Luca is a rising producer based in New York, pushing the sound forward. Studio Talks sits down with him to talk about his path from his early days to working on tracks for A Boogie Wit da Hoodie to his advice for new producers. This interview was conducted by Rudy Manager via video call on October 22, 2025.
“Mentors and YouTube showed me the tools, but it’s hours and consistency that really move the needle.”
- Luca
How did you first get interested in music, and how did you transition into music production?
I’ve been making music since middle school. I’m 21 now, and I started playing drums when I was about 14. I’ve gone to school for music my whole life, focusing on drums, and in high school I shifted from drums and other percussion to making beats. I started out in Ableton and later switched to FL Studio. I’ve taken everything I learned growing up playing music and applied it to music production.
How did you improve your music? Did you have any mentors or did you watch a lot of YouTube tutorials?
The main things were exactly what you mentioned. I had mentors who were already in the industry and had real experience, and they put me onto what’s what. I also relied heavily on YouTube. It’s a major tool for learning the software, figuring out which plugins to try, and pretty much anything else you need to know. And like everyone says, it comes down to putting in the work. Spending the hours, staying consistent, and repeating the process over and over make a huge difference.
Who were some of your first mentors?
My boy A Lau and Corey were two of the first. There are a lot of names, but producers and engineers in New York really helped me early on. A Lau owns Off Record, and Corey is the head engineer at Quad Studios. They were both important in helping me learn my way around the industry.
What was the first project you worked on, or the first artist?
I think the first artist I worked with was Smoove’L, a Brooklyn drill rapper, around 2020. I started by sending beats to his manager’s email, and we kept working from there. As we got closer, I started sending beats to his number directly and ended up working on a bunch of his songs early in his career.
When you start a project from scratch, what do you like to do?
It depends on the vibe, whether I’m leaning toward beats or melodies, but most of the time I start with a melody. It might be something someone sent me, or my boy and I make it on the spot. I’d say I begin with a melody about 80 percent of the time, then I feel the direction and bring the drums in. Whether it’s a loop someone shared or something from scratch, I almost always start with the melody.
What was the first project you worked on, or the first artist?
I think the first artist I worked with was Smoove’L, a Brooklyn drill rapper, around 2020. I started by sending beats to his manager’s email, and we kept working from there. As we got closer, I started sending beats to his number directly and ended up working on a bunch of his songs early in his career.
When you start a project from scratch, what do you like to do?
It depends on the vibe, whether I’m leaning toward beats or melodies, but most of the time I start with a melody. It might be something someone sent me, or my boy and I make it on the spot. I’d say I begin with a melody about 80 percent of the time, then I feel the direction and bring the drums in. Whether it’s a loop someone shared or something from scratch, I almost always start with the melody.
What was the first project you worked on, or the first artist?
I think the first artist I worked with was Smoove’L, a Brooklyn drill rapper, around 2020. I started by sending beats to his manager’s email, and we kept working from there. As we got closer, I started sending beats to his number directly and ended up working on a bunch of his songs early in his career.
When you start a project from scratch, what do you like to do?
It depends on the vibe, whether I’m leaning toward beats or melodies, but most of the time I start with a melody. It might be something someone sent me, or my boy and I make it on the spot. I’d say I begin with a melody about 80 percent of the time, then I feel the direction and bring the drums in. Whether it’s a loop someone shared or something from scratch, I almost always start with the melody.
Do you have a creative routine for working on music?
I usually get to the studio around 2 or 3 p.m., and my routine is to make beats every day. It’s an everyday thing for me. I know I’m going to the studio to make beats every day, so after this interview, I’ll probably go make some. At this point, it’s part of my routine, and I’ll work anywhere I can.
What’s your work rate like? How many beats do you make per month?
I used to make about five to ten beats a day, but I’ve slowed down to focus on arrangement and overall quality. I’m spending more time on each idea now, so I usually make three or four beats a day, sometimes five, and some days I won’t make any. I’m really focused on creating the best possible music.
What are some of your favorite VSTs and hardware?
I like Omnisphere, Kontakt, Xpand, and ZENOLOGY. I also use a lot of one shots, which I think are underrated when used the right way. Omnisphere is definitely my go-to.
Do you prefer to work in the studio with artists or send out beats?
I definitely prefer being in the studio with the artist, so we can build the record together. Sending beats has been one of the main ways I’ve gotten placements, and a lot of the time it’s the first step to linking with an artist in the studio and creating something together.
Do you have a creative routine for working on music?
I usually get to the studio around 2 or 3 p.m., and my routine is to make beats every day. It’s an everyday thing for me. I know I’m going to the studio to make beats every day, so after this interview, I’ll probably go make some. At this point, it’s part of my routine, and I’ll work anywhere I can.
What’s your work rate like? How many beats do you make per month?
I used to make about five to ten beats a day, but I’ve slowed down to focus on arrangement and overall quality. I’m spending more time on each idea now, so I usually make three or four beats a day, sometimes five, and some days I won’t make any. I’m really focused on creating the best possible music.
What are some of your favorite VSTs and hardware?
I like Omnisphere, Kontakt, Xpand, and ZENOLOGY. I also use a lot of one shots, which I think are underrated when used the right way. Omnisphere is definitely my go-to.
Do you prefer to work in the studio with artists or send out beats?
I definitely prefer being in the studio with the artist, so we can build the record together. Sending beats has been one of the main ways I’ve gotten placements, and a lot of the time it’s the first step to linking with an artist in the studio and creating something together.
Do you have a creative routine for working on music?
I usually get to the studio around 2 or 3 p.m., and my routine is to make beats every day. It’s an everyday thing for me. I know I’m going to the studio to make beats every day, so after this interview, I’ll probably go make some. At this point, it’s part of my routine, and I’ll work anywhere I can.
What’s your work rate like? How many beats do you make per month?
I used to make about five to ten beats a day, but I’ve slowed down to focus on arrangement and overall quality. I’m spending more time on each idea now, so I usually make three or four beats a day, sometimes five, and some days I won’t make any. I’m really focused on creating the best possible music.
What are some of your favorite VSTs and hardware?
I like Omnisphere, Kontakt, Xpand, and ZENOLOGY. I also use a lot of one shots, which I think are underrated when used the right way. Omnisphere is definitely my go-to.
Do you prefer to work in the studio with artists or send out beats?
I definitely prefer being in the studio with the artist, so we can build the record together. Sending beats has been one of the main ways I’ve gotten placements, and a lot of the time it’s the first step to linking with an artist in the studio and creating something together.
Can you share how you made the song “Part of Me” for A Boogie Wit da Hoodie?
I’ve been sending beats to Boogie for about two years, and this was one he jumped on. We’ve got a bunch more in the vault. I did “Body” on his last studio project, Better Off Alone with Cash Cobain, and another one, “Idk Why,” on Bay Swag’s Damaged Thoughts project featuring him. He’s been one of the main artists I’ve been sending my beats to. This beat was honestly just another one I texted him, and it went crazy from there.
Can you share how you first got in touch with A Boogie?
While I was in college, I sent beats to his engineer, Alex. By my sophomore year, about three years ago, I already had a couple of songs with him. After that, he reached out to ask for that song and a few more beats, and we’ve been working together ever since.
Do you have a favorite production that's especially close to your heart?
Definitely the latest Boogie song, “Part of Me,” and I’d also say “Body” with Boogie and Cash Cobain. Those two are among my favorite beats I’ve made, and they’re special because of what they did with them as well. They’re definitely among my favorites.
What advice would you give to new producers who are trying to work with mainstream artists and get placements?
Be yourself. Make the music you love and remember why you started. You’ve got to love what you do, and you should love the music you make.
Who are some of the artists or producers people should pay attention to?
There are a lot. Shoutout to the whole Off Record crew and to Corey, Abstrxkt, Jonas, and Eddy. There are a bunch of people in New York I’ve got to vouch for. A lot of people are doing it right now.
Where do you see yourself one year from now, both personally and professionally?
I see myself traveling more to cities like LA and Miami. I also want to work with a bunch of artists from places like the UK. There are a couple of things already in the works. Overall, I want to keep making music with artists I really connect with and keep creating good records while pushing the sound forward.
Who are some of your favorite artists you’d like to have songs with?
I’ve been listening to a lot of Don Toliver, Central Cee, and Tory Lanez, among others. Those three are some of the artists I’ve had on repeat, and I’d love to have songs with them.
Follow Luca on Instagram: @prod.lucabeats
