It’s been an exciting time for BeatStars Publishing member, Rob EVN! Recently, he collaborated with the artist Light to produce the hit song “Gennaro”, which has reached #1 on the Billboard Greece Charts, as well as going platinum. Owen Postma, Social Media Associate at BeatStars, had the chance to sit down and talk to Rob about how all this came together.
Owen: Rob! So great to finally chat with you man. Can you tell me how “Gennaro” came about? What happened from start to finish; from when you exported the beat/loop to when Gennaro initially released?
Rob: Really glad to be doing this, Owen! It took me several months to achieve this sound. I changed the beat many times, but once I finished it, I realized I created something special. The goal was simple: get everyone to freestyle on it. Beat went crazy on BeatStars & YouTube. One day, I started getting a lot of messages & comments that one of the most famous rappers in Greece uploaded a snippet of a new song to my beat.
Owen: Wow, that’s huge! How has “Gennaro” made an impact on your career as a producer & what has the reception been like?
Rob: This track gave me the opportunity to connect and build a relationship with another cool guy & dope artist. As of now, "Gennaro" is already a platinum certified single & has reached #1 on the Billboard Greece Songs chart. Another great trophy to help me build my beautiful wall of plaques & awards. Shout out to Light!
Owen: That’s amazing and so well deserved, sir! What are some non-musical skills that helped you land this placement, or other placements in the past?
Rob: My story shows that it was about the perseverance to work until you get what you want. But for me, one of the most important things is to build a noticeable brand. I believe everyone needs business skills for this, ranging from financial knowledge to decision-making skills.
Owen: Truth. Can you give some music production-related sauce to the community?
Rob: Try playing a random melody, export it, and then flip it like you flip samples. Play with it, and then try every crazy idea you can think of. By doing this, you will open a new world.
Owen: How large of a role has BeatStars/BeatStars Publishing played in getting to where you are today in your career, and what has your experience been like since joining the team/platform?
Rob: I could write a whole book about the impact BeatStars has had on my life. Having the BeatStars Publishing team behind me gives me tremendous confidence to move forward. I'm ready for any challenge, any opportunity, & any major artist. We can solve any situation with these guys. This allows me to focus on my daily work & continue to create the best music.
Owen: Love hearing that! What is your advice to up-and-coming producers who hope to make a living off their music and/or get notable placements someday?
Rob: This is the same type of business as all other enterprises in the world. Beats are just a small part of the whole business model. Marketing, sales, value creation, and finances are an integral part of every successful business. Don't focus on beats only!
Check out Light and Rob EVN’s track “Gennaro” on Spotify and make sure to follow Rob on social media to keep up with his music!
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