Daily Inspiration: Meet Phenom Da DON

Today we’d like to introduce you to Phenom Da DON.

Hi Phenom Da DON, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always been into music since I can remember. First song I remember was Boyz II Men – End of the Road. I used to play that song over and over and play my drums when I was little, Then I found out about Michael Jackson and I was hooked ever since.

Fast forward to 2004, my sophomore year in High school. One of my friends put me onto FL Studio and I started making my own beats. Once I graduated in 2007, I knew that being a Producer is what I wanted to do. I went to A.I.U. for two years and learned the Basics of recording and started recording my brother and our other friends. I quickly started to build a name on the Nawfside of Atlanta for being one of the go to people for music.

Then my brother introduced me to Quavo from the Migos because they played football and baseball together. Back then they were the Polo Club, and I was making beats and recording them from my house. Quavo said he wanted me to be their main producer and I asked him what type of sound they were looking for, and he told me they wanted Zaytoven Type beats. So I did my best Zay Impersonation and that’s why a lot of my early work with them had that sound. Shortly after we started working around 2012, they started gaining a buzz around the Nawfside and were pushing Bando (prod. by @Juvie_escobar) everywhere. Round that, I also produced “Jumpin’ out the Gym” and they were pushing that along with “Bando”. Soon they got the attention of Gucci Mane and Quavo famously bumped into Zaytoven in the club. After that, they linked up with P. and Coach K and started QC and signed me as one of the First Producers along with @Mercybeatzofficial in 2013. When they dropped their First Mixtape, YRN, I produced “Jumpin’ out the Gym Remix”, “Adios”, “Finesser”. 2014 they Dropped No Label 2 where I produced Anti-Dope with @MurdaBeatz. Also that year they dropped Rich Nigga Timeline, where I also Produced “Bachelors” with @Tank816 and “Take Her” with @deemoney. In 2016, on the YRN 2 Mixtape I produced “Trippin’” which would be the last time we worked together.

Between 2017 and 2020, I started to do my own thing and started building relationships and Recording and Producing a lot of local acts from the Nawfside which include @Jo3sph333 @JusJayR, @CeoSauce, @Reck442, @iamsaphyre, @s.e.tquip and @MarloKyng to name a few. Around this time, I started to transition my sound from a more Trap style to R&B and linked up with Songwriters @pendrick, @Shemonluster and Producer @prodbyjminor and we worked on a lot of demos for placements. During this time, we realized that We were sitting on too much Heat to just wait around for artists and AnRs to notice us, so to circumvent all the politics and bullshit, We decided to start putting out these songs ourselves and in 2022 @shemonluster, @prodbyjminor and myself put out a single called “Dive In”.

As of right now, I’ve started my own production company, New .Wavz Only LLC and I’m looking to put together a team of writers and producers to start cranking out demos and songs.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has had its ups and downs. I lost my grandma in 2003 right before I got started. I lost my mom in 2018 and my dad in 2020. They always supported me and their memory is what keeps me going. I only wish I could have made it happen sooner so they could be here to see it.

Music-wise, it’s alot of politics and red tape. Alot of hurry up and wait, especially when it comes to getting paid. Alot of homeboy favoritism, and I’m not mad at putting your people on, but sometimes they aren’t always the most qualified or most talented choice.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a Music Producer and Audio Engineer. I specialize in Hip-Hop/R&B/Trap. For production, I am known for style of production, my sound and the way I utilize samples in my beats. Mix-wise, I am known for my quality and crisp, clean sound that knocks. I am most proud of the sound I have created over the years. What sets me apart is my knowledge of music and its nuances. I am a student of the game and I just love music.

How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I am really willing to work with anybody as long as you are good at what you do. You can contact my manager @m_anthony1416 on Instagram or you can contact me on Instagram @iamphenomdadon. All my content and work are in my link tree. https://linktr.ee/Phenom

Contact Info:

• Email: new.wavzmgmt@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamphenomdadon/
• Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/iamphenomdadon/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/PhenomDaDON
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/iamphenomdadon

Image Credits
@KingWyrez