In the music industry, it’s not uncommon for sounds and styles from previous decades to make a resurgence. And one producer who is at the forefront of this trend is John G, a rising star who creates beats blending his inspiration from the west coast, miami and haiti in a incredible mix that are now becoming popular in the music scene with his stunning productions.
One of the things that sets John G apart from other producers is his attention to detail. He meticulously crafts each beat, layering different sounds and samples to create a full and dynamic sound. Whether he’s working on a mellow, laid-back track or a hard-hitting banger, John G always strives for perfection.
It’s no surprise, then, that his beats have caught the attention of some of the biggest names in the music industry. John G has worked with artists like Smoke DZA, Larry June, Rick Ross, Dom Kennedy and Doja Cat, helping to create some of the most popular and influential hip-hop tracks of recent time. Despite his success, John G remains humble and dedicated to his craft.
I would like to thank you for taking the time to speak with us.
To start, can you tell us a little about your background and how you got into music production?
I got into music production around the age of 17 but i always wanted to be a music producer since the age of like 12-13 seeing Kanye West flipped old school sample in the studio was my first time being inspired by wanting to make beats, watchin Pharrell and the Neptunes in the studio sparked me to not just make beats but create a movement that can help artists and impact the culture in a positive way.
Your music has a unique sound that sets it apart from others in the industry. Can you tell us about your approach to music production?
Thank you for that compliment man it means a lot to me. My approach is simple it’s just to be myself, i don’t look at it like “making beats” i go into it with the mindset that “im making music not beats” so that allows to create and instrumental that feels good for a artists to rap or sing over. I grew up in church singing, playing the piano and drums and at school i was on a music band so i understand progression, chords, melodie’s , composition etc
What do you think sets your beats apart from others in the industry?
I think what set my beats apart from everybody else in the music industry is because you can hear and feel my story through the instrumental. I sing and rap over my beats when i’m making them to give them an aunthentic feel versus just making a beat and i think it reflects because sometimes when i’m working on a beat it becomes therapeutic for me sometimes i’ll cry, i’ll feel unstoppable, i’ll feel grateful, etc being vulnerable in my music i feel like is what sets my music apart for sure.
Your beats has been chosen in some major collaborations with big names such as Dom Kennedy, Doja Cat, Rick Ross and many more. Can you tell us about your experience working on those projects?
Yeh man, working with Doja was a big blessing her team reached out to me about getting my drums on some melodie’s/ loops because they had heard some of my beats from Dom Kennedys’ project Addicted to The Underground and they sent me loops and i knocked them all out and “better than me” was on of the beats i went crazy on – And Dom Kennedy I consider like a real brother and angel man because not only he’s not of favorite rappers but we really got to connect in real level. I would send him my beats in 2017 for like months and months and 1 day he just reached back out to me via email telling me he wanted to use 5 songs on “Addicted to The Underground” mixtape and we’ve been locked in ever since he flew me out to LA from Canada afterwards we got to work on his album “Volume 2” and many more projects and were still cooking haha!
What advice do you have for aspiring music producers, if they are just starting out without any knowledge or without a lane to produce in?
If i could give an advice to any aspiring producers coming up… i’d probably tell them to really ask themselves what do they want out of it you know. Is it because you truly love making music and inspiring people with your art or is it because you see the things that comes with it? You know because for me i take this very serious man, i haven’t had a job since highschool and this is what pays my bills but it took years to get to this point because i would give out beats for free you know , and i still feel like sometimes i still have to pay my dues to get to next level but the passion for the music is what keeps me going.
How do you balance paying homage to the origins of a genre while also creating something fresh and new?
Great question man, for me it’s a beautiful challenge to just try to create something new and refreshing to leave a legacy behind you know. Nothings really knew under the sun but for me i take pride into take a sample that everyone use and chopping it in waaay different way like a puzzle and adding something different to it you know i just like to challenge my creative when i’m cooking music and that’s the best part about it all to be honest.
One of the reasons why John G‘s beats have become so popular in recent years is their ability to appeal to both old-school and new-school hip-hop fans. With their vintage vibes and classic samples, his beats evoke a sense of nostalgia for older listeners while still feeling fresh and relevant to younger audiences. Another reason for John G’s success is his ability to adapt to the changing landscape of the music industry. He’s not afraid to experiment with new sounds and techniques, incorporating elements of trap, R&B, and other genres into his beats to create a truly unique and eclectic sound.
As the hip-hop community continues to evolve, it’s clear that John G is a producer who is here to stay. His dedication to his craft, attention to detail, and ability to adapt to changing trends have made him a force to be reckoned with in the hip-hop world. And with more and more artists seeking out his beats, it’s clear that his influence will continue to grow in the years to come.
Is there anything you’re working on right now you want to share with the listeners & supporters?
Man, i’m working NBA2K aloooot right now especially in this #NBA2K23ProducerSeries where artists who play nba2k can have a chance to get on the next games soundtrack on my beat. It’s a challenge that’s still open and i’ll be making the pick for the best one to be on NBA2K24
So far “Lessons” is the first beat available on the 2K website https://nba.2k.com/2k23/2kbeats/producer-series/
Make sure to follow John G and his journey, everyone from the Ninetofive wishing him great success and we’re looking forward to see his upcoming moves!
