Are We a Good Fit? (FAQ)
Get your questions answered and see if I’m the right fit to help bring your music to life. My goal is to keep things straightforward so you feel confident throughout the process.
Welcome!
If you’ve been exploring my work and services and wondering, “Is this the right place for my music?” — you’re unironically in the right spot. Below, you’ll find:
- Who is or isn’t a good fit
- Common Q&A
- Your next steps
For detailed information on my services or previous work and creative process, check out my Services page or my Work.
Who Fits & Who Doesn't?
I collaborate with serious, genre-fluid artists who create soulful and sophisticated music influenced by Jazz, R&B, Hip-Hop, and beyond.
If you love music that’s:
✓ Eclectic — fusing ideas from multiple genres and traditions
✓ Sophisticated — blending complex and simple musical ideas with care
✓ Thoughtful — weaving intellectual depth with emotional clarity
✓ Unorthodox — bending rules to make ideas feel unexpected but natural
✓ Heartfelt — expressing honest feeling and meaning
…then you’ll feel right at home here.
When collaboration flows, it feels effortless. Here are qualities that make the process impactful and rewarding:
✓ Seek Creative Synergy: You want a partnership built on trust, clarity, and momentum—not chaos.
✓ Embrace Collaboration: You’re open to new ideas and willing to push creative boundaries.
✓ Prioritize Authenticity: You value genuine artistry over chasing trends.
✓ Decisive and Committed: You make choices confidently, work hard, and invest in your craft.
✓ Respect Boundaries: Clear communication and professionalism matter to you.
✓ Trust Your Collaborators: You welcome input without micromanaging.
✓ Aim for Growth: You’re dedicated to advancing your career.
✓ Invest in Quality: You’re ready to put real resources into your music for lasting results.
Not every working style pairs well. If the traits below feel familiar, our collaboration may not be the right fit:
✗ Controlling or Hypercritical: Insists on dictating every move or nitpicking minor details.
✗ Indecisive or Directionless: Struggles to commit to a vision or follow through.
✗ Disorganized or Haphazard: Shows up unprepared or scattered.
✗ Needy or Boundary-Pushing: Demands constant attention and oversteps limits.
✗ Closed-Minded or Transactional: Resists new ideas or treats collaboration as a simple service.
✗ Flaky or Unreliable: Misses deadlines or drops communication.
✗ Surrounded by Noise: Brings too many outside voices into the process.
✗ Lacks Respect: Undervalues creative labor or approaches with entitlement.
It’s important that our core values align. I work with artists who uphold positivity and integrity. We are not a good match if your music:
• Promotes violence, misogyny, and/or misandry
• Is overtly sexualized or hedonistic
• Damages the Black American community or the African diaspora
I’m sharing this so you can make the right decision for yourself. If these points resonate with you—and you’re looking for a producer who will dive deep into your music, challenge you, and bring out the best in your art—then let’s connect. Together, we can create something truly impactful.
Common Questions (FAQ)
Short Version: I typically work and thrive with Jazz and R&B artists. I’m the guy you come to for the left-field or adventurous iterations of those genres.
Long Version: I’m multidisciplinary, with deep roots in Jazz, R&B, Soul, Hip-Hop, and Gospel. I thrive with artists who love blending influences and challenging conventions. If you appreciate a cross-genre, boundary-pushing approach, we’ll likely click. I have experience in Rock/Pop as well, but it’s not my specialty.
Yes, it’s important to me that we both feel confident in working together before commitment. In fact, I built it into the way I start working with new artists.
Here’s how it works:
- Complimentary Musical Direction Audit: This is always the first step! It’s a free production consultation that specifically focuses on your vision, situation, challenges, and opportunities. We only move forward if you feel that it’s the right fit.
- For Production Clients: We book a preproduction sprint where I create a musical roadmap to bringing your vision to life. You get to see how the project will go, hear my ideas for your music, and get a taste of the process. This is a paid commitment. But if we move forward, then that payment is credited towards your project.
- For Consultation Clients: Depending on what I identify in your free audit, I’ll recommend a package that fits your needs. If you recommended package is comprehensive, then I’ll offer the first part of it as a paid trial. You only move forward if you’re happy with the progress.
Note: I don’t schedule/hold dates without a deposit. Once you’re ready, we’ll finalize the deposit, contract, and secure your timeline. If your spot is far out, then there will be a Let’s talk if your schedule is tight; I’ll do my best to accommodate.
As a producer, I have relationships with a few commercial recording studios in Chicago. I select the one I need based on the needs of the project. I operate remotely and rent studios as needed to deliver a high quality result while stretching how far your dollar goes.
I also can arrange quality session players and instrument rentals if your music needs them. This will cost extra, so we’ll confirm together before adding any fees.
If you work with other studio pros then I’m happy to provide help through Remote Consultation & Production Assistance. However, I don’t typically work with producers and engineers that I don’t have a prior professional relationship with.
If you want my production on any of your song, that means no outside producers or engineers unless I bring in peers I already work with at my discretion and under my direction.
If you already have existing material: That’s perfectly fine. Book an audit then we’ll review what you have and plan from there. I try to be flexible enough to integrate existing material if it aligns with your goals.
Yes — but only for artists who are prepared and meet a few key requirements. If you’re looking to create an EP or album with me, here’s what you’ll need:
A minimum of 3 songs ready to develop.
EP and album projects require enough material to justify the commitment, focus, and investment on both sides.Completion of at least one full song with me, start to finish.
Before we take on a larger project together, we need to be sure our creative partnership is the right fit. Starting with a single-song collaboration in an 8-Week Songscraft Sprint ensures we align on process, vision, and communication.Upfront or short-term payment for the project.
Multi-song projects demand significant planning, resources, and scheduling. To keep things streamlined and fair, I require payment in advance or via a short, clearly defined payment schedule.
If you meet these criteria and are ready to invest in a focused, collaborative project, let’s talk about your next release. The first step is always a Free Clarity Call, where we’ll map out what you’re looking for and determine if it’s the right fit for both of us.
Most of the time, I charge a flat fee, not recordings royalties — unless we enter a long-term creative relationship where a mix makes more sense for both of us.
If we co-write, (in addition to the production fee) we’ll agree to split the composition credits and income accordingly. I’ll always be credited publicly as a co-writer when that applies.
If we just develop the song consultatively, no songwriting credit or royalties are involved — that’s part of the standard process.
Credits? I’ll be credited appropriately in the final release — writing, production, and engineering.
Everything — including rights and splits — is spelled out in the contract upfront, so there’s no ambiguity and no surprises.
There are people who are clearly a bad fit and people who seem like a bad fit. If you’re not sure, then I’m happy to chat with you to figure it out! Trust me, I won’t bite.
To be transparent, there are some who I avoid and others which I don’t work with entirely:
- Beginners — If you’re just starting out and still finding your voice, my process may feel overwhelming. I’m best suited for artists who are ready to invest at a higher level.
- DIYers — If you produce or engineer your own music, then having me produce your music probably isn’t a good fit. My personal experience with DIY artists has left a lot to be desired so I tend to avoid producing for them.
- Hobbyists — If music is purely a side activity with no plans to release or grow, that’s valid — but it might not align with the level of investment needed or the commitment I bring.
- Peers — If you’re a fellow producer or engineer looking to outsource parts of your own workflow, that’s not the service I provide. I’m here to partner with artists on their original music.
Next Steps
If you see us aligning on values, genres, and collaboration style, then we’re probably a good match. Want to confirm that synergy? Let’s talk:
- Schedule a free clarity call or contact me to chat about your music, goals, and the best service option.
- If we vibe, we’ll set up a proposal or deposit to lock in dates.
Still have deeper questions about legalities, payments, or final deliverables?
- Payment specifics: Payment Procedure
- General Policies: Terms of Service
I’m looking forward to creating music with you that truly resonates and stands the test of time! If you think we’re the right fit, I can’t wait to start collaborating.