"Weekly Spotlight" - Interview with Chucky

By: LaRae Walker for Urban Echelon Magazine & Blogspot

1. When did you begin producing beats and musical compositions?

First, let me say thanks for taking the time out to do this interview with me. I've been playing the drums since I was a baby and I started playing the piano about 12 or so. I started making beats around the same time I started playing piano. Around 16 or 17 I began to hear full compositions in my head and so began creating them into full songs.

2.  Were you influenced by old records & tapes? Which ones?

Yeah definitely! Music of the 80's HEAVILY influenced me. That time in music and sound really confirmed that I wanted to make music for a living. Records like, Thriller and Purple Rain really did it for me (laughs). The ideas of Michael working with Quincy Jones or Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis producing records made me put my production into a wider perspective. As a producer, researching what Quincy's job was with that project was very influential.

3. At what point did you realize "I'm good at this"?

(laughs) That’s a weird question (no disrespect to you or the publication, just never had that asked before.) but I’ll try to answer the best way I can. I’m still getting better. It’s like every time I create, I feel like I gain enrichment of the craft through simply practicing it over and over again but...I guess I knew I was actually good at it when I began to get paid for it (laughs)

4. Do you have a favorite musical project that you've worked on?

I can't say at the moment. I think for me it’s the MOMENTS that you really cherish WHILE you are producing for somebody. Creating Theme music/instrumentals for projects is what I currently enjoy the most. For me, it’s just different from making a record with a performing artist.

5. Is there an artist you want to work with that you have not yet had the opportunity to work with?

 It's a lot of artists that I want to work with, but I always talk about how cool it would be to work with Madonna, Gwen Stefani or even possibly ….Applonia 6 (laughs) That would be dope.

6. What advice would you give to people starting out?

Remain patient and humbled, research your craft, and most of all practice it every chance you get. Don't be scared to socialize. It’s gonna seem like you are getting more "no's" than "yes" but when you get the "yes", it will overshadow the "no's". Embrace your difference and use it as way to standout.

7. What can we expect from Chucky in 2014?

A lot of Art, music, and finishing my mixtape series. I put "Team Edward" (which fuses 80's Synth Pop and Hip-hop) on my artist.mtv.com page on Mtv.com – [search I AM Chucky]. The second installment, King Edward is in motion to be released soon. There will be music available on the internet by the time people get this interview.  After the last installment, I want to take the whole "Edward Collection" and exploit it as a piece of art --- like how visual art is. Also, crafting theme songs and jingles is a pretty dope job as well so if the creator upstairs allows it you will definitely hear some awesome work as a result. I’m speaking it into existence right now! (laughs)

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