Riff Double O
Yo, it’s Tony Coke with Bands Rising!
Today I got a chance to talk with Riff Double O, a producer, song writer and beat master.
Tony Coke: What’s your musical background? Did you grow up playing an instrument, or did you go straight to producing and making beats?
Riff Double O: I started writing songs when I was 10 or 11 years old, just jotted down little rhymes and would rap them with my brother, mom, classmates, and my next door neighbor that sang. I always considered myself a rapper throughout my teenage years recording tapes on a karaoke machine, rap battling, and being known by the oldheads around my way as someone who was talented. I grew up around music and had an interest of other types of music that I wasn’t used to, such as jazz. I pretty much just jumped into making beats and taught myself how to play the keys and basic music theory. I did have a guitar class in the 9th grade, but I wasn’t really into it. I also took music theory and a basic piano class in later in community college.
Tony Coke: Do you feel it’s important to study the music of other artists and producers, or do you think you should ignore it all and create without influence?
Riff Double O: Yea I feel its important to study other artists or producers style, to learn then create. Music is basically influenced by something else with added innovation, and the cycle keeps going.
Tony Coke: On the business side of things, is it more profitable producing, selling beats or licensing your music?
Riff Double O: I think its more profitable licensing music and I say this because the game has changed, especially with rap. The internet has been a blessing and a curse because we producers can network, make money, etc. But then you’ll log into twitter and see people selling beats for 99 cents!!! Hell, most rap artists I come across ask for beats and aren’t even thinking about paying you a penny. But as far as licensing music, music is everywhere and music is a very important weapon for moods and ads, haha… so that’s where the money is at!!!
Tony Coke: Do you see things progressing in the future?
Riff Double O: Yes because it is getting easier to put yourself as a musician out there. Back then everybody was going straight to labels or thought it was the only way of making it. I see a lot of independent artists doing their thing using the internet, social media, and I’m starting to see services available to make the indie artist’s life a little easier.
Tony Coke: Without giving away any trade secrets, what’s the #1 piece of gear or software you couldn’t live without?
Riff Double O: The computer of course, it’s the brain of my whole beat making process!
Tony Coke: What’s your ritual when it comes time to do work? Load up on coffee? Smoke a bowl? Meditate? Eat a peanut butter and banana sandwich?
Riff Double O: Haha it depends, most of the time I just go in and turn the f**k up!
Tony Coke: So what is Riff Double O up to now?
Riff Double O: Working on my craft and networking with potential talent! Promoting my single, ‘Gotta be Real’, which is produced and written by me available on iTunes and Google Play. I’m also currently working with indie filmmakers composing scores. I’m planning out my first EP that will have some of my best production work with various artists, so everyone be on the lookout for that.
Tony Coke: What’s the best way for people to connect with you?
Riff Double O: The website!!!!! Riffdoubleomusic.com is where you can get all of the info, social media, songs, news, beats, business inquiries, you name it.