Today we’d like to introduce you to Beats By Hod.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My name is Jihad Jenkins professionally known as BeatsByHod. I am a Music Producer & Audio Engineer, making a name for myself. Linking up with some of Hip-Hop’s known talents producing songs for artist like Killer Mike, Pastor Troy, DG Yola, and T-Rock.
At the age of 13, I was introduced to a program called FL Studio by a neighborhood friend in Morrow, GA, at the time I wasn’t taking Music Production seriously, really just playing around with it from time to time. When I turned 16, I really started getting more engaged into the program, but still was treating it as a hobby. I thought it was fun coming up with drum patterns, cause of the fact when I was in elementary school, I would often make beats on my desk with using a pencil tip as a hi-hat. After days and weeks went by, I started becoming more in tune with using the program, so I decided to take it seriously. When I got in high school, I would do whatever it took to make as many good beats as I could, so I found myself staying up late working on beats. At the time I was influenced by Timbaland, Scott Storch, & Zaytoven. It wasn’t until I was listening to Young Jeezy for the first time. I used to be like “Damn, who makes his beats”? So by doing my research, found out it was a guy who goes by Shawty Redd. When I heard his sound, I was blown away and immediately started trying to imitate his sound, eventually I turned it into my own sound in my own unique way. Along my journey, I started meeting producers who had this same similar sound like BWheezy Beats, Sonny Digital, Metro Boomin & more. Having a sound influenced by music producer Shawty Redd, I started finding artist around the Southside of Atlanta to network with and to potentially produce music for. I started putting out mixtapes with different artist that I was working with. I would release one every year from 2008 to 2013. During those times in 2010, I attended the Art Institute of Atlanta, to study Audio Engineering, where I learned the basics but, ended up leaving in 2012, During that time I ended up working with one of my favorite underground rapper who goes by the name T-Rock (former Hypnotize Minds), on a song called Campaign. It was exciting finding out I was going to produce a song for my favorite underground artist. After that took my college studies to Full Sail University, which I didn’t finish. Now I’m currently studying at Atlanta Institute of Music & Media & will be expected to graduate in March. During my years of my career, I’ve worked with a lot of people including Killer Mike, Pastor Troy, DG Yola, T-Rock, Bobby Shmurda and more.
In 2019, I decided to start my own online beatstore website (BeatsByHod.com), artist are able to go and purchase tracks for an affordable price.
I have a lot of things still in motion and a lot of people to work with. As we move into 2021, I plan on working with more artist, music producers, and audio engineers. So just stay tuned in!!!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Yes, there were a lot of struggles on the way. I remember times when my hard drive would crash or my computer would crash and I would lose so many beats and project files. Falling out with artist over business matters, not getting placements with certain artist. But in my perspective, it’s all a learning curve.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I am a Music Producer/Audio Engineer.
When it comes to music production, I’m known for making scary, trap, dark sounding beats. That’s like my signature sound. It attracts local and independent artist to my beats. I use the music production software FL Studio along with custom Instrument plug-ins to make my beats. I usually produce up-tempo dark sound with distinguishing heavy 808s & kicks along with some custom sounding open hats and chopped up hi-hats.
What were you like growing up?
Watching cartoons from the 90s, like Rugrats, Rocko’s Modern Life, Animaniacs, The PJ’s, Hey Arnold, Pinky & The Brain, the list can go on and on. I really enjoyed going outside playing, riding my bike, just doing things a normal kid would do. Wish I could go back to that sometimes.
Contact Info:
- Website: BeatsByHod.com
- Email: BeatsByHod@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beatsbyhod
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialbeatsbyhod
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/BeatsByHod
Image Credit:
BeatsByHod
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