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5X GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING MUSIC PRODUCER FOCUS…™
They say that the sound without focus is just noise. So who better to have a chat with about music other than Focus... himself?
Who is Focus?
Focus... is known as a pioneering voice in Hip Hop culture since the late ’90s. Bernard Edwards Jr. (Focus...) is a 5x Grammy award-winning music producer based in Los Angeles, from New York. It was Dr. Dre who recognized his talent and skills, which is why in 2001 he signed him as a staff producer for Aftermath Entertainment. Dr. Dre, Beyoncé, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Anderson .Paak, The Game, Snoop Dogg, Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Lopez, 50 Cent, Busta Rhymes, Pink, N'SYNC, are among the many artists that Focus... has produced music for. Today, besides creating awesome beats, he is going ever stronger, by providing training and education to aspiring artists.
Milica Popovic
First of all, thank you for agreeing to do this interview, we are thrilled to get to know you better and learn about music-making first hand. How are you, and what are you up to these days?
Focus
I appreciate you guys so much. I am doing great. We have been working on some great music that should be out pretty soon...
Milica Popovic
Now let’s go back to the very beginning - do you remember the moment when you knew that music was your passion and what you wanted to do? We know that it runs in your family.
Focus
I always loved music because of my father, Bernard Edwards of CHIC, my uncles and my mother's love of music as well. I knew at 6 yrs old that I wanted to be in the music industry and when I turned 8, I knew I wanted to be a music producer…
Milica Popovic
As a form of art, music is magnificent, but as a form of a business, it can be uncertain and risky. Today, you are one of the greatest producers out there, but did you ever doubt your talent, and what kept you going?
Focus
I appreciate that... I am a creative so being totally transparent I doubt myself daily. I create from a real place and when it is overlooked or rejected, I feel that to the core but no matter what, I truly love making music. I am certain that I have a lot to offer the music side of the industry. That's what keeps me going as well as the duty I have to my family to provide…
Milica Popovic
Today music-making is available more than ever, yet many refer to the ’90s as the thriving period in the hip hop music. Are we missing out something?
Focus
I feel like we are missing true heart, real substance and most importantly, connectivity. I believe that the craft/art is more important than 'the bag'. The bag is an end result of the work, effort and passion you put into the craft/art. Making music is my passion; not a hobby, not a hussle, etc. We need to put the love and connectivity back into the soundscapes...
Milica Popovic
Focus
My kids are homeschooled so I start off with a house full of love, loudness and laughter. I do my best at keeping my wife as happy as humanly possible plus, she manages my career and is my partner in NVZXN. My days start off amazing and I just try to keep that same energy rolling throughout each day…
Milica Popovic
How is it working with great and versatile artists like Dr. Dre, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross, John Legend, The Game, Ice Cube, Busta Rhymes, Fabolous, 50 Cent, Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé, Lil Wayne (the list goes on)...?
Focus
A huge blessing! I worked hard to get to where I am and I am always humbled when I look at the people I’ve had the honor of working with...
Milica Popovic
When it comes to music, quality is imperative, but promotion is important too. How have How have music visualizers helped you in branding and promoting your beats?
Focus
Those visualizers are amazing and unique. In this day and age, auditory consumption is not enough to create true engagement. The visualizers gave my listeners an experience. I think I’ve used almost all of them, lol...
Thanks Focus... for sharing few examples of your work made with the help of videobolt.net.
Milica Popovic
We sure love Anderson .Paak, how was working with him, and can you describe the feeling of becoming a Grammy award-winning music producer for the fifth time?
Focus
Anderson is a force! A soul-filled tornado! I love his work ethic and drive. He still puts love and passion in his music and I knew when Tyhiem got him in the studio with us, that he would be as big as he is now. I also appreciate that Dre and Anderson trusted me with helping in shaping the sound on his Ventura project. The Grammys are amazing but the work is forever rewarding...
Milica Popovic
Which beat that proved to be very successful, took the least amount of time to make?
Focus
I have a few. 'Get Stupid' for Mac Dre, 'U Already Know' for 112 and 'Yes' for Beyonce' were all minimal grooves and the artists took the compositions the rest of the way...
Milica Popovic
Which software do you use to make music?
Focus
I use Logic Pro X...
Milica Popovic
In the end, please share with us your all-time favorite tracks and tell us what are you currently listening to?
Focus
I am a Prince and Stevie Wonder fanatic so I listen to them a lot. I am currently loving a lot of my folks independant endeavors like K.A.A.N., Cocoa Sarai, and Dem Jointz to name a few, but mainstream, I listen to whatever my wife and my homies put me onto...
Milica Popovic
Thanks Focus... for your time! Keep on rockin’!
Focus
- Salute... And thank you!
This World Music Day, our global report shows that while independent musicians greatly value marketing, 79% struggle with it — revealing a major industry challenge.