For Grammy weekend this past Friday, Mastercard, and Fader partnered up to bring to the forefront an important panel and conversation. A conversation hosted by Miss Info with music producers, “The Stereotypes”.
Unfortunately, music producers like “The Stereotypes” are rarely celebrated – unlike singers, who are the face of records. Producers tend to be behind the scenes, creating the magic.
There are so many panels and conversations out there with musicians and artists. However, to have an open conversation with a successful group of producers brought a fresh and enlightening perspective.
Before The Stereotypes took the stage, MasterCard screened the music video “Can’t Judge a Book”, which includes a group of talented artists including Grammy-nominated SZA. The message behind the music video is meant to inspire creatives to create and #StartSomethingPriceless. The music video was a great segway to the panelists, The Stereotypes. As The Stereotypes are creatives who went against the grain and through friendship and creativity are now one of the hottest producers in the music industry.
http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbAG9dihzDc
“The Stereotypes” is a group of 4 members. Just through their conversation and interaction with the audience from the stage, one could tell that they had a solid relationship. Their banter, energy and genuine friendship was infectious and honed the positive vibes in the room.
During the panel, The Stereotypes were still “Grammy-nominated” producers, for their work on Bruno Mars’s 24K Magic album. After this weekend, they are now Grammy winners. When Bruno Mars won song of the year at the Grammys, for “That’s What I Like” – he brought The Stereotypes on stage with him and thanked them for what they contributed to the song and the overall album.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNRewKIDTcc
Fun-Fact: they also produced Finesse by Bruno Mars ft. Cardi B. Evidently, The Stereotypes are all about making the listener want to get up and dance with those infectious beats!
The Stereotypes have produced for people like Bruno Mars and Miguel but it didn’t come easy. They discussed how they had to go through a lot of hardships and lows (before they ended up on a Grammy stage). At one point, they moved to Korea and worked on K-POP sounds before returning to America and getting back on their grind.
However, the struggles that the group went through, is what makes them humble and grateful. They kept reiterating how grateful they are but also emphasizing that it took a lot of hard work to make it to the Grammys and be in spaces with artists where the music eventually gets out. A lot of the times, producers create several songs and sometimes none of those songs make the album.
Fortunately for The Stereotypes, their distinct sound, and songs, made it.
As producers, a part of their creative process is to “listen to the frequencies in the room” – which to be honest, is a talent in and of itself. Being four members, they feed off each other’s energy and fill each other’s gaps. That’s what distinguishes them and elevates their music.
At the end of the panel, it was open to audience questions. The people in the audience ranged from those in the music industry to aspiring artists, to fans. One aspiring artist from the audience asked what he needs to do if he wants a record from The Stereotypes. Their response was “come and talk to us after this!” And they were not kidding.
This is what Mastercard aimed to do with their array of panels and events, to inspire – and have these conversations plant seeds, and grow into something greater.
