It is a blessing when remarkable people that we admire make time to speak with us. Those shared interviews are reflections of us both, that’s why it’s imperative that what we ask them matters.
As longtime fans of Red Alert Studios’ award-winning producer/recording artist Sam Rhansum, we spoke with him about his TOP 5 favorite producers. He responded with incredible detail and insight about their influence on his career. Our discussion didn’t stop there.
With this series we wanted to applaud Rhansum for his incredible accomplishments in the music, movie, and television industries, so during our conversation we asked him THIS GOOD QUESTION: What are your TOP 5 favorite placements?
His fourth answer was, “ESPN on ABC College Football and Michael Jordan 30 for 30.
Another agent call. He knew I was on the high school drumline and our entire squad loved Hip Hop.
We would have every 3rd quarter of games to ourselves in the stands, and we would jam every beat we could think of.
I had already given a few tracks that featured some marching drum kinda vibes, but ESPN wanted exclusive tracks made just for them. So, I just went about collecting all my marching sounds, virtual drumlines, and recorded some live drums with a field recorder.
I seriously just jammed for days on grooves. I think I over delivered there too.
I was told turn in 5-6 tracks. I turned in 10 and they bought all 10. It was the first time I agreed to a buyout meaning they own it.
But I would see some royalties on the back end from time to time. And I still do. Years later they still use them.” |THIS.
[By M.J. Walker]
“My five favorite placements for my music is a hard one too. Each time I get some kind of a placement deal I’m honored that someone saw that what I create was worthy of repeating, and that they wanted it to be part of what they are creating as well.
The licensing game is one where you have to leave a little bit of your ego behind with an understanding of what the whole industry is. It’s not always about the music you make, or you, or your quality. All of those are important, but the one thing you gotta learn is it’s about where its being put.
Does it fit the scene, or the show, or the game, or the ad? All of that matters, and my career has had way more almosts than successes.
Deals have been made and/or lost in a matter of minutes, and for minor things. If you are quick, versatile and have a good work ethic you just keep stringing along the successes to build that resume. I also had/have agents on my side that believe in my abilities and continued growing diversity. They know what I can do, and often challenge what they think I might be able to do. I’d shout them out in a heartbeat, but I always respect that they do what they do behind the scenes and only make connections when they approve.
They know who they are and that I appreciate them like mad.” – Sam Rhansum
