HNHH got the chance to shoot Jahlil Beats some questions recently. And Jahlil hasn't slowed down since blowing up and signing with Roc Nation. It's his grind and work ethic that's got him this far, since starting out as an unknown in Chester, Pennsylvania and now becoming one of the hottest producers in the game. How did he do it? Read our exclusive interview below, where we ask him how he started out, what his set-up is like, who he's been in the studio with and more!
HotNewHipHop: You signed with Roc Nation pretty recently, how have things changed for you since that?
Jahlil Beats: Been traveling like never before, like every other week I'm in the studio working with a different artist...I would say that's the biggest change.
HNHH: How did you first start promoting yourself and getting your beats out?
Jahlil: I started by putting instrumental mixtapes out for free online, I would release like 16-17 exclusive tracks and that kind of got me buzzin on the net s/o to KP!
HNHH: What's your work set up like? Do you produce beats daily?
Jahlil: I use FL Studio so I make beats everywhere; in the crib, the car, the plane it's a non-stop process 5 to 7 a day.
HNHH: How involved are you with the production of the song after you send someone a beat they want to use?
Jahlil: If I send the track via email, I'll write a little hook description or maybe a verse idea, when I'm in the studio I'm totally hands on with the artist, I feel like that makes them more comfortable making the song.
HNHH: You have a pretty distinct/recognizable sound, can we expect you to continue along that path in the future or do you want to change things
Jahlil: Thanks man, I have no plans on changing my sound, the label doesn't want me too, that's what got me signed. A lot of people don't know that I can also produce R&B and Pop, I started of sampling 70s soul and Rock and Roll. I just switch it up when an artist asks me too, most of the time artist want what's hot at the time and I respect that so I just play them what they want to hear.
HNHH: We saw a photo of you in the studio with J. Cole and Meek Mill, what can you tell us about that?
Jahlil: Well I was at No ID studio in LA working with J. Cole and he was like "Yo I got this beat I wanna play this beat I did I think meek would sound dope on it" so I took him to Meek session with Travis Porter and we just kicked it for a few and Meek played him his album.
HNHH: I heard that you were in the studio with No I.D., what's been going on there? Has he been mentoring you?
Jahlil: Yeah No ID is pretty much mentoring me now, dude got a incredible knowledge on the game as far as producing goes, I just put him onto FL Studio you might hear some hits from him soon strictly from FL.
HNHH: What can you tell us about the G.O.O.D. Music compilation album?
Jahlil: I'm not really sure what the status is on the album, I was in the studio with Big Sean a few weeks back and I know that he working on his album heavy so maybe it's close to finished.
HNHH: What other artists have you been working with since signing to Roc Nation?
Jahlil: Bridget Kelly, and I'm actually in London in the studio with K Koke right now, Rita Ora next, I'm finishing up their albums.
HNHH: What artists do you want to work with that you haven't yet?
HNHH: Dope. Thanks for your time!