Ag
We got the opportunity to chat with producer Ag. He's had the opportunity to work with artists like: Famous Dex, Jay Critch, Cdot Honcho and more. Check out my personal favorite production of his "Randoms" by Jay Critch. He's got some fire coming at you 2019 so tune in.
Where are you from and what age did you first make a connection to producing music? And how long have you been producing music?
I’m from a small town called Calhoun about an hour above Atlanta, GA. I didn’t get into producing until high school but all through middle school I would always be on YouTube listening to official instrumentals just as much as the actual songs. I believe that’s what gave me a love for music. I’d say around 13-14 I started to really appreciate music. I was a junior in high school the first time I started making beats but it wasn’t until senior year I had my first placements and starting working more heavily.
What's your producer tag? How did you create it? What's the importance of having a producer tag?
My tag is “Ag” with a lowercase “g” or “Ag Beats”. It stands for my last name “Silvers” and silver on the periodic table is labeled “Ag”. I thought that was pretty cool and simple. Me and my good friend Rhett came up with it one day just chilling at the house, wanting something that really brought out my last name. I feel like a tag goes a long way representing and separating yourself from every other producer.
What was going on in your life when you made your first beat? What producing music always your vision?
I was a junior in high school the first time I sat down to actually try to make a beat. I remember buying Logic Pro X and not touching it for 3 months. I never learned from anyone because I was hard-headed so I taught myself everything and just winged it. Honestly, if you asked me in middle school I never thought I would do anything musically. I played the trumpet at a private school for one year in sixth grade. I was actually pretty good and learned everything by ear. Looking back it makes sense now but I didn’t think of it back then since band was mandatory.
What's your scene? Would you rather be at the crib cooking up beats solo? Or be in the studio collaborating with other producers?
Honestly, I love being at home cooking up by myself but I have no problem working together with someone in studio or side by side. I just like producing solo so I can begin and end the vibes that I bring to the beat. Sometimes when I collab in person I get sidetracked easily or lose my first intentions for the beat.
How did you build up credits with some of the biggest artists in the industry? Run us through what it was like trying to get your first placement?
When I first started networking once I had my first beat catalog I reached out to many artists or artists friends through DM on Instagram. Few would hit me back but it motivated me to come with a stronger beat catalog. I had a couple of songs with underground artists at the time but still wanted that placement from an artist I personally listen to. Once I landed some placements especially on both of Cdot Honcho’s albums it really helped show artists that I can make a great track and that I’m out here.
How/when did you first connect with Jay Critch? Can you run us through the process of making the "Randoms" beat? How did Critch end up hopping on the song?
About a week or so after “Hot Like A Balloon” dropped by Famous Dex I saw Critch dancing to it on his Instagram story so I replied to let him know I produced it. He instantly hit me back wanting some beats with the same vibe. For the beat “Randoms” I hit up my bro FREAKEY from Canada to collab on it with me. We wanted to make something catchy with the melodies but give it that club bounce and ended up giving Critch a great sound for his flow.
Can you run us through the process of making the "Infinity" beat on the Talk Money Tape? How did Critch end up hopping on it?
When I first started the main melody for the beat I was in Los Angeles sitting in a session with YSL Duke and got to play it for him but the beat was unfinished and only had time to record our other song “Gang Gang”. I showed it to LewisYouNasty, he loved it so we had to finish it. When it was done I texted Critch a snippet, he wanted it right then for his studio session and sent me back “Infinity”. I wanted to give him that video game wavy sound and we ended up making a hit with it.
How/when did you first connect with Famous Dex? Can you run us through making the "Dum Fuck" beat? How did Dex end up hopping on it?
It was my senior year of high school. Me and one of my friends listened to him for a while before so I knew I had to work with him. When I did “Dum Fuck” I wanted to make a beat with a lot of energy. I actually posted it on my Snapchat story saying “this has Famous Dex written all over it” the same night I made it. I sent a snippet or that same video to Lite Fortunato trying to get him on it and possibly with Dex. He ended up posting the full song a couple of weeks later with Dex and that was my first big placement. No one at school believed me but shoutout to the haters.
One thing you know as a producer that you know now that you wish you knew when you started out?
I wish I would have known to have more patience. I value myself more and more every day because I know great things take time. It was hard starting out since you label yourself as a producer but with no background or music to back that up. But at the same time I was enjoying every beat I made not worrying about anyone else. I really had to prove to myself that this is what I love. That really showed me that if you stick to something and believe in yourself, no matter what anyone says, anything can happen.
What's on the horizon for your music career in 2019?
I have a lot planned this year in Atlanta and Los Angeles. I’m looking to network and work in-studio more in the city. I have a lot of songs that I’m excited to drop this year plus some with a couple of female artists as well.
Check him out: