40 Roundz: I grew up with a grandpa who played guitar, and an uncle who played guitar for Elvis in the Army a little bit. Seating around as a child and hearing them play and sing was a big thing for me. Later on, my mother wanted me to learn how to play the guitar like her dad and uncle, but the public schools id Dayton did not offer guitar in band, so I had to play violin which I was really good at. But again, was a public school and as a 4th grade boy the violin wasn’t the most masculine instrument. So, after a lot of per pressure I started playing the drums. Keep in mind I am getting introduced to hip hop music around this same time. Beasty Boys, Run DMC, and LL Cool J was big. The kids were having break dance competitions at lunch, and the other kids was rap battling in the playground for recess. This is how I discovered my passion for music.
To do it a career I think I was rapping, and it wasn’t going the way I thought it would, got some great advice from an A&R, about maybe ghost writing, engineering, or making beats. I went the making beats, and engineering route. Linked up with a few local guys started putting music online and got noticed by music producer Cirocco Jones ( Bet Comic View theme music, and Sonic the Hedge Hogg for Sega) and him and his partner Daunte Chestnut JR. really got me to start taking music from being a hobby to making it a business. They was both a blessing to me.
Upcoming 100: Can you describe your creative process when it comes to writing and producing your music?
40 Roundz: So, writing has always been freestyle lyrics and then going back in and correcting and editing the lyrics while listening to the instrumental. Producing music has always been kind of therapeutic. I take the emotions of the day and put them to work. If I am sad I will just into R&B and slower type tracks. If I am feeling hyper, I will do something up tempo and feel good. Pop, rock, rap something bouncy and clubby. Also a lot of times I start with the drums kind like my writing style start with the drum outline and switch it up after I got the instruments how I want them.
40 Roundz: I would say my style is worldwide. I produce almost every genre of music from Rap, Hip hop boom bap, Trap, Country, Pop, Rock, Heavy Metal. I am a fan of all music; I think by being fan of everything I have been able to adapt a little faster to certain trends in music. Especially in rap it is constantly evolving into something different. It borrows from other genres of music.
Upcoming 100: Which artists or influences have had the most significant impact on your music, and why?
40 Roundz: Dj Premier, Dr. Dre, Timberland, Jermaine Dupri, and Kanye West are my production influences, I think each of them had an impact in how I hear music and how I listen to music now. For instance, Dj Premier has me listening to say a Gans and Roses song and say wow from say 2 min to 2 min 15 seconds of this song would be a crazy sample to flip. Timberland has me like wow his drum work is amazing. Dre and Kanye have me listening to stuff and the have me trying to match what they do sonically they might be the cleanest producers of all time. Dre took my cities sound (Dayton, Ohio) and turned our funk sound into Gangster music. I always thought that was cool.
Upcoming 100: What challenges have you faced in your journey as a music artist, and how have you overcome them?
40 Roundz: I know this may sound weird but my color, being a white guy sometimes has hurt me in my career. Some artists will not work with me or will not take me as serious. I must go out and show people that my beats are better than the average guy online, or they might know, and I try to outwork the other guys also. The people who do mess with me musically will tell you I am the truth, that is all I need. Work ethic will always trump everything else.
Upcoming 100: Can you share a memorable experience or an accomplishment that you're particularly proud of in your music career?
40 Roundz: My most memorable moment was having my music on FM radio. There is no better feeling then driving down the street and pulling up to a red light and the car next to you is playing your song.
Upcoming 100: How do you connect with your fans, and what role do they play in your creative journey?
40 Roundz: Well as a producer my fans are the artists I work with, and their fans reactions with their music will let me know If I am doing a good job or not. If they do not like something time to go back to work. I am always open to getting fans that are not artists though. That would be awesome hint, hint. lol
40 Roundz: Locally I have been able to secure features from major artists and put local artists I work with on those tracks. Also my style is different from the other producers because I am so versatile
40 Roundz: I used to take it poorly. I would take it personal when I was younger, but now that I am seasoned and older, I see it as an opportunity to grow and really use it that motivation as fuel to get better. Every time someone has doubted me or said I wasn’t good enough next go around the beats was better the engineering was better. As my guy T. Hunt says no complaints only come ups. I want to also thank my partners Bad Newz, Tino, Blunt Still Got It, and Teef for sticking by my side when people said I wasn’t good enough. It means a lot that they stuck by my side through all of that and had my back. I would also like to Thank T. Hunt, DeMarco275, J. Adams, Tiwan, Dre Meezy, Alishia Lange, BlazeDavinci, CEO Peso, Y Tank, B Scar, and all the other artists who really took me in as family and treated me with kindness respect and as a brother love all of you. I look up to these artists as mentors I have learned so much from every single one of these people.
40 Roundz: I have a Punk Rock album I am working on, Bad Newz’s album, Tino’s, album, two Albums with T. Hunt with features from DMX, Nate Dogg, Big Pun just to name a few. I have an Album I am working on for Beat Punishers with features from Ab Soul, Rick Ross, Ceelo Green, X Raided and Lil Baby coming this year or first quarter next year. Also working on an Album for Money Gang which is a group made up of Myself, Bad Newz and Tino. So It will be a busy year for me.
40 Roundz: I would say that music is 10% music, 90% business. Learn the business, register your music with all the places it needs to be registered. Find a mentor in the industry, have an entertainment attorney on retainer. Talent will get you in the door, knowing the business will keep you in the room.
Exclusive Interview with 40 Roundz
Exclusive Interview with 40 Roundz
