Interview With Influential Record Producer ‘Major88Keys’

Tell us a little about yourself?

Kelvin Ellison Jr. “MAJOR88KEYS” (Born June, 25th 1988) Silver Spring, Maryland. Raised in Saint Louis, MO. I have been playing instruments and making music my whole life. With a strong musical background, stemming from growing up in the church. Coming out of high school, I became more of an “In Session Musician.” This is essentially how I became influential and got my foot in the door in the Saint Louis music industry. With a lot of knowledge involving the production and composition of beats & music, I also have a Double Major in Music and Psychology!!

How did you come up with your artist name?

I came up with the name ‘Major88keys’ by using a scale type “Major” and there are 88 keys on a full piano. Another ironic thing about my name is I’m born in 1988.

How long have you been in the music industry?

I have been in the music industry since 2014 back when I was signed with G.O.O.D Music but before that, I’ve been a musician my whole life.

How did you get started in the music business in the first place?

My dad is a pastor and I grew up in church. Started playing the drums at the age of 12 then graduated to the piano at the age of 16 then it was a wrap on God. Then took my musical talents to the industry when a lot of the upcoming producers were not musicians.

How would you describe your latest single?

Well, I’m not really an artist but I do make songs from time to time, my latest single I produced called ‘Designer’ is out on all platforms but it’s just a fun song that talks about some of my favourite designers in fashion.

When can fans expect the visuals for the single?

The music video is already out. Go turn me up. They can expect to see a whole lot of designer bags, clothes, belts you name it you’ll see it…BIG DRIP!

Who are your inspirations in the music industry?

Diddy, DJ Khaled, Dr Dre, Pharrell, Jay-z and Kanye West.

How do you go about writing a song and what is your process?

When writing music I always start with the melody. Even as a songwriter or producer that’s the best way for me to get the bounce of the record before it’s even completed.

What is the concept behind your forthcoming project if working on one?

Well at the moment I don’t have any new projects coming out but I did recently executive produce for an artist out of Saint Louis, MO. his name is Jizzle Buckz and he dropped a project and the single ‘JUMP’ is like at number 6 on Saint Louis, MO Hot 104.1 radio station. Shoutout to Princess Stormm and Derrick “Lil D” Greene for making it happen.

Any plans on touring to promote your latest single?

No.

What did you buy with your first check off music?

I bought a Rollie which I still have to this day, a new car and my parents a house.

What are must haves when your in the studio working?

I gotta have something good to smoke on and some patron to sip on wala magic.

What is the best piece of advice in this business you actually followed?

Networking every day will pay off in the long run when building relationships.

Will you be collaborating with any other artists in the future?

I’m always working and collaborating with artists and producers all the time just stay tuned for who I’ll be working with next.

What artist have you had the pleasure of working with and what was it like?

Name an artist(s) that you would love to work with?

Chris Brown and Tory Lanez.

Do you think your music is mostly enjoyed more for the beats or for the lyrical flow and content?

MY BEATS OF COURSE.

What area do you need to improve on in regards to your career? (Example: Better production, Delivery, Stage presence, etc…)

Time management because it’s some much work that goes into being an indie and you wear so many hats but that’s required sometimes to get the job done.

What was the last album you listened to?

Lil Baby – My Turn & Moneybagg Yo – Time Served

Your favourite artist of all time and why?

My favourite artist of all time are a combination of artists and people that move the culture and that would Michael Jackson, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Diddy, Jay-z, Wayne.

Whose your favourite five artists right now?

Lil Baby, Moneybagg Yo, Da Baby, Lil Durk and Future.

In your opinion who is the most influential and successful artist in your genre today and why?

Lil Baby right now really killing it as an artist and also as a label owner. He got some nice artists under 4PF. Plus a lot of artists are trying to sound like him or want his style of beats ya know.

Who have been some of your favourite artists that you’ve been able to work with?

VEDO off top mainly because that was my first big record at that time and it went crazy viral and people still today be singing that song. Of course working with Kevin Gates, Bezz Believe, Natasha Mosley, Yello Pain too I liked the visuals that he put to the song me and G-Money produced for him.

How do you feel about the current state of music?

I mean I feel like it’s iight I do feel like it’s getting better again because even from the producer perspective a lot more producers are collaborating and which it’s giving artists a different bounce to either sing or rap too. also, it’s a lot more indie artist out now where they might have more control over their music release which we as the consumers are able to listen to their true artistry instead of what may be labels want to push for that artist.

Any dream award shows you hope to one day play at?

I would like to play at the BET AWARDS. With me being a musician I’ve also been a music director before on stage for artists so I know how to put a stage show together.

What is your main goal as far as music?

Create bigger records with the major artists but also help build artists as well into major artists. I also have a music academy which is called I.T.S.C Music Academy where we teach instrument training as well as DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) training.

Who would you say your music relates to the most?

I grew up in church my dad is a pastor so when I make beats I got a lot of soul to my beats. I play multiple instruments and I try to input that musical element on everything I make.

What separates you from other artists? (What’s makes you different?)

Well as a producer I’m different because most producers today don’t play a real instrument. which is cool and all but with the way music is an artist would create a better sounding record with a musician/producer.

When your not in the studio, What do you like to do for fun and relaxation?

I like to travel. Go see places that I don’t have any music business at so I won’t be tempted to dive back into work because I’m a bit of a workaholic. I love the beaches the most, then hot tubs and stuff like that. Other fun things I like to do is go bowling, Lazer tag, shoot pool, and maybe go skating.

If you could work with any producer who would it be?

For the longest, I’ve always wanted to work with Zaytoven mainly because I felt like we kinda had a similar story growing up in church and playing the piano and organ and stuff. Plus when people would hear me play they would say that it sounded like church.

What’s the biggest highlight of your career thus far?

Just being able to go from being signed in 2014-16 to remaining indie, starting my own production label and getting placements building a team of producers and PR and things of that nature. I’ve worked with some of my favourite artists, producer, and engineers in the game and I’m still creating new highlights in my career and my life.

What is your dream venue to perform at?

Besides being a musician/producer I’m also a DJ so for me any festival or stage is a dream.

What’s the name of the last book you read and by whom?

The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene.

What’s your favourite sports team and why?

I don’t really get much into sports like used to but I definitely follow after certain teams because of some of the players such as Jayson Tatum from Boston because he is from Saint Louis, MO. and he killin it doing his thang. I also like Lebron, Kyrie, Durant. But imma always be a Kobe Bryant fan

Whose your favourite actor or actress and their best movie?

I ain’t gonna lie I got several movies that I like. I’m mainly into Comedy, Action then Drama. But one of my favourite movies to watch is FRIDAY. It’s just one of those hood classic movies that is still watchable today that’s funny and the director cut scene are super hilarious that should’ve been in the movie but yeah.

Name someone famous who inspires you and why?

Diddy, DJ Khaled, Jay-Z. Those 3 because of their business and marketing strategies and I look at them and kinda model some things I do in my business or my marketing that are successful in my career.

What can we expect from you in the future?

Recently relocating to Atlanta, GA. I’m reconnecting with some people and gaining a new relationship with others and all I can say is stay tuned because it’s about to a lot of new music coming out, products and services coming out, and I’m also going to be doing more branding with my music school (I.T.S.C Music Academy).

Where can the fans check out for your music?

You can follow me on Instagram @OfficialMajor88keys and any other social media platform @Major88keys and my website for all beats, updates and bookings is www.Major88keys.com make sure you sign up for the email list to gain access to an exclusive deal and much more.

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