Ant, The Producer is one of Florida’s most promising artists on the rise today. The producer has been releasing loose instrumentals and short EPs throughout 2022 and each one introduces us to a new side of Ant’s creativity. The gospel-influenced Alive EP is a three-track clinic that combines classic sample chops with drum-and-bass style drum patterns while the single “61” uses more electronic elements to add a rich texture to the loosey.
Ant is a natural collaborator, along with the solo material he has been behind some of That Feel Records’ best releases this year. Most recently, he made the angelic beat you hear on Beloveddd’s single “Gorgeous”. Ant is able to create dynamic instrumentals that allow vocalists to shine creating a fresh sound that you will only find on That Feel Records.
Ant, The Producer sat down to discuss his creative process, religion, and his plans for the second half of 2022. Read the full interview below:
Where did you grow up?
Grew up in North Lauderdale and Lauderhill, Broward County.
What kind of music did you grow up listening to?
I was listening to R&B, Soul, Underground Rap, Mainstream Hip-Hop, Reggae, and Dancehall. Coming from a Jamaican heritage had me listening to diverse music early yet I was still paying attention to the radio and what was popular.
How did you get into producing?
I got into production because my friends wanted to rap when we were mad young. Probably like 13/14. Pen game wasn’t it so I Ended up downloading FL 9 if I’m not mistaken and made some trash there too lol. Put that down until like 2016 when I was living in Orlando. I was still learning as I was going but I started to see progress and just didn’t stop until it was listenable and enjoyable
Is there a motto you always look to when you’re feeling stuck creatively?
If I feel stuck creatively, I just listen. I have the motto “Learn. Create. Teach.” as a way of life so if I’m not creating, I look to one of the other two aspects of my life to go to.
I hear a lot of gospel influences in your instrumentals, are you religious at all or was it a part of your childhood in any way?
I wouldn’t say I claim any one religion. My people are Christian but I wouldn’t say that I am at this moment. I’m a believer in God and see Him/Her in all of my experiences and a majority of the people im around.
You also have a song on your Bandcamp called “TURIYA” which is a philosophy presented in Hinduism if I’m not mistaken, do you study a lot of religions?
That’s a good find. I don’t study as much as I l would like to but I plan on being well versed in religious texts from all backgrounds. I’d like to learn how to relate to as many people as possible thru learning about the foundations/philosophies that they live by. That Turiya song came about from listening to Alice Coltrane and listening to her and her son’s interviews.
Do you feel your environment can affect you creatively? What do you keep around the studio that keeps you focused?
Your environment can completely influence your creation. The vibes around, the people around, the conversation. It all gets relayed back into the creation alongside how I’m feeling in the moment. Really, the studio is inspiration as soon as you walk in. We got Gryff’s priceless artwork hanging, dozens of vinyls, and the creative essence constantly lingering in the room. We just get to it from there.
I see you’ve done some mixing/mastering work and I’ve always heard how tedious that process can be, what is your process like?
Mixing/mastering work has been probably the biggest battle in these last 2/3 years. Because it’s not always about my vision. I’m basically a vessel for the people I’m working for, in essence. I can interpolate what has worked for me to achieve a desirable sound but sometimes it may not resonate w the client and we just have to work at it until we get a product that paints the accurate picture. Recently, I’ve been in a groove where that process has become streamlined and I’m able to be more efficient yet I’m always looking to improve.
How long have you been mixing and mastering? What inspired you to get into that?
I’ve been recording, mixing, and mastering for others for ab 3/4 years now. It was really the way to monetize my skill with music and the fact that I’m a decent communicator. One of the lights in my life put me down w a studio manager at GlassHouse Studios after I’d been basically interning with my good friend/sensei Elvis actress at his home studio for a cool minute. My timeline might be a little off but regardless. One time for her, Steven and Joey at GlassHouse, and the big homie E.
Do you remember your first beat placement? How did that come about?
My first beat placement… damn. I really believe the first person to rap on a beat of mine was Shaun (@ihateshaun). I don’t think we ever released that and quite frankly, I’m cool with that LMAO. Was not my best work but he was digging it. My first placement to be released was by Bryce Aevry. Not sure if the song is still up but it was a song called Atlantis Ft. Sam Stan.
What is your decision process like for keeping a beat for a solo release and giving it to a vocalist to use?
That’s a great question. I’m mad generous when it comes to music so if I hear my brothers on a beat, I’m sending it to them. It’s a decision to not make it about yourself and give your dawg a soundscape to tell their truth on. Some beats are the truth without vocals though. Might even be considered too much for an artist to really have space. Those are usually the ones I’ll keep for a beat tape or something of that essence.
You drop relatively frequently, how often are you in the studio? what does your unreleased catalog look like?
I’m in the studio every day man. I have mini setups everywhere that I constantly am, truthfully. I’m usually at That Feel Studios at least 4/7 days out of the week. My personal unreleased catalog is madddd. Got projects w my vocals on it, a couple beat tapes, a project w CA$$O, a project w Beloveddd. Got tracks with Gryff as either a co-producer or as the featured artist and the same goes for Donny Marvo. Got a great jam w Bryce in the cut that I’ve been dying to get out. Got plenty work with my brother Vader. Just really getting plans together for these next couple TFR drops before I really press forward w the ascension of my personal catalog.
What are your plans for the second half of 2022?
The second half of 2022 is going to be very purposeful when it comes to releases. We have Velvet by CA$$O and GRYFFYTH on the way. Goldeneye by Beloveddd and GRYFFYTH. That Feel and Friends by the whole camp. An instrumental by a group within the group entitled the Soul Brothers EP. Got a personal beat tape that’s finished. May throw loosies out every now and then. We have a lot to drop. We’re just strategizing. Personally, I’m trying to show how consistent we’ve been in creating by creating that consistency with releasing. We create every day man. Plenty jams to be dropped.