Today we’d like to introduce you to David Massey.
David, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’m the founder and CEO of Owdareech Productions LLC and was inspired to become a producer by my older brother. I would sneak into his brother’s room and play his records while studying the producer and writer credits on the album covers and labels. I was born in Shelby, North Carolina.
I was a rapper in high school and in 1988, moved to Georgia stopped rapping and became a producer from that point on. I attended the iconic Jack The Rapper Convention in the early 1990s and met several inspirational people in the music business. My first piece of equipment was a Casio SK-5. Throughout the years I’ve acquired the Roland DR 670, Ensoniq ASR X, Reason 3, Akai MPC 200XL, the Akai MPC studio and the MPC Renaissance, and the MPC X is my main source of production. Some of my musical influences are the legendary Soul artists such as Earth, Wind & Fire, Curtis Mayfield, Stevie Wonder and The Detroit Spinners. Hip Hop icons such as D.J. Marley Marl, Mantronix, Run–DMC, D.J. Premier and the RZA and the list goes on. Also, I was heavily influenced by 80’s pop music. I’ve produced quite a few legendary artists like Kid Capri, Daddy-O of Stetsasonic, Goodz Da Animal, Leaders of The New School, Jim Jones, Greg Nice of Nice & Smooth, Sadat X of Brand Nubian and Ke Turner, J. Nolan and others. I’m a two-time ATL PBA Beat Battle Champion, I’m a member and multiple MVP of the undefeated ATL Track Monsters which is one of the many teams of the National Beat Battle Association.
For a little over a year, I’ve been perfecting my sync licensing songs and tracks for sync opportunities. I’m signed with multiple sync companies/agencies as a composer. I specialize in cinematic, sports, pop music and Hip Hop songs. I have a group of talented artists that record to my production. It’s going very well I’m fortunate to have connected with them 2023 will be a good year for all creatives involved.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Most definitely, there has been challenges during my journey but well worth the effort. Just to name a few, when I would work with certain rappers before sync, I came across artists who wanted tracks at no charge. It’s a never-ending battle of the producer not being appreciated, I’ve learned to make patience a top priority because this industry is a journey not a marathon. I’ve learned to celebrate the victories while not getting comfortable and not being discouraged when situations don’t pan out when or how you expect them to. Everything happens in God’s time. This business isn’t for the nonpassionate I’ve reinvented myself from producing Boom Bap underground hip hop for over 30 years to composing pop, Latin, RnB, drill, trap, etc. for sync. Learning the structure and elements of sync songs was truly an adjustment. Thankfully there’s many options available to assist in the knowledge of sync licensing production. Most of all, I feel that a strong support system is needed and w/ that support system, I’m constantly improving on balancing my family time and studio time. Adding on to the support system, I value real feedback I’m blessed to have non-filtered people in my circle; if they feel that my work can be better, they let me know and I’m appreciative for that.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Producing Boom Bap hip hop has lead to me being the 2X ATL PBA Beat Battle Champion, Multi MVP of the undefeated Atl Track Monsters of the National Beat Battle Association therefore, I’ll always will produce Boom Bap. However, Sync Licensing for TV and film is new, refreshing and allows me to challenge myself with different types of tracks. Popularity is not a factor sync libraries focus on the quality of songs not how many followers you have. Your music is timeless. For example, when I make a sports track with marching band drums, it will get placed over and over again for years, it’s not dated, it can be used year after year and can be used by multiple companies consecutively and get paid each time it airs. I literally make money in my sleep.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
For all inspiring creatives stay passionate, be true to yourself, never stop, always have fun and be patient to do the work results will follow. Know your worth, treat everyone with respect and do good business. Use your resources unlike when I was younger; this generation has YouTube, I.G., Facebook and many other outlets and technology (Cell Phones) to promote your craft; if you’re not taking advantage of those things, you’re making it harder for yourself. Don’t worry about views someone is always watching. Educate yourself and learn the business; you can learn how to do anything on the internet. And stay humble and never compromise your integrity; build relationships but keep your circle small.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/owdareechproductions/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/david.massey.5074
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@owdareechgotbeats36
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/david-massey-222236088
- Other: https://www.beatstars.com/owdareechbeats
