The Airbit FreeGame Producers Podcast

Happy New Years Eve! Thanks for checking out our end of the year podcast. On this episode WLPWR and Brian Onrea reflect on 2016! They discuss: WLPWR Brand Highlights His working relationship with Big KRIT Working on Laura Reed’s project Launching the podcast Launching WLPWR.com freegameeveryday.com and 808supplyco.com “The Soundtrack” on Game’s 1992 album Having success with seminars and writing camps success In Memorandum: Review of those in music that we lost this year "Kelly Kelz Williams" David Bowie - Denise Matthews (Vanity) Prince - Maurice White (EW&F) Sharon Jones - DJ Official Phife Dawg - George Michael Shawty Fatt - Shawty Lo Joey Feek (Country Music) - Bankroll Fresh Prince Be (PM Dawn) - DTTX (A Lighter Shade of Brown) Mr. 3-2 (Houston) - Big Syke (Thug Life) What were top produced Albums and songs this year? WLPWR and Brian Onrea both give their lists. Top Favorite Podcast Moments of the year! Looking Ahead to 2016 What can we expect from the WLPWR brand? What can we expect for the podcast? (live show!) Feel free to share this podcast, rate and leave comments!!! Follow us: @WLPWR @BrianOnrea @Freegamepodcast

On this episode WLPWR and Brian Onrea interview Jason Hadshian aka J.Hatch from iStandard. They discuss. Him growing up in NYC and being influenced by hip hop during it’s golden age His early years in the game as a recording artist Working as an intern for Bad Boy records during the height of their reign How iStandard was formed and it’s purpose for serving music producers What made him want to author his new book What it takes to do what you love full time without looking back Follow J.Hatch: @mogulstatus Pick up his book “How I Left My Job and Made it in The Music Industry” Also Discussed this episode: Reactions from new Projects that came out last week (Kid Cudi, The Lox, Gucci Mane) More Grammy Award talk The role of A&R’s and Executive Producers in determining a project’s overall sound Please subscribe on itunes, rate us and share! @WLPWR @BrianOnrea

On this Episode WLPWR and Brian Onrea talk with producer Henny (Tha Bizness) and they discuss: Him growing up in Seattle and learning to play music in church Moving to Atlanta to attend Morehouse College How education plays a role in what he does today Challenges with breaking into the production game How he started producing songs on an ipad How he stays hungry as a producer His most challenging/rewarding project to date Upcoming projects that he’s working on Follow Henny: @hennythabizness Also discussed this episode: Critical and commercial reception for J.Cole’s 4 Your Eyez Only project The Grammy Award nominations for 2016 @WLPWR @BrianOnrea

On this episode WLPWR and Brian Onrea interview producer Dow Jones (Tha Bizness). They discuss: His musical Influences growing up in Seattle The Seattle hip hop producer scene How he got his start as a DJ and networked his way to meeting major recording artists and celebrities around the country The networking concept of being an “out of town local” How he met up with Henny and formed Tha Bizness production team Producing Kendrick Lamar’s Sherane on Good Kid m.A.A.d City His Learning the photography game from the greats ( @misterctoons #evanorion) How he got started in podcasting with Chase (from Chase n Cashe) His Free Game on what it takes to make it in the music industry Follow Dow Jones: @dowjonesmusic They also discussed The proposed ordinance that would make it more difficult to operate a recording studio in Atlanta. Spotify released a list of its most streamed artist and records for the year New music releases this month including J.Coles rollout, Childish Gambino’s new album as well as surprise announcements of project from The Lox and Ab-Sol @WLPWR @BrianOnrea The record on today’s beat break is off of WLPWR’s Free Game Mixtape “Star” By Rome Fortune @RomeFortune Produced by WLPWR

On this episode WLPWR and Brian Onrea talk to BeatStars CEO Abe Batshon and they discuss. Him growing up in the Bay Area of California and being neighbors with the legendary Spice-1 His initial job working for music distributor Ingrooves as an intern turned executive Why he felt the need to form Beatstars Why a producer or artist should use the site versus traditional methods of shopping beats Where Record label placements fit into the equation Who are some of Beatstars success stories Follow Abe Batshon: @AbeBatshon Also discussed: Should artists and producers use their platform promote their social/political beliefs outside of their music. Music Industry and Business etiquette/best practices Please rate, comment, and share! @WLPWR @BrianOnrea

Happy Thanksgiving! On this episode of the podcast WLPWR and Brian Onrea talk with producer Black Metaphor and they discuss: His music influences growing up and why he chose the name Black Metaphor His early production equipment and what he uses now His internship with The JUSTICE LEAGUE early in his career Going to school and MIddle Tennessee State and Georgia Southern while honing his production skills How an initial meeting with Jeezy led to his smash records “Beautiful” and Ali Bomaye (Game) How he developed his unique sampling style Follow Black Metaphor: @BlackMethaphor Also discussed in this episode they discuss: The huge numbers for A Tribe Called Quest latest album and what this means for legendary acts from the 90’s Marketing 101: how to access and grow your current fan base If this podcast is beneficial please rate, comment, and share!! @WLPWR @BrianOnrea

On this episode WLPWR and Brian Onrea interview producer Tec Beatz (Tamar Braxton, Cy Hi Da Prince) They discuss. His early musical influences growing up in Gainesville, Ga Dissecting his first piece of music equipment and how he got the name Tec Beatz Moving to Atlanta for college and inserting himself in music scene there How a random trip to guitar center led to him working for Ableton His experience working with heavyweights like Bryan Michael Cox and Timbaland His work on Cy Hi’s Black History mixtape series and up and coming projects to look out for. Follow Tec Beatz: @tec_Beatz Also discussed in this episode: The successful completion of WLPWR’s writers camp and his advice on how complete and shop your records How to negotiate deals when you have little to no leverage in music The new A Tribe Called Quest project and where Q-Tip ranks as an all time great producer. This episode is dedicated to the memory of Shawty Fatt. WLPWR shares his thoughts on the passing of his good friend and fellow Slumerican brother. Rest in Peace and God Bless! @WLPWR @BrianOnrea

On this episode WLPWR and Brian Onrea talk with producer Mars from the production team 1500 or Nothin’ and they discuss How he got his start playing instruments in church Hooking up with the other members of 1500 or Nothin’ and the interesting story of how they came up with that name. The process of producing in a group and playing for major artists like Jay-Z and Rick Ross His experience in moving to Atlanta to work with T.I. and how they developed a close relationship. How making himself of service to artists as a producer has paid off His radio show on Dash radio Keeping his morals in a sometimes corrupt industry Follow Mars on social media: @myguymars Also discussed this episode: WLPWR’s upcoming writing camp and the importance of locking in with other creatives in a retreat fashion Taking criticism in collaborative environments Do’s and don’ts for up and coming artists to adhere to when trying to get noticed by industry professionals. @WLPWR @BrianOnrea Please rate, comment and share this podcast!

On this episode, WLPWR and Brian Onrea talk to 2 time grammy nominated producer Swiff D (Pac Div, 50 Cent, Schoolboy Q, etc) They discuss: His early influences growing up in Ontario, California How playing the drums morphed into him making beats on FL Studio How he came up with the name Swiff D Connecting with Pac Div and getting his start producing them Getting his first official placement with Jayo Felony At what point he believes new producers need to seek out managment Upcoming projects we can expect from him outside of hip hop Follow Swiff D: @Swiffd Also discussed in this episode: WLPWR gets his 5th #1 Hip Hop/R&B Album on the billboard charts Are mixtapes officially dead? With the oversaturation of new artists coming out, what does it take to be successful? @WLPWR @Milliondollarmateo @BrianOnrea

On this episode WLPWR and Brian Onrea talk with Grammy Award winning, multi platinum producer Shannon Sanders (India Irie, John Legend, Heather Headley etc). They discuss: His early musical influences being a Tennessee native How he got his start in production and song writing Creating classic projects with India Irie How to gain artist trust to bring about the best result Producer work ethic Becoming the president of the Nashville Grammy Chapter How changes in music delivery (streaming) will impact future Grammy Award nominations Keep up with Shannon Sanders: www.shannonsanders.com Also discussed in this episode: WLPWR’s work on Game’s 1992 Album Travis Scott’s Unauthorized album (how does that happen? What does it mean for the producers and writers involved) Amazon’s new streaming service (Prime was already killing the game low-key) How producers and songwriters are cheated with free and streaming only releases Thanks for listening! Please share with anyone who’d benefit from this Free Game! @WLPWR @Milliondollarmateo @BrianOnrea

This week we have super producer Needlz. They discuss Growing up in Lansing, Michigan and what his musical influences were His time DJ’ing in college at FAMU and FSU His inspirational reason for coming up with the name Needlz His shift from producing in darker chords to major chords Producing the Bruno Mars hit “Just the way you are” Getting fully compensated for 50 Cent’s Piggy Bank record His thoughts on music streaming and what he’s doing to fight for producer compensations His advice for up and coming producers His up and coming projects he’s working on Keep up with Needlz: @needlz1906 - IG @needlz - twitter WLPWR and Brian Onrea also discuss: The recent A3C festival in Atlanta The BET track of the year award and the controversy involving the acceptance speech The new Solange “Seat at the Table” project The Vybe Tec segment with engineer Matt Hayes discussing digital sound verses analog with samples @WLPWR @Milliondollarmateo @BrianOnrea

On this episode WLPWR and Onrea talk with super dope producer Keyz from the UpperClassmen (Omarion, Beyonce, Drake, Kid Ink, Sean Paul, etc). In this laid back, down to earth conversation they discuss: His musical influences growing up in Buffalo, New York How he got into production and forming The Upperclassmen How he got his first big break into the industry His unique perspective in setting up his business and signing other up and coming producers What it was like producing with Polow Da Don, Sonny Digital and Timbaland on a Beyonce record What role does his management play in his career and shopping his records Branding himself through social media and his own website Follow Keyz: @itskeyzbaby

On this Episode, WLPWR and Brian Onrea talk with Greggory Smith, Director of Writer and Publisher relations for performance rights organization, SESAC. In this very informative episode they discuss How he got his start in the music industry going from the creative side to the executive side What is the role of a performance rights organization The history of SESAC and the selection process for becoming a member Performance rights in the new streaming landscape The future of performance rights Also discussed on this episode Is Rap Beef good or bad for hip hop? Is Chance the Rapper the new standard of what an independant artist should be? Music industry revenues are growing for the first time in almost 2 decades (thanks to streaming)

Happy Birthday WLPWR! As we celebrate the big homies birthday (9-19) we are dropping a very special episode with Erik “Rook” Ortiz from the super production group, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League (Rick Ross, Mary J Blige, Jeezy, 2Chainz, etc) This was an in depth interview that was almost broken into 2 parts! The discussion included: His musical influences growing up in south Florida Getting into music production, having come from a musical family How he linked up with his JUSTICE League counterparts and how they have grown together over the years Their work as a group, touring and their project with STS Creating a series of plug ins for producers and (Stadium, Sub Zero etc.) How they developed an affinity for Logic Pro software and how they use it Winning their first Grammy with Mary J Blige Producing the famous Maybach Music records for Rick Ross and his 2 arguably best projects (Teflon Don & Deeper Than Rap) How they still do big records with shrinking album budgets Being outspoken on political and social issues and having diverse opinions in the hip hop community What it takes to be the best in your craft Old school hip hop verses the new generation of rappers Will hip hop face a similar fate to Rock n Roll? Follow Rook at: Twitter: @rook_flair Instagram: @rookflair Check out JUSTICE League plug-ins at: luxurysoundsociety.com They also discussed: WLPWR’s weekend with iStandard Getting in the lab with Sir The Baptiste The launch of Pandora’s new streaming service WLPWR’s thoughts of downloading verses streaming Concert revenue being at an all-time high Please subscribe, rate and share!!! @WLPWR @BrianOnrea

In this episode WLPWR and Brian Onrea Interview producer Sap (Mac Miller, Game, Schoolboy Q, Fat Joe, Meek Mill) and they discuss The symbolic meaning of the name SAP His musical influences coming from Delaware and how he got started producing Working with an early Meek Mill and other artist from Philly Producing Mac Miller’s Platinum Donald Trump record Signing to Cool and Dre and what that did for his career (working with Game, etc) His signature kick drum and what he does to get that sound His plans as a rapper/artist and upcoming projects Follow Sap, @TheRealSap