Boston Culture caught up with Humbeats to discuss what inspires him, his first beat, how he linked with Dave East, Level Up Always & LUASOUND, and so much more.
Humbeats, one of the top beat makers in the state. It's no doubt that he has one of the hungriest yet humble mentalities and his resume makes up for it. From collaborations with Newbury Comics and Boston Hempire, Humbeats knows how to strategically level up. His diverse production skills allowed him to build relationships and work with many local and mainstream artists such as Austin Fair, Rosewood Bape, Gio Dee, Dutch ReBelle, Millyz, Dave East, Tsu Surf, Styles P and many others. His musicality stems from him exploring his creativity at a young age as he started making beats on a PlayStation 2 and then a PSP. He fell in love with the art in cooking up a beat from "just hearing shit", a notion that has seemingly become second nature to him today. His album, "GROWTH",
is coming soon.
Humbeats at Newbury Comics - Harvard Sq Cambridge, MA
Boston Culture: How does it feel to be one of the most respected producers?
Humbeats: I appreciate it, but it’s a weird situation when you don’t feel it. I get it, and know why I’m looked that way, but there’s so much more I need to do first to feel like “Damn, im THAT ni...dude”
Boston Culture: Where do you want to be by this time next year?
Humbeats: Next year I want to be somewhat “established” in the industry, preferably on the production side of things. Hopefully have a song in the charts or radio, something major. Next year I should be financially stable to do some of the more creative ideas I have.
Boston Culture: Talk to us about Level Up Always.
Humbeats: That’s the brand, the label, the mentality I have going forward. Whatever I do, it needs to be better than the last time I did something. Learn. Adapt. Evolve.That’s it, level up always.
Boston Culture: Was there ever a studio session when you thought. "Yo this is crazy"?
Humbeats: It’s a weird question to answer because at the time I didn’t say that, but looking back on it, I say it to myself all the time. My first ever “session” in Boston, Reem Skully (college roommate),connected me to Tim Larew. I meet with him and he brings me to this apartment room and everyone is there from Cousin Stizz, Jefe Replay, Michael Christmas, OBeatz etc. I had no idea who these guys were at the time but looking back it was a crazy session.
Boston Culture: How did you end up working with Dave East?
Humbeats:I got plugged with Dave through one of his producers he frequently works with. We had produced on some of the same projects so we started collabing and eventually that led to East. I just sent beats and kind’ve forgot about it, few months later I got an email saying I’m on a Dave East album. Kinda neat right?
Boston Culture: Can you bring us back to when you made your first beat?
Humbeats: Lmao man, I started making beats cuz my mom got me some beat making game for PS2 on Christmas in like 2008. I started making little beats and shit for fun. My cousin, Austin Fair, wanted to rap so we said fuck it and started making music. We recorded on a MP3 player that allowed you to record voice notes. So we’d play beats on the speaker and he’d rap. One take lol. I leveled up to a PSP, then once I got a computer it was a WRAP.
Boston Culture: Walk us through the process in creating a beat?
Humbeats: Honestly, I just be hearing shit. I’ll probably have some snacks on my desk tho.
Boston Culture: What's the best memory of your career?
Humbeats: There hasn’t really been one defining experience, it’s just all experiences to this point have been amazing, and I’m ready for what else happens. Because my worst moments have really inspired some of my best work as well. Just being able to make something totally unique and have somebody enjoy it is dope. Think of all the music ever created and not one is sonically identical, and you like MINE? That’s wild.
Boston Culture: What was the best advice you got early in your career?
Humbeats: LEARN EVERYTHING YOU CAN YOURSELF.
Boston Culture: What do you dislike about the industry?
Humbeats: A lot of people aren’t as driven or inspired as you are and that can slow down a really good thing. If you get into a lane, whatever it is, you should want to be your best at it. And yes, being YOUR best is all that matters.
Boston Culture: Who are your biggest influences?
Humbeats: LEBRON JAMES. Timbaland is my favorite producer.
Boston Culture: What are you working on?
Humbeats: My album “GROWTH” coming very soon. LUASOUND (My label) is almost ready to go live. Shh.
Boston Culture: What brands should sponsor you?
Humbeats: Already sponsored by Boston Hempire, get your CBD needs fulfilled by them!
I need that Tropicana partnership. And Nike.
Favorite Studio: LUASOUND Studio
Favorite Take Out: Burgers & Fries
Favorite Album or Song: “Lord Knows” Drake & Rick Ross. My favorite beat of the 2010’s
Favorite Show: Dexter/Breaking Bad/Prison Break/CSI Miami
Hobbies: Photography, Video Editing, Clothing Design, Brand Marketing, Artist Development
COD, Fortnite or Apex: Man I stopped gaming back in 2013 lol
Tacos or Hamburgers: Burgers
Dogs or Cats: I’m allergic to cats. So dogs. But I love big cats. Leopards to be precise.
Favorite part of quarantine: Legally y’all gotta leave me alone.
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