Check out our exclusive interview with producer JB MADEIT!
Co-founder of the UK’s Finesse Foreva Productions, JB MADEIT helped pave a way for the UK drill scene. Most recently JB was featured on Drake‘s latest release Dark Lane Demo Tapes, which dropped Friday, May 1st. JB can be heard on the second to last track, track 13, titled “Demons.” What’s monumental about this record is that it features drill heavy hitters Fivio Foreign and Sosa Geek. In addition to collaborating with his favorite rapper Drake, JB MADEIT has also worked with the likes of Chief Keef, Skengdo, and AM. Check out what JB had to say about his musical beginnings, influences and highlights from his career.
The Knockturnal: How did you get started producing?
JB MADEIT: I was with my guy Josh on the P.E. field and he wanted to make a tune and I was sure I could do it because I played the drum kit and I’ve always been interested in composing because as kid I always played drums, I grew up playing drums since I was in diapers but I always wondered how to control other stuff in music so when I was 15 I tried it.
The Knockturnal: How long have you been producing now?
JB MADEIT: 10 years
The Knockturnal: Who are some of your inspirations as far as producers go?
JB MADEIT: I’ve always loved (OVO) 40’s productions, Boi1da, T-Minus, Quincy Jones, Dr. Dre,. Even the guys in London like Gotcha, Ghosty, Hargo, AV, Adz, all the guys I work with you know they all inspire me as well.
The Knockturnal: Can you walk us through the major collaborations you’ve had so far in your career?
JB MADEIT: Initially from the ground up nobody was using my beats, nobody used my beats until I was 17. Around 17, 18 started getting better, going to college and people started using my beats and then I started working with a guy called IQ and we started making bashment, like dancehall kinda songs and we started to spread and work with all kinds of people. I started to work with Skengdo and AM and we made the first-ever UK to US drill collab with Chief Keef. I started working with Headie One and RV had a bit of time there and then after that I worked with Russ Millions.
The Knockturnal: Can you discuss how the Drake placement happened?
JB MADEIT: Can’t go in-depth, but it was a mad surprise. It was all really God’s plan because he’s my favorite rapper of all time so who would have thought you go to one trip and it just works. Someone sent it to him.
The Knockturnal: How did it feel to bring together 3 artists like Drake, Fivio Foreign and Sosa Geek on one record?
JB MADEIT: That felt kinda great I was like wow, it’s just kind of mad to be a creative to pull the three of them together.
The Knockturnal: What was your reaction when you found out Fivio and Sosa were on the record?
JB MADEIT: When I found out all three of them were on it was just crazy. It all happened at once it’s crazy.
The Knockturnal: What’re you currently working on?
JB MADEIT: I’m definitely doing some stuff with my guy Snubbs, definitely one to watch out for. A guy called Deon Young, working with Luciano.
The Knockturnal: You’ve already collaborated with your favorite rapper, but who are some of your other dream collabs?
JB MADEIT: Ariana Grande, Rihanna, Bryson Tiller, H.E.R., Summer Walker, Justin Bieber, and a lot more.
The Knockturnal: How has quarantine affected your creative process? Are you working from home mostly?
JB MADEIT: When I’m at home it’s kind of cool, but you know sometimes you get relaxed so sometimes I come to the office to be in a different environment. I just want to be in a creative environment.
Photo Credit: Publicists Avery “Msartisty” Watson & Ola Akiwumi
