to be signed to a major label?
Yeah, why not. A lot of artists feel that being on a major would stifle there creative control. But for me, especially being a producer I can work on lots of levels at the same time. I could have an album on a major were id have to work on one level as far as spend and exposure and at the same time I could be working on a smaller project that may not go through the same channels. I’ve always been hustling different projects independently and I think ill always do that regardless of my situation.
There are so many producers around, what makes you different?
Mainly my worth ethic. I’m not waiting on things to happen I’m going to go out there and make things happen to push myself, the artists I work with and the scene forward. There are a lot of producers out there who are just as talented as me but I probably push harder than they do. I like to think I have quite a unique sound even though there are a lot of producers work in a similar way, I like it when people say ‘I could tell it was a Baby J beat’ that makes me feel like I’ve achieved something.
Who are you working with at the moment?
I’ve just finished my new album ‘FTP2 fight the power’ which is out 16th Oct. featuring Fallacy, Dynamite MC, Rukus, Poisonous Poets and Mr Ti2bs. I’ve also got an album with COV’s Preacha called ‘Holy Ghost’ which should be out later this year. Also look out for tracks with Antourage, Laurissa, Plan B and Richie Rich.
Who would you really like to work with in the future if you had the chance?
Too many to mention but definitely Ghostface, Klashnekoff, Big P and Skeme and Wariko
What do you find is the best time for you to create a beat?
Just when I’m enthusiastic about an idea, nowadays I find less and less time to produce because running the business takes so long but its still the best part of what I do.
Would you ever produce pop or indie music?
Yeah, I grew listening to a lot of rock and indie too so I still enjoy a lot of that stuff. I’d basically work on any genre as long as I could do what I do. I’d never make music that I don’t like. That’s not why I do this.
What's your advice to someone who wants to make it in the music industry?
Firstly, work hard, don’t be waiting for a knock on the door and someone to come and make it happen for you, it doesn’t work like that. The music industry is like a bank, they invest in businesses that are already turning a profit that they believe can make more of a profit with investment. A lot of the time, when you get to the stage that a label wants to invest in you you’re already doing well enough that remaining independent may well be a more attractive option.
www.babyj.biz
By Rashmi Shastri - Sep 2006