The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) hosted its 2018 Grammy Nominees Reception on January 27 at The Top of The Standard. The ASCAP Grammy Nominees Reception celebrated its talented artists, songwriters and music creators nominated at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards. What project are you nominated for?
Andre Robertson: “MTFU” on Free 6lack by the artist 6lack.
And what was your reaction when you found out that you were nominated?
Andre Robertson: It was crazy. I had a 12-hour session with PartyNextDoor and at 4 a.m., my homie tweeted me like “Yo, Bizness Boi, you’re Grammy-nominated” and I was shocked. I’m like “Yo, what’s going on?” I told him to send me the link. Before I post anything or tell my grandma I gotta know this is real. And then he sent me the link, I saw the names on there, and then we were just so blessed.
How did the collab come about?
Andre Robertson: Me and my homie FWDSLXSH, he’s from London. We did a lot of work together. So we collabed on the beat, and then we sent it to 6lack, and he loved it. And immediately he was like “Yo. I’m using this for my album. Let’s get it done.” And the album came out and Free 6lack just started to spread, 6lack just started to blow up. And the rest is history.
Tell me a little bit about your start as a producer and a songwriter?
Andre Robertson: I got my start. I was like in seventh grade I was making beats on a PlayStation, it was a game called MTV Music Generator and I was just at the crib making beats. From then, in high school I used to rap first. So I made my own beats. But I was like I wanna be behind the scenes more. So I just focused on that. Just following my path, my journey and now I’m here.
What are some other cool placements or collabs that you’ve done in the past?
Andre Robertson: I did four on P3 by PartyNextDoor, Kid Ink, Trae Tha Truth , Young Thug, it’s a lot of artists I’ve worked with.
Where are you based?
Andre Robertson: I’m based in LA. I love it. The palm trees and beach. I’m from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The cold.
And what’s next for you?
Andre Robertson: Working on 6lack’s second album. SremmLife 3 coming out, I got four on there. I got a collab with Mary J. Blige coming soon on the Elton John album, it’s like a collab cover album. Kid Ink. MadeinTYO’s next single. So it’s a lot going on right now.
How amazing was it to work with Mary, who’s just been nominated for an Academy Award?
Andre Robertson: It’s amazing. We recently just did the song because they had two options, Mary couldn’t pick between the beats and they sent it to Elton John and he picked my beat.
Is that mind-blowing to you?
Andre Robertson: Yeah, it’s mind-blowing. Because he’s legend.
On the Rae Sremmurd album, is your production with Mike Will Made It?
Andre Robertson: I’m the only outside producer on there, so it’s Mike Will, Metro Boomin, and I work with Swae Lee. That’s my bro. So I pull up to Swae Lee’s crib and send him beats and he hit me back like “Yeah, you got four on the album.” It’s a real blessing.
And my last question is who is an important mentor in your career?
Andre Robertson: Shout out to Mistah F.A.B, Trae Tha Truth cause they were like the first people that believed in me. And then my grandma. My grandmother, she’s the one that got me here. I was going to get a job and she gave me some money and just told me to move to Atlanta to further my career. She didn’t want me to be tired, she didn’t want be to be drowsy not making beats, lazy. She like “Oh just go down there and focus on this music”.
Custom Grammy cocktails were provided by SVEDKA and hors-d’oeuvres were served. The event was also sponsored by Sound Royalties, which gifted everyone with socks. Music was curated by DJ D-Nice.
