Amadeus Amadeus is an upcoming producer who just blew up over the last year. He has placed his symphonies on everyone’s album from 50 Cent, Talib Kweli, Diplomats, Foxy Brown, to Lil’ Mo. With a busy year ahead of him, Amadeus takes time out to kick it with WHO?MAG.
Interview by Rob Schwartz
WHO?MAG: What first got you into producing? AMADEUS: I’m a musician at my church!! And been playing drums for about 10 years now, maybe even longer. I’ve always been fascinated about music and artists beats as a young kid. One of my mentors Derrick Godbold, who at that time was my band leader, gave me his keyboard to use for the summer. After staying inside for the entire summer creating beats, I realized my passion and I made a decision that this is what I wanna be, a PRODUCER!!
WHO?MAG: Who are some of the artists that you producer for? AMADEUS: 50Cent, Mike Jones, Lil’ Mo, Foxy Brown, Cam’ron, The Diplomats, Joe Budden, Jae Millz, Jim Jones, JR. Writer, Papoose, Cardan, Latoya London, Smilez & Southstar, Hell Rell, Un Casa, and still working!
WHO?MAG: How did you get your first track picked up? AMADEUS: Somehow my beat tape got into the hands of Don Pooh who was a Motown A&R at the time and he decided to use one of my tracks for a hip hop project that he was currently working on. The song was called “Young Guns” and it featured Nucci Reyo, Lady May, Ali Vegas, Brills, and Jinx Da Juvy and it was on after that!!
WHO?MAG: You produce both hip-hop & R&B. Which is harder to produce & why? AMADEUS: R&B, it’s more musical. Usually it needs chord changes, a bridge, and sometimes live instrumentation because for a hip hop track you can just have a hot sample and some drums that knock and you got a crazy hip hop record.
WHO?MAG: What do you do different now when you produce a track opposed to your earlier stages? AMADEUS: I no longer rush through the creative process and now I’m more open to trying different ways to change my sound including sampling, live instrumentation, and using various synth keyboards and sound modules.
WHO?MAG: What differentiates an Amadeus track from another producers track? AMADEUS: I’m very musical! And I like to create masterpieces not just beats. Another difference is I’m a musician/producer, not a beat maker that follows what everyone else is doing.
WHO?MAG: After you break out with your first hit, how do you stay active and find new clients? AMADEUS: Just gotta continue to make hot tracks and stay hungry because after you have a hit the clients come to you!
WHO?MAG: Due to the decrease in cost of studio equipment, there has been a recent surge in producers. How do you feel about this sudden increase? AMADEUS: I’m fine with that. I’ve earned my spot here in the game and I’m not intimidated by any other producer. When I hear a hot track from another producer, that inspires me to make something hotter.
WHO?MAG: What would you like to see changed in the music industry right now? AMADEUS: Less politics and more real music!! Sometimes industry people are more excited about the name producers and not about the quality.
WHO?MAG: What advice can you give an upcoming producer to get their material heard? AMADEUS: Attend as many industry events as possible to meet and network with artists, A&Rs, managers, etc. Hopefully they’ll take a listen. And it’s definitely a risk giving out your music but if you don’t take that risk you will never be heard.
WHO?MAG: What’s next for Amadeus? AMADEUS: Taking my production company Platinum Boy Music Inc. to the next level. I have two artists, female R&B artist Tiffany Myn’on and male rap artist Ravenus. Look out for them. I also just recently signed two new hip hop producers Buda and P-Lexx. Along with that, I just incorporated a joint venture with Platinum producer Ced-Solo and artist manager Ken Joseph. We have two artists, female rapper KD Aubert and kid female rap group 3K’s. Last but not least, I’ve teamed up with another Platinum producer Bradley “B-Rad” Spalter and his team of writers including Aleese Simmons to create an awesome hit making movement. So as you can see, I have a lot going on and it’s only the beginning!
Shout out to the my entire family, my wife Tiffany Myn’on, my son A.J (Baby Amadeus), the entire Platinum Boy Music family, my management Alan and Laurent for New Heights Ent. my publishing company Cherry Lane Music Publishing, Jay Brown, Damon Dash and 1996 Music Lane, Osa and the entire Rocawear staff, everyone who has supported me from day one and finally shout out to Rob Schwartz and the entire WHO?MAG family Thank You!! RIP Aunt Edrena, Derrick Godbold (the maestro), and Big L. God Bless!!!
