Ransom Reigns Crunkatlanta Magazine December 2018
Ransom Reigns Crunkatlanta Magazine December 2018
Ransom Reigns was born in Houston, TX . His love for music started soon after he and his family relocated to New Orleans, LA at a young age. After seeing the local high school bands around the city and a New Orleans traditional style of music known as “The Second Line”, Reigns would develop his own drive and passion for music. Not long after returning to Houston, Ransom joined his high school marching band. After graduation he would serve 4 years in the U.S. Navy, then make the decision to pursue a career in the industry he grew up loving. Once again , DJ Noize bringing you some more gems. To be included in an issue - Email Crunkatlanta@gmail.com or visit the website - Crunkatlanta.com then check the "PROMO" page. Thank you for your support.
https://issuu.com/crunkatlanta/docs/ransom
Ransom Reigns was born in Houston, TX . His love for music started soon after he and his family relocated to New Orleans, LA at a young age. After seeing the local high school bands around the city and a New Orleans traditional style of music known as “The Second Line”, Reigns would develop his own drive and passion for music. Not long after returning to Houston, Ransom joined his high school marching band. After graduation he would serve 4 years in the U.S. Navy, then make the decision to pursue a career in the industry he grew up loving. Once again , DJ Noize bringing you some more gems. To be included in an issue - Email Crunkatlanta@gmail.com or visit the website - Crunkatlanta.com then check the "PROMO" page. Thank you for your support.
https://issuu.com/crunkatlanta/docs/ransom
CRUNKATLANTA's 30 QUESTIONS
1. How long have you been doing what you’re doing and how did you get started in the first place?
I’ve been in the in industry for about 15 years. I broke into the industry professionally as a recording engineer. Prior to that I started producing as a “hobby”.
2. Who were the first influences on your music and style?
Dr. Dre, Just Blaze, Lil John, Manny Fresh, DJ Paul & Juicy J, Mike Shinoda, CFO$, Jim Johnston, 3 Doors Down, Breaking Benjamin, Linkin Park, Papa Roach, Jimmy Hendrix, DJ Screw, Amy Lee
3. In your opinion who is the most influential and successful artist in your genre today and why?
Honestly there isn’t anyone else making music like me. I’ve created my own genre that I call “Trap Rock”. I would have to say Ransom Reigns, myself is the most influential artist in my genre. Any other artists in this genre come after me.
4. Which famous song or sound production, ultimately describes what you’d like your music productions to sound like?
Tracks by producers and bands like DJ Toomp, Skillet, Evenessence, Dr. Dre & Linkin Park
5. Do you think your music is mostly enjoyed more for the beats or for the lyrical flow and content?
Hopefully when people listen to my music they hear a complete musical composition that they can vibe to forever. The foundation of my sound has always been my production. I try to make tracks that not only support the story im telling through my song writing but also give people something to dance and nod their heads to. From a lyrical perspective I have a very distinctive voice and I like to write from a conscious place that goes much deeper than the copycat materialism-based concepts that’s permeate throughout today’s hiphop culture.
6. Do you make your own beats and write your own lyrics? If yes what software or equipment do you prefer using?
If you don’t do any of this by yourself, how do you get this done? I do write all my own lyrics and songs. I also produce and compose my own tracks. At the moment I’m currently using Reason 9.5 in my producer’s toolbox. I’ve been using reason for about 9 years now. I’m also using the MPC Studio Black. Sometimes I’ll use a single platform to make one beat and other times I may combine them. I even play with live musicians at times.
7. If you could choose to work with some of today’s established artists or producers, to move your game to the top, with whom would you like to collaborate?
As far as hip hop I’d like to work with The Migos and Young Dolph and legends like the Dungeon Family. But in rock I’d like to work with Amy Lee of Evensessence and Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park.
8. Which latest songs, videos or mixtapes releases are currently available to your fans and where can they be heard or downloaded?
You can find all my latest music on my website WWW.RansomReignsTrax.com. You can also get my new single on Spotify & Apple Music/iTunes as well as Amazon, Google Play and all other online retailers. Follow me on Spotify and iTunes and add me to your personal playlists.
9. Which ingredient do you think is most essential in making your sound and style the way it is?
Keys & Scales (Music Theory)
10. What led to your style of delivery and beat-selection??
My delivery is unique yet diverse. Meaning my voice is distinct, but at the same time my delivery on 2 different songs would probably be different. I form it around the track. As a producer while it is important to have your own sound you don’t want all of your stuff to sound the same. So I challenge myself to go out of the box and come back with something new and different.
11. What aspect of the music making process excites you most, and what aspect discourages you the most?
My favorite 2 aspects of the music making process are producing and songwriting. I love composing and coming up with a new track then writing to it coming up with a new song out of absolutely nothing.
12. How involved are you in the recording, producing, mastering, marketing, and other processes needed to make and sell your music, and do you outsource any part of these processes?
I’ve always been very hands on with every part of my career. I produce and write all my own music. Being a certified recording engineer, I have mixed and recorded my own music before. I’ll normally outsource the mastering though. I also manage the business and admin side of my career with things like marketing, booking, publishing, Etc.
13. Do you think the advent of internet and all the new technology has helped your music and independent musicians in general, or do you think it just creates a mass of mediocre “copycats” who flood the web, making it difficult to distinguish yourself?
The answer to both of those questions are yes. Let me explain. It has never been easier to record music and get it out to the masses. So with that comes a lot of bad artists saturating the market with bad music. There’s no longer a “screening process”. On the flip side, if you are a talented artist the internet can be your best friend, assisting with marketing, promotions, advertising and tons of other valuable resources that 10-20 years ago were only available to major labels.
14. In your experience thus far, what is the best piece of advice in this business you actually followed? And one you didn’t follow, but now know for sure that you should have?
Don't take anything personal in this business is the best advice I've been given in this industry.
15. Being an independent artist, which is the one factor, above all else, that you currently desire most (increased music distribution, better quality production, more media exposure, more club and live performances etc…)?
For me I would have to it's major film & tv placements which im in the process of shopping around for right now.
16. Where do you distribute and promote your music (Amazon, iTunes, CD Baby, Your own Website, YouTube etc…) and why do you think this channel works best for you?
Fans can follow me and add my new single to their playlist from Spotify and Apple Music/iTunes. You can also go to my website for more music, info and everything about me on my website WWW.RansomReignsTrax.com
17. How important do you think video is to your music, and how do you produce your videos?
- no answer
18. Is going Platinum or winning a Grammy important to you, and If you were forced to make only one choice, which of the two would you choose and why?
Both are very important but for different reasons. Of the 2 the Grammy is more important to me than going platinum, because of not only the prestige of being recognized by the Recording Academy for your talents but also the opportunities that come after winning such an award.
19. What in your opinion is the biggest barrier an artist like yourself, has to face and overcome, to gain any commercial success?
- no answer
20. In closing, tell us something about any projects and ideas you have in store or are already working on?
I’m currently working on my first film project entitled “Behind The Smoke”, which is a documentary about my life as a musician. It’s the first project from my film company “Remarkable One”. I’m also doing the sound FX and producing the music for the theme song for a cartoon project created by a good friend of mine. I also recently launched my beat store which is available on my website WWW.RansomReignsTrax.com where artists, bands, rappers and singers can buy original and professional beats/tracks.
21. What got you into music?
As a kid I lived in New Orleans, a city that has always had a thriving music culture. In New Orleans the high school band culture is really big. As I was In elementary school I used to hear and see the high school bands practicing and playing around the city. That started my passion to wanting to be a musician. I would go on to join my high school band where I played the trumpet and in the city wide band the tenor drum.. After my time in the military I would graduate from Full Sail University with a degree in recording arts. From there I began doing music professionally.
22. What's the most important item in your music collection?
My laptop and (2) external 500 GB hard drives
23. How would you describe yourself as an artist?
- no answer
24. How do you think you differ from other artists?
Unlike most artists and musicians, I’m very business savvy when it comes to my career. From developing marketing and promotions plans to my own distribution and publishing. I take a proactive role in managing my music career, and running my production company/record label “Popular Uprising” which is the opposite of most artists in this business.
25. What’s the last track you listened to?
Papa Roach-Gravity
26. Who do you think the most influential artist in UK Hip-Hop is?
- no answer
27. What’s your guilty pleasure?
- no answer
28. Hip Hop outside of the USA, Do you have any favorites?
- no answer
29. What drives you to complete your craft ?
Wanting to be the greatest at what I do
30. Flashing money, the women and the cars in videos - Do you think many just don't have creative ideas or is this what they believe fans want to see?
I believe it stems from the artists’ lack of creativity in today’s hip hp music videos. I like the creativity of a lot of rock videos I’ve seen because they actually tell a story and take you on a journey.
1. How long have you been doing what you’re doing and how did you get started in the first place?
I’ve been in the in industry for about 15 years. I broke into the industry professionally as a recording engineer. Prior to that I started producing as a “hobby”.
2. Who were the first influences on your music and style?
Dr. Dre, Just Blaze, Lil John, Manny Fresh, DJ Paul & Juicy J, Mike Shinoda, CFO$, Jim Johnston, 3 Doors Down, Breaking Benjamin, Linkin Park, Papa Roach, Jimmy Hendrix, DJ Screw, Amy Lee
3. In your opinion who is the most influential and successful artist in your genre today and why?
Honestly there isn’t anyone else making music like me. I’ve created my own genre that I call “Trap Rock”. I would have to say Ransom Reigns, myself is the most influential artist in my genre. Any other artists in this genre come after me.
4. Which famous song or sound production, ultimately describes what you’d like your music productions to sound like?
Tracks by producers and bands like DJ Toomp, Skillet, Evenessence, Dr. Dre & Linkin Park
5. Do you think your music is mostly enjoyed more for the beats or for the lyrical flow and content?
Hopefully when people listen to my music they hear a complete musical composition that they can vibe to forever. The foundation of my sound has always been my production. I try to make tracks that not only support the story im telling through my song writing but also give people something to dance and nod their heads to. From a lyrical perspective I have a very distinctive voice and I like to write from a conscious place that goes much deeper than the copycat materialism-based concepts that’s permeate throughout today’s hiphop culture.
6. Do you make your own beats and write your own lyrics? If yes what software or equipment do you prefer using?
If you don’t do any of this by yourself, how do you get this done? I do write all my own lyrics and songs. I also produce and compose my own tracks. At the moment I’m currently using Reason 9.5 in my producer’s toolbox. I’ve been using reason for about 9 years now. I’m also using the MPC Studio Black. Sometimes I’ll use a single platform to make one beat and other times I may combine them. I even play with live musicians at times.
7. If you could choose to work with some of today’s established artists or producers, to move your game to the top, with whom would you like to collaborate?
As far as hip hop I’d like to work with The Migos and Young Dolph and legends like the Dungeon Family. But in rock I’d like to work with Amy Lee of Evensessence and Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park.
8. Which latest songs, videos or mixtapes releases are currently available to your fans and where can they be heard or downloaded?
You can find all my latest music on my website WWW.RansomReignsTrax.com. You can also get my new single on Spotify & Apple Music/iTunes as well as Amazon, Google Play and all other online retailers. Follow me on Spotify and iTunes and add me to your personal playlists.
9. Which ingredient do you think is most essential in making your sound and style the way it is?
Keys & Scales (Music Theory)
10. What led to your style of delivery and beat-selection??
My delivery is unique yet diverse. Meaning my voice is distinct, but at the same time my delivery on 2 different songs would probably be different. I form it around the track. As a producer while it is important to have your own sound you don’t want all of your stuff to sound the same. So I challenge myself to go out of the box and come back with something new and different.
11. What aspect of the music making process excites you most, and what aspect discourages you the most?
My favorite 2 aspects of the music making process are producing and songwriting. I love composing and coming up with a new track then writing to it coming up with a new song out of absolutely nothing.
12. How involved are you in the recording, producing, mastering, marketing, and other processes needed to make and sell your music, and do you outsource any part of these processes?
I’ve always been very hands on with every part of my career. I produce and write all my own music. Being a certified recording engineer, I have mixed and recorded my own music before. I’ll normally outsource the mastering though. I also manage the business and admin side of my career with things like marketing, booking, publishing, Etc.
13. Do you think the advent of internet and all the new technology has helped your music and independent musicians in general, or do you think it just creates a mass of mediocre “copycats” who flood the web, making it difficult to distinguish yourself?
The answer to both of those questions are yes. Let me explain. It has never been easier to record music and get it out to the masses. So with that comes a lot of bad artists saturating the market with bad music. There’s no longer a “screening process”. On the flip side, if you are a talented artist the internet can be your best friend, assisting with marketing, promotions, advertising and tons of other valuable resources that 10-20 years ago were only available to major labels.
14. In your experience thus far, what is the best piece of advice in this business you actually followed? And one you didn’t follow, but now know for sure that you should have?
Don't take anything personal in this business is the best advice I've been given in this industry.
15. Being an independent artist, which is the one factor, above all else, that you currently desire most (increased music distribution, better quality production, more media exposure, more club and live performances etc…)?
For me I would have to it's major film & tv placements which im in the process of shopping around for right now.
16. Where do you distribute and promote your music (Amazon, iTunes, CD Baby, Your own Website, YouTube etc…) and why do you think this channel works best for you?
Fans can follow me and add my new single to their playlist from Spotify and Apple Music/iTunes. You can also go to my website for more music, info and everything about me on my website WWW.RansomReignsTrax.com
17. How important do you think video is to your music, and how do you produce your videos?
- no answer
18. Is going Platinum or winning a Grammy important to you, and If you were forced to make only one choice, which of the two would you choose and why?
Both are very important but for different reasons. Of the 2 the Grammy is more important to me than going platinum, because of not only the prestige of being recognized by the Recording Academy for your talents but also the opportunities that come after winning such an award.
19. What in your opinion is the biggest barrier an artist like yourself, has to face and overcome, to gain any commercial success?
- no answer
20. In closing, tell us something about any projects and ideas you have in store or are already working on?
I’m currently working on my first film project entitled “Behind The Smoke”, which is a documentary about my life as a musician. It’s the first project from my film company “Remarkable One”. I’m also doing the sound FX and producing the music for the theme song for a cartoon project created by a good friend of mine. I also recently launched my beat store which is available on my website WWW.RansomReignsTrax.com where artists, bands, rappers and singers can buy original and professional beats/tracks.
21. What got you into music?
As a kid I lived in New Orleans, a city that has always had a thriving music culture. In New Orleans the high school band culture is really big. As I was In elementary school I used to hear and see the high school bands practicing and playing around the city. That started my passion to wanting to be a musician. I would go on to join my high school band where I played the trumpet and in the city wide band the tenor drum.. After my time in the military I would graduate from Full Sail University with a degree in recording arts. From there I began doing music professionally.
22. What's the most important item in your music collection?
My laptop and (2) external 500 GB hard drives
23. How would you describe yourself as an artist?
- no answer
24. How do you think you differ from other artists?
Unlike most artists and musicians, I’m very business savvy when it comes to my career. From developing marketing and promotions plans to my own distribution and publishing. I take a proactive role in managing my music career, and running my production company/record label “Popular Uprising” which is the opposite of most artists in this business.
25. What’s the last track you listened to?
Papa Roach-Gravity
26. Who do you think the most influential artist in UK Hip-Hop is?
- no answer
27. What’s your guilty pleasure?
- no answer
28. Hip Hop outside of the USA, Do you have any favorites?
- no answer
29. What drives you to complete your craft ?
Wanting to be the greatest at what I do
30. Flashing money, the women and the cars in videos - Do you think many just don't have creative ideas or is this what they believe fans want to see?
I believe it stems from the artists’ lack of creativity in today’s hip hp music videos. I like the creativity of a lot of rock videos I’ve seen because they actually tell a story and take you on a journey.
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