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What's Mehria Listening To?
by Mirabai Jyothi Kukathas
Mehria, what song do you currently have on repeat?
Two songs I have on repeat are Tayf (“Ghost”) and Maghawir (“Commandos”) by Mashrou’ Leila from their album Ibn El Leil (“Son of the Night”).
What is these songs about? How do they make you feel?
Maghawir (“Commandos”) is a response to two nightclub shootings in Beirut which took place within a week of each other, where two young victims were out celebrating their birthdays. The song confronts toxic masculinity and the lack of gun control in Lebanon. Tayf (Ghost) is about a brutal police raid on a popular gay club in Beirut, where its patrons were arrested and harassed. These songs confront trauma and hurt, corruption and violence, and at the same time play homage to the resistance within their communities will to persist and their fight for a world beyond pain. These songs are poems to those that dare to live and love despite oppression, and they humble me. They unsettle me and they incite a fire in me that connect my own identity and the struggles of queer, trans, intersex, and gender non-conforming folks in the west to transnational struggles against violence. Queer Muslims especially are incessantly and unceasingly expected to answer for the actions of strangers and systems that play equal part in oppressing them and then placing the blame on them as being their own oppressors. The band confronts realities that queer Muslims exist in a space that doesn’t allow for mourning, for when they are murdered and abused they are also named the murderers and abusers. Queer Muslims are also forced to be all-knowing and all-representing figures for their religion and country of origin. These multifaceted identities are oversimplified, treated as singular and stable while in reality the complexity and diversity of the Muslim world transcends singular representation. These traumas and struggles to heal from them within Mashrou’ Leila’s songs therefore resonate with many non-western and non-white queer, trans, gender nonconforming folks who exist at the intersections of oppression. Mashrou’ Leila’s music is representative of what it means to speak your truths, to advocate for your community and celebrate each other despite state violence.
How did you hear about this song?
I heard about the band Mashrou’ Leila and then this song through a playlist shared by one of my favorite poets, Alok Vaid-Menon. They are a trans-feminine and gender non-conforming Indian American performance artist who within an entire repertoire of publicly published pieces, which often assume the form of diary entries and visual selfie-poems, delve deeply into themes of diaspora, trauma, loneliness, race, gender, and street harassment; they also provide intimate renditions of their own non-linear healing processes and survival against violences enacted by white supremacy, gender binarism, and transmisogyny. I urge everyone to support their work through whatever means possible, they put so much love into this world!
What album or artist would you recommend everyone to try listening to?
Ruby Ibarra’s album Circa91. Ruby Ibarra is a brown Filipina poet and rapper, an absolute powerhouse that raps in both English, Tagalog, and the Tacloban dialect of Waray.
J Blanco
For the fourteenth installment of The Song, our monthly artist spotlight and music newsletter, we present producer / multi-instrumentalist Justus White aka “J Blanco,” with his new beat tape, “Blanco.”
In his interview, J Blanco shares, "Before I came to Totem Star, I was a really shy person and it helped me become more outgoing and not be afraid to share my music with other people and play in front of people.”
Read the entire interview and listen to the "Blanco" beat tape by J Blanco.
Totem Star on King 5 News
Totem Star co-founder Daniel Pak. Photo courtesy King 5 News.
"Totem Star is all about spreading messages throughout the world that will help other people, bring light to others lives," singer-songwriter Sharmaine Tillmon explained to the King 5 News camera during a recent interview while rehearsing her new song “Home” with Justus White, Edgar Vega, and Matt Sablan.
Angela Russell, host of Take 5 on King 5 News, came down to the studio to learn more about Totem Star and produced this amazing story which broadcasted during the evening news on October 29, 2018.
The Spotlight 2018
By: kidLIO
I was the host for Totem Star’s 2018 Fundraiser, The Spotlight. Lemme tell you how that was.
On October 12th, 2018, The Spotlight came together as less of a fundraiser and more of a family showcase, afters weeks of preparations, meetings and rehearsals that saved us from our daily schedules.
4 performances from 6 different artists that represent separate genres of Totem Star but the entirety of the Totem Star family. We’ll have testimonies from some of the artists that graced the stage- effecting us all with their love and passion for music, family, self-development and improvement. The Spotlight reminded me, as the host and a fellow intern and artist of Totem Star, of the importance of the youth movement that is this non-profit, the fundraisers and every performance we put on for groups of amazing audiences and other fam that chooses to support our cause and giving us all the chance to get better at our crafts and craft better spaces for us to create and invite more family in.
It was always an honor to be in the room full of artists that made up the family that changed my life when I was 14.
Rushing back and forth through the fill-in venue, a certain tension cursing my veins not to rest the last 30 minutes before showtimes, I found my anxiety restless. Tonight was not one of intended perfection, but of telling so many stories that all had one thing in common: this is my family and this is what family does for one another. I knew I had a duty— 17, a high school senior and no where near a professional entertainer, I had to put forth my best foot to make tonight one that everyone who left remembered.
Itinerary in hand and one of my best fashion statements, I tried to take deep breaths before I stepped on stage.
Many pep-talks and back pats later, Bestock tells me that he is on his way up to the booth to present me. I’m short for breath and can’t find my heart anywhere except in my stomach and it’s beating erratically. It’s actually ridiculous how many times I’ve performed on the Thelma DeWitty theater stage in Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, and yet each time the feeling is more life-or-death than before. I realize as my name courses through the speakers in the theater, that this is what I live for.
The anxiety, the pounding in my chest, the sweaty palms, the passion to make every performance better than the last, to make my family proud.
I look around at the crowd. These awesome youth artists ready to sing their hearts out. I take a gulp of water, and deep breath—
“Welcoming your host for the Spotlight—kidLIO!”
Horns by Bryce Fox slams through the speakers, and it’s like a white light envelops me for the rest of the night.
The night was opened by Red Eagle Soaring with a beautiful introduction for the Native space.
Interviewed Daniel Pak—a mentor and co-founder of Totem Star about his passion for helping us youth.
Then, our first performer after a dope interview with a fellow artist Zo— a Georgia state—singing an original song, gave the audience an fun beginning to our showcase—leaving everyone gleaming in that experience. He spoke in our interview together about his first time performing at a talent show and how he got made fun of by kids he knew from school. How he has progressed anyhow past the hate and I’m sure it’s only the beginning for his journey through music, startling crowds with his honesty and talent to make any song lit! He tells us about his night went:
My time on the late night show with LIO was absolutely fantastic. I felt like my presence had meaning and my life was unfolding like a written script for a new tv show. I met a slew of people who wanted to know about Totem Star as a whole and why I joined the organization. The Spotlight was truly an experience to die for; and it’s all because of Daniel Pak and our amazing MC, LIO!
Following the first performance of the night, was a dynamic duo, Justus and Sarah— whose cover of The Moon Song, surely left everyone swooning for their chemistry on stage and the amazing clashes of their voices. In our interview, we spoke about they decided to collaborate on a song, what brought them to Totem Star and their choice of song. It was all genuine to the idea of them wanting a place to be their best artistic selves and have a chance for the world to see that.
They, indeed, left quite the impression on every person in the crowd— who all rooted for this collaboration. We’re hoping to see them perform together again soon at another Totem Star event.
Promptly after these two performances, the crowd were just left dazzling in fire from the heat of these awesome inside look to the passion of these artists and how we come together. Little did they know, the night was far from over and there more amazing performances to come.
After we thanked our sponsors and volunteers for the event (Food & Sh*t, A DJ & A Cook, That Brown Girl Cooks!, Sam Choy’s Poke To the Max), I found myself settling back into my Jimmy Fallon chair next to another artist, Zoë Roberts, a singer-songwriter from Washington. A native to Totem Star since she was a pre-teen, we sat to talk about her experience as a singer and how it can get scary to perform songs so full of emotions to audiences unknown. As fearless as they come for her age, Zoë still performed an original song entitled, Why?
Later, she shared her experiences of the night:
The spotlight was such an amazing night where people from all over got to see how amazing and influential our program is. They got to see us all working together as a family, and I realized how lucky I am to be a part of Totem Star, and how I probably wouldn’t be a musician still if it wasn't for all the love and support I have got from everyone there.
Zoë exited the stage with everyone in tears, her heartfelt performance obviously striking each individual beautifully.
Although there couldn’t ever be anyone that follow up the raw intensity of every artist before, my colleague, Mirabai Kukathas, found her way onto the stage and spoke with me briefly about a song we were performing together following the setup of the stage.
We spoke about how we wrote the song Rise, LIO the primary lyricist for the entire song, and Mirabai helping create melodies.
Her mention of her experience at The Spotlight:
Singing, speaking, just being at, and helping to organize the Spotlight was a real honor. I love this community so much, and anything I can do to be here, let alone help, makes me so happy. I got to sing a beautiful song I wrote with one of my best friends, I got to talk about what makes this community so great, and possibly best of all, I got to meet and be around some truly wonderful people.
After our small session of LIO: Jimmy Fallon who? with Totem Star artists, we settled onto the stage with:
Daniel Pak on drums, Justus on bass, Matt Sablan on guitar and Michael Grant on piano keys for our song Rise.
The crowd: our family, was so amazing at supporting. A photographer for the event, Danielle Elliott even caught a few pictures of the incredible participation for this moment.
Once Rise closed the night, before our Raise the Paddle, our DJ for the night, ZAG plays us all out as we exit the stage. He says this about his opportunity to be DJ for an event like the Spotlight:
It was so awesome being the DJ for the night. I got to compile a list of 70s and 80s Soul and Funk, which was a challenging because I’m not familiar with the genres but it was fun digging through the music and picking my set. It made me step out of my comfort zone in terms of what music I’m DJ’ing, but it’s definitely good for my artistry and the diversity of music I have to expose myself to.
The night went beautifully.
The rush I get from performing Rise as a black rap artist is constantly a new experience. I find happiness in our origin of creativity and the stage is one of the places.
I can’t believe that I went from the studio to that stage and every time my story is still being told.
The way I find myself as an artist is also the way I find myself as a human being— the type of artistry I put out into the world is all effected by the spaces they come from, what spaces harbor that energy and what spaces allow me to process those emotions.
The Spotlight was only one of the times that I found myself being listened to, that I watched artists be shown that if they chase their dreams they can meet them at the finish line.
How To Feel Comfortable Sharing Music
Photo Credit: Amber Zbitnoff
By: Edgar Vega
Tips on how to feel comfortable with you art
Me myself I have never really felt comfortable sharing any of my music with anyone because I used to have a mindset that told me I sucked at making music and it would bring my confidence down. A Lot of artist struggle when it comes to sharing there music and its fine, everyone's been there and it's just a process and something you have to grow out of it you wanna grow as an artist. These are a couple tips that personally helped me when I first started making music and I hope they can help you to step out of your comfort zone.
Know that your art is unique.
I know this will sound corny but it's true and this was one of the main things that helped me out. No one is going to have YOUR sound because its your sound and artist get there own sound from picking up things as they grow up and no one has lived the same childhood as someone else. Your sound is unique and it is something new the world hasn't heard and yes maybe you could be taking inspiration but no one starts a new sound without inspiration from other art forms. A unique sound is something everyone has and you should share it with the world because it'll always be something new, never the same.
You always gotta start at the bottom of the hill.
Don't be hard so yourself because you aren't a Kendrick lamar or J.Cole writer it all takes time and growth. Music is a constant trial and error sort of thing so the only way to get better at your writing and music is to go through a lot of bad lyrics. Trust me I been there I used to think beans and cheese used to rhyme and now I try and keep those in there seperate lane.
Get feedback
If the first two weren't enough for you than just ask for feedback. Have someone listen to what you got and ask them what you could improve or what would sound better and all sorts of questions like that. This is a perfect way of sharing music and also growing out of that shy stage where you don't wanna share your music. Feedback from your friends will definitely be helpful so I think this is a great idea if you're indecisive about some of your work.
That is all I have and I hope it can help you out but always remember, To follow your own unique sound and to never be shy of sharing something because you never know how far you can get by sharing some of your work. Love yall :)
Sincerely, Edgar Vega A.K.A “PRIMOE”
Zoë Roberts
Photo Credit: Amber Zbitnoff
For the thirteenth installment of The Song, our monthly artist spotlight and newsletter, we present singer-songwriter Zoë Roberts with her song “Can’t Help It.”
In her interview, Zoë shares, "I discovered my love for music at a very young age. I would always sing around the house when I was little and tried to learn new songs. At family gatherings at my aunt and uncle’s house, I would always go down to their basement which was basically a band practice area."
Read the entire interview and listen to "Can’t Help It" by Zoë Roberts.
What's Edgar Listening To?
Take a quick glimpse into the current vibe, inspiration, and story of Totem Star artists.
What song do you have on repeat and why do you like it?
“Dedicate” by Lil Wayne off his newly-released Carter V album, because it has a groovy beat with mad flow and mad bars. My favorite lyrics off the song is “And your water don’t drip so your garden ain’t sh*t”
How would you describe your music preference in general? What’s the most important thing for you in a song?
My music taste is all over the place. I listen to artists from Lil Wayne to Danny Brown to Capital STEEZ (RIP) to 6lack. The most important thing for me in a song is a nice baseline. Kinda like “Ronnie Drake” by Isiah Rashad.
How does the music you listen to affect the music you make?
Everything I make is basically a combination of everything I’m listening to.
What's Spingineer Listening To?
Take a quick glimpse into the current vibe, inspiration, and story of Totem Star artists.
Spingineer getting down at Laundry in Wellington, New Zealand. Photo by Stephanie Muyco.
Spingineer is a DJ, beatmaker, and the Director of Development & Operations at Totem Star. He has been spinnin' for 22 years and has been working with Totem Star artists for more than three years.
Spin, what song do you currently have on repeat and why do you like it?
Lately, I've been listening to the Esma remix of No Label by Gabriel Teodros. I heard this pretty late after it came out almost 10 years ago when I was living in Los Angeles. Somehow I chose to make a Seattle mixtape (Listen Here) and stumbled upon it. I have had it in regular rotation since then. Now that I have been in Seattle for 4 years, it seems to get played more often. I even played it yesterday when I DJed at the High Point Healthy Families Celebration.
How would you describe your music preference in general? What qualities make a song truly great?
I appreciate all types of music and have love for many genres but I LOVE HIP HOP. My relationship with hip hop is complicated especially since I grew up in the 90s. I love hip hop that came out then but every decade after that I have been frustrated with new renditions of hip hop music but eventually came around to the new sounds, understanding the importance of the new style and its connection to the next generation of young people who are creating and loving it.
How does the music you listen to affect the music you make?
Being exposed to so many different types of music and a lover of hip hop, I am able to bring elements of different sounds and genres into the hip hop realm. I sample a lot in my beats but sometimes I try to connect that sample heavy hip hop beatmaking style with dancehall rhythms, blues guitar, and more.
What's Justus Listening To?
Take a quick glimpse into the current vibe, inspiration, and story of Totem Star artists.
Photo by Amber Zbitnoff
Justus is a multi-instrumentalist and a beatmaker. He has been making magic at Totem Star for more than three years.
Justus, what song do you currently have on repeat and why do you like it?
The song I've had on repeat is Corduroy Dreams by Rex Orange County. I really like the tone he uses for his guitar and he has a unique voice that blends really well with it.
How would you describe your music preference in general? What qualities make a song truly great?
I listen to all music genres and the most important thing that makes a song good is if it was made with passion and feeling.
How does the music you listen to affect the music you make?
Most of the music I make are trap/hip-hop beats, but recently I've been getting out of my comfort zone and really trying to experiment with different sounds. Since I listen to all kinds of different music I have a good ear for what sounds good and what doesn't when I'm making beats.
25ilu
Photo Credit: Amber Zbitnoff
For the tenth installment of The Song, our monthly artist spotlight and newsletter, we present vocalist and producer 25ilu with their new song "HeartHeartHeart."
In the interview, 25ilu shares about their Totem Star experience: "I've met a bunch of other great young artists like myself who inspire me and make really good music too, and continue to open my mind not only to new music, but ideas, values, stories, and friendships; most of all, Totem Star gave me a community and a family that I could rely on when I hit rock bottom or didn't believe in my own vision, and to further me both as an individual and an artist."
Read the entire interview and listen to "HeartHeartHeart" by 25ilu.
Photos: Summer Kickoff Kicks Off in High Gear Once Again
On Friday, June 15, 2018 we hosted our fourth annual Summer Kickoff youth arts showcase at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. Hosted by emcees LIO and Mirabai Kukathas, the showcase featured nearly two hours of songs and poems by some of the dopest and wokest young artists to set foot in our studio. The showcase was also the official release party for the Respect the Vibez mixtape, our third compilation album to date, featuring the recordings of thirty Totem Star artists. Check out these photos from the celebration, which take you from the behind-the-scenes pre-show huddle into the action and lights on the stage.
Plan Your Daily Routine and Take Control of Your Creative Work Flow
By Daniel Pak
@pakrocks // daniel@pak.rocks // pak@totemstar.org
School's out for the summer! I've been playing a lot of Lego, soccer, and 'ukulele with my kids and visiting with family in Minnesota. Its been wonderful! But after a week or so of fun in the sun, I always start to get that itch. The need to write. And especially in the summer, when there is much less structure in my daily schedule, it's so easy to get distracted, racking up hours swiping aimlessly on social media and being lured into late night binging on Netflix.
Planning a daily routine is crucial to a productive creative work flow. I was reminded late last night while reading a Universal Audio blog on producer/composer Che Pope (Kanye West, Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean), who talked about balancing being both a producer and a business person at the same time. He talked about handling business calls and emails in the morning and focusing on music from the afternoon on. Last summer I made sure to block off hours in my calendar to spend time in my studio and write, with my phone and wifi shut off so that I wouldn't be distracted by calls, texts, or emails.
Pope's interview reminded of a great infographic I was hooked on a couple of years ago, titled The Daily Routines of Famous Creative People, which shows the daily schedules of people like Mozart, Maya Angelou, and Pablo Picasso, all based on their diaries, letters, and other documentation. Check it out and be sure to hover over the colored blocks of time to see the specifics of what they were all doing.
Everyone has a different daily routine that works for them, but the important thing is to figure out what works best for you and to stick with it. Keep those songs coming!
Neo Truth
Photo Credit: Lorena Merlin
For the ninth installment of The Song, our monthly artist spotlight and newsletter, we present hip-hop lyricist Neo Truth with his song "Broken."
In his interview he shares, "'Broken' is about the absence of a father. I wrote this song when I was going through a personal struggle and felt all types of mixed emotions. 'Broken' is very personal to me. I wouldn't normally put something like this out but I hope that some one out there can relate."
Click here to check out Neo Truth's new artist profile page and listen to his song "Broken."
5 Ways to Bring More Sounds and Melodies to Your Musical Toolkit
Written By Jahlil Kirby
1. Sound Packs / Drum kits
These are like a box of chocolates; you never know exactly whats in them, but you know it's gonna be sounds. Wether they're good or not depends on your taste and your source. Now when I think of packs, I know there's a FREE way and a NOT free way. My personal favorite source is reddit drum kits (Link Provided). There is what seems to be a never ending list of sound packs that are more than just drums all for free. Just be careful of what you are downloading just in case someone isn't too honest. My only negative is that some of the sounds like the 808s and other sounds come up in multiple packs but overall this is a good source. You can also subscribe to sources and buy packs, possibly even from one of your favorite producers, but that costs money and as a fellow producer, I know the value of having quality free sources when you can get them.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Drumkits/
https://splice.com/features/sounds
2. VSTs
VSTs like Nexus, Sytrus, Massive, and plenty of other awesome instruments are amazing and all and bring so much to your sound especially ones like Massive that are sound design based. However, they can be very expensive. So if you are broke or don't want to break the law pirating them for free, you're going to have to settle for other free VSTs and Plugins. One great source to find them is producer blogs with lists telling you how good they are and saving you the time of running through a bunch of the same type trying to find the one that doesn't completely sound like a bad stock plug in. Here's one on e-pianos to get you started.
https://blog.wavosaur.com/best-fender-rhodes-e-piano-vst-freeware/
3. Samples
This is basically the sound pack work except it's all up to you and you have control of the sample rather than just being handed ones. BEWARE: Copyright is real and will come to get you so brush up on your laws and be careful using uncleared samples! The source can be literally anything. Door knocks, glass bottle whistles, your uncle's awful cough, and if you can legally do it, records and music online are great sources for you to chop up or fix to your needs to make your music great. And if you need help sampling with your DAW, Youtube has PLENTY of videos helping with many topics on almost all decently known DAWs. As long as you can mess with it and make it sound good and original ( and it's legal ) it's a go in my book.
4. Colab and Network
Possibly the least thought of option, working with others is a great way to develop your musicianship as well as your sound library. There have been a good amount of times People I've worked with as well as myself have put great work for others tracks for other people and I've gotten put on with many great sources and sounds from other producers I've met. Before I knew about producer blogs and good sources for kits, I was pretty much using solely stock sounds that did't sound all that great. Now I have plenty of sounds and options to play with when I make music. There's probably plenty of people out there that can help you make gold for your next project. It's just up to you to ask whether you network in person or over social media platforms like Instagram. Just remember that copyright is definitley a serious thoing and you are good to go!
The Story with Clinton Fearon
Clinton & Some of the Totem Star Crew
Yesterday at The Story, our guest, Clinton Fearon, shared his story for an audience made up of music lovers, young and old. Clinton shared stories of growing up in Jamaica, exploring nature and discovering his love for music.
Clinton shared inspiring words about feeding the soul through arts, music, or whatever makes you happy, whether it is how you make a living or not. At one point, Clinton invited Totem Star youth artist Justus to play for the audience. And at the end of the event, Clinton took the time to listen to Totem Star studio assistant, Matt Sablan's new project.
Clinton Fearon is Always Smiling
Justus & Clinton Post-Guitar Solo
Clinton listening to Matt's new working song
What's Theomatic Listening To?
Photo by MXT Visuals
Take a quick glimpse into the current vibe, inspiration, and story of Totem Star artists.
Theo, what song do you currently have on repeat and why do you like it?
Lately I’ve been listening to Kali Uchis’ new album, "Isolation." Melodically it sounds amazing and there's a ton of good vibes in the music. I’ve also been listening to J Cole’s "KOD." He spits a lot of real shit I can relate to.
How would you describe your music preference in general? What qualities make a song truly great?
My music preference is just anything with soul. I don't confine myself to a single genre, both as a listener and a artist. If I can feel the energy and I can vibe to it, then its good music
How does the music you listen to affect the music you write?
The music I listen to affects what I write because I get inspired by it. For example, growing up I listened to artists like the Blue Scholars, Ice Cube, Tupac, A Tribe called quest, Nas, and more. I learned thru all of them that through music you can really express yourself. Not only could you teach others about your experiences , but you could be vulnerable and speak out on sensitive topics, such as mental health, to let others know that it is okay to have conversations about those things. I learned a lot of ways expressing about mental through artists like Tupac, J Cole, Kendrick Lamar, and Joey Badass. I learned about social injustice through artists like the Blue Scholars, Ice Cube, NWA, Public Enemy, and KRS 1.
Sharmaine
For the eighth installment of The Song, our monthly artist spotlight and newsletter, we present singer-songwriter Sharmaine with her new song "Home."
In her interview she shares, "Music really found me and said, "this is a part of you," and I listened. I love how free it makes me feel. I love the community it brings. I love how you don’t always have to use words to express a feeling or emotion but instead through melodies or humming."
Click here to check out Sharmaine's new artist profile page and listen to her new song "Home."
The Difference Between A Beatmaker And A Music Producer with DJ Khaled
Our Deputy Director, Paul Laughlin speaks on the difference between a beatmaker and a producer by sharing an explanation from DJ Khaled's of a what a music producer does.
Photo Source: Billboard.com
By Paul Laughlin
For the most part, anyone who makes beats digitally calls themselves a music producer. I've done it myself and probably still do it sometimes as a result of the misunderstanding of the term in most of my circles. After 20 years as a vinyl DJ (and Serato ScratchLive control vinyl DJ), I finally started making beats of my own thanks to my work with Totem Star artists. I started calling myself a producer, as every other beatmaker was doing. But was I wrong? I guess it really depends. Let's dive further into this topic by listening to DJ Khaled's explanation of a what a music producer does, self boasting and all, and why it is so much more than a beat maker in his interview with New York's Hot 97.
Although I am not a huge DJ Khaled fan myself, I can't deny that he produces huge tracks and a lot of big artists continue to want to work with him. In the interview, DJ Khaled explains that a producer, as the leader of a teams of artists, musicians, and more, create and sell musical ideas/projects, bring together artists and other musical creatives for a project, promote an artist and/or release, and, most importantly, find the resources to make the project come to fruition.
Here are some highlights from the interview:
"A producer gets the job done and makes the record come out, come to light and 90% of the creative process...I come to the artist with an idea and they either love it, and if they love it, they contribute to it and make it ten times bigger. Producers get the job done. From getting a beatmaker with you in there, sometimes I got to call a guitarist in, a keyboard player in, sometime I got to call a guy that plays the flute. I tell them sometimes what to play out my mouth. That's producing. That's getting played. That's writing. That's putting the masterpiece together...I make records, I find records, I put records out...Not everybody can do those three steps."
~DJ Khaled
And for those that think DJ Khaled has no musical talent, check the video below: