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NEXT 2 BLOWAntagonist - CaliFlorida ForevaPosted: Wednesday - February 11, 2009 | Comments (4)Not very often real talent comes along readily equipped in all faccets and is as intimidating as recording artist, songwriter, audio engineer, producer and CEO, Antagonist. So that there's no misconception, Antagonist is the brand, and CaliFlorida, his very own entertainment company, is a world-wide multi-media conglomerate. It all began when he first started out with a four-track and a measly Radio Shack mic and began recording emcee's, and garage bands in California, as a youngin'. Then and there he discovered his passion for music, and found his true calling, later receiving a degree in audio engineering. Today, his time invested has resulted in turning fifteen years of relentless work into an overnight sensation. Impressively, over a decade, he has logged over 10,000 hours in the studio, wrote and recorded 600+ songs, and perfected both, an image and a sound that is poised for greatness. But wait, there's more! Antagonist's entertainment company, newly established three years ago, offers affordable production/media services for labels, artists, film, and advertising firms consisting of song-production, mixing, scoring, song-writing, publishing, graphics, mixtape design/hosting, promotion, consulting, studio design, artist development, and contracts. To accommodate all this and projects to come, there's word that there will soon be a larger facility expansion. Yo! Raps caught up with the very busy and talented Antagonist and got the 411 on his shining career, and his growing empire, CaliFlorida Productions. He informs us that his coastal transition to South Florida has paid off, because opportunities are arriving daily. His newest solo tape, Blood Diamondz released February 5th, which features his newest single Animal has been receiving nothing but positive feedback. Enough to gain bragging rights about being in a zone that enabled him to bang it out in just three to four weeks flat of recording. With so much going on, this man should be nominated for every prominent award that exists in the game. As we said earlier, not very often real talent comes along readily equipped in all faccets and is as intimidating as, Antagonist. You wear quite a few hats, but which of the five titles best describes you: Recording artist, songwriter, audio engineer, producer, CEO? May we ask which of the five has been the most successful thus far? First up, it's a pleasure to be speaking with you and Yo! Raps today. I would have to say that the CEO title best describes me, for it encompasses pieces of all the other aspects. In everything I do I'm a hustler, and I'm always thinking of the business angles. To me constant forward movement is what makes a successful businessman. In today's industry, especially in hip hop, I believe you have to wear several hats. I respect guys like Dre, Diddy, Cube, Jay, 50, for the way they not only capitalize on the industry, but also get involved in outside ventures. That's true business savvy, and I try to model my future plans in those footsteps. I don't want people to know Antagonist as an artist and CaliFlorida Productions Inc., as just a production company. I want them to know Antagonist the brand, and CaliFlorida as a world-wide multi-media conglomerate.
We read that you first started out with a four-track and a measly Radio Shack mic and began recording MCs, and neighbouring garage bands in California throughout the 1990's. Then and there you had discovered your passion and found your true calling. Is this true, or false? Tell us a little more about this experience.Real talk! That's 100% accurate, although it actually goes back further than that [laughs]. I can remember busting vocals into an old Casio keyboard and boom box when I was just a little youngin'. I always had a passion for music, and from the first time I put something onto tape, I was hooked. To be able to capture a performance at a given time, and sculpt it so that it lasts forever, fascinates me.
Thereafter, you learned various instruments, and began to collect pieces of equipment. You took your first major leap towards fame when you spent three years doing an internship, studying under a renowned Jazz composer where you learned how to record and produce in various settings from a full orchestra to a vocal soloist. How has all this past experience contributed to your craft as a recording artist and producer presently? I believe a true artist/producer constantly pushes their craft further, and tries to expand the boundaries of their music. I think it's a special talent for somebody to translate what they create in their minds, to a visual/audio/print medium. Just as a journalist must master language and writing, an artist/producer must master music and sound theory. Studying initially under George Stone taught me the foundations of both analog and digital recording. I learned how to adequately use microphones and production-techniques that could ultimately work in any recording setting.
Not stopping there, you later then pursued a career in audio production later receiving a degree in audio engineering from the Los Angeles Recording School. How helpful is it having a degree in music when also passionately pursuing it? The degree is a strange enigma. Everybody has different opinions on Audio Engineering degrees. That being said, it did a few specific things for me. It taught me Pro Tools. It introduced me to some good contacts, but more than anything it gave me the confidence that I could communicate in any studio environment. To use an analogy, it's like Tiger Woods learning how his golf clubs are manufactured. It makes it easier for him to walk into the factory at Nike and tell them exactly what he needs done to them, to make them perform correctly. That's what the actual academic knowledge allows me to do in a studio setting.
Impressively, over a decade, you've logged over 10,000 hours in the studio, wrote and recorded 600+ songs, and perfected both an image and a sound that is poised for greatness. Wow, you're putting in work, but how do you find time for all this? What's your balance, and what outcome do you expect from your time invested? Yeah, I'm a prime stable work-horse [laughs]. Up until recently, I was lucky to have a job in the financial field. This taught me a lot of my business skills, allowed me a good amount of recording time, and helped finance my movements. Unfortunately with the state of the economy, I was laid-off like many folks out there. With the buzz growing, I decided the time was right to go music full time. While this has added a lot of pressure, I now have freedom and more time for the tasks at hand. I spend roughly 15-20 hours per day grinding hard to build this empire. I've been in the game a long time, refuse to give up, and truly believe long-term success only comes with exhausting effort. I feel that the hours I'm putting in now will pave the way for a lengthy career in this game, instead of being another one-hit wonder. I heard somebody speak on my movement, and they said I'm turning 15 years of relentless work into an overnight sensation. That's some real talk.
You're now based in South Florida where we're being told that opportunities are still arriving daily. Why did you make a coastal transition? Was it mandatory, or did you simply want to try a totally different atmosphere? At the time, I was working for some labels in Hollywood doing promotional work, and trying to get put on as an artist/producer. Let's just say due to several non-acceptable business deals, I decided to build my movement on my own, and not rely on others. My immediate family had moved away from Cali years earlier, and I was running solo. I had some relatives in Florida, so I decided to come down here. My initial goal was to work, and build capital to finance the label. Although it's been a roller coaster ride, I feel I'm right where I should be at this point in my life. Change can be a catalyst to artistry, and I've crafted some of my best music during transitional times. I think it helps you to not get in a rut. Overall, it's broadened my music into a non-regional sound, and introduced me to things I may not have experienced otherwise. It has also benefited me by having a good network in two of the larger US markets.
Let's focus on your swagger. As far as sound, style, delivery and appearance, what makes yours so uniquely different, and why? Thanks for acknowledging that. That's a real compliment. I just do me! I listen to so much different music, and appreciate so many different facets of life, that I just try and translate that into my art. I'm always writing, so depending on my given mood, you never know what you might hear. I could be making a club banger, some block heat, a pop hit, or whatever. My mind state seems to dictate my progression. I'm in a unique position to release material how I want, so I think people are able to see the purity in what I'm doing. I feel as long as I put heart into my work and keep things consistent, it reflects me. I appreciate dude's like Wayne who ain't afraid to take chances, yet still give you a cohesive package. In my opinion, that's one of the essences of a true artist.
Speaking on appearance, how important is physical appearance in today's world of entertainment? Do you think that it somewhat plays a part in progression?Interesting question. If you're speaking about physical appearance, I'm going to give it 50/50. If you have true talent, I don't think you're physical appearance really matters much. On the other hand, if you're only average, I think a good physical appearance can help push your career ahead.
In the past three months you've been featured on four worldwide distributed mixtapes, also releasing three solo mixtapes of your own. In total, these projects have gained over a half a million listens and downloads worldwide. You also found time to become involved in a cross-marketing campaign for the new Peer-2-Peer video game, "World's End". Let us know more about the mixtapes. Which other artists are featured on them, and how successful exposure-wise was the Peer-2-Peer marketing campaign for you? Yeah, the last few months have been a blessing. Starting back in November several of my tracks were picked up on the Biggy Jiggy Exclusives series. That lead to hosting a couple of his tapes, and a good relationship. The buzz started moving from there, and I started to get contacted by other artists/DJs/producers. My goal is to drop at least one mixtape per month all year long and so far, I'm ahead of schedule [laughs]. As far as the "World's End" campaign is concerned, it's a new Peer-2-Peer game on Facebook. I recorded a theme-song for them, which gets played on their companies' main site. I'm actively involved in developing more promotional avenues with their firm, and currently the music has been exposed to roughly 30 to 40,000 people through the partnership.
In addition, you're currently situated to release your 4th mixtape entitled Blood Diamondz. When is the release of this anticipated dual joint venture mixtape?Yeah, my newest solo tape Blood Diamondz just released on February 5th. I'm very proud of the way it turned out, and the response so far has been nothing but positive. I was in the zone on this one, and banged it out in three to four weeks flat. It features my newest single, Animal featuring Yasmin, as well as brand new originals, industry-verses, and features.
You seem fully focused on the business end of CaliFlorida Productions, Mr. CEO. When was the actual establishment of your company, and what services do you render, or is it just in-house? CaliFlorida Productions Inc. was incorporated about three years ago now, and was an expansion of my original company Get-A-Real-Job Productions (Est. 1996). I'm able to offer affordable production and media services for labels, artists, film, advertising firms, etc.
Actively pursuing production/songwriting deals with major labels, branding/licensing opportunities, Film/TV placements, and just about anything to spread your name, we think your strategy is working. How is all this coming along, and will you return to give us a progress report? [Laughs]Things are moving forward, and that's all I can ask for. Everyday will hopefully present a new opportunity, and I'm trying to take advantage of every one that comes my way. Currently, I'm pursing investors and capital to finance the companies' future. Whether it's done through a label deal or private funding, I want everybody out there to know that my door is always open to talk business.
In closing, is there anything else you'd like to tell your fans? Tell us where we can find you online...I appreciate all my fans for their continued support, and look forward to bringing you more of that consistent heat. I do it for ya'll, so don't hesitate to holla and chop it up with me. Visit my website www.califloridaproductions.com and my MySpace page www.myspace.com/leftcoastrider.
- By Inga "International" Newson
