Zen Beats (MS)
I started making beats in 10th grade, spanning out of my high school band experience, which that was my last year in the band anyways. I wanted to create sounds pleasant to my ears. I also wanted to learn how to make the songs I loved. I haven't really tried my hardest, to be completely honest. I've been told from radio station hosts that I need to keep on doing what I do, so that's what I'm doing. I like peace and I like harmony, so I try to reflect that in my beats as well.
Have you performed live in front of an audience? Any special memories?
I don't play live... yet.
Your musical influences
My influences vary widely. On one end of the spectrum, I dig Dizzy Gillespie, Count Basie, and Ramsey Lewis. On the other, I find myself caught up in my home region's swagger of UGK, Outkast, and Lil Wayne. I love lyricism, such as Nas (who is my favorite rapper), Lupe Fiasco, and Aesop Rock. But also I get captured within the peaceful slams of Nujabes, nitsua, and Uyama Hiroto. I am a mix of all these things. Call me hip hop.
What equipment do you use?
Things I've used over the last few years: Melody Assistant, Sound Forge (many versions), Fruityloops, Traktor, Acoustica Beatcraft, TONS of things from Banginbeats.com, and crate digging courtesy of Limewire lol.
Anything else?
Be true to yourself, as an artist and as a person. Don't be what others want you to become and don't let others get in your way. Keep on pushing through, never give up, and let your soul set you free in all that you do in life. One love.
