Getting To Know Nima Fadavi
This interview is proof that Twitter is useful for more than dating site spam or ways to whiten your teeth for $5. Without Twitter I probably would have never got to talk with this producer and, in turn, would have never had the chance to do this interview.
Nima Fadavi is a Bay Area producer who has had the pleasure of working with independent hip-hop essentials such as Del The Funky Homosapien and Pep Love of Hieroglyphics, The Grouch and Sunspot Jonz of Living Legends, Killah Priest of Wu-Tang, Sab (formerly Musab), and the list goes on.
Knowing that the key to longevity in the business is progression and evolution, this won’t be the last you will hear of Nima Fadavi.
Was there a specific event or moment of epiphany that made you say, “Hey, I want to produce music!”?
NF: When I was younger I was into break dancing and graffiti, and I eventually grew into producing because I wanted to be more involved with the music. I had been playing Piano and Guitar already when I was younger so growing into producing came pretty naturally.
Was it difficult for you to break into the hip-hop scene?
NF: It’s not as much the difficulty of it but the ability to put in a lot of hard work and dedication. You can’t really have a career in music without pulling your entire life into it and for some people that’s difficult to do. It was difficult at first for me but it eventually just became second nature.
You’ve had the pleasure of working with two very respected and well-known indie hip-hop groups. How did you get hooked up working with the Hiero and Legends crews?
NF: About a year and a half ago I had a show with Sunspot Jonz in Santa Cruz. We ended up kicking it that night after the show and the next day. He needed a ride to San Francisco the day after the show so I gave him one and on the way I played him a bunch of beats and he was really liking a few. We ended up recording “Hug Bacardi” that same day, and I spent the next few days with him just kicking it in the studio and we became friends. Just kicking it with him and being around lead to me linking with some of the other dudes in Legends. With Hiero it was a similar thing except with Pep Love. I was always around doing shows and we crossed paths enough times to where we became friends. I gave him a beat CD and he hit me up sometime after and played me a track he recorded which was “Change Is.” After being around and in the studio with him all the time we became good friends and he needed a DJ. I naturally fell into DJing for him. Being highly involved with Pep lead to me linking up with the other guys in Hiero.
Some crazy stuff can happen while touring. What is the most bizarre thing you’ve witnessed while on the road?
NF: Hahah I get asked this question in interviews all the time and I really never have a good answer for it. I don’t really party that much anymore and try and stay focused and working on music, even when on the road.
I don’t really party that much anymore and try and stay focused and working on music, even when on the road.
You’ve mentioned various sponsors, mainly clothing companies. Two questions on this topic – First off how did you get hooked up with these certain companies? Second, are you a clothing junkie?
NF: I have a few clothing companies that I really like (Stussy, Acrylick, Original Normal, Teruo Artistry, Danksquad, Counter Balance). I linked with them and over time of consistent communication I got several sponsorships. I love helping independent companies out because they show a lot of love to me and it helps cross promote myself and them. I’m not really a clothing junkie though, haha, just a fan.
If you had a DeLorean outfitted with a flux capacitor that just happened to travel in time, what decision or event in your life would you go back and change?
NF: I would definitely go back and start over from the beginning but incorporate all the lessons and things I’ve learned through the years of experience.
While keeping on the travel topic, if you could travel any where in the world, where would you go?
NF: A lot of different places but mainly I’ve wanted to take a surf trip to Costa Rica for a long time (I used to surf a lot), but for music I really want to perform in Japan, I heard it’s crazy out there.
Everyone has that “holy grail” object or accomplishment in life. What is yours?
NF: I just want to make a good living doing what I love to do and live comfortably.
You just dropped “Behind The Beat Vol.1”, is there a specific reason this series was created?
NF: I think it’s really important when your involved in music whether you’re a rapper, producer, DJ, etc., that in order to be successful you have to adapt to the industry model of the time. My idea of adapting to the industry model of our current time as a producer is that producers need to promote themselves the same way a rapper or band would promote themselves (putting out albums, selling merch, etc.). With downloads becoming extremely popular, I wanted to put out some free music to help build momentum and a buzz for myself. Behind the Beat is a series of free albums I’ll be putting out that are collections of tracks I’ve produced with guest appearances by a lot of various artists. Volume 1 is already available for free download at www.nimafadavibeats.com, and features The Grouch, Pep Love, Sunspot Jonz, Killah Priest, Sab, and more.
In order to be successful you have to adapt to the industry model of the time.
I’m going to put you on the spot here. Out of the plethora of artists you’ve worked with, who is your favorite to collaborate with?
NF: I’d have to say Sunspot Jonz. Anyone who knows him knows he’s really funny and never a dull moment in the studio with him.
You’ve worked with nearly the entire west-coast underground roster. Is there anyone left that you would like to collaborate with?
NF: Hahah I definitely wouldn’t say I’ve worked with the entire west-coast underground roster. There’s a lot of people I want to work with from the west-coast that I haven’t. Evidence, Messy Marv, Z Man, Fashawn, Strong Arm Steady, Ya Boy, Eligh, and so much more.
In your opinion, who are some of the hottest producers in the game right now?
NF: The Alchemist, Evidence, Jake One, A-Plus, and Eligh.
Is there a certain producer you really look up to? If so, who and how come?
NF: Evidence and Alchemist. One of my first hip hop tapes when I was younger was Dilated Peoples – The Platform (produced a lot by them both). They continually put out good original quality music, and as a kid I’ve always been highly influenced by their music.
Being a producer and working with numerous lyricists you get to see what characteristics each individual artist is working with. What do you think are some attributes that make a great MC?
NF: That’s a really tough question that I don’t know I could answer. Everyone is so different and I’ve worked with numerous great MC’s that all have completely different attributes.
Have you ever tried rapping?
NF: Hahah nope. That’s one of those things I don’t think I’ll ever do.
I’ve always wondered if producers want to create music in a completely different genre. Do you have any desire to produce an album that isn’t hip-hop?
NF: Yeah absolutely. Even though I mainly produce hip hop, I’ve produced a lot of reggae tracks for people. I still continue to produce reggae and I’ll definitely be producing more.
To stay current and not fade out of the game, you constantly have to keep your music fresh. Where do you find inspiration for your music?
NF: A lot of things but mainly the people and friends that surround me on a daily basis. Sometimes it’s hard to just go in and make some music, I have to feel somewhat inspired or motivated but once you get a good day of work in you get momentum and it helps keep you inspired.
When you look back at your entire catalog of music, what work stands out?
NF: A lot of the music I’ve done with central coast rapper Sincere. We have an entire album that hasn’t been released yet but I definitely have to say it’s my personal favorite work I’ve done. The album will be coming out mid 2010.
Everyone has one. What is your shoe brand of choice?
NF: Nike Blazers, and Chucks.
What equipment do you use to make your beats?
NF: I use my MPC for sampling and drums, and then I track everything out into Pro Tools and add additional instruments through there.
Any final shout outs or thank yous?
NF: Shout outs to Ineffable Music Group, Sincere, Pep Love, and thank you to my sponsors Stussy, Original Normal, Acrylick, & Danksquad. And of course aboveGround Magazine!
Keep up to date with Nima’s projects through his website and follow him on Twitter for the latest news and events.
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