2Genius World

Taking Your Music to a New Level

We caught up music producer that goes by 2Genius World...

How I first get into music... I consider that to be a 3 layered question. The first layer would be when I started as a preteen in church playing the piano, the organ and sometimes the drums during praise and worship. The second layer would be when I was a sophomore in high school and was introduced to the CEC (Career Education Center). There, I studied two music related courses, one was for Audio Engineering and the other was for Piano Keyboarding. Both courses were very helpful building blocks to start me on my music career. The final layer was after I graduated high school, and began looking for ways to feed my creativity. I began looking in the classifieds where I found a listing for a recording studio. I decided to check it out and the results of my curiosity set me on a path toward being a skilled Studio musician/ producer and recording/mixing engineer.

Prior to any music education, I was more of a consumer/listener and enjoyed listening to a local Contemporary jazz radio station. While listening to the station, I was introduced to a contemporary jazz artist by the name of Ronnie Jordan. While I was always influenced by music from the time I grew

up in (which was the 90s), I was also influenced by music from the 70s and 80s as well. Ronnie Jordan introduced me on to his fusion of jazz and Hip Hop. At that time, I wasn’t biggest fan of hip-hop or music with any lyrics, for that matter. But this particular Fusion style of music helped to bridge the gap for me. At that point I began to study lyricism and the meaning behind songwriting and gained a new found respect for the art.

One of my lifelong passions was to have a band, which I started in 2007 entitled Sweh. The band focused on various Urban Styles including jazz, funk, R&B and soul. During the band’s peak success we were fortunate enough to perform at the original Dazzle Restaurant and Lounge in downtown Denver. One of our sets was accompanied by a female lead drummer that played on tour for Beyonce. At that point, although I had not been able to meet any famous artists or musicians in person, the event with Beyonce’s drummer was very fulfilling!

If I were forced to choose only one emotion, more than any other that drives me to stay in this tough business... I would have to say all of the above! But, since I have to choose one, I would say passion. That emotion alone fueled my ambition. It help me in learn to reinvent myself all of the time, which was

a challenge not many are willing to take on. I find it’s to be a lifelong lesson helping to forge skills of resilience amid all of life’s adversities.

The ingredient I think that makes me special and unique as a songwriter and music producer in an industry overflowing with new talent and ideas... Primarily my adaptiveness, more accurately, my versatility. I can take most any style of music /artist and magnify it and find the hidden potential. Sometimes it takes a while to mold the art into something exceptional, but I’m very persistent when it comes to crafting the results that the material deserves.

To elaborate, I would say, I as a producer, I tend to follow what my gut tells me. As a songwriter, if I find that I’m having writer’s block, I never choose to give up. The best songs I’ve written come were born out of a phrase I always use “Wait for it”. Often that means walking away from the material and coming back to it at a later the week or later that day. Usually when I do so, the perfect lyric, phrase or hook is manifested. Patience is definitely a virtue!

While I take much pride in my answer to the previous question, time has always been my greatest enemy! Yet, I still would not have it any other way! There are too many valuable lessons that only time can teach, no matter what ambition you choose to pursue. So it’s best to embrace it early in your career.

In my opinion, the internet has always been a necessary asset. Now more than ever, this year has made it even more than essential. I believe it’s always important to take advantage of the ability to connect directly with your fan base and supporters. The internet is simply a tool. I’ve gotten to learn as much as I can about effectively networking online.The education has yielded some exciting results. I will be sharing them in the very near future!

One thing about the music industry, it’s always changing! There is never a dull moment so I don’t believe I would change anything. The old me would want the change to slow down, but I consider the unpredictability is a healthy challenge.

The 5 albums that have helped make me the person I am today are: Ronny Jordan - “The Antidote” - For its innovativeness Born Jamericans - “Kids From Foreign” - For similar reasons Michael Jackson - “Invincible” - For It’s Underrated brilliance Jeff Lorber - “Heard That” - For It’s Uplifted, infectious grooves Kow Otani - “Shadow of the Colossus” - For its ability to capture a sense of wonder

Right now, I have many irons in the fire! But the project that is currently at the top of the list is my podcast show, The Ctrl Room. I launched it this year and will use it to showcase all of my upcoming projects.

My baseball walk onto the field song... I’m not quite sure, Get Up by James Brown I guess?

As the podcast grows, I will focus on showcasing projects that I have worked on over the past couple of years with very talented artists, as well as feature new Talent on the show!

Thanks for the interview! I absolutely appreciate it!

Website: 2geniusworld.com Podcast: 2geniusworld.com/the-ctrl-room Email: 2g@2geniusworld.com