By earning a gold plaque for producing one of the top r&b albums, East Atlanta Love Letter, by 6lack, Ekzakt has made an outstanding first quarter of 2020. With the release of PARTYNEXTDOOR‘s album a few weeks back, he has produced one of the tracks off the album called “Showing You.” We have caught up with the producer and discussed how the vibes were like in the room while making the track, moments while creating vibes with PND and more.
RESPECT: When working on PARTYNEXTDOOR project, with the single “Showing You,” how were the vibes in the room and while making the song?
When we went over to Party’s crib, Prep (Party’s in-house engineer) already had drinks ready to go – casamigos. We would sit for an hour or two, playing hoops and vibing – we mostly just like to chill and get the vibe of the room before getting to work. Party will come downstairs from the studio and stick his head in the room to see what’s going on with Prep and I and Party might come in and give creative insight for what he would do very family vibes – much more relax.
RESPECT.: What did you want to come off as when doing the “Showing You” track when its done?
Party actually took away a lot of elements we did and only really left the high hats that I did. The song was stripped down for the listeners to actually hear what Party was singing about and the message he was trying to get through.
RESPECT.: Tell us your moment when working with PND and how you were picked to do such a dope album and creating the vibes.
Bizness Boi is a homie of mine and he introduced me to Prep (Party’s main in-house engineer) and then Prep introduced me to Party. We worked on a bunch of different songs and “Showing You” made the tracklist. I believe it was one of the last tracks that made it.
RESPECT.: With being a gold plaque producer for 6lack 2018 project, ‘East Atlanta Love Letter,’ what are some of your favorite memories while working on the album?
It’s an amazing experience, I got to meet and work with all the other producers that made that album come to life, like, Singawd Yakob & Singawd were sitting in on the mix and thought it was tight – that moment was a great moment of recognition
RESPECT.: How was your reaction when getting that call that you were certified gold for that album?
It was amazing, that was my first gold plaque, went No. 1 on billboard for 2 weeks for “Let Her Go.” I honestly believe that it can go platinum. It’s a milestone to cross off and assurance that you know you’re on the right path.
RESPECT.: Tell us the definition of the name. How did you come up with that? Is it your real name?
Zach is my real name, Zach “Ekzakt” Perry, but I wanted to be clever when I was just starting out as a young producer. I’m a very meticulous thinker and I thought of name “exact” and instead of spelling it the normal way, I put in Ekzakt – the phonetic spelling of “exact.”
RESPECT.: Working with talented musicians in the industry, what can you say is your advice to who looks up to you?
Work hard and don’t burn bridges. The creative world is an easy place to butt heads because you might have your own version of a project or a sound, but everyone has their own vision. And the people you thought would be a nobody in the industry, you might be working for them one day. You can’t be afraid of putting yourself out there. It’s the hardest part. Especially when there’s fame on top of your position. A no is just a no but an unasked question will always be a no without the possibility of a yes. Example: When I was first starting out I tweeted at Mistah F.A.B. to work and he ended up DMing me back and we met and got to work that day and I actually got to co-produce one of Fab’s projects.
RESPECT.: Who influenced you to start your music career?
In the beginning it was because of parents and grandparents. At age 11, I was making beats and loops with my cousin. I would listen to producers like Dr. Dre and Timbaland and those sounds and beats are complex to someone who never made beats before. It was inspiring because the music that was popping off was centered around drums and bass and Dr. Dre’s beat had all these musical elements to it. Which further increased my curiosity into exploring the fields of producing and engineering
RESPECT.: What can you say is your most favorite project (body of work) that you helped produce?
Top 2: YMTK – ‘All The Right Places’ – at that point in time, I lost my apartment. So for six months, I worked with YMTK straigtht and ended up executively producing it. I did every aspect of the project and afterward I was able to see my own strengths and weaknesses. 6LACK – ‘East Atlanta Love Letter’ and “Let Her Go.”
RESPECT.: Define your sound as a producer?
Mixture of Timbaland & Rick Rock.
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