Erik Michael Pro Member

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Homegrown Producer: I first purchased a Yamaha keyboard at 10 along with a beginner's song book--well on my way to becoming a world class pianist. At some point, I became bored with learning songs such as "the ants come marching in" and "Silent Night," and threw the generic book away. It doesn't seem logical, but what followed next was the beginning of my experimentation with hip-hop beats. Perhaps this had to do with the fact that I had recently auditioned for and become part of a rap trio, but nevertheless, the transition was odd. As you can probably expect, my first beat--to which I also wrote rhymes--was nothing less than grammy material...whatever the case, that Yamaha banger marked my inauguration into the world of beat making.

Fast forward through a middle school identity crisis culminating in ecko hoodies and oversized timberland jeans, 4 introverted years of high school, two years at NYU and here I am--though a much different person I must say. Amidst those wanksta years and quiet times, the beats were constant--I was driven to experiment, eager to produce hits, and just get better. If one trait is necessary, its tenacity. I produced a lot of crap, but never reached the point of doubting progression.

Within the past year, I now seriously consider myself and my music a contender in 'the game', 'the industry', whatever you want to call it. Frankly, when all this boils down--the politics, marketing, all the BS that at times detracts from making music--producing beats is what I love to do, it's my impetus to live actively, an art by which I define myself. I believe that music only achieves its full potential when combined with an audience, be it a group of friends or an entire nation. So I encourage you to listen to my music, engage it, love it or trash it. Either way, your interacting with an experience I've transcribed into soundwaves, and that's ill.

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