Exclusive Interview
Jan 7, 2025
Produced by: Andrej Aroch
Edited by: Rudy Manager & Andrej Aroch
Shadyboy – “I went from having almost no placements to hearing Kanye’s voice on my beat.”
In this exclusive interview with Studio Talks, we sit down with Italian producer Shadyboy, a rising star who has already made waves in the music industry by working with iconic artists like Kanye West, Yeat, and SAINt JHN. Shadyboy opens up about his creative journey, the inspirations that shaped his sound, and the stories behind some of his most notable collaborations. From his beginnings in music production to his thoughts on the future of the industry, this conversation offers an in-depth look at the mind of a producer who continues to push boundaries and create impactful music. The interview was conducted by Andrej Aroch via video call on December 8, 2024.
What initially sparked your interest in music, and how did that lead to you pursuing music production?
I first started making music in middle school during a music class where I got to play the violin for two or three years. To be honest, I wasn’t very serious about it back then. But as far as I can remember, I’ve always been interested in art forms in general. My mom always encouraged me to be creative, which eventually led me to explore various things.
As a kid, I used to draw a lot, and later in high school, I got into graffiti. This eventually led me to study architecture at university. For me, music production felt like a natural evolution of my creative journey—a continuation of experimenting with different types of art.
I actually remember starting in 2016. One random day, I downloaded FL Studio out of curiosity to see how beats are made. And that’s how it all began.
Can you recall some of your early musical influences or what you were listening to when you first started using FL Studio?
I grew up listening to music on MTV. Artists like Timbaland, Eminem, Drake, and Kanye West really defined my childhood. I also have Egyptian roots, and I used to spend a lot of my summers in Egypt. During those times, I was surrounded by classical and pop Arab music.
When I started making actual beats, my focus shifted more toward the production side of music. I found inspiration in some of the greatest producers like OZ, Boi-1da, and Cubeatz. They’re definitely among my all-time favorites.
Being from Europe, specifically Italy, how do you go about connecting with international producers and building relationships with them?
I’ve always dreamed of having song placements in the United States and internationally, but honestly, I didn’t think it was possible—especially coming from Italy. Back then, no one from here had found success in that space, so I thought it wasn’t even achievable.
The turning point for me came in 2018. I attended a workshop hosted by OZ and Foreign Teck in Zurich. Seeing a European producer like OZ achieve massive success with some of the biggest artists in the game was a huge motivation for me. After that day, I went back home to Italy and started reaching out to people—connecting and building relationships with anyone who liked my music.
Were you just sending your work to these people?
I was sending them stuff or simply reaching out to people I really respected to build a connection. At the end of the day, it’s not just about sending samples. Building genuine connections with people whose music you enjoy will naturally lead to collaborations down the line.
So no, there wasn’t a specific strategy—it was more of a natural process.
When you start working on an idea from scratch, what’s your creative process? Do you have a default way of starting?
I usually start by picking a random sound and building from there. I really enjoy exploring and experimenting without knowing exactly what the end result will sound like. That’s why I don’t have a specific or fixed process for making music—I don’t even have a routine. I just let things flow naturally and let the ideas happen organically.
Let’s talk about your other placement, the track “bigger thën everything” for Yeat. Can you share the story behind it?
It was 2021 when I made that sample with my good friend, Classy (Pierfrancesco Pasini). During the day, we worked on a series of long piano improvisations. When I got home, I started chopping and flipping some of the recordings—kind of the same approach I used for “Smack DVD.”
When I sent it back to Classy, we both knew it was a special melody. Fast forward to December 2022, I had the chance to send it to BNYX. About four or five months later, I was told to hold onto that melody because Yeat had done something crazy with it. I was a bit surprised since it wasn’t the typical sound Yeat usually records on, so I wasn’t sure what to expect.
A couple of months later, I saw they were shooting the music video with Cole Bennett. That’s when I knew the song was officially dropping. It was an amazing moment—so many people showed love for the track and told me how much they liked it.
I think BNYX and Yeat really brought their unique touch to the sample and took it to a whole new level.
Is there a particular production of yours that holds a special place in your heart?
I think all the songs I’ve worked on hold a special place in my heart because they remind me of the day I made them or the day they were released. Some of my favorite songs are still unreleased at the time we’re speaking.
But if I had to pick one, I’d definitely say “bigger thën everything.” For me, it’s the most complete track I’ve worked on. It was also released during a tough time in my life, which makes it even more meaningful to me.
Are there any artists you’d really like to work with in the future?
I’ve always said my favorite artists are Kanye West and Travis Scott—they’re definitely my top two. I’d love to work with them on more music, but I’m also very open to collaborating with different people.
Yeat was, and still is, one of my favorites, so I feel lucky to have already worked with him. Lately, I’ve been listening to a lot of Brent Faiyaz, so collaborating with him would be exciting. I’m also interested in trying out different genres and experimenting with new sounds.
What advice would you give to new producers who are just starting out in music production and want to establish themselves in the industry?
It’s hard to give one specific piece of advice since there are so many paths to success. Some people make it by posting content on social media, others by collaborating with established producers, or by finding creative ways to connect directly with artists.
For me, one of the most valuable things is simply being a good and respectable person. In the long run, that will always work in your favor, no matter what your plan is.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Five years is a long time, but my goal is always to reach new heights and be in a better position than I was yesterday. I also want to keep building my skills and growing as a producer.
I’ve been fortunate to work with some of my favorite artists, and I hope to continue doing even more of that over the next five years. Honestly, I prefer not to think too far ahead. I focus on staying in the moment and figuring out what I can do each day to improve and move forward.
Follow Shadyboy on Instagram: @shadyboyy
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