Hendrix Smoke
We got the chance to link up with producer Hendrix Smoke. He's had the opportunity to work with artists like: Lil Wayne, Warhol.SS, Rich The Kid, Youngboy Never Broke Again, Thouxanbanfauni, 03 Greedo, and more. Hendrix has some good advice for all you producers out there trying to make a name for yourselves so tune in. Check out my personal favorite production of his: "Everywhere" by Thouxanbanfauni.
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 Carbondale Illinois, aka southern Illinois 618. I started music at the age of 7, started actually producing at age 13, so I’ve been producing for 12 years.
What's your producer tag? How did you create it? What's the importance of having a producer tag?
*Lighter flicks... inhale* “Jose Hendrix”. Man, I got this tag from my homegirl. One day I needed a tag and I hit her up and asked her to record it through her iPhone and send to me, ever since then, it’s been up. It’s very important to stamp your beats with your tag because people will try and run off with your sound and creativity.
How did you build up your credits and connections?
Just by staying focused, never giving up, being humble, and networking. With those things, you have to be consistent in each one and use your time wisely.
How/when did you connect with Lil Wayne? What song did you work on with him? What was it like working with such a hip-hop icon?
I connected with Lil Wayne through JETLIFE. Through my old manager Mousa, Fendi P, and Curren$y. I worked on the song named “Wit My Left” with Fendi and Wayne. It’s a different feeling man, it’s still unreal to me because it’s Lil Wayne “THE GOAT”. Not every day you wake up and here Lil Wayne is on your beat.
How/when did you connect with Youngboy? What do you guys have planned together? What was it like working with one of the rising stars of the rap game?
I met Youngboy through my bro Bighead On The Beat (shout out to him) and this A&R from Atlantic my dawg ELI.. we linked up like two months ago in paramount in North Hollywood. The music we working on coming soon. It’s still in the vault. The feeling of working with Youngboy is dope because he a star in the industry and the streets and I can relate to both, it’s just something about bro music that is just a crazy vibe and he speaks from the heart and you can feel the Realness, ya know?
Run us your process of making a beat? How long does it typically take for you to cook up a solid beat?
I usually start off with the melody first, then the hats and clap or snare. Depends, can even be the 808 then the melody. It usually takes me 5 to 10 mins to cook up a good beat.
What's one lesson you had to learn the hard way as a producer? How can other producers avoid making that mistake?
Do your splits sheet, publishing admin. Get your money and don’t let these labels destroy you.
Any advice to someone trying to follow in your footsteps?
Just keep going and never give up. Your only one beat away from your life changing.
What's on the horizon for your music and video graphing career for the rest of 2019?
New album coming soon! #SMOKE!
Check him out: