Over here at AshleyOutrageous.com, we appreciate producers just as much as artists. Without producers and their ability to produce these sounds, there would be no artists. I recently conducted a Q&A Interview with local South Florida producer Numonics. The name may sound familiar to you as he’s done quite a few projects throughout the past year. Numonics is looking to stop no time soon and with all he’s done and got on the table, I was curious as too how he chooses whom he works with, his creative process, using samples and more. Read below!
AO: First off, can you introduce yourself to our readers…
Numonics: I go by Numonics, I am South Florida based Hip Hop producer.
When did you first start producing?
I’ve been making beats since I’m 16. I started by making trip hop, wannabe DJ Shadow and Dan the Automator sounding stuff and progressed into hip hop.
Interesting. Is hip-hop your favorite genre of music?
By far but I’ve done a lot of different type of records and i used to dj drum and bass pretty heavily a few years back. My passion has always been hip hop. it was my first music purchase (naughty by nature’s debut album) and continues to be my favorite. I listen to a lot of soul and funk as well but I feel I connect with that music so much because how its been used to form some of my favorite songs in hip hop.
Nice! So you’ve actually produced about 5 complete hip-hop albums correct?
I’ve released 3 that I produced entirely, 1 as a part of a compilation and I’m releasing 6 albums (at least) this year. I’ve released Co$$ x Numonics – Revelations, J NiCS x Numonics – Champion Rizla and Numonics – Being Cool Doesn’t Pay the bills. I was also a part of Monsters Ink which released a mixtape with Mick Boogie and Terry Urban. This year I’m releasing Reks & Numonics – REBELutionary, Co$$ & Numonics – Genesis, Dynas & Numonics – Commercial Music, J57 & Numonics – LI FTW, LMS & Saheed & Numonics – Untitled, J NiCS and Numonics – Champion Rizla 2 and on Feb 7th, Knowledge Medina and Numonics – Never Enough. *continue on right column
Numonics: I go by Numonics, I am South Florida based Hip Hop producer.
When did you first start producing?
I’ve been making beats since I’m 16. I started by making trip hop, wannabe DJ Shadow and Dan the Automator sounding stuff and progressed into hip hop.
Interesting. Is hip-hop your favorite genre of music?
By far but I’ve done a lot of different type of records and i used to dj drum and bass pretty heavily a few years back. My passion has always been hip hop. it was my first music purchase (naughty by nature’s debut album) and continues to be my favorite. I listen to a lot of soul and funk as well but I feel I connect with that music so much because how its been used to form some of my favorite songs in hip hop.
Nice! So you’ve actually produced about 5 complete hip-hop albums correct?
I’ve released 3 that I produced entirely, 1 as a part of a compilation and I’m releasing 6 albums (at least) this year. I’ve released Co$$ x Numonics – Revelations, J NiCS x Numonics – Champion Rizla and Numonics – Being Cool Doesn’t Pay the bills. I was also a part of Monsters Ink which released a mixtape with Mick Boogie and Terry Urban. This year I’m releasing Reks & Numonics – REBELutionary, Co$$ & Numonics – Genesis, Dynas & Numonics – Commercial Music, J57 & Numonics – LI FTW, LMS & Saheed & Numonics – Untitled, J NiCS and Numonics – Champion Rizla 2 and on Feb 7th, Knowledge Medina and Numonics – Never Enough. *continue on right column
That’s alot of music! So how long does it usually take you for all these projects?
Generally a month to 3 months depending on the artist. I bought studio equipment and taught myself to mix and master so I’m just trying to be as productive as possible. I’ve also expanded my production techniques to use live instruments which has freed me up a lot in regards to the songs I can make.
Oh really? What live instruments do you play?
Guitar, bass and keys. I bought a trumpet but I sound like a dying elephant unfortunately
*laughs* So you’re like a one stop shop!
Do you enjoy fully producing albums and working with one artist rather than sending your beats out to a heap of artists and having your beats all over the place?
Albums, definitely. I rather make a cohesive project and work with people I have a strong relationship with. Also, it’s a lot easier to manage…my first album was a compilation and it was a process to say the least. Its a lot easier dealing with one other person. Never need too many chefs in the kitchen.
So all of the albums you’ve done you obviously know the artist personally. When it comes to you working with an artist, are you selective? or open-minded to anything brought to the table?
Really its been a process of working with one artist that introduces me to another. All of them have worked that way really with the exception of J NICS. He reached out to me direct. Really I felt NICS had a great attitude, delivery, voice, etc. So I needed to work with him. So I guess I’m selective in that sense.
Who is an artist you’d like to produce a full album for?
Royce Da 5’9. I have like 90 answers to that but ill stick with one.
So Royce must be the number 1 pick then! *laughs*
It’s safe to say that. I listen to a lot of people but when it comes to what I do, I think in terms of what would make the best music. These days, a lot of producers start to sound the same. How do you differentiate yourself from others?
Really by trying new things. I’m using less samples and when I do sample I like to add a lot of my own stuff on top of it, giving it a different feel. I feel the guitar has helped a lot as well as it can add a lot and frees me up to grab different type of samples as I know I can layer some guitar on there and make it move a little more..
Speaking of samples, whats your take on that? some producers use samples in every single beat…
If you do something original to it I’m totally alright with it. To me hip hop is built off samples so if that’s your style, just be good with it. No one likes an overused sample but if you really do something special to it, it’s going to be dope.
I can agree with that. Do you have a favorite producer that has maybe inspired you?
DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Blue Sky, Black Death, M Phazes, J83, Just Blaze are my favorites. Theres no lack of good producers, I hear something dope daily it seems..
So you said this year you’ll be putting out 6 projects, is that your limit or that’s just whats set in stone for now?
Whats set in stone basically. I’ve talked with a few other people about doing projects and I feel something will come up as well. I don’t feel I’m going to take a break this year. *continue on left column
Generally a month to 3 months depending on the artist. I bought studio equipment and taught myself to mix and master so I’m just trying to be as productive as possible. I’ve also expanded my production techniques to use live instruments which has freed me up a lot in regards to the songs I can make.
Oh really? What live instruments do you play?
Guitar, bass and keys. I bought a trumpet but I sound like a dying elephant unfortunately
*laughs* So you’re like a one stop shop!
Do you enjoy fully producing albums and working with one artist rather than sending your beats out to a heap of artists and having your beats all over the place?
Albums, definitely. I rather make a cohesive project and work with people I have a strong relationship with. Also, it’s a lot easier to manage…my first album was a compilation and it was a process to say the least. Its a lot easier dealing with one other person. Never need too many chefs in the kitchen.
So all of the albums you’ve done you obviously know the artist personally. When it comes to you working with an artist, are you selective? or open-minded to anything brought to the table?
Really its been a process of working with one artist that introduces me to another. All of them have worked that way really with the exception of J NICS. He reached out to me direct. Really I felt NICS had a great attitude, delivery, voice, etc. So I needed to work with him. So I guess I’m selective in that sense.
Who is an artist you’d like to produce a full album for?
Royce Da 5’9. I have like 90 answers to that but ill stick with one.
So Royce must be the number 1 pick then! *laughs*
It’s safe to say that. I listen to a lot of people but when it comes to what I do, I think in terms of what would make the best music. These days, a lot of producers start to sound the same. How do you differentiate yourself from others?
Really by trying new things. I’m using less samples and when I do sample I like to add a lot of my own stuff on top of it, giving it a different feel. I feel the guitar has helped a lot as well as it can add a lot and frees me up to grab different type of samples as I know I can layer some guitar on there and make it move a little more..
Speaking of samples, whats your take on that? some producers use samples in every single beat…
If you do something original to it I’m totally alright with it. To me hip hop is built off samples so if that’s your style, just be good with it. No one likes an overused sample but if you really do something special to it, it’s going to be dope.
I can agree with that. Do you have a favorite producer that has maybe inspired you?
DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Blue Sky, Black Death, M Phazes, J83, Just Blaze are my favorites. Theres no lack of good producers, I hear something dope daily it seems..
So you said this year you’ll be putting out 6 projects, is that your limit or that’s just whats set in stone for now?
Whats set in stone basically. I’ve talked with a few other people about doing projects and I feel something will come up as well. I don’t feel I’m going to take a break this year. *continue on left column
Sounds like your pretty determined! Can we expect some new sounds from you on these upcoming projects we havent heard before? Yeah for sure. Some quicker tempo records, a bit more rock influenced. I have a few that lean more towards the electronic spectrum. Wobble basses, distorted synths, stuff like that. I like a lot of different stuff so I just want my music to also reflect that. a good portion is going to have my typical sound but there will be enough new flavors in there to make the projects sound fresh.
Do you have any plans to release an instrumental album soon?
I do actually. Funny story….I had paid a great artist to do a cover for me and Coss. Coss wasn’t feeling it and I told the artist I’d make an instrumental album so I can use the cover so when this wave of albums comes out, I’m going to mix something together. I’d imagine in the summer. Probably around my birthday in June.
Will it be all new instrumentals or tracks from your previous released projects?
New stuff for sure. I plan on putting out the instrumentals with the specific albums for those who purchase them. For the instrumental album, it’ll be more of my experimental stuff basically good tunes that I don’t think need a rapper or singer on, ha!
And boy do I love those! Beats in itself are music to my ears. Exactly……so I definitely want to do something a bit more left field and have it naturally transition, like a true mixtape.
You’ve done quite a few remixes to a handful of songs, is that something you just decide to do once you hear the song? How does that come about?…
It just kind of happens…some I was asked to do but most it’s when I make a beat and I want to hear what it sounds like with a vocal and then I fall in love with the remix.
My last question is, since you’ve been doing this for a while, what pointers would you give upcoming producers?
For producers, perfect your sound and then advance it. Don’t be all over the place. Master the craft one step at a time.
Any last words for our readers?
buy gold, ha! Thank you to those who take an interest in what I do. My music is my life and I appreciate AshleyOutrageous.com and it’s readers. I’m available for bookings for bar mitvzahs and roller rinks for my bass DJ skills.
Follow Numonics on Twitter @Numonics
Sidenote, If you’re in the South Florida area, Knowledge Medina and Numonics are having an album release party at EVE in Downtown Miami on Feb. 4th!
To coincide with our Q&A, The producer himself gave us the green light to let go of a remix to J NICS “Last Time,” a track off his & NICS collaborative EP, Champion Rizla. LISTEN HERE
