Exclusive Interview
Nov 22, 2024
Produced by: Andrej Aroch
Edited by: Rudy Manager & Andrej Aroch
Macnificent – “The moment you feel like giving up is probably when everything is about to change”
Cover Photo Shot by @trentmunson
In this exclusive Studio Talks interview, we connect with the talented producer Macnificent, an integral part of the Crash Dummy collective. With his innovative production style and ability to seamlessly blend genres, Macnificent has contributed to major tracks like “Ball w/o You” by 21 Savage, and worked with industry heavyweights such as Lil Uzi Vert and Future. In this candid conversation, he dives deep into his creative process, the importance of mentorship in his development, and how his diverse musical influences shape his sound. Read on to discover Macnificent’s journey from aspiring rapper to sought-after producer, and his views on the ever-evolving landscape of the music industry. The interview was conducted by Andrej Aroch via a video call on November 7th, 2024.
How did you get interested in music, and from there, how you transitioned into music production.
To be honest, I wanted to rap first. Shout out to my guy, Yung Kee, from Memphis. Shout out to Project Pat and Three 6 Mafia, also from Memphis. And a big shout out to my big brother, C. Logan. These were the guys around me, shaping my interest in rapping. I always said I wanted to rap first. And when I got serious about it, I was like, "Man, I gotta find someone to make my beats." My brother was like, "Why don’t you just make your own beats?"
So, I started following my brother’s advice, wanting to make my own beats. And as soon as I started, I found myself getting more interested in producing beats than in rapping. So, I kind of put the rapping aside and focused on making beats. Along the way, I met some great people—shout out to my brother Tommy, who connected me to TM88, which led me to Southside and other producers in the game. Meeting them gave me a huge boost of motivation to keep going with music production.
Eventually, all of that led to me signing with Crash Dummy. And from there, the rest is kind of history.
What do you think is the most important aspect for producers to keep in mind while working in the studio directly with artists?
It’s all about being on the same page with the artist and not overdoing anything—just keeping the vibe right. It’s important to understand that you’re there to work. Unless you have a history with the artist, it’s really about getting the work done and building a good relationship. That way, people trust you and want to call you back.
In the studio, you’re usually on a time block, so every minute counts. And beyond that, it’s important for people to see your work ethic and how you get things done. If you have a strong work ethic, they’ll keep calling you back, like, “Yeah, let’s get this done!” But if your work ethic is lacking, it’s harder for people to want to build a relationship with you.
The studio can also be fun, especially when you’re making music everyone loves and everything flows. The vibe in the studio can feel as comfortable as being at home, except you’re with others. Sometimes, you’ll start a beat in the studio, and people around you start nodding along— you watch the vibe go from zero to a hundred.
The studio vibe is definitely a good place to be. But like I said, just remember you’re on a time block, and make every minute and second count.
You produced “Ball w/o You” by 21 Savage. Can you share the backstory behind making this track and how it came together?
First, shout out to my brother, Tommy. Around that time, I was working a nine-to-five, and one day he called me up, saying, “Hey, TM88 needs some loops and stems. Put a pack together and send it to me.” Back then, I didn’t know as much about production as I do now. I had a lot of loops and stems but didn’t fully know how to manipulate them the way I wanted. But I knew this was a big opportunity to work with TM. So when Tommy called, I sent over everything I had been working on, even though it wasn’t quite where I wanted it.
TM did his magic with the track, and one day while I was at work, I got a call from Sony. They told me a track had been picked up, but didn’t give me the name at first. They were just collecting my info for the record. That experience really solidified my connection with TM—he put everything together, and I just zipped up all my loops and sent them his way. By the grace of God and TM’s integrity, he made sure everything was credited correctly, for which I’m really grateful.
“Ball w/o You” turned out to be a beautiful song. Even though it was made in 2018, it’s a timeless record. At that time, I was going through a personal situation, and in a way, “Ball w/o You” was the perfect song to capture what I was feeling but couldn’t put into words myself. Hearing it for the first time hit home because the lyrics reflected what I was going through.
Even today, years later, I still see it on TikTok, with people like Shakira dancing to it. It’s amazing to see how much it resonates. Again, shout out to TM, Tommy, and everyone involved in making that record. I’m really proud of that song.
Do you have any other project or track you’ve worked on that holds a special place in your heart or is your favorite?
"Ball w/o You" would definitely be at the top. But second would be "Red Moon," the track we did with Lil Uzi Vert—a beautiful record.
When we first made it, I remember telling the guys I worked with, “This song is going to be something special.” Now, everything we work on is special to me, but "Red Moon" has a unique place in my heart. The video dropped on Christmas 2023, and when I saw it for the first time, I felt like Uzi really went all out on "Red Moon."
Back when we were first producing the track, I kept telling the team every day, “This sounds like something Uzi would do.” And this was before we even knew if he’d be involved or where the beat would end up. Then one day, I woke up to a text saying, “Hey, Uzi’s on it.” I was so excited to hear his take on it.
"Red Moon" became one of those songs that speak to your heart if you pay attention to the lyrics. It’s similar to “Ball w/o You” in that way. I’m really grateful to everyone who worked on "Red Moon." I love that record to death.
What kind of music do you usually listen to in your free time?
You probably won’t believe it, but I listen to everything—from pop to rock to classical. It depends on the mood. Sometimes I might start off on YouTube listening to rap or R&B, and then I’ll think, “You know what? Let me dig a little deeper.” I’ll switch it up to pop, rock, classical, or even country. It just depends on how I’m feeling.
I’m not biased toward any genre—I listen to it all. I’m interested in the structure of different types of music and how I can apply those formulas when creating my own tracks.
Do you think listening to a variety of genres makes you a better producer?
Yeah, because it keeps you from getting stuck in a box. To be honest, when you’re from Memphis, I love everything about my city, but it helps me get a different feel. I don’t limit myself to one genre. I listen to everything because, to me, there’s a message in every type of music, and I’m always on the lookout for that. I’m also trying to improve as a producer, so I never want to say, "I’m only listening to rap." I listen to everything—pop, rock, classical, Latin music, you name it. Even though I don’t speak Spanish fluently, I’ll listen to Latin music because the rhythm and groove are so good, even if I don’t understand the words. The vibe makes you move.
Photo Shot by @trentmunson
What advice would you give to new or up-and-coming producers trying to establish themselves in the music industry?
The best advice I can give is to be patient. This industry is all about patience and making calculated moves. The moment you feel like giving up is probably when everything is about to change. It’s like planting a seed—you water it over and over again, and over time, you start to see it grow. You never see it happen overnight.
This is a game of patience. You’ve got to keep nurturing your growth as a producer, just like watering a plant. Keep pouring into yourself and your craft. For me, music is my escape from reality. That’s why I listen to all kinds of genres—no matter what I’m going through, there’s always a song that fits how I feel, whether it’s happy, sad, or something that makes me want to dance.
So, for up-and-coming producers, be patient. Listen to different genres and figure out what resonates with you. And while we’re in a time where you can connect with people online, nothing beats being in person.
Do you have any upcoming plans or projects that you’re excited to share?
I can’t give too much away right now, but I can say is that it’s going to be very interesting. The best thing I can tell everyone is to follow the Crash Dummy pages on X, Instagram, Threads, and our YouTube channel to stay up to date with everything. It’s bigger than just me. We’ve got a lot to bring to the table, and we're involved in so much. We’re not just sticking to one genre. You’ll be surprised by what you might see our name on, credit-wise. It’s not just rap or R&B—there’s a lot more in the works.
I wish I could tell you exactly what’s coming, but there’s so much happening right now. The best way to stay updated is through those pages. Trust me, you’re going to love what’s coming because we’re doing it all. We’re not a one-trick pony, and people will be really surprised by what’s coming next.
Follow Macnificent on Instagram: @macnificent74
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