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

G: My name is G-Majr. and I’m ¼ of B.U.M.P.

Robb: Waddup world my name is Robb da Kidd aka ¼ of B.U.M.P.
(*sidenote – The other members of B.U.M.P. include their manager and artist Young Q)

24: What is the significance behind the ”Bottom Up Music Productions” name?

G: It’s a representation of the two production styles that Robb and I possess. I’m more of a “Down South” style producer, while Robb is more of an “East Coast” or “Up North” style producer. So, we pretty much wanted to think of a name that would encompass both of these styles, and that’s where “Bottom Up Music Productions” came from.

24: Do you guys have a production name or do you want to be known by your company name?

Robb: Well as of now we would like to be called by our company name, which is Bottom Up Music Productions.

24: Could you briefly describe your history on how you got into the music industry and who were some of the artists that inspired you?

G: When I was younger, I always liked listening to the instrumentals of songs. I looked up to certain producers like Jermaine Dupri and Timbaland because of their unique styles. One day, I was at a cousin’s house while he was working on a mixtape and saw how he would make his own beats. When I saw this, I decided to give it a try and found out that I was pretty good at it. So from then on I tried my best to become better at producing music and learning more and more about the music industry. That’s when I met up with long time friend Breeze who later introduced me to Robb and from then on we formed “B.U.M.P.” and have been helping each other become better music producers as well as learning about the music industry.

Robb: Growing up in NY there is a lot of musical influence and inspiration, mainly in the Hip-Hop genre. I started listening to artist like Biggie, Jay-Z, Nas, Wu-Tang, Mobb Deep etc. at the age of 11. Later in junior high school I started writing my own lyrics and competing in after school freestyle battles. As I got older I started feeling the aesthetics of beat making and got into producing.
24: What made you want to produce compared to being an artists or singers, manager, etc?

G: I always wanted to be around music but it took me a while before I discovered music production. I tried rapping when I was in high school but realized I didn’t like it that much. Then, my dad bought me a DJ set but I realized I didn’t care for that either. When I finally discovered how to produce beats from my cousin, I knew then that this was for me, and since then I’ve been striving become better and better at it.

Robb: I feel an artist can only say so much with words, but a producer can paint a canvas for which an artist can lay down his lyrics. All the intricate details that go into making a beat really appealed to me and, I wanted to be a part of that experience.

24: What other producers, songwriters and/or artists do you see as your primary inspirations?

G: Right now the J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League and The Runners are two production groups that inspire me the most. The main reason why both of these production groups inspire me is because of the fact that they’re both from Florida and work closely with Florida-based artists. I enjoy listening to these two groups’ instrumentals because their composition is always a different style from what is out at the moment so it inspires me to take risks and think outside of my comfort zone whenever I sit down to create music.

Robb: Lyrically my main inspiration is Nas. Being from the same borough in NYC I grew up listening to a lot of his songs. Production is a hard one because there are so many talented producers, so if I had to put it into chronological order from the top 5 it would be 5.Timbaland, 4.RZA, 3.Kanye West, 2. The Neptunes and, 1.DJ Premier.

24: How would you describe your production style?

G: Regardless what type of beat I produce, it will always have a “Southern Hip-Hop” feel to it. Being that I’m from the South, a lot of my beats used to have the same 808 drum patterns, snare rolls, and synthesized brass compositions. Now, I’m trying to branch out and produce beats with different styles to them, but still stay true to my southern style that I feel comfortable with. This allows me to come up with a diverse range of beats but still have some elements in them that people can still identify with.

Robb: Well I have a very up-north style: gritty, street, a lot of samples. Beats that someone could hear and easily identify it with other up-north style productions. But I’m also open to new ideas, I try not to limit myself to just that particular style.

24: What is distinctive about a Bottom Up Music Productions beat?

G: What’s distinctive about a Bottom Up beat is the fact that you will probably hear a mixture between real and synthesized instruments. Whenever we’re in the middle of developing a new beat, we like to use both real and synthesized instruments to give the listener a range of instruments to listen to, which make the beat more dynamic than just a couple of synthesized chords and riffs on top of a catchy drum pattern. Also, the fact that you’ll never know what style of music our next beat will have, being that this group has producers from different style backgrounds to begin with.

24: Do you both consider yourselves producers or beat-makers and explain why for either answer?

G: We feel that we are Producers because of the amount of effort we put into each beat we create. We feel that anyone can loop sounds together, but we like to go further and create vibrant intros and breaks to really give the listener something to look forward to throughout the entire beat.

Robb: I consider myself to be a beat maker/producer/songwriter/rapper. Anything that has to do with Hip-Hop, I try to have as much involvement as I can. Hip-Hop is my everyday life. Aside from my family, Hip-Hop is my main objective and helping it progress is no different.

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

G: To be honest, I am just trying to work with any artist that is serious about making it into the music industry. I know how it feels to be struggling towards the goal of making it into the music industry, so I would love to work with other artists and help them out as well.

Robb: I would really like to work with Nas, Jay-Z, Drake, Lil Wayne and Kanye West. Each has their own style and would to challenge my team to think outside the box and come with classic hits with these artists.

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

G: Usually the drums are the first thing because the drum pattern is the backbone of a beat, along with the bass line. These give the beat direction and then the lead instruments and other sounds come in after that to flesh out the entire beat.

Robb: Well pretty much every beat starts with drums mainly a kick, it is the foundation for any beat. But on occasion I will start with mixing a melody or chopping a sample, and work from there.
Can you describe, briefly, how the two of you work together on a musical project?
24: Can you describe, briefly, how the two of you work together on a musical project?

G: A lot of the times Robb or myself will create a short sample beat, then we get together where we give each other feedback on what the beat is lacking and if it has potential. Then, we work on it together, each of us adding our own ideas to the beat. After we feel like we’re finished with the beat, we sleep on it and come back the next day to listen to it with fresh ears and many times the beat will sound different than what it did the night before. That’s when we make our final revisions before we decide to finalize the beat.

24: What producer(s) in the game at the moment that when you hear a beat they did and makes you want to step up your own production?

G: At this moment, the J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League are the producers that make me want more for myself as a producer. Sometimes I get complacent when I create my beats and tend to stick to the same styles that I’m comfortable with, then I hear a beat from them and it inspires me to step up my game. I remember after I first heard Rick Ross’ “Maybach Music 2” and how they redid Dexter Wansel’s “Time is the Teacher” track, with all of the saxophone and violin riffs they had, I listened to the easy jazz radio station listening to how jazz musicians go through their chord progressions and all. It made me not want to copy them or their style, but inspired me to have the same amount of musical knowledge as them.

Robb: Definitely Kanye West. His beats are so intricate, and his style evolves as the game’s demands change.

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

Robb: I just want to focus on being the best producer possible because this is what I love to do. Music production gives me a sense of accomplishment every time I finish a beat, and I also love learning new ways on how to make myself a better musician which I find enjoyment in as well. My plan is to stay around this environment as long as possible.

24: Do you have advice for young people who want to become music producers?

G: First and foremost, learn as much about music production as possible. If you learn more techniques and different methods for producing music, the more possibilities are available to create some creative new sounds. Also, networking is huge in being a better music producer. Getting someone else’s opinion and knowledge on music production helps you to become better yourself. Just remember “Knowledge and Networking”.

Robb: If I have any advice it would be the same for anyone trying to follow their dream: Don’t give up and, never settle for less no matter what.

24: What do you like to do for fun outside of working on music?

G: Simply being around family. Where I live I have so many family members that live so close to me, so I’m always at some cousin’s house playing Xbox 360 or watching sports, especially during football season. I think that’s my least productive time of the year as far as music production is concerned.

Robb: Well I like to spend time with my family, watch movies and get away from the daily grind and just relax.

24: What’s some up and coming moves you’re trying to make in the near future that everyone should look out for?
G.A: Setting up my own music production studio. Right now, we’re working out of home studios which can come with a lot of distractions. So, I’d like to have a location setup for my production team to meet up and make music. It won’t be anything lavish, but at least it’ll be a start in getting a legitimate studio started.

Robb: Besides getting placements we are trying to push our first artist, Young Q, who happens to also be my brother. Dude has serious lyrical skill and potential. Watch out for Young Q in 2011. You heard it here first! Also follow him on twitter @TheRealYoungQ

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

Robb: As of right now we are working on a website to further expand our music to the people. We will keep everyone posted as it progresses.

24: How would the fans/artists/etc. go about getting in contacting you?

www.twitter.com/WeAreBottomUp
Any inquires for B.U.M.P. can be emailed to Bottomupmusic.mp3@gmail.com

24: Do you have any last words for your present and future fans?

G: We at Bottom Up Music Productions guarantee that each beat we produce will be better than the one before it. We are going to always strive to be a one of a kind music group with distinctive sounds in each beat.

Robb: We’re making moves in 2010 for B.U.M.P. We’re here and we’re not going anywhere but up. Thanks to all of our supporters. Shout-out to Breeze for arranging this interview and a special thanks to Breeze and his website 24hourhiphop.com for giving us the opportunity to let our voices and ambitions to be heard.