MacDirectory magazine is the premiere creative lifestyle magazine for Apple enthusiasts featuring interviews, in-depth tech reviews, Apple news, insights, latest Apple patents, apps, market analysis, entertainment and more.
Issue link: https://digital.macdirectory.com/i/867
154 MacDirectory INTERVIEW MASSPIKE MILES > I WANT IT ALL INTERVIEW BY MIRANDA MACDONALD MacDirectory took the time out of its Apple-loving schedule to sit down with producer-artist MassPike Miles. Originally from Boston, hence the name, Mass is going international with his self- produced tracks and now the latest addition to Maybach Records, practically hand-picked from the founder of the label, Rick Ross. He has proven to be a self-sufficient artist that doesn't need a million dollar signing bonus. All he needs is MassPike Miles, a paper bag — and a G5 at his side. He's here to make music. MacDirectory > What type of Apple products are you currently using in your daily work? MassPike Miles > Mac Pro. And definitely the G5. The ultimate machine. MD > And what do you you use in producing your music and recording? Mass > Pro Tools HD, Reason and Logic. MD > Would you say you are a pretty loyal Mac user? Mass > Of course... I live with my Mac!! MD > What would you say sets Macs apart from other PCs that you may have used in your production process? Mass > I've never used a PC for anything other than going online at someone else's house or studio. MD > What drew you to the Apple and the Mac? Mass > When I got into production, I was told that it was the thing to use; I was never really an online dude. So, I chose the Mac, never looked back. MD > What is your favorite piece of hardware you make use of in your production process? Mass > G5. That's the ultimate. Everything else is just an accessory. MD > Do you feel that digital distribution will be the ultimate future for the music industry? Mass > Yes and yes! MD > One can only imagine how incredible it is to be signed to Maybach. How did it all start? Mass > (Rick) Ross came to Boston on his promotional, and he needed to get with someone who knew the city. I was like, "My man, I do music and I got my own studio. My paper bag is on point, let's make history." So make a long story short he blessed me with that record. Before he left, he said, "Hey let's shoot this video," and I called every director you could think of in the game and I shot the video. I got to call the director Tony Flowers to get everything set up. It was more of a movie and it was so professional and they dug the professionalism and the fact that I'm the boss and don't have problems investing in myself and spending money on my own projects so they took it upon themselves to come work with us. I was, like, no problem. Why not, I could do it myself, but would I get the same response as a Jeezy or Akon or a Rick Ross? When someone is co-signing you it's like, oh he's cool cuz he works with this dude. MD > What producers/songwriters/ar- tists do you see as your inspirations? Mass > Actually I'm going to keep it real. I don't really have a favorite producer or anything like that. My thing is what I was inspired from when I was younger and the people around me, cuz I don't really have a favorite R&B singer or I listen to nothing but rap. Real rappers like Shyne, Pac, Biggie… but inspiration came from life. I got signed real young. MD > How old were you when you were first signed? Mass > I was 11 on Warner Bros. with a group called Perfect Gentlemen under Maurice Starr, who was responsible for New Edition, New Kids on the Block, etc. - I'm 20 years in! MD > Do you feel you mesh well with Maybach/Rick Ross working on musical projects together? Mass > Of course I do, I mean, why wouldn't I? The dude is one of the greatest rappers right now. Professionally is totally different. I'm an on-the-spot kind of dude and he does his thing. Musically… the mesh is beautiful cuz we both love great music. I'm independent. I have my own studio in Boston. I have my own engineers. If they feel like they (Maybach Records) want to do something specific, but creatively I'm pretty much in control of what I do. I've been experimenting lately -- since music is changing I got people that I work with creatively. I'm more of a people person when I get creative. MD > What is so distinctive about a Maybach/MassPike Production? I don't care if you want to be a janitor: be the best janitor and make sure there is no one better than you. And make sure those floors is as clean as a whistle!! Cuz I'm telling you, its hard out here. The music industry is a dying art