I stumbled upon PLAY probably due to @pillowsnake956 who shared one of his posts and I checked it out. It was for a song released at the time called "So Tall." After that, I checked out more of his music and added it to the local 956 Spotify playlist along with our sound cloud playlist. Looking out for his releases which the lastest one I recall being "The Man" along with "Jane." Let's press play and get into this week's feature, PLAY.
With numerous tracks under his belt, he mentions he's been creating music for "a year and a half now." So far with the tracks, I have listened to they have been good and enjoyable with my favorite currently being "The Man." Of course, the music differs due to the beats and the lyrics, but they sure do match with the fitting title, but how is all this made? He says "my creative process to making a song is really dependent on the type of beat. Overall I just try to make lit music but every here and there ill sit down and put a lot of thought into my words. I just PLAY with all sorts of mediums (in other words I just have fun with it)." Which the main thing is the fun had and I can understand "have fun with it" when it comes to the song "Neutron" even though it is PLAY creating work which he enjoys which is what matters most. As I mentioned "Neutron" what can be said about the lyrics produced which he says " I come up with those types of lyrics just by being myself in its truest meaning. I'm pretty quiet on social media but those who know me personally know I'm always playin around, sometimes even too much..." Although as he mentioned "I'll sit down and put a lot of thought into my words" with how he is now he adds "at first I was pretty much just freestyling (free of structure) over beats then I started adding structure such as hooks, verses, melodies and accompaniment , adibs, tags and all that fun stuff (still getting better at executing all of those)." We all start somewhere and steadily grow from there.
Looking through the songs I do see some features on them and he says "yes I have collabed with a few local artists." Now comes the question of should local musicians collab with other locals? Being able to work with one another helps to spotlight each other with their platforms and of course creating connections for future projects. Although PLAY has worked with local artists he says "My thoughts on collabing with other valley artists is that we should do it more it's just very hard sometimes due to the valley being so widespread we have different schedules and priorities and it's very hard to actually meet up and work on something as artists. although nowadays it has become easier by sending vocals through email but then lies the problem of if the artist actually likes the song and if they can engineer it to the type of beat provided etc. but I say we can just keep trying and hope for the best." There seems to be a lot to process when it comes to collaborations and especially as you mentioned sending vocals or even beats has become easier the idea of it being if its something artists can work with comes into question. Even so, there is a chance it can be used and worked with in the end.
Already working with artists, but what artists would be a consideration opening up for which he mentions "I would really like to open up for a lot of artists but the main artists' id really benefit from opening up for in my opinion is Rich The Kid, Blue Face, and A$ap Rocky. As far as for my Spanish music I'd really like to open up for Prince Royce or Rauw Alejandro."
With all fun being had creating music he mentions "well I love all my songs. If I didn't like a song I wouldn't put it out period." That is true you love your creation and you put it out for people to enjoy as well, but he continues by saying "one that really has a special place in my heart is "Fantasia ( Prod. Andez Santana ) " it was a really emotional song for me and pretty much the first time I had been vulnerable on a track. My Spanish music is more of my passionate/ serious side while my English music is guided more towards enjoyment and getting lit." Being able to have diversity in your music and set different tones which you offer as mentioned is great. Giving the song a few listens it was different from the songs I have listened to and listening to "Fantasia" it was really good.
Being a musician in the 956 comes with the thoughts of the local scene in The Valley which PLAY says "I think for the first time in a while the music scene in the valley is becoming popular and I mean like really popular. Youth influenced and big-dreaming artists are emerging and coming with a purpose and I honestly love it. I'm thinking that the valley will be the next Atlanta/Los Angeles/New York type of music scene to pop off because we come from a disadvantaged ( But advantaged ) demographic with so much versatility." Which we do have a lot of versatility and people take what they know and apply it to what they are currently working on. We have local musicians that have opened up for out of town musicians and big-name artists as well. The idea of growth for these individuals is possible and we will see what comes their way.
PLAY's advice for anyone wanting to try making music,
" Enjoy the Journey because its a long one and never stop no matter how bad you suck, everybody has different starting points just do with what you have and never look back."
Commentaires