A&R SUNDAYS recently had the opportunity to interview Jimi Kendrix of Street Radio Music Group. Jimi Kendrix’s credits include Tupac, Jay Z, Rick Ross, 50 Cent, Lil Kim, Patti Labelle, Kelly Price, R. Kelly and many, many more. Jimi Kendrix’s production has earned over 15 million in sales and countless chart placements for various artists. Jimi Kendrix’s hard work and dedication has paid off, Earning him the title of Grammy Award Winning Super Music Producer.
Read the interview below:
A&R SUNDAYS: Thank you for doing this interview. How are you today?
JIMI KENDRIX: Im doing great (A little tired from the flight back from LA) thank you for asking!
A&R SUNDAYS: Can you tell us about your record label Street Radio Music Group?
JIMI KENDRIX: Well my label is something I’ve always wanted to do as a music producer and as a business person. I see how many labels have ran from the inside out after being under great moguls like Irv Gotti, Jay Z, Kelly Price including my Grandmother who started a Gospel label and had great success releasing many albums under it. It showed me the only way to really have control over what comes out and how music is expressed is by having my own lane and vehicle to do it.
A&R SUNDAYS: Where are you from, what city do you represent, and when did you start producing?
JIMI KENDRIX: Born and raised in Queens NYC and still living in the greatest city on earth. I started producing straight out of high school after i decided to stop touring as a drummer for many well known recording artists like Jay Z, Kelly Price, R. Kelly, even Charlie Wilson and the GAP Band.
A&R SUNDAYS: Did you start out using a drum machine, keyboard workstation, computer, or all the above?
JIMI KENDRIX: I actually started on alot of outboard gear like mpc drum machines , Keyboards and synthesizers and of course incorporating Live instruments into it. This was at a time when software wasn’t out like Fruity loops, Logic or reason or FL Studio which i now use many of today along with what i started with before. I gotta move with the times and update my sound constantly.
A&R SUNDAYS: Do you prefer hardware or software when producing music? Fruity Loops, Reason, Garageband? MPC, Miko, Maschine? Motif, Fantom, Kronos, Neko?
JIMI KENDRIX: Honestly it doesn’t matter what i use i can and have created records using furniture, bottles, pennies in a cup for shakers so basically whatevers around me. When i was a lil boy my mother would allow me to bang on pots and pans for an hour each day then it went to books so I’ve been creative no matter what i used and it turned out great.
A&R SUNDAYS: Who would you say your music is most influenced by?
JIMI KENDRIX: My music is influenced by my background which is church as well as those artists who many considered before there time like jimi hendrix, curt cobain, Miles Davis and many more in that caliber.
A&R SUNDAYS: We know that you have worked with the best of the best. JAY Z , Rick Ross, Tupac, LL Cool J, 50 CENT, Beyonce, Bone Thugs, Rihanna, Lil Kim, Jada Kiss, Swizz Beats, MTV, Disney, BET, and the list goes on. Who was your favorite artist or company to work with, and who gave you the hardest time?
JIMI KENDRIX: My favorite artist to work with i would say was Jay Z and Patti Labelle but for different reasons . Mainly because we got a chance to build away from music before we even started creating music which showed me how Human they were. The Hardest person to work with i really can’t say because I’ve had great experiences with every artist I’ve come across. If anything it was the label that can be an asshole. I chalk it up to the politics which can be a pain in the ass.
A&R SUNDAYS: What does it take to become a platinum producer? Is it more of who you know, or more of what you?
JIMI KENDRIX: Honestly i hate attaching that to my name because i honestly feel i haven’t even scratched the surface in my mind. People have given me that name and tho my resume would confirm that i honestly don’t care about titles. What makes people stand out amongst others starts with the brand and what its about, who cares who you know your music speaks before anything!
A&R SUNDAYS: Our platform is based on giving tips, advice, and opportunities to indie/unsigned artist. What advice would you give to up and coming artist/producers.
JIMI KENDRIX: Treat your brand as if you were your own label and I learned that the best way to grab peoples attention to what you do is by “Pushing what you do to the Limits”. when you make people come find u then you got the control at the point and can dictate your next steps. stay humble and keep looking forward not backwards.
A&R SUNDAYS: What is the best way for up and coming artist/producers to send music to you.
JIMI KENDRIX: like others who give you a email that someone else may check i like to listen to everything that comes my way so it goes directly to me. I also respond back myself and give my critiques on how to improve it if it needs…
A&R SUNDAYS: What would you say is the biggest misconception about Jimi Kendrix?
JIMI KENDRIX: Is that i’m trying to be Jimi Hendrix which honestly i don’t sound much like Mr Hendrix at all. My sound is completely me but Hendrix who i would consider to be one of my favorite artists especially after reading his book as a teenager really showed me what the life of a icon is like. The responsibility they take on is one that not everyone can handle so he really stood out to me. Also my real name is KENDRED so part of my music name is really mines as well.
A&R SUNDAYS: What is the name of the most popular song you produced?
JIMI KENDRIX: There were a few singles I’ve produced from Jay Z’s “MY Way” to Ja Rules “Wonderful” to Shyne “Jimmy Choo” to Tupac’s “Picture me Rolling” to 50 cents “Like the way she do it” or Ashanti’s “Turn it up” or Bone Thugs “9mm” and the list of SINGLES Goes on but honestly as i said before i haven’t even scratch the surface in my career so the jury is still out until then.
A&R SUNDAYS: What are you working on right now, and what projects, or artist should we be on the look out for?
JIMI KENDRIX: Developing my label as well as trying to finish these singles on my artists projects, still producing records for 50cent , Universal artists, Interscope, Ja Rule, Ashanti and a whole list of new artists signed that I’ve been contacted about working with like Mindless Behavior, Stori whose signed to Motown and the names change everyday depending on who calls my manager each day.
A&R SUNDAYS: Would you share some info about your work as a Behavior Specialist for the NYC board of education?
JIMI KENDRIX: Yes that is something i try to not talk about because its not related to music. I run programs at a school with kids who are behavior issues and in risk of being expelled. I build a relationship with these kids and engage there behavior in order to deal with there academic issues which suffers tremendously. Keep in mind these are High school students so if you cannot get there buy in early then they will not succeed. The program is relationship built which is not something everyone can do so its a great success for me to be able to say my program which is called SOS (support our students) has been recognized by the state as a great model that should be implemented in all schools. This is humbling for a young black man to be able to say and shows me my work goes way beyond music. I also run the music department at Renaissance Charter high school for Innovation in East Harlem and i coach the basketball program which Won the schools first ever City championships this past December.
A&R SUNDAYS: We want to thank you for doing the interview with us. Please tell us how you can be reached on twitter, instagram, facebook, and any other social media sites we can network with you on.
JIMI KENDRIX: It was a pleasure and thank you for the opportunity i can be reached on Twitter at @http://www.twttier.com/jimikendrix and on IG at http://www.instagram.com/Mrjimikendrix or you can just google me. Also follow my label @http://www.twitter.com/SRMG_THELABEL — with Jimi Kendrix and Jimmy Iovine.