How To Make A Dope Beat With Saint-Evo The-Myth

Saint-Evo The-Myth is a Kenyan music producer helping to pioneer the house music industry in the country through his record label Celsius Degree. He has worked with local musicians such as Boneless and Inami as well as a few South Africans. He is among a small group of Producers/ DJs in Nairobi and has regular gigs around the city. We caught up with him on Twitter to chat about his work and how to make a good beat.

 

1. Your work has been and is very crucial in the development of Kenyan dance music, how long have you been making beats?

I’ve been making beats for the last seven years and counting.

2. What’s your definition of a good beat, if anything like that does exist?

Good leveling, a creative mix (how the producer plays around with the elements of the beat) and most of all a narrative, may it be vocally or through imagery in using instruments to tell a story.

3. What’s your creative process like?

It depends on what I want to make, be it deep, ethnic or club oriented music; it sits on a foundation of emotion and inspiration that emanates from the artist, an instrument or a mere thought. All of it laced with a layer of passion.

4. Do you set aside time to make beats or is it spontaneous?

I do set aside time for making beats, but I also fall into the habit of jumping into the studio spontaneously when an idea comes up.

5. Are there times when you have been inspired by life experiences to create a beat?

Indeed I have fallen to such times and made music I never thought was possible, the precious times when a spark of magic can turn a bad situation into a lovely experience. Which I believe is very important for a creative, as we are a concept of our surroundings.

6. In your own opinion, what’s the place of music in the society, more so in Nairobi?

I believe music is the bedrock of entertainment and escapism in society. Music in my opinion has become an integral part of our society not only as a form of entertainment per se, but as a career and a business.

7. What hardwires/software do you use?

I currently use various software I have found along the way; Ableton, Studio One, FL Studio & Logic Pro. The choice depends on the feel of the project and the different aspects of each software.

8. What are the challenges of being a beat maker/music producer in Nairobi?

One of the challenges of being a Beat maker/Producer in Nairobi is the limited platforms available to showcase the type of music I make (House music and sub genres of House music). Another challenge is piracy, making it difficult for artists to make a clean earning from their music and lack of authenticity which in turn makes it harder to make headway locally. But with the internet, the global scene isn’t that far.

9. Which Kenyan and international artists would you love to work with?

The Kenyan artist would have to be Xtatic. The continental artist, would be Black coffee and as for the International artist, I would love to work with Pharell!

10. What makes a good beat maker?

In my opinion, just five things; passion, determination, good knowledge of sound & music, vision & lastly, a good ear!

11. Anything you want to add or subtract?

That the future cats to look out for in the next year are the House DJs/producers! That is to say the House Music Movement in general.