Music Industry

Ed Sheeran Talks Collaborating With Bruno Mars, Justin Bieber, and More

Ed Sheeran recently sat down with radio host Charlamagne Tha God to talk about his album No. 6 Collaborations Project, his songwriting process, and more.

No. 6 Collaborations Project features a star-studded lineup. Sheeran teamed up with Justin Bieber on the first single, “I Don’t Care,” which peaked at No. 2 on Billboard’s Hot 100. The album also includes collabs with Cardi B, Travis Scott, Chance The Rapper, and more.

The British singer-songwriter credits his previous collaborative EP, No. 5 Collaborations Project, with giving him his break in the music industry. After its success, Sheeran signed his first record deal.

On collaborating with other songwriters:

“By going into the studio with people like Chris Stapleton and Bruno Mars [on the track “BLOW“] you’re just expanding your palate… you can’t become better unless you’re around people who can teach you things.”

On standing out in the music industry:

“I just think being yourself is so powerful… because of being myself, all of these great things have happened.”

Watch the interview above.

Related Post: Producer Louis Bell Talks Working With Post Malone and More

MikiDz Podcast: Do DJs Need an Agent?

MikiDz Podcast

After launching the show last week, the MikiDz Podcast is back with its second episode. This time, hosts MikiWAR, DJ Dainjazone, and DJ Rell discuss the role of booking agencies and whether DJs need them (18:00). The crew also talks about social media etiquette (3:18).

The MikiDz Podcast is a new talk-show that discusses news and topics in the DJ and nightlife industries. The MikiDz Show, which is also hosted by MikiWAR and Dainjazone, will continue to feature live performances from the world’s most-skilled DJs.

Watch the MikiDz Podcast above. It is also available on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud and Spotify.

Related Post: DJcity Launches ‘MikiDz Podcast’

Ben Billion$ Talks All Things Production on ‘Pensado’s Place’

Ben Billion$
Ben Billion$ (Source: Instagram)

Multi-platinum producer Ben Billion$ recently sat down with the Pensado’s Place YouTube show.

Based in Miami, Ben is best known for producing hits like Future‘s “Low Life,” Yo Gotti‘s “Down in the DM,” Maroon 5‘s “What Lovers Do,” and The Weeknd‘s “Often.” Most recently, Ben scored placements on DJ Khaled‘s new album Father of Asahd, including “You Stay,” which was one of DJcity’s most downloaded tracks of May.

Ben discussed a number of topics in the interview, such as starting out as an engineer, his signature “low end” sound, his definition of “strip club drums,” using live instrumentation, the importance of being humble, and more.

Watch the interview below.

Related Post: D.A. Doman: One of Hip-Hop’s Most In-Demand Producers

L.A. Leakers on Banning Kodak Black From Power 106

Nipsey Hussle

Nipsey Hussle
L.A. Leakers hosts Justin Credible and DJ Sourmilk with Nipsey Hussle (Source: Instagram)

The L.A. Leakers have spoken on Power 106‘s decision to ban Kodak Black from the station.

The move came in response to Kodak’s comments about Nipsey Hussle‘s fiancee Lauren London following the rapper’s death. The comments were widely condemned, including by rappers like The Game and T.I.

Speaking with the Reflections of a DJ podcast, Leakers members Justin Credible and DJ Sourmilk discussed how the ban came about and how long it will last. They also shared some memories of Nipsey, among other topics.

Watch an excerpt below and listen to the full interview here.

Follow the R.O.A.D. Podcast on Facebook, Instagram, SoundCloud, Twitter, and YouTube.

Related: L.A. Leakers Team With Problem and IamSu for New Single, ‘Yesterday’

Watch the ‘Beyond the Music Retreat’ Documentary

BTMR

Beyond the Music Retreat

In March, DJcity and DJ/producer Vice joined forces to host the inaugural Beyond the Music Retreat in Black Hawk, Colorado.

The event, which took place over two days, featured some of the industry’s brightest minds. The panelists included A-Trak, Chuckie, Z-Trip, Justin Credible, and Miles Medina.

The retreat made an impact on the attendees, including A-Trak, who took to Twitter to reflect on the experience.

Watch the mini-documentary below and check out the photos of the attendees at beyondthemusicretreat.com.

Related: Watch DJ Vice’s ‘MikiDz Show’ Set

D.A. Doman: One of Hip-Hop’s Most In-Demand Producers

D.A. Doman

D.A. Doman
D.A. Doman (Source: D.A. Doman)

After a breakout year in 2018, D.A. Doman has become one of hip-hop’s most in-demand producers. The Chicago native has helped lead the resurgence of 100 BPM tracks with his signature sound.

He also played a key role in Tyga’s comeback, producing two Billboard Hot 100 singles for the rapper (“Taste” and “Dip“). Doman also produced “SWISH,” which was one of DJcity’s most-downloaded tracks of the year (along with “Taste” and “Dip”).

To cap off a successful 2018, the 34-year-old produced Kodak Black’s “ZEZE,” which peaked at No. 2 on the Hot 100, and Kid Ink’s “YUSO,” which reached No. 26 on Billboard’s Rhythmic Songs chart.

Continuing the momentum in 2019, Doman has lent his signature sound to Bhad Bhabie (“Bestie“) and Tyga (“Floss in the Bank“). Both tracks appeared on DJcity’s monthly Top 50 chart. Most recently, Doman produced two tracks on Rich The Kid’s new album (“Save That” and “The World is Yours 2 – Intro”).

We spoke with Doman to learn more about his background and sound.

Most of your previous work is slower and trap-influenced, but in 2018 you started producing more 100 BPM tracks. Why did you transition?

I produced Chris Brown‘s single “Privacy” in 2017, and that did well. That was uptempo, and I wanted to do something different than the rest of hip-hop. Everyone was doing slow beats, so I said to myself, “let me make some uptempo ones.” I wanted to be unique and have my own sound. It was influential ’cause now there’s a lot of people doing uptempo music again. “Taste” and “ZEZE” definitely made an impact. I’ve had several big hip-hop producers [direct message] me and thank me for changing things up and keeping things fresh.

Yeah, 100 BPM tracks have made a comeback. How long do you think it will last?

Everything goes in trends, so this sound that I got hot will eventually die off. Hip-hop is so versatile though; you can have a bunch of different vibes going at once. For instance, trap tempo stuff is still super popular now, but so is this uptempo wave that I brought in.


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You had a very successful 2018 and are continuing to see success. Do you feel pressure to keep up the momentum?

You know honestly, I love music so much, it never feels like work when I’m doing it. And the only way to keep up the momentum is to keep making music all the time. So no, I don’t feel pressure.

Have you produced any tracks that you think got overlooked?

I think the best things don’t get overlooked. “Taste” could of easily gotten overlooked, but it didn’t, there’s a reason for that. [laughs]


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You’ve produced a lot of tracks for Tyga. What’s your relationship with him like?

It’s a good relationship. He trusts my ear.

The majority of your work has been in hip-hop and R&B. Do you have any desire to work in other genres?

Yup, I have some music coming in other genres. Rap and R&B are my first loves though, after my wife and daughter. [laughs]


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Do you have any upcoming tracks that you can tell us about?

I got a bunch of stuff coming up. I have a big record with Ty Dolla $ign coming. He’s not only a great singer but a great writer too. And I got more, but it hasn’t been officially announced yet so I can’t speak on it. The two songs I produced on Rich The Kid’s album, “Save That” and “The World is Yours 2 – Intro,” are out now. You can check those out. “Save That” is my signature uptempo sound and is club ready.

Thanks much for the interview and thank you to all the DJs, PDs, and MDs who have my records in rotation. You guys make the world spin.

Follow D.A. Doman on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter. You can also listen to a playlist of tracks he’s produced on Apple Music, Spotify, and Tidal.

Related: Watch Kid Ink’s ‘YUSO’ Music Video

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