24: Introduce yourself to everyone that
doesn’t already know who you are.

 

My name is Johnny Juliano. I’m a music
producer from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, relocated to Atlanta, GA. I’m best
known for my production with Wiz Khalifa as well as on SoundClick.com, but I’ve
worked with many others and hope to expand my horizons in all other areas of
music.

 

24: For those who may not be familiar
with who you are, can you lease some of the records and artists you’ve produced
for?

 

I’ve done 40+ records with Wiz Khalifa,
including “Say Yeah, Ink My Whole Body, Pedal To The Metal and Goodbye”.
French Montana’s “I’m On It” Featuring Big Sean, Nipsey Hussle, and
Wiz Khalifa. Soulja Boy’s “London”. Those amongst 30+ major artists.

 

24: Briefly give us a little insight into
how you came about getting into the music industry and who were some of the
people that inspired you?

 

I started working with Wiz Khalifa when
were both local artists in Pittsburgh, when I was about 16. It was a very wide
variety of people that influenced me, hip hop artists from Kanye West, Lil Jon,
and Just Blaze, to other unspecified genre artists like Daft Punk, Chromeo and
Japanese video game composers like Joe Hisaishi. I try to incorporate other
genres of music in my work, because in all honesty they’re all I listen to
anymore.

 

24: What made you want to produce compared
to being an artist or singer, manager, etc?

 

I am an artist as well, and have been
since I started producing. But I excelled in production because I was more
interested in instrumentals and the overall musical creation process.

 

24: How would you describe your
production style and what is distinctive about your sound?

 

Vintage funk meets modern hip hop. The
funk leads, then drum programming/sequencing.

 

24: Do you both consider yourself a
producer or a beat maker and explain why for either answer?

 

I am a producer, but I’m a very isolated
one at that. I have sat in on sessions, and guided artists in
writing/recording. But I prefer to be isolated while working, because even
while I’m working it’s like I’m with another person because I’m so hard on
myself. I am my best critic.

 

24: How do you approach making your
beats? Do you start with the drums first or a kick?

 

I always start with the melody, then I
add drums, etc.

 

24: How did you first connect with Wiz
Khalifa?

 

I met Wiz when I was 16, he was 17, back
when we just so happened to go to the same Pittsburgh studio.

 

24: Can you describe how the two of you
work together on a musical project?

 

Usually, I just have people jumping on
all of my tracks and doing their thing. But with Wiz, it was a basic
producer/artist relationship. As far as recording and writing, I try to offer
as much input as possible.

 

24: Are there any producer(s) in the game
at the moment that when you hear a beat they did, makes you want to step up
your production?

 

As far as urban production, nobody. Not
right now. Probably Ryan Leslie and Kanye, that’s about it for hip-hop.

 

24: Do you have a favorite musical
project that you’ve worked on?

 

Not really. I have yet to actually work
on a project that meant a great deal to me. Don’t get me wrong, they all mean
something, but nothing extravagant as of yet.

 

24: Who are some other artists you’re
trying to work with in the future?

 

Kanye West, Kid Cudi and the whole
G.O.O.D. Music camp. Drake, Lil Wayne, Birdman, Daft Punk, Chromeo, Musiq
Soulchild, Daley and Hayley Williams of Paramore.

 

24: Do you have advice for young people
who want to become successful music producers in today’s industry?

 

Use all of the free venues that you can,
Twitter, SoundClick, etc. Give your music away until people notice. If you want
to make good music, you need to be a better listener and observer. You can
learn a lot by just listening and emulating.

 

24: Speaking on changes in the industry,
how would you describe the changes you’ve witnessed in the music industry from
when you entered the game to now?

 

It’s gone from looking up to looking into
an abyss. No body knows where the industry is going. Record sales are dropping,
there are more one hit wonders being made than actual careers. I hope things
get better.

 

24: What’s some up and coming moves
you’re trying to make in the near future that everyone should look out for?

 

I’m looking forward to reinventing myself
yet again. I want to educate people as well as provided great music for them to
listen to. Hopefully I can do that THROUGH my music and my venues.

 

24: How can the readers keep up to date
with everything your doing?

 

They can keep up with me on Twitter
@JohnnyJuliano, or Facebook.com/JohnnyJuliano. You can alco contact me via
email at Sales@JohnnyJuliano.com

 

24: Thank you for providing 24hourhiphop.com
with this exclusive interview, do you have any last words for your present and
future fans?

 

I appreciate your love, feedback, loyalty
and ears.