Mantra Beats, Quality Beats is my Mantra!

Mantra Beats is a music producer and videographer based in Eldoret, Kenya. His studio by the same name has been operating since 2019 and has so far mentored upcoming artists in Eldoret and beyond. He produces all genres and also trains aspiring producers. He has worked with Romi Swahili, Omondi Ochuka, MC Spook, Level Next, among others. Welcome!

How do you approach the sensitive task of discussing changes and rearrangements with artists?

By reassuring the artist that it’s for his own good a song has to be re-structured in a particular way, a bit different from the original composition.

What is the one thing every song must have for it to be solid?

Originality.

Who is the best music producer working in the industry today?

In Kenya, Vinc on the Beat is quite versatile.

What is the first thing you listen for when listening to a new recording?

The beat.

What is the biggest budget you've worked with?

Kshs 120,000.00

Who are the producers who have most influenced your approach to music production and why did they have that influence?

Scott Storch. He produced most of the hits I grew up with in the early 2000s. He is behind most projects Dr Dre took credit for. Scott influenced my beat-making because he barely used samples. Everything was from piano chords.

9th Wonder and a Slovenian beat-maker called Gramatik influenced my beat-sampling when it comes to boombap beats. In East Africa, I’m influenced by Lizer of Wasafi from TZ because of his Afro-beat melodies.

Tell me the story of how you arrived at this point in your musical career?

I used to be a poet and a writer. So the urge to keep on creating art shifted into beat-making as I grew older. I started experimenting with FL Studio in my bedroom after being mentored by a producer/friend here in Eldoret. I started with sampling Hip-hop beats and released about 3 beat-tapes. Then I took music production classes. Around 2018 I quit an NGO job in South Sudan and set up a recording studio in Eldoret. The aim was to mentor up-coming artists around Eldoret and so we keep pushing this program.

How do you approach the projects on which you work?

To try and give it my best.

What sorts of projects are you working on lately?

No specific project. I work with artists who’ve booked sessions, keep making beats and sharing on Mdundo, train aspiring producers and I keep learning more. From next year I want to start signing serious artists though.

Is there any additional advice you can give me to help along the way to a successful career?

 Handle everything as a business.

There are times in a career when life isn’t going your way, how do you keep your mind on your work without losing focus?

I keep an open mind.  

Have you ever had to relocate in order to gain more business?

Yes, I was in a process of opening another studio in Nairobi obviously to broaden my experience then Corona happened.

If there was one word you could use to explain your experience so far while working as a music producer, what would it be?

Exciting.

How many times have you fallen down, so to speak, and had to get back up and get yourself motivated again to continue?

I barely focus on my failures. A few months ago some of the artist I work with stole my video camera. That sucked a bit since the idea is to grow together as creatives and rob each other.

How did you start producing and what gave you the motivation to stay with it?

Started as a hobby now it is a full-time job.

With all the music producers in the world, what made you think that you were still going to be successful in this field?

 I focus on myself and my abilities.

Did you have any doubts in your mind that you weren’t going to be successful?

Never doubted it.

How long did it take you roughly to start excelling with your career?

Two years.

How did you build contacts and/or clients?

Online marketing, good rapport with clients and doing good work.

What are some of the biggest mental tools you can obtain to be successful in this field?

Be open-minded, don’t favor one genre of music over another and always keep learning.

Lastly, where do you want to take your production career going forward?

To best the best music producer in East Africa.

Your Parting shot?

Life has no meaning, create your own.

Your official social media platforms & contacts where clients can hook you up?

Facebook: Mantra Beats
Instagram: mantra_beats_production
Website: www.mantrabeats.wordpress.com
WhatsApp: +254 796 934 510