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BM e at His Image Magazine are focused on the CHH culture and the artists who are making an impact in the industry. I’ve been keeping up BMII and watching his moves this past year and I see that he is focused and he is a talented producer, which is highly needed in the CHH business. I put together some questions to find out a little bit more about Ben Mercedes personally and his Christian lifestyle.
INTERVIEW First off, let me say thank you for taking the time to talk with us over at His Image Magazine. Do you consider yourself to have a ministry? Artists say that they minister through music but as a producer what is your ministry and how is it sanctioned? I would say although a lot of people may consider their music there ministry, I wouldn’t consider what I do mine. I would say my ministry is my life, although people can still be ministered to by the music I work on.
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II Tell me how you got your start in the music business? How long have you been a music producer?
secular beat; Since you are a producer what are your thoughts on the whole secular beat issue?
In the music business, as far as selling tracks I’m pretty new to it. As far as producing I’m going on my 6th Year.
The infamous “secular beat” issue (laughs). This is a big topic. Everyone seems to be convicted in a different way, so for those who are against it I see their point. Personally, as a newbie in the faith listening to Bizzle’s and Eshon Burgundy’s tracks a year ago; because I was
There are always conversations in the Christian world about Christian artists using “secular beats” and some people say there is no such thing as a
familiar with the original songs, it helped me get familiar with them as artists and the message. So those songs ministered to me...and helped get me to where I stand today. So I thank them for that! And I conclude to disagree with being against it. I see no problem with it. Do you consider yourself to truly be a Christian producer or are you a producer that is a Christian?
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Would you produce or sell a track to a secular or nonChristian artist? I would say I’m a Christian producer, but at the same time there’s black, white, and the grey area. Am I working with nonChristian artists at the moment? No. However I’m working on producing a fitness DVD. Is it proclaiming Christ, or is it "Christian fitness"? (Laughs) No. Aside from that I don’t see a problem with love songs, specially with R&B, but it depends heavily on the content and lyrics. Most producers have a signature sound or instrument that they always seem to use. Do you have any signature musical elements that you use?
On a lot of tracks you'll hear like some breathing noises (haa), I was using those for a little while. I’m in the works of something new as we speak!
darkness and doesn’t come out (Laughs). And other times you’ll hear more vibrant peaceful stuff. All depends how I’m feeling!
What is your thought process when creating a new beat. Do you typically make beats with a specific artist in mind for that beat or do you just go off of how you feel at that moment?
There are many aspiring producers out there. What advice can you provide to those individuals who have no knowledge of what programs to use or full understanding of the beat making process?
Majority of the time its just creation. Sometimes its creation with a certain artist in mind. Depends on what I’m working on in particular, and who I’m working with. Sometimes You'll hear some dark stuff from me. My sister would always call me the angry producer who locks himself in his room in
I use FL Studio/Protools. FL Studio is great for people who are visual opposed to an MPC, but realistically its all personal preference. As far as the beat making process, there is never a particular order. Drums first then melody or vice versa. There’s no rules in composition, there is no right or wrong, and
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that’s the beauty of it! Also would you like to work with as I tell myself often, don’t in the future? If yes, why? follow the trend. Just let your imagination run wild. I would love to work with S.O. The Kid. I think his “So I know that you recently pro- It Begins” album is flawless duced a new track for Eshon from beginning to end. From Burgundy. What other artists beat selection, to content I’m have you worked with in the in love with that thing! Also past? What popular credits do Dwayne Tryumf, and a few you have that we probably others. don’t know it was you behind the boards? Tell us how important a relationship with God is to you? I was behind Reflects single "Stand On That" off "The A relationship with God is Mirror" album and Martay’s most important, and God "Hello Lover". I’m pretty knows that, which is why he new to the Christian music commands us to love him scene though. Should be in- with all our might. He knows teresting to see what God has what’s best for us and that in store for me for 2012. His love is like no other as well. It seems like the number of CHH artists are growing At what point in your life did daily. Are there any artists you receive salvation and do that you really like and you remember what made
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you want to give your life to Christ? About 2 years ago I got saved. I was on my way into the industry working with different artists, hanging at different studios, seeing a lot of the evil that exists in the industry, hearing testimonies etc. Combined with being convicted by Gods truth, I realized everything the industry has to offer will fade. I started feeling wrong about the music I was making, and no amount of money can make it feel right. So basically seeing where I was headed, (addicted to myself and my lifestyle) looking into the perfect person of Jesus Christ, biblical prophecy, which is fulfilled with deadly accuracy, archeological evidence, and manuscript evidence. I came to the
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conclusion that Christ is the way, the truth and the life. You know everyone’s betting their life on something, Atheist are betting there’s no God, Buddhist on Buddha, and after studying I’m betting mine that Christ wasn’t a Liar.
that phone call, and in just one instant my world was flipped over completely. I drove back to Mass from NY (about 4 hrs) and fasted for the next couple weeks. It was pretty tough to swallow you know. I spoke to him briefly earlier that day and next thing Can you share one of the you know BOOM, Gone...in hardest trails in life that you the blink of an eye. But God endured and how your faith saw me through it. In his and confidence in God strength I made it through brought you through? that whole situation strong, and God used it to sharpen Recently, over this summer I me and draw me closer to buried my brother (brother in him. Also my sister got law) but you know, you con- saved, so we know that God sider them brothers (deep uses bad for His good! Gen breath). It was pretty tough 50:20. man. That day we had shot Bizzle’s “This Aint Love” God created each one of his video. The day was beautiful children with a purpose. and praiseful. I was with Es- Sometimes it takes people a hon Burgundy and Reflect. while to identify that purWe were headed to Times pose. What do you think your Square to shoot Reflects purpose is? “Stand On That” and I get
I believe he made me with a few talents and a passion for sound and music. I’m producing/engineering/ doing live sound for my church, and I wouldn’t be surprised if I got into production management. We are about to embark on another year. Have you made any goals for 2012? What can we expect from BMII? I think by the end of this year I might dive more into mixing, and possibly managing a production company with other producers. Potentially, and also I’ll be diving into directing videos with one of my partners. Should be an interesting year! As Far as projects, I’m producing Inspirations - “Fall of Man” EP. You’ll hear me on Eshon Burgundys - “Somewhere
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In The Clouds Looking Down”, a couple other projects and also my compilation album! OK, it’s time for an interesting fact. Tell us something about you that we probably don’t know or never would have guessed. Recommended by Ali Rozet, "I Am Not Puerto Rican" hahaha, Nor do I know Spanish, although I am half Dominican. I’m working on learning the language though! Would love to head out to the Dominican Republic to help serve and learn the language sometime in the future!
What would you like for the readers to get out of this interview?
II Basically that as one in the body of Christ, we all have talents we can use to give God glory, to give him credit and honor in what we do. Things may get tough but the Word repeatedly tells us "Fear Not". So I just want to encourage everyone to really find what that talent is, and use it to give glory to the father. God wants all of us. He wants to dominate in every part of us. There was a time where I was in church and tithing and seemed to be doing alright, but I was still using my God given talent to make music which destroys the gospel. It was the hardest decision I’ve ever made
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(to switch over to gospel). But with hard trials comes wisdom and God is always faithful! We appreciate your time. We wish you nothing but blessings in your career. Do you have any shout outs or last words to your supporters? I’m honored that y’all reached out. I thank you and the readers immensely! Last words would be Philippians 1:6, Philippians 4:13, John 10:28