The Buzz Interview: Christopher J. Campbell

Here is an interview with Christopher J. Campbell. He is a up and coming producer/songwriter who has worked with Cali Stylz with his new single "Partyn and Drinkn" and there's more on the way!! He is affiliated with Elements of Art Entertainment and in turn Des....

Cali Stylz - "Partyn and Drinkn" (Produced by Christopher J. Campbell)

INTERVIEW

Haze: Hey mate!

C.J.C: Hey Luke!!

Haze: so to start can you tell me who you are and what you do?

C.J.C: Yeah!! My name is Christopher J. Campbell from Arlington, TX and I am a 20 years old, Producer/Songwriter affiliated with Elements Of Art Entertainment!

Haze: kwl so you work for Des?

C.J.C: Yeah, Me, DMR, Josh Bartley, XNRT, Creative Silence, and Craig Bass are all producers/artists under the EOA Team

Haze: kwl! So do you produce for living or do you have a day job?

C.J.C: I do have a day job to support myself. I left college to pursue my dream of being a superproducer, however until that number 1 hit comes, I work at Starbucks!! I make killer frappuccinos… haha

Haze: what upcoming projects have you got?

C.J.C: I have a few actually!! I have Cali Stylz, B-Boy Block Musik coming out with the single "Partyn And Drinkn" as well as work on his future projects. Just did a track with Des called "Legends" that is crazy and will be released in the future. I also work with an AMAZING singer by the name of Maria Zouroudis out of Miami...Google her, YouTube her, http://www.myspace.com/mariazouroudis She is phenomenal.. Cali, Maria, and I will be doing some projects soon. I also work with a group by the name of Blue Mink, Group out of LA... http://www.youtube.com/blueminktrio They are incredible, have a song with them as well as an R&B singer out of Dallas known as Dynamic!! So alot in the works indeed haha

Haze: kwl! that’s really cool! Erm… so which genres you produce within?

C.J.C: I work mainly right now under Pop, Hip-Hop, R&B, and Top 40 type of music. However, I hope in the future to branch out into songwriting in other areas...rock, electronic, film scoring, country. I don't want to be one dimensional!!

Haze: that’s really good, keep yourself open....

C.J.C: definitely, always looking to be more creative

Haze: so who has influenced your music?

C.J.C: Timbaland was a HUGE reason why I wanted to become a producer. I remember watching Missy's "I'm Really Hot" Music Video and at that moment deciding I want to create what's behind the artist!! However, I have studied everyone - Danja, Just Blaze, Pharrell and Chad Hugo, Kanye, Dr. Dre, Darkchild, Quincy Jones, Aerosmith, Any Classic Rock, The Beatles, Hans Zimmer, Cool and Dre, Vidal and Harris. Many different people from many genres

Haze: kwl I think I like all of them!!

Haze: well my favourite genres are hip-hop and rock!

C.J.C: Yeah!!! I grew up on Classic Rock with my Dad but I LOVE the music of hip/hop, the energy and excitement is what drives me! I feel ya

Haze: yeah I know what you mean....

Haze: so sticking with hip-hop, who do you think is prominent in the genre at the moment?

C.J.C: As an artist, I believe lyrically there are alot of people on the come up who are very talented but as of right now like my man Cali Stylz!! Lil' Wayne has been huge but I believe T.I. and Kanye, are making quality music. I really am excited about all the newcomers though Kid Cudi, B.O.B, Drake... As a producer, the south is ruling right now with Drumma Boy and Cool and Dre in Miami as well as Jim Jonsin

But Danja always does his thing though, that goes unsaid lol…

Haze: yep.... I really like drumma boy's stuff!

C.J.C: Yeah definitely, his signature reverse cymbal sound… lol you know it's him

Haze: actually I probably should have asked this at the start but how did u get started in music? And when?

C.J.C: I had always been involved with music growing up in school whether it were choir or band. I did do 3 years of band and I might get made fun of for this but I played the flute!! I win that argument though as I was surrounded by girls all the time haha can't hate on that!! My family has music in it's blood. All the men in my family play guitar, fiddle, or harmonica while my mom was a voice performance major in college. I was pursuing a dream in basketball when my sophomore year in high school I decided I wanted to be a producer. When I wasn't practicing ball, I sat down at a small Yamaha keyboard that had a 6 track sequencer and practiced my craft. It wasn't until a year and half ago that I finally got a full studio set up and began learning the tricks of the trade!

God is good and blessed me with the ability to hear things in my head and have a great ear!! I am very grateful for the ability to write music

Haze: that is really cool, so producing was an intended career?

C.J.C: yes it was!! My first dream was to play ball in college and professionally, I worked very hard at it but it was not what God had planned for me, due to a hard career in High School. Basketball is still a major passion for me but I love music and creating just as much so I decided early on that is what I wanted to do, among many other dreams. Music is the vehicle to achieving everything I desire in life!

Haze: so when did u meet Des and join EOA?

C.J.C: Cali Stylz actually reached out to me on myspace and the rest is history! He told Des about me who in turn got in touch with me!

Haze: that’s class!!! So myspace started your career? Or launched I should say...

C.J.C: Yeah, myspace has been huge in networking. Everyone I have worked with or built a relationship with has basically been through myspace!

It's a great vehicle and I believe mandatory for any artist or songwriter/producer

It’s an amazing marketing tool

Haze: I agree! So who is on the label, who should we look out for in the future?

C.J.C: Craig Bass is affiliated with the team and he is a talented guy out of Virginia!! All the producers are very talented and should definitely be listening to them closely: DMR, Josh "The Gift Bartley", XNRT, Creative Silence...You can hit up http://www.elementsofartent.com to see the clients as well as artist interviews to always stay up to date on who we are possibly working with... In addition, the EOA blog @ http://elementsofartent.blogspot.com will always have the most recent updates

Haze: I read the blog quite regularly.... its quite kwl keeping up with you all and news

C.J.C: yeah it's a great blog!! And to see it in conjuction with The Timbaland Buzz is a great opportunity to expose both sites

Haze: I concur! Ok so what producers upcoming/or otherwise do you like listening to?

C.J.C: Oh man, there are a ton... Of course Timbo and Danja. Anyone affiliated with them, Hannon Lane, J-Roc, Unreal, Wizz Dumb, King, Rob Knox, The Underdogs, Max Martin, Jim Jonsin, Brian Kennedy, Jim Beanz, Brian Michael Cox, Darkchild

A new producer in my town by the name of Donald Woods, Cory Bold an upcoming producer from Florida

Haze: Cory Bold? Do you like the Keri Hilson track he did 'Alienated'?

C.J.C: Yeah I do!!! He is crazy talented

Haze: apparently that track is getting a lot of play over here in the UK...

C.J.C: Wow, I can't imagine at the same age I am...Guy is talented!

Haze: agreed! Ok then so what advice would you give to other upcoming producers/artists?

C.J.C: I would say to study, study, study. There are many people who are very talented but they haven't become masters at their craft without putting in thousands of hours of study!

I would also say to keep business and emotion separate

I am a very nice guy I believe but when it comes to business, don't take things personally or it will really bring you down

And by that I mean when people may not email you back right away or they don't respond to you reaching out. This business is tough so surround yourself with people who are going to uplift you and provide the positive feedback you need to succeed. And also to have faith, God provides blessings daily!! Put him first and all else will follow!

Haze: well I’m an atheist so how would people like me survive? Or wouldn’t we? Lol…

C.J.C: Haha, God loves and looks out for everyone!! Regardless, I believe!

Haze: thanks I think producers on out site would appreciate that!

C.J.C: I hope so!!

Haze: lol... ok so if they were any artist u could work with how would it be?

C.J.C: I would love to work with either Usher or Justin Timberlake, those guys are crazy talented and just to see what collaboration could come from it would be an honor!

Haze: I think Justin has gone more into production... from under the wing of Timbaland to the Y's…

C.J.C: Yeah, he has...and he is sick with it too! Haha

Haze: ok so how can we hear your music or when can we get your music from somewhere like iTunes...?

C.J.C: You can check me out @ http://www.myspace.com/ibeat4musicpro and I am also on Twitter @ http://www.twitter.com/ChristopherJCam

Haze: kwl i will look at them myself...

C.J.C: awesome, thanks!

Haze: when will be able to buy your productions then?

C.J.C: Hopefully in the near future! I'll have to keep you updated. My career is just starting to take off but still have to pay my dues! Anyone who is interested in purchasing music to use can hit me up on myspace or my email @ ibeat4music@gmail.com iTunes is soon to come in the future!!

Haze: ok thanks I mite just do that.... lol

C.J.C: definitely

Haze: So out of interest what do you think of Danja?

C.J.C: I think he is extremely talented. I’m anxious to hear what he has for us next. I really like the Sober track he did recently for Pink...I am waiting for him to reinvent himself. I've heard his tracks as of late and they are good, I'm just excited to see what he has up his sleeve!

Some of them are sounding the same, but I know how it is as a producer when artist want a certain sound

Haze: have you got a favourite Danja track?

C.J.C: Yeah, it's a tie between three beyond the JT and Nelly albums... “Open Toes” by Katharine McPhee, “Pretty Boy” by Danity Kane, or “We Takin’ Over” - DJ Khaled and Friends haha

Haze: “We Takin’ Over” is ****ing heat!

C.J.C: heck yeah it is!!!

Haze: do u like his ventures into pop?

C.J.C: yes I do!!! Two out of my 3 faves are pop! He did some sick stuff for Duran Duran and Madonna too with Timbo

Haze: to be honest the Danja pop track i am feeling now is “Echo”

and one of his hop-hop tracks Attitude - "Man Right Here" have you had a listen of them yet?

C.J.C: Heck yeah, I like both of them

Haze: Ok then so what do you think of Timbaland?

C.J.C: Same thing!! I'm ready for him to reinvent himself again...I feel like he is not doing anything that is making me go crazy...However, I AM IN LOVE with the Chris Cornell album… it's awesome

Haze: and me! even in the UK where’s its not out... I have the CD... 

C.J.C: Haha that's what's up!

Haze: ok then so have you got a favourite Timbo track too?

C.J.C: Hahaha that's a hard question to ask any Timbo fan man… ummmmm

Haze: i know it was asked on our forums... lol

C.J.C: The Aaliyah Tracks are classic… dang I don't know if I can answer that! Haha I can't just pick one!

Haze: Ok no problem

C.J.C: I'll say More Than A Woman is a favorite to listen to… got alot going on

Haze: good choice....

C.J.C: thank you, thank you lol

Haze: ok for our producers out there's interest… can i ask what digital audio workplace do you use?

C.J.C: I have experience in the past year with Reason, that's what I know the best however I Just got Logic and Pro Tools, both of them I am learning as we speak. They are HUGE programs to learn...I use a MacBook Pro as well as some plugins and samples

Haze: kwl! So is there anything/someone else you want to plug or promote?

C.J.C: Sure!! Shout out to Maria Zouroudis, Blue Mink, Dynamic and all the people I work with! I mentioned their sites above but you can find all of them on my top! I really want to push my boy Donald Woods - Artist/Producer/Songwriter...He is crazy talented, his album will be coming out soon check him out @ http://www.myspace.com/donaldwoodsmusic The whole EOA Team!! Writer's Ink Records, N.A.R.S Records, Danja, the whole crew! Let's Get It!!! And most importantly, go to my page @ http://www.myspace.com/ibeat4musicpro Show love, leave comments, and spread the word! Thank you to you guys @ The Timbaland Buzz for doing an AMAZING Job and giving me the opportunity to do this interview!

Haze: no thanks for your time we really appreciate it!

C.J.C: Hey anytime! I'll definitely spread the word about you guys!! I am grateful to an enormous degree!

Haze: ok thanks mate, that was a really good interview!! I really enjoyed it!

C.J.C: Yeah think so?! Awesome thank you!! Me too, I'll definitely be in touch with you Luke

Haze: yeah mate anytime!!

-------LINKS-------

Christopher J. Campbell MySpace

Elements of Art Entertainment Blog

Official Elements of Art Entertainment Website

Maria Zouroudis MySpace

Donald Woods MySpace

Des Diaz MySpace

DMR MySpace

Craig Bass MySpace

Josh Bartley MySpace

Cali Stylz MySpace