Brock Luker<\/a> from 808 MAFIA in Vegas at a Marshmello concert, and upon learning I was a musician, he asked me to send him some samples \u2013 and that’s how I came to work with 808 MAFIA! <\/p>\n\n\n\nI definitely believe that if you just start taking the steps to put things in motion, opportunities will eventually open up to you. You don\u2019t need to have everything figured out in the beginning; just do the work, put in the time, and (probably the hardest part of all) be patient! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Crafting loops and piano parts used in hip hop likely wasn\u2019t on your mind when getting a Masters in Piano Performance. Tell us about your experiences entering the world of production, and how your background informs your work now.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nHa, no, when I was back in school I definitely didn\u2019t think I\u2019d be writing music for rap artists. However, no matter what genre, music is all based on the same basic principles. Even if you want to compose something completely outside of ‘the standard,’ you have to know and understand what the standard is in order to break it. Having studied the development of music throughout history has really helped me understand its evolution, where it started, and where it\u2019s going.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s the thing about music \u2013 like everything else, it\u2019s constantly evolving. And with the world as interconnected as it is today, the possibilities that can come from the fusion of styles is limitless. I\u2019m grateful for the time I spent practicing classical piano, as it has given me the technical and musical skills to compose and create anything I can envision. I’m not limited by technique, but only by what my mind is able to create. And the best way to open up your creative mind is by listening to and studying the works of other great artists from all styles and genres.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What similarities do you see between classical music and hip hop? What similarities do you see between classical composers and hip hop artists? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nMy favorite thing about hip hop is the beats. Music at its core is not melody \u2013 it\u2019s rhythm. You start playing a drum beat to a baby who can\u2019t even speak yet, but they’ll start moving and dancing along to it. All music, whether classical or hip hop, is fundamentally driven by these rhythms. Now, you throw some tasty melodies and harmonies on top of that and you get to another level of expression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Musical expression is so ingrained in us as humans and is probably the simplest and most pure form of communication. Just think of how closely people can bond over music, even if they don\u2019t speak the same language. It can express and convey more than words by themselves can. All musicians create music for that same purpose: self-expression. It doesn\u2019t matter what form you choose to express it. It’s all born from the same human experiences and emotions that we all share or can relate to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you could foster a collaboration between one classical composer and one rapper, who would they be?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wow, that\u2019s hard… There are so many good artists to choose from. I\u2019ve been really into Childish Gambino lately \u2013 I love his soulful musicality \u2013 and one of my all-time favorite classical composers is Prokofiev, because of his driving rhythms and his progressive approach to tonality for his time. I think if Prokofiev was still alive, he\u2019d fit right into the world of rap music. If you aren\u2019t familiar with Prokofiev\u2019s music, I highly recommend listening to his piano sonatas!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nGet your beats heard by 808 MAFIA\u2019s Southside and PVLACE:<\/p>\n\n\n\n