Exclusive Interview
Oct 27, 2024
Produced by: Andrej Aroch
Edited by: Rudy Manager & Andrej Aroch
A$AP P on the Boards – "Confidence is key in music and life"
A$AP P on the Boards, a driving force behind A$AP Mob’s distinctive sound, is a standout talent in the music industry. Known for his eclectic taste and deep-rooted love for music, A$AP P has played a pivotal role in shaping the sonic landscape of contemporary hip-hop. In an exclusive interview, he reflects on his journey, from being inspired by the legendary Heatmakerz to producing iconic tracks with A$AP Mob members like A$AP Rocky, A$AP Ant, and A$AP Twelvyy. In this conversation, we dive into the mind of a producer who continues to evolve while staying true to his craft.
Can you share how you first got interested in music and music production?
My mom played a huge role in getting me into music. She had this eclectic taste—listening to everything from Andrea Bocelli to Puff Daddy's "I'll Be Missing You.” She never restricted me from any music, and that really opened my mind. We didn’t have cable, just basic channels, and there was this 24-hour music video channel that played everything—Papa Roach, DMX—no genres, just all kinds of music. Between that and my New York upbringing, experiencing G-Unit and Dipset in real-time was crazy.
I’ve always been artistic, drawing as a kid, but by middle school, I started rapping and writing poetry. I thought rapping was cool, but when I saw Rsonist from The Heatmakerz on Smack DVD making beats on an MPC, everything changed. I saw him flip soul samples and thought, "This is where I can really express myself." I begged my mom for an MPC, but it was too expensive, so I turned to FL Studio. I couldn’t afford the high-end gear, but FL Studio became my tool. I figured out how to make it sound like an MPC, and that was my start in production.
Seeing that Rsonist’s video really motivated me, and even though people often mention producers like Timbaland or Ryan Leslie, it was that video that pushed me into producing music seriously. I love music, and I get excited just talking about it.
How did you go about improving your craft? Did you have any mentors or attend any institutions, or did you learn on your own?
I was part of a production group called G14, and one of the guys had everything—an MPC, an MBOX, all the gear. I was just soaking it all in while he worked. I didn’t have formal training, but I had a natural ear for it. I improved by trying to match the quality of the music I admired. I’d listen to my beats and compare them to professional tracks, aiming to make sure my stuff knocked just as hard.
Production has always been competitive, especially back then. I was the youngest in the group, and I had to figure it out. I looked up to people like 9th Wonder and studied how they worked with hardware. Back then, getting access to software like Hypersonic was tough, and everything felt expensive. But I just kept trying to match the quality of what was out there.
I don’t have a specific "style," but I take bits from different genres. My goal has always been to make music that lasts—subjective art that people can interpret however they want. I want my work to stand the test of time, especially for my son. So, it’s about balancing the creativity with making space for artists to add their vocals. Ultimately, I just want to be great, and to be great, you’ve got to learn from the greats.
What's your favorite project or song you've worked on that holds a special place in your heart?
Man, I’m passionate about all my music. Every song has its own story and memory. One that stands out is a track we did with Flacko (A$AP Rocky) called “GRIM FREESTYLE”. He was playing a melody on a Mellotron he just got, and we recorded it on a voice note. The whole process was chaos—he was rushing me to finish the beat while he was freestyling in my ear. In the end, the whole song came together from that voice note. That kind of spontaneous energy is crazy.
Another favorite is " Strapped" with A$AP Twelvyy. I sent them the beats while they were on tour, and when they came back, Twelvyy killed it in the studio. He recorded " Strapped" and "Sunset Park " in the same session, and both of those are special to me.
I also worked on a track with my guy Bipolar Sunshine called "Control" for an electronic project. That song inspired me to put together an electronic project called PEEONTHEFLR vol. 1.
Honestly, every song I’ve worked on, released or unreleased, holds a special memory. I’m blessed to work with such talented people, and my music reflects my emotions. Whether I was hyped or sad, you can hear it in the beats. I love all my music, even the songs I haven’t made yet. Every piece is a reflection of me.
From a producer's standpoint, what are the most important aspects of working with artists in the studio?
The most important thing is to not be a weirdo. Be human—just like when you're in the DMs or talking online, carry that same energy when you're in the studio. It’s all about good vibes and building a connection, not just trying to make a hit. I like to ask artists how their day is going, because at the end of the day, we’re all people, and that real connection brings out the best in the music.
You’ve got to have confidence, but stay humble. If you don’t believe in your music, who will? No one’s going to buy into it if you don’t. Be confident in the work you create and don't be scared to express yourself. If you're not confident, the artist might just grab a free YouTube beat and cut you out of the equation. So, be confident, but also be cool and easy to work with. That balance is key.
What's your opinion on new technologies in music production, particularly the use of AI?
Why not? Studios are expensive, and clearing samples costs a lot. If you can create a composition, write lyrics, and use an AI voice or instrument, what’s wrong with that? It’s still your creativity. Not everyone has access to a guitar player or session musician, so why not use AI for things like that?
People laugh at me for not having a Splice account, but what’s the difference? It’s just another tool to help make music. At the end of the day, consumers aren’t going to say, "Nah, I don’t like this because it’s AI." They just care if it sounds good. So, I don’t see a problem with using AI to enhance creativity.
What advice would you give to new producers who are just starting out and trying to establish themselves in the music industry?
First and foremost, get a good lawyer. Make sure it's someone you trust, someone you can talk to like family. I’ve never had bad business, and I’m proud of that. Shout out to my lawyer, Joshua Kamen.
Don’t be afraid to write. I started writing a couple years ago, and it’s another way to contribute to the creative process. The more ideas you have for artists, the better.
Confidence is key. If you don’t believe in your music, no one else will. And learn to play keys. Even if you're not classically trained, it’s good to have a basic understanding. I used to teach myself by looking up songs on YouTube. It’ll help you hold your own in the studio.
Respect the business and the craft. Don’t be predatory or take advantage of people. Good business is essential. And make the music you want to hear—don’t box yourself into one genre. Be genre fluid. Nowadays, everything crosses over, so experiment with different sounds.
Lastly, don’t be afraid to reach out to artists. Some might leave you on read, but keep pushing. The tables will turn, and when they do, remember your worth—don’t be afraid to charge what you deserve.
Do you have any upcoming plans or projects you're excited to share?
I’ve been working on this electronic project called PEEONTHEFLR vol.1, and it’s fire. I’ve always loved electronic music, but never really dove into it until now. I want to push into genres where people like me aren’t always represented. Music doesn’t have a color, so I want to exist in all spaces.
I’m also working on a project with Zee from the group The Jack Moves. They’re super talented, and we’ve been creating something I’d describe as Hyper R&B. We’ve recorded a lot of it at my place, and I’m really proud of how it’s turning out. I wrote a lot of the songs and did vocal production with Zee, and it’s a special project for me.
Both projects are in the final stages—just waiting on mixing and paperwork. I also have a compilation project in the works, inspired by Alchemist’s 1st Infantry. That one’s still coming together, but I want to focus on getting these other projects out first. Hopefully, I’ll drop a single or two by the end of 2024 and release the full projects in 2025.
I’m at a point where I want to release music as a producer, like Metro Boomin or Dr. Dre. I’ve made some great tracks, and it’s time to put them out into the world. So that’s the plan—getting these projects out there and moving into that producer-artist role.
Follow A$AP P on the Boards on Instagram: @asvp_p
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