Exclusive Interview
Sep 15, 2024
Produced by: Andrej Aroch
Edited by: Rudy Manager
DLo Beatz – “Dedicate as much time as you can to perfecting your craft”
Do you have a production of yours that you value highly for its artistic quality? Or what is your favorite song of yours?
I would say 24 Hours is one of my favorites. It’s particularly special because we did some post-production work on it. Rogét Chahayed, a well-known producer, added his touch, taking the song to another level. The track was already great, but his contribution elevated it even further. We really invested a lot of time and effort into perfecting it, and it paid off—it eventually became a platinum record.
Do you have some artists in mind with whom you would like to collaborate with in the future?
One of my favorite artists right now is Rauw Alejandro; he’s a fantastic Latin artist and is at the top of my list. I’d also love to collaborate with big names like Drake and Travis Scott.
What advice would you give to young producers who are just starting out?
My advice would be to learn as much as you can at the beginning. I spent a lot of time on YouTube, soaking up every bit of knowledge I could. If possible, learning to play an instrument, like the guitar or piano, can be very beneficial. Dedicate as much time as you can to perfecting your craft and striving to be the best you can be. Networking is also crucial—try to travel, visit different cities, and collaborate with a variety of people. All these efforts can contribute to a young producer’s growth and success.
Can you share some upcoming projects of yours?
Currently, I’m working on new music with a female artist named Lenexx, who’s Dominican and from Queens, New York. We have a lot of new music in the works. I’m also collaborating with Fresy Franklin from Puerto Rico, who has written number-one songs before. We’re working on an EP together. Lately, I’ve been focusing on collaborating with up-and-coming artists.
What are your long-term goals as a producer?
My long-term goal is to establish my own label where I can sign producers, artists, and writers, and help them reach their full potential. I aim to achieve the highest level possible, which includes collaborating with artists, executive producing projects, and moving beyond just chasing placements. Ultimately, I envision myself not only creating more projects but also guiding and mentoring the next generation to become superstars.
Can you share a project of yours?
Sure! Towards the end of 2022, I was working a lot with Bassyy. He sent me a melody that immediately reminded me of something from 2016. Inspired by that, I started adding drums to it along with JoeFromYO. We kept the drum pattern simple, using a kick and a percussion loop. Here’s a glimpse of how the melody and drums came together.
Where do you usually get the samples?
I typically find samples online by searching for drum kits and other sound packs. Additionally, people like my friend JoeFromYO often send me drum kits, sounds, and percussion loops. At the time, I was heavily using percussion loops. For this particular beat, it was quite simple—I used a kick, a percussion loop, and also incorporated a triangle sound.
How do you usually approach the structure of the beat? Do you have some go-to structures or do try to switch it up?
I always aim to switch things up. Over the past couple of years, I’ve been learning how to record vocals and create song references. I might record over a melody or a full beat, then adjust the beat to fit the vocals. This has changed how I approach structuring songs and beats. Typically, I would follow a basic structure with a hook, a verse, a bridge, followed by another hook, verse, and an outro. However, since I started recording myself and others, my approach to structuring songs and beats has evolved significantly.
How long did it take you to create the beat (Solo $exo – Myke Towers)?
It took about an hour to create this beat. Sometimes, I can make a beat in just 15 or 20 minutes. Other times, I might spend an hour or more, depending on how much I like the beat and how much I want to develop it. I focus on different structures and elements to make it unique. It really depends on the beat and how I’m feeling at the time.
Do you usually complete a beat in one sitting, or do you come up with an initial idea and then refine it later?
It varies. Sometimes I finish a beat in one sitting, but other times I start with an idea and come back to it later with fresh ears. Listening to it after a day or two might give me new ideas for an outro, bridge, or other elements. So, I can complete a beat in one go, or it might take a few days or even weeks. There are beats I revisit after a while, especially if I really like them, and I might make changes to improve them.
Follow DLo Beatz on Instagram: @dlobeatz
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