FROM BEDROOM TO STUDIO – HIP-HOP PRODUCER PXRV TALKS ABOUT THE JOURNEY THAT CREATES A MULTI GENRE PRODUCER

UK Hip-Hop producer Pxrv (Pxrv OTB) has had a string of releases recently and he’s not one to stop! After his latest creation “Summertime” Pxrv lines up a string of follow-ups, but we want to know more about the artist as an individual. So we catch up with Pxrv over a coffee and a little one-to-one!

WHEN DID THE IDEA TO BE AN ARTIST/PRODUCER BEGIN?
20 years ago I started DJing and continued to do so for about 10 years. The art of music ‘arrangement’ was always in me as I used to pre-record some of my mixes and make mix CDs. So the transformation from making mixes to original compositions was a natural progression for me. I always felt like being part of the music industry in some fashion was going to be an ambition for me.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PROJECT YOU’VE WORKED ON TO DATE?
For me, “Callin” with Cartier Ricks and LoadB Muni, because it was the first time I decided to take my musical path seriously and try to enter the mainstream with commercial hip-hop music. We were featured on Annie Nightingales BBC Radio 1 show, this was a huge honour for me. This track came at a time where I was composing instrumentals, structured in such a way where there was room for vocals and hooks, but never found the missing piece until I hooked up with Ricks and LoadB.

CAN YOU ROUGHLY OUTLINE YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS – FROM THE BEGINNING OF AN IDEA FOR A PROJECT OR A COLLABORATION TO THE POINT OF COMPLETION?
Melody, I always start with a “hook” – for a composer, the hook would be in the form of an instrument, either a catchy piano melody or synth or even a guitar, but this would generally dictate my key and BPM, and steer the writers for a direction when recording vocals. The beat pattern always forms itself I find.

HOW IS THE REALITY OF BEING AN INDEPENDENT ARTIST/PRODUCER COMPARED TO YOUR EXPECTATIONS OF IT?

A lot harder than I anticipated, cutting through the noise of a massively saturated market is far from comfortable, but the enjoyment and buzz from the passion of actually releasing my music is what keeps me going, weather 1 person hears it or a million, for me, my music is out there, the rest is divine intervention! I take my journey a step at a time.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES AND DIFFICULTIES YOU FACE WHEN STARTING NEW PROJECTS?
Release, the release plan is always the most difficult. Putting a video together, getting it graded/complete and planning a release/marketing strategy is very challenging. A lot depends on the other stakeholders if there are any, and they all need to be in unison to take a step forward. Sometimes, you could have everything ready on your part, but a part of the equation is still holding the project back, and this can be the most challenging at times.

WHAT DO YOU DO TO STAY CALM WHEN A PROJECT IS NOT GOING AS PLANNED?
I let go, if I am having to push through multiple layers of resistance, that’s the universe telling me it’s not the time yet. I take a breath, I follow my intuition, and continue on with something that relaxes my mind and creative process. What will be, will be, when it will be.

DO YOU HAVE ANY INSIGHTS, TIPS, OR ADVICE FOR SOMEONE STARTING LOOKING TO START THEIR MUSIC CAREER AND LOOKING TO GET INTO THE MUSIC INDUSTRY?
Network, meet people, work on your craft, better your craft, perfect your craft, never give up, and keep faith. We’re all students of the game, and I’m still learning and slowly breaking through, bit by bit, every day.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF IN YOUR CAREER SO FAR?
My belief, I am confident in the style of my product, my brand and my work ethic. I know the goals and collaborations I have set myself, although difficult to reach, I will reach, eventually.

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU’RE NOT WORKING?
Family, chill, and Jiu Jitsu! I’m a black belt in Brazilian Jit Jitsu, so hitting some sparring sessions in the week is a ritual for me. Body and mind you know!

To stay in the know, follow Pxrv on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/pxrv.otb

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