Some people seem born into greatness. Their creative prowess develops supernaturally and fuels by their passion. D.J. Hwang, who was formerly known as Supreme D, has produced for Jessie Ware’s Devotion and her most-anticipating album of the year,Tough Love. His production also features on Jennifer Lopez’s A.K.A, Ella Henderson’s upcoming album Chapter One, The Canadian band Destroyer’s Kaputt, and 1200, who just released his debut album called Symphony I. When he first stepped into the recording studio for the first time, at the tender age of 16, it all clicked. We caught up with California based Hwang to discuss about his production team, strategies about his songwriting and gave us insight into his recording and collaborating with different artists.
by: B. Skrainka
Who were some of your earliest influences that have impacted to your career?
My cousin, Aaron. About 6 years ago, he was also into music production and bought all these high-end softwares. At that time, I was using really cheap and free softwares and I was never satisfied with my music’s quality. He taught me how to use all these equipments and later on, he gave me his softwares and stuff.
You’ve been working with CRT production since 2011. Can you tell us how you first connect with them?
People don’t know about our production team unless you are in the music industry or Columbia Records. I didn’t know about our production team at first, but one of my friend, Heather asked me to join when I was only in 9th grade through my Tumblr. I used to post my songs and lyrics on my blog, she thought that I was a grown ass man (laughs). My blog was generally about generating lyrics and sharing my favorite music though. After 4 years of serving as a sidekick for my production team, now I have more opportunities to co-produce with veteran producers and earn credits for what I’ve done. I didn’t even get any credits until this year. Sometimes, people invites me to join their session in different states. Now that’s cool.
You also had the chance to work with pop stars like Jessie Ware. What was your involvement with her?
It all happened about 2 years ago. Kid Harpoon had a track with Jessie Ware and it was an acoustic track. So Kid asked our production team to re-create his work and we started to add drums and piano into his track. I had a chance to see her while she was touring around California but I couldn’t make it unfortunately. Apparently, she has won Album of the Year in UK and won so many awards from her debut album [Devotion]. It was a great achievement for an art-pop album. She contacted us again for her new album and our production team has contributed almost every single track on her upcoming album. It’s fascinating.
What was your biggest achievement this year?
In June, I released my first solo album, It Was Only Yesterday, alongside with my favorite artists. It was released through my blog and UNITEDLEGIONOFDOOM.COM. I’ve been working for this project for 6 months and it turned out very well. I didn’t promote my album at all. No blog replacement and I didn’t have any singles. Though, I had one interview with Japanese magazine and my album ranked No.1 on Korean music website. This year, I have so many tracks with upcoming or underground artists from worldwide. I’m in the early stage of my next album too. I would like to release my instrumental album before December.
I’ve noticed that you’ve been working with United Legion of DOOM artists. Can you talk a bit about them?
It’s a collective/label that consists of talented musicians and designers. 1200, first asked me to join early this year and it was my pleasure to be a part of his movement. ULD (United Legion of DOOM) is founded by DJ Deuce, 1200, and Rames. I didn’t really have any deep conversations with everyone from ULD but everyone in that collective is super talented and been nothing but nice to me. I’ve been working with 1200 since last winter and currently, I’m planning to work with outstanding vocalists from ULD, as well.
I had a production on 1200’s debut album, Symphony I, it’s a masterpiece. Check his album and superb producer Nick B’s EP on UNITEDLEGIONOFDOOM.COM.
How do you collaborate with other artists? Do you write songs for exclusively for them?
Through email, most of the time. When I work as a freelance producer, I just send my instrumental tracks and have them writing for their own. It’s hard to collaborate with people outside of studio because it causes a lack of communication. Emails and texts aren’t enough for me.
When I’m in the studio, artists request us to write specific songs. They often give us musical directions so i just create something they would appreciate. And for the labels, we don’t really follow the industry’s trends. CRT Production and I write something we feel at that moment. Everything is improvisation.
Every producer has a different interpretation of what a producer’s role should be. What’s your role as a producer?
There are “celebrity” producers like Flying Lotus and Diplo, who became the headliner of any music festivals. And you see “studio” producers like Quincy Jones and Jeff Bhasker, who remain invisible and silence to the public. It won’t really matter if I become a “celebrity” producer or “studio” producer. My role as a producer is to support vocalists and rappers and make them shine on their records. I feel like artists are like Ferrari’s body and producers are like engine and fans are like tires. Ferrari’s body looks stunning but it’s really nothing without its engine. Producers and designers are like Ferrari’s engine because engines are replaceable but yet very important. If you are not a good engine, then Ferrari could replace you anytime. Fans are like Ferrari’s tires because you can’t go anywhere without your supporters even if your music or design is phenomenal.
What’s your ultimate goal as a producer?
I want to work with people that I love and create something that I really want. It’s almost impossible to create everything by myself when I work with my production team because we all have different visions and ideas. Lastly, I want to share my feelings and spread happiness to many audiences and listeners as possible. I believe that music is universal language. It always has been and it will always be the same.
@dongjoohwang
SUPREMETEAMX.TUMBLR.COM
UNITEDLEGIONOFDOOM.COM/supreme
New Jessie Ware Video
by: B. Skrainka
Who were some of your earliest influences that have impacted to your career?
My cousin, Aaron. About 6 years ago, he was also into music production and bought all these high-end softwares. At that time, I was using really cheap and free softwares and I was never satisfied with my music’s quality. He taught me how to use all these equipments and later on, he gave me his softwares and stuff.
You’ve been working with CRT production since 2011. Can you tell us how you first connect with them?
People don’t know about our production team unless you are in the music industry or Columbia Records. I didn’t know about our production team at first, but one of my friend, Heather asked me to join when I was only in 9th grade through my Tumblr. I used to post my songs and lyrics on my blog, she thought that I was a grown ass man (laughs). My blog was generally about generating lyrics and sharing my favorite music though. After 4 years of serving as a sidekick for my production team, now I have more opportunities to co-produce with veteran producers and earn credits for what I’ve done. I didn’t even get any credits until this year. Sometimes, people invites me to join their session in different states. Now that’s cool.
You also had the chance to work with pop stars like Jessie Ware. What was your involvement with her?
It all happened about 2 years ago. Kid Harpoon had a track with Jessie Ware and it was an acoustic track. So Kid asked our production team to re-create his work and we started to add drums and piano into his track. I had a chance to see her while she was touring around California but I couldn’t make it unfortunately. Apparently, she has won Album of the Year in UK and won so many awards from her debut album [Devotion]. It was a great achievement for an art-pop album. She contacted us again for her new album and our production team has contributed almost every single track on her upcoming album. It’s fascinating.
What was your biggest achievement this year?
In June, I released my first solo album, It Was Only Yesterday, alongside with my favorite artists. It was released through my blog and UNITEDLEGIONOFDOOM.COM. I’ve been working for this project for 6 months and it turned out very well. I didn’t promote my album at all. No blog replacement and I didn’t have any singles. Though, I had one interview with Japanese magazine and my album ranked No.1 on Korean music website. This year, I have so many tracks with upcoming or underground artists from worldwide. I’m in the early stage of my next album too. I would like to release my instrumental album before December.
I’ve noticed that you’ve been working with United Legion of DOOM artists. Can you talk a bit about them?
It’s a collective/label that consists of talented musicians and designers. 1200, first asked me to join early this year and it was my pleasure to be a part of his movement. ULD (United Legion of DOOM) is founded by DJ Deuce, 1200, and Rames. I didn’t really have any deep conversations with everyone from ULD but everyone in that collective is super talented and been nothing but nice to me. I’ve been working with 1200 since last winter and currently, I’m planning to work with outstanding vocalists from ULD, as well.
I had a production on 1200’s debut album, Symphony I, it’s a masterpiece. Check his album and superb producer Nick B’s EP on UNITEDLEGIONOFDOOM.COM.
How do you collaborate with other artists? Do you write songs for exclusively for them?
Through email, most of the time. When I work as a freelance producer, I just send my instrumental tracks and have them writing for their own. It’s hard to collaborate with people outside of studio because it causes a lack of communication. Emails and texts aren’t enough for me.
When I’m in the studio, artists request us to write specific songs. They often give us musical directions so i just create something they would appreciate. And for the labels, we don’t really follow the industry’s trends. CRT Production and I write something we feel at that moment. Everything is improvisation.
Every producer has a different interpretation of what a producer’s role should be. What’s your role as a producer?
There are “celebrity” producers like Flying Lotus and Diplo, who became the headliner of any music festivals. And you see “studio” producers like Quincy Jones and Jeff Bhasker, who remain invisible and silence to the public. It won’t really matter if I become a “celebrity” producer or “studio” producer. My role as a producer is to support vocalists and rappers and make them shine on their records. I feel like artists are like Ferrari’s body and producers are like engine and fans are like tires. Ferrari’s body looks stunning but it’s really nothing without its engine. Producers and designers are like Ferrari’s engine because engines are replaceable but yet very important. If you are not a good engine, then Ferrari could replace you anytime. Fans are like Ferrari’s tires because you can’t go anywhere without your supporters even if your music or design is phenomenal.
What’s your ultimate goal as a producer?
I want to work with people that I love and create something that I really want. It’s almost impossible to create everything by myself when I work with my production team because we all have different visions and ideas. Lastly, I want to share my feelings and spread happiness to many audiences and listeners as possible. I believe that music is universal language. It always has been and it will always be the same.
@dongjoohwang
SUPREMETEAMX.TUMBLR.COM
UNITEDLEGIONOFDOOM.COM/supreme
New Jessie Ware Video