Jsteelo / Yamz Interview | Respect the Producer
This interview was curated by Dtezmacho
How did you get your name?
I got the name Jsteelo by combining my old nickname (Jay) and Steelo from Capital Steez, as he is one of my favorite artists who inspired me.
Where are you from?
My parents are from all over the place, but I was born in Bangkok, Thailand, which is where I grew up and still live.
How did you get into producing?
I had a very strong interest in hip-hop and music but never really had the motivation to learn how to create music. That was until one of my old teachers saw my interest and let me use his FL Studio license on the school computers. That was my start and how I really got into beat-making.
What did you do to advance your skills/knowledge?
To advance my knowledge, I would listen to more music to develop a better ear. I’d also watch a lot of Rhythm Roulette videos on Mass Appeal’s YouTube channel to see the behind-the-scenes process of my favorite producers.
What did your first setup look like?
My first setup, aside from using the computers at school, was just me and my laptop—no headphones or anything else.
What does your current setup look like?
My current setup still has the same laptop, but now I have an Akai MPK MIDI keyboard, an audio interface, a microphone, and DT770 Pro headphones.
If you could produce for any artist (dead or alive), who would it be?
Man, that’s a really tough question. I'd have to go with either Mach-Hommy, Blu, or Common.
What is your goal when you create?
To make a song that makes you feel something.
What's your go-to song right now?
Gotta go with First Things First by Blu & Exile. Love the lyricism, the hypnotizing guitars, and the swingy drums.
What is your dream as a producer?
To not just be recognized as a producer but as an artist. I don’t want to sell beats to just anyone and have my name hidden in the credits—I want my name to be up there as a main artist.
What is some advice you would give to someone with a dream to become a producer?
Just start somewhere. You don’t need a bunch of fancy equipment to make good beats. All you really need is a laptop and ideas.
Connect with Jsteelo:
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