The music business is a formula driven industry. So much, that artists and producers find themselves being forced to conform to the latest trends and sounds that are labeled to be “the next big thing”.

RealTalkNY recently spoke with Infinity, a producer and one-half of the production team Full Scale Music, who chooses not to conform with industry standards. Having worked with R&B artist Mary J. Blige and Hip-Hop artist Lupe Fiasco, Infinity believes diversity is the key to longevity in the music industry. Read on as RealTalkNY and Infinity discuss the state of music and much more.

RTNY: For those not familiar, give the readers some background on yourself and some of your production credits.
Infinity: Infinity, and I’m originally from Connecticut, moved to Orlando FL., now in the ATL. My partner DJ lives in Jersey, he’s still in high school, that’s why he couldn’t be here. Mary J Blige’s “Take me As I Am”, Lupe Fiasco’s, “Day Dreaming”, Bow Wow and Omarion’s “Hoodstar” and Chingy’s “Gimme That” Ft. Luda and Bobby V.

RTNY: How did you form Full Scale Music?
Infinity: I met DJ in Jersey when I used to work with Darkchild. That was back in January of ’06.

RTNY: So you left Darkchild with Rodney Jerkins, how was that experience?
Infinity: Yeah I mean, the whole experience, to go work with a multi-platinum producer was great, but I think since I already had my own stuff going for me (Mary’s, “Take Me As I Am”), I wasn’t ready to join the team.

RTNY: You’re residing in Atlanta, how is the music scene down there?
Infinity: It’s crazy, everyone does music. You can’t turn the corner without someone doin’ music, it’s almost too saturated. But you have to make your niche, find your spot and make it yours, let people know you’re here.

RTNY: Right, how has it shaped your music?
Infinity: So far, really, it just has us more in tune with what people want. Before, when I was in Orlando, we just made tracks. We work with writers in the studio all the time, so we get to hear all types of direction.

RTNY: Which artist has been your favorite to work with so far?
Infinity: Actually, we haven’t worked with a lot of artists.

RTNY: Oh, ok. So you more or less send your beats to the artists?
Infinity: Yeah, for right now. We send full songs; we get in with the writers and create for the artist. The only people we went in with are Juve and Missy. It’s all about havin’ that one smash. Then labels are all over you to get with the artist.

RTNY: Yeah, that’s how it happens. Can you give some advice to the upcoming producers and artists that are reading this interview?
Infinity: A lot of these new up and comers just all sound the same. It’s a good idea to have longevity instead of being a 1 hit wonder, unless you’re just after money, find your sound and be consistent. This goes for both sides.

RTNY: What equipment do you use when making your beats?
Infinity: Our setup consists of FL Studio and an arsenal of sounds and VST’s, and a MIDI keyboard.

RTNY: Damn, I bet that costs?
Infinity: (Laughing) Nah, I got some people who know some people.

RTNY: (Laughing)
Infinity: They say it’s not what you have; it’s who is using it.

RTNY: True story. I know we keep talking about the industry, what producers do you look to for inspiration?
Infinity: Since day on, I’m still gonna always go for Timbaland.

RTNY: Good pick, he’s a beast behind the boards.
Infinity: Dude is a genius.

RTNY: What about his protégé, Danga Hands, what do you think about him?
Infinity: Yeah, I like him too. I think its hard for the whole outside industry to accept him because of his strong influence with Tim, most people think Tim did his beats.

RTNY: True.

RTNY: How would you best describe your sound?
Infinity: What’s weird is, we don’t have a sound but we do, it’s hard because I don’t think you have a sound until artists start demanding certain records.

RTNY: True, then that’s when your beats start getting a signature sound.
Infinity: Yeah, from “Hoodstar” to “Gimme That”, both those records are completely different.

RTNY: Do you think that’s good or bad?
Infinity: It could be both. A lot of time you have these producers that do the same records 30 times for different artists.

RTNY: Yeah, but someone like Polo Da Don… he went from Ciara’s “Promise” to Fergie’s “Glamorous Life”, which are completely different and shows a lot ofdiversity.
Infinity: Yeah definitely, we’ll have elements that are the same, but no record will sound exactly alike. You don’t want to get redundant.

RTNY: I applaud you for wanting to be different. So, what artists would you most like to work with?
Infinity: Thanks, man. Would love to work with Usher, he’s a beast in the studio. I’ve been in the studio with one of my boys who did some work for him. And just seeing how he works is incredible.

RTNY: A lot of cats have been counting him out since Chris Brown hit the scene.
Infinity: Yeah, but Usher will be Usher.

RTNY: Definitely.
Infinity: There are only a certain few that do numbers now; he will be one of those guys.
RTNY: Definitely.

RTNY: Mary has given you guys a lot of praise for your record, “Take Me As I Am”, how doest that feel?
Infinity: It was dope, it was unreal at first because that was my first real placement in the industry. And to have Mary’s third single, and driving around and hearing it in other people’s cars, or hearing it on people’s cell phones was like, damn I did this?

RTNY: Well, as far as beats and production, what do you think the game is missing?
Infinity: Real music. A lot of the stuff you don’t feel, its just there, then gone. Granted, we will still always have the music for the clubs, a lot of stuff is slacking.

RTNY: What do you think of the state of music?
Infinity: I don’t know, on one hand, it helps independent artists. And on the other, it messes around with artists already in the industry. I mean, it’s gonna almost be impossible to stop. Unless some new format of audio is introduced.

RTNY: Does it affect the way labels and execs deal with you money-wise?
Infinity: Oh, definitely.

RTNY: That’s messed up!
Infinity: It’s harder to get money.

RTNY: Damn, I’m pissed and I’m not even in the industry.
Infinity: (Laughing) Trust me, I feel you, labels might have you in the studio for a week and do song after song and take nothing. And all you got to show for it was a free trip and a nice hotel room. (Laughing)

RTNY: Hopefully, that’ll change for you guys.
Infinity: Yeah, it will. Like I said, the best is yet to come, we’re building a team.

RTNY: Are you looking to sign any artists?
Infinity: It’s possible, I can’t say anything yet, but I definitely want an artist. We already have a song writer with us, TC, he’s a beast.

RTNY: Do you have anywhere artists can send their music?
Infinity: Yeah def, mp3Infinity@gmail.com.

RTNY: We stay hookin’ the realtalkny fans up.
Infinity: (Laughing) It helps both of us.

RTNY: True.
Infinity: If you want our myspace, it’s myspace.com/infinitybeats.

RTNY: Well, thanks for the interview. Don’t forget about us when you win a Grammy.
Infinity: No doubt, appreciate the time. Oh, man, I already got a Grammy.

RTNY: True story?
Infinity: (Laughing) For the Mary album. It’s hanging on my wall.

RTNY: Congrats.
Infinity: Appreciate it.

RTNY: Alright man, talk to you soon.
Infinity: Thanks.

For more info on Infinity and Full Scale Music:
www.myspace.com/infinitybeats
mp3Infinity@gmail.com

This entry was posted on Monday, January 21st, 2008 at 1:03 pm and is filed under Interviews.