Indie Insights: Beats By Hod

From Inspiration to Creation: The Indie Journey

Who is Beats By Hod?

Beats By Hod is a music producer and audio engineer who began making a name for himself when he was just a teenager. He connected with well-known hip-hop artists like Killer Mike, Pastor Troy, DG Yola, and T-Rock, producing tracks for them. Throughout his journey to a successful career, he maintained a remarkable and positive attitude.

At the age of 13, he was introduced to a music production program called FL Studio by a friend in Morrow, GA. However, he didn't take it seriously at first. It wasn't until he was around 16 that he rediscovered the program and started using it as a hobby. Eventually, he realized how much he enjoyed it and decided to pursue it as a career.

While attending Lovejoy High School, Hod dedicated himself to music production, often sacrificing sleep to work on beats late into the night. He drew inspiration from the music producer Shawty Redd and began networking with artists in the Southside of Atlanta. Despite his young age, he was determined to achieve his goal, and he succeeded, even expanding his reach to out-of-town artists through word of mouth from the artists he collaborated with.

Thank you so much for your time! Our readers are eager to delve deeper into who you are. Would you mind sharing your personal journey or backstory?

Absolutely, it's taken me some time to get to where I am today, and I still have a ways to go, but I've made significant progress. My journey has been quite interesting. One aspect that stands out to me is how technology has transformed over the years. Nowadays, you don't need to go out and buy an album; you can simply stream it online. I remember when I was younger, going to stores to pick up albums from my favorite artists was a fun experience. However, that's just how technology has advanced.

The tools and software that producers use to create music have also evolved. It hasn't been a drastic change, but there have been significant improvements. Moreover, more people are getting involved in music these days. For me, this journey has been an enjoyable one overall.

Can you tell us about the moment when you realized that music was your calling?

I knew music was my true passion when I decided to study audio engineering in college. During my time there, I had the chance to work with one of my favorite underground rappers, T-Rock, who hails from College Park, Georgia. He used to be part of the famous label Hypnotized Minds, which was led by DJ Paul and Juicy J, known today as Three Six Mafia.

What's funny is how I got that opportunity. Another artist gave me some advice on how to connect with musicians. He basically told me to reach out to them, introduce myself, show a genuine interest in their work, and then tell them later on “by the way I make beats”. Sometimes, when artists notice that you appreciate their work a lot, they might start chatting with you and feeling at ease. That's when you can casually mention your own talents and see where it takes you. It's a good way to potentially collaborate or connect with them. In 2023, though, that approach might not be as effective!

Can you share an instance where a personal experience deeply influenced your music?

Absolutely! Meeting my favorite music producers like Shawty Redd, BWheezy Beats, Zaytoven, Metro Boomin, and DRich was a dream come true. It's funny because back in the day, I used to reach out to Metro on MySpace when he went by Metro Beatz. I had no idea he would become so famous. I also used to contact Sonny Digital a long time ago, but that was before he became a big name. Those were the MySpace days when things were really poppin.

When I finally met both of them in person, I didn't even bring up our MySpace interactions because I knew they probably wouldn't remember me. But I always told myself that I'd meet those two, and it's crazy how I ended up meeting all these other talented producers. It definitely inspired my career.

Can you describe the challenges you've faced in your journey and how you overcame them?

The main challenges I faced were working with artists who weren't committed to their music or willing to purchase beats. What I mean is, some people didn't want to invest in their music careers. It was frustrating because I believed in their talent, and I knew they could achieve success either for themselves or with others. Sadly, many of them kept getting into legal trouble repeatedly, and I saw their potential going to waste.

Can you share a moment in your musical journey that has brought you the most joy or fulfillment, and explain why it stands out for you?

What makes me happy about my journey is finally getting some recognition. I used to feel like I was always being slept on, and I still kind of feel that way sometimes, but I'm finally being recognized. That's why I'm grateful for platforms like Instagram because they really help you get noticed and helps you network and connect with different people.

What's one thing about the music industry you wish you knew when you were starting out?

That’s a great question. I wish I would’ve known about advances when I first started out. I’m not saying that I got into a situation like that, but just knowing, and having full knowledge of what it means, and if you don’t do right with it, there are consequences behind it.

Can you share an experience where your music had an impact on the community or a social cause?

Absolutely, I remember when I had my second beat tag created. There was this girl named Bria that I had a crush on for years. So, as my beats were getting more popular, I decided to use her voice for my next beat tag. It’s funny because I still remember the day we recorded it.

As my music started to gain more attention and people really began to hear my beats with her tag on them, something interesting happened. A lot of people would imitate the tag when they saw me, and that made me feel really good because it stuck with them. It all made sense because everyone knew I liked her, and once they found out she did my tag, it created a connection and got people engaged.

Can you give us a sneak peek into any upcoming projects or directions you're exploring in your music?

Sure, I recently got back into rapping, and I'm aiming to drop my first EP next year. I've already put out a single on Apple Music and shared a freestyle on Instagram. It's all about having a good time with my artistic side. I began rapping a while ago but took a break in 2010. So, for me to return, release a fresh single, and receive such a positive response, it's truly awesome and exciting.

Where do you see your music journey headed in the next few years?

I have big plans for my music career. I want to get my beats featured in TV shows and even work on movie soundtracks someday. I also see myself collaborating with more artists soon and even starting my own independent music production label.

Is there any aspect of your music that we haven't explored yet that you would like to delve into or share insights on?

In 2018, I went to another music school. I remember taking a music production class where we had to make a beat using a program I wasn't familiar with. It's pretty wild because the beat I created in that program turned out to be an EDM beat. It was my first time trying something like that, and I had no idea I could do it. We had to showcase our beats at a school talent show, and people really rocked with what I had made.

What advice would you give to upcoming artists trying to find their place in the music industry?

If you're an aspiring artist or producer, here's some advice: Stay focused on your craft and be willing to invest in it. Don't let anything divert your attention, maintain consistency, and make sure you put in your 10,000 hours.

How can our readers further immerse themselves in your musical journey and stay connected with you?

The easiest way to reach me is by following me on Instagram at @BeatsByHod. I'm happy to have direct conversations there. Feel free to message me if you have any questions or need advice—I'm always willing to help out.

We deeply appreciate the time you've taken to share your musical journey with us. Wishing you ever-growing success in your musical endeavors!

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