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

Whats going on y’all? My name is Cardiak.
 
24: Can you briefly describe your history about how you got into the industry and who were some of the artists that inspired you?

I would say I got into the industry in ’08 with the Joe Budden track (The Soul). I would go on twitter and follow A&Rs and when they posted emails to submit beats to, I would flood the emails with my beats. Eventually Budden’s people got back to me. With that under my belt I would say it was easier to get more people to listen. Afterwards more work came with Freeway, Lloyd Banks, & Ace Hood. That all seemed to happen in about a year. So by 09 I was quite established as a producer so there was many more artist but once I got the Lloyd Banks placement I believe the rest was history.  Uh.. artist that inspired me? I think I am more so inspired by producers than artist. I like certain artist but as far as inspiration goes I would credit Dr. Dre and Just Blaze.

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 produced Start it up, Take em to war, and Unexplainable for Lloyd Banks, Overtime by Lola Monroe Ft Trina, Bout Me by Ace Hood. I have worked with artist such as 50 Cent, Tony Yayo, Fabolous, Freeway, Meek Mill, Havoc (of Mobb Deep), Mike Knox, Red Cafe, Young Money, Joe Budden, Swizz Beats, Kanye West, Lil Boosie, Scarface, Ryan Leslie, etc.
 
24: What made you want to produce compared to being an artist or singer, manager, etc?

Well before producing, I was an artist myself so I was always in need of beats and started to make my own. After I began to perfect my craft I knew that is what I wanted to do full-time and make a career out of it.
 
24: What other producers, songwriters and/or artists do you see as your primary inspirations?

I am inspired by all music and musicians. Anything that catches my ear inspires me to create something new.
 
24: How would you describe your production style?

I think my style of beats is really aggressive. I am very versatile with every beat that I do. I mean, Start it up sounds nothing like Unexplainable. Take ‘em to war sounds nothing like Overtime. Everything I do is like its own platform for my work.
 

24: What is distinctive about a Cardiak production?

Hard drums and crazy synths. Wild unorthodox melodies. Oh… and don’t forget that flatline!!
 
24: Do you consider yourself a producer or a beat maker and explain why for either answer?

I am considered a producer because I don’t just put sounds together, I paint pictures with them. I make hits right now but I am in the midst of making history. Watch me.
 
24: Who are some other artists you’re trying to work with in the future?

Since Start It Up, I got in contact with Fabolous, Kanye West, Swizz Beats, & Ryan (Leslie) I have some work on 50 Cent’s next album. I am trying to work with Lil Wayne, Drake, Nicki Minaj. I got some work over here for Chris Brown. I want to work with Beyonce, Keri Hilson, & Rihanna and really expand my talents into the world of R&B. I’ll tackle pop in a little bit.
 
24: How do you approach making your beats, do you start with the drums first or melody?

I always start with my melodies. Ill lay the entire beat with the melodies and every part of the instrumentation. Once I have that down I will lay my drums. Add my fills, effects and tweaks. Once I’m satisfied with the project I add the flatline, verifying to myself that it is complete. 
 
24: How did you first connect with Lloyd Banks for Start It Up?

I had a beat on Banks mix-tape Cold Summer in 08. The beat I did was the song On My Way Co-Produced with Dilemma but when I heard Banks was working on another studio album I reached out to Tony G (A&R of G-Unit). I sent him a couple of beats. A week later I got a call saying that Banks picked out 4 of them for the album. I was satisfied with the placements but the excitement kicked into full gear. A week later I had received another call stating the one of the beats I sent would be his next single. I am truly excited for all of the success of the record so far.
 
24: Did you know about all the features that were going to be on the record?

Originally the song was supposed to be Banks & Fabolous. They weren’t sure if Kanye was going to do the track. In a whole separate session Kanye laid his verse in the studio that Swizz and Ryan Leslie were attending with him. Swizz sent the hook along with Kanye’s verse. When Banks got the verse back with the Monster on the hook the rest was history.  

24: How has your career taken off since then?

My career has taken a new toll. It was funny because I’ve worked with plenty of artist so far and some of them didn’t even know I produced the record. Everyone thought and still thinks Swizz made the beat. But the more interviews come out people start to realize who I am and for the people who already know they just see that I will continue to grind harder and harder.
 
24: Can you describe, briefly, how it was like working on that record in the studio?

I wasn’t actually present when they were recording Start It Up. They got the beat from me through email and when they recorded they didn’t tell me till later. I was present during the mixing session. It’s crazy because the version I heard and the one the world hears is totally different. Banks had two verses, Fab wasn’t on it yet.  As the new verses came in the hotter the song got tho.
 
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?

Whoever has the hot records… Yeah pretty much whatever catches my ear.
 
24: How would you describe the changes you’ve witnessed in the music industry from when you entered the game to now?

Well its only been about 2 years since I got in so I would say not much has changed but, then again a lot has changed. New artist have been broken into the game and made huge impacts. Some people fell off and others did the opposite. That’s the thing about music, You never know what’s going to pan out. My thing is to stay relevant, or stay consistently working.
 
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?

I do have a few select artist with no major backing that I continuously work with. For example the group Frontline (T. Dot, Cato, Big Rod) of Willingboro, New Jersey, R2DaEz from Philadelphia, and Dub from New York. It is possible with the local artist I’m working with for me to put a label together but that is honestly not my focus at the moment. When the time is right Heart Felt Music will prevail.  

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

I like them all in they own little way. The songs that were put out as singles were the best ones Ive worked on. Some were fun. Some were just as simple as an email and a wait, but those are all great records I’ve produced to look for.
 
24: Do you have advice for young people who want to become pop music producers?

Perfect your craft the best way you can. After that, start to get your city popping by working with the artist that’s doing they thing in your area and get your name out by one of the producers of your city. Once you got that in the bag, start to reach out to A&Rs and artist. If your beats are hot the rest should be evident.  
What’s some up and coming moves you’re trying to make in the near future that everyone should look out for?
Everyone stay tuned to this new music I have coming with a lot of artist like Fabolous, Red Cafe, G Unit, Young Money Ace Hood etc. I really plan on turning it up this year. 
 
24: How can the readers keep up to date with everything your doing?

You all can follow me on Twitter @CardiakFlatline
 
24: How would the fans go about contacting you?

The fans can stay tuned to my Twitter or any artist serious about  their craft and interested in beats contact Cardiak.Beatz@Gmail.com
 
24: Thank you for providing 24hourhiphop.com with this exclusive interview, do you have any last words for your present and future fans?

Thanks for the interview and everyone stay tuned Flatline……..