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

Cozmo: Well, I tried the artist/rapper thing for a while but I was getting slept on and wasn’t really getting the results I was looking for. My pops is a keyboard player/songwriter so he really put me on to making beats when I was like 15, but I didn’t get serious until about 25 when I was really living and paying my bills and rent from music. I like being behind the scene as oppose to being in the limelight constantly. As I rapper I was spending money to keep up but as a producer I was making money. I had a son and a family producing became a priority.

24: Describe your sound and style?

Cozmo: I do Pop and R&B records too aside from Hip-Hop so my sound definitely varies. But whatever I do I’m always looking for a big sound or something that’s competitive with whatever market I am going after. As far as my Hip-Hop tracks my sounds is very soulful and melodic. I like to make records with heavy emotion that are easy for the artist to vibe to. I’m definitely known for giving people that real life feel they can really spill there guts over.

24: Would you consider yourself a producer or a beat maker because a lot of people think if they make beats that makes them a producer but that’s far from the truth?

Cozmo: I agree they are two different things. I would definitely consider myself a producer although I don’t see anything wrong with being a beat maker if thats what your good at doing. I also write a lot of pop and R&B and do records with bridges and changes. To coming up with words and melodies on the lyric side as well. I can sit in a room with a singer who’s not the best writer but can coach them in a direction to where when were done we will have a record that actually sounds current and can compete with some top 40 records. Also I shop a lot of my records with hooks that I demo and wrote to give the artist an instant concept. Most of my big placements came with hooks that I wrote.

24: A lot of our readers in Miami may have not heard of you but I’m sure they will know after hearing that you are the man behind some of Brisco’s best work to date such as songs like “Ski Mask Way“, “This is My Life“, “I’m Back” and “Revenge” as well so tell me how did you and Brisco first link up?

Cozmo: Big Chuck(President Of Poe Boy Music Group) is definitely the one to credit for all of those records getting to Brisco. I sent Chuck some records way back in 2008 and out of the 1st batch I sent most of those songs you just named got created. Since then I have been working real close with Chuck and Poe Boy Music Group. I’m definitely extremely grateful for the opportunity’s Chuck has sent my way. Me and Brisco have a crazy chemistry! He’s a big Pac fan and so am I and a lot of my beats are heavenly influenced by the musical aspect of some of Tupac’s classic records and I think that’s what catches his ear.

24: I know you have been grinding for a while and have worked with a lot of different artist from all over so update the readers with a few of the artist names?

Cozmo: The 1st big placement I got was on Scarface’s Made album. I co-produced the original version of “The Suicide Note” with my homie Tone Capone. I also produced and wrote the hook on “Angel In The Sky” that was on Bun B‘s last album “2 Trill” and it was also the official tribute to the legendary Pimp C. I produced and wrote the hook on Devin The Dude‘s single “I Cant Make It Home” from his last album Landing Gear as well. I currently just had a placement on Angie Stone latest album where I was credited as a Co Producer on the track “I Dont Care“. I also have a track on Trina‘s up and coming album called “Make Way” feat Lyfe Jennings I produced with my production partner Maxwell Smart. I’m praying I make that Billy Blue album I got my fingers crossed well have to see. But I have done joints with everyone from Freeway, Az, Hell Rell, Yung Berg, Goodie Mob, Sky Balla, B.G., Lil Flip, Nipsey Hussle, 8 Ball & MJG, Yukmouth, Jody Breeze, The Outlawz, Sheek Louch, Tay Dizm, Mistah Fab, Baby Bash, Memphis Bleek and name a few(lol).

24: How do you approach making a beat, do you start with the drums first or a kick?

Cozmo: Most of the time I try to come with some strong chords and a unique sound first and then kinda build from there. I rarely start with just the drums unless I got a break beat I want to use. I usually try to find some chords I haven’t used a million times already so the beat will feel fresh and new to me so I will have that certain amount of excitement about the beat while I’m making the track. I love sampling old soul and rock records but due to the recent state of the music industry I definitely had to fall back on sampling. Now I try to create original beats that sound like it could have been a sample or a interpolation so when people hear it there like “is there a sample in there“? Or “Is that a replay“?

24: How is the industry treating you as far as being an up and coming producer trying to get into the game?

Cozmo: It’s treating me okay, things can always be better. I’m definitely grateful but not content with what I have achieved so far in the music industry. I do a lot of things for myself as far as reaching out to artist’s and following up with labels to get paid and making relationships with the right people. I have a lot of good people looking out for me but at the end of the day everyone has there own life and obligations to worry about so I know its up to me to keep myself relevant and in the loop. There’s also a lot of politics in the game right now that makes it hard to get on hi profile projects which can be frustrating but you just have to learn to play the game and work your way around them.

24: What producer in the game at the moment makes you say damn! When you hear a beat they did and make you want to step up your production?

Cozmo: There’s definitely a lot out there. Tha Bizness who are good friends of mine are killing it right now on the musical side as well as knocking out placements. I love what the J.U.S.T.I.C.E  League does, they definitely made some of my favorite records from this past year. I also tune in to the the Pop and R&B producers too. Like Dr Luke and Red One and all the producers who currently have top 40 records. I like to look at myself as a student, I’m still learning new techniques and production methods everyday. I like to learn a lil from everyone whether it’s a major producer or a unknown producer who might have something in there track I like so I’m gonna ask questions. I also study the writers who are getting major placements as well because in this day and age it’s a writer driven game.

24: Do you have any plans of starting a label later on and have artist or do you just want to keep focusing on being the best producer possible?

Cozmo: Most definitely man I have some big plans for 2010. I have a production team I’m getting ready to launch as well as a management and artist development company. I have a few artist’s I’m looking at but I’m still searching for someone with that undeniable star quality, whether it be a rap, pop, or R&B artist. At the same time I’m definitely trying to focus on being the best producer I can possibly be. But I’m in it for the journey, it’s all still new and fun to me so I’m just enjoying the ride.

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

Cozmo: My Production team which consist of myself, Maxwell Smart and Gennesse Lewis were going to be doing a lot of  Pop and R&B writing and production right now. As well as working with your favorite rappers! Look out for that Brisco “Street Medicine” album coming 4-20-2010 that Nipsey Hussle “South Central State Of Mind” that Trina “Amazin” coming 3-30-2010 and that Billy Blue coming soon I will have tracks on all of those projects.

24: What’s the best way for the readers to  keep up to date with everything your doing?

Cozmo: You can follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/cozmobeats as well as Myspace at www.mypsace.com/cozmo415. I also have a blog site that I constantly update www.cozmobeats.blogspot.com. Big shout out to Big Chuck and the whole Poe Boy Music Group for looking out and showing me love. Thanks for the interview Jay, I really appreciate it homie!