blaccmass is an audio engineer known for his mashups, which tend to catch the eyes and ears of listeners, due to the dark and unorthodox over and undertones that string his sounds together.
He is known for being one of the more uniquely methodical musicians in his position and below, we get to unravel a bit more about the artist’s strategies, experiences, and talents.
Check it out below.
Q:
My first question would be:
Who is blaccmass? What is your brand and your representation as an artist defined by?
A:
blaccmass is a creator first, producer second. My name came from a song by Travis Scott titled: Black Mass. My brand is based off of versatility, making sure to be diverse in my fields.
Dark visuals with mixes that people would not dare put together. I would say I’m pretty bold for mixing the artists that I do together.
Q:
This is actually the first time that I've heard that someone's name came from a song of a recent artist in this generation. That's quite unique. You do indeed have unique music styles that blend well into something people may not have ever heard before.
Which brings me to my next question.
Who in your life has influenced you, personally and even indirectly to impact the music scene this way? I've seen many mashups of different songs but none quite like your own.
A:
Believe it or not, my sister inspired me to actually take it seriously.
Of course, Travis inspired my dark sounds and tendencies to pick songs with hard drums, but one day I’d accidentally made a mashup and my sister convinced me to put it out
Ever since then I’ve been making mixes.
Q:
Wow, that's crazy.
Usually, when I hear of the impressions of family members, it has something of a negative impact on the artist in question, but your family was a central reason for your start.
I can definitely hear the Travis influence in your mashups, however the fact that your sister had such a initial impact is big as well.
Among the other mashup groups and artists who've come into the spotlight these last few years, what do you think sets you apart from them especially?
Putting two or more songs together that sounds sonically pleasing is a sign of someone with a great ear, but what do you believe pushes you past just talent?
A:
Well, believe me, it’s not all sunshine and roses
My sister is the only one who believes in me. The rest of my family is a different story, legit zero faith in me.
I think what sets me apart from the pack is that I mix 2 songs from completely different genres and somehow make them work, like Michael Jackson and Future, or Beyonce and Playboi Carti, or even Lil Uzi Vert and Gwen Stefani.
I feel like I’m the only one bold enough to even make them.
Of course I catch slander but that’s to be expected with the world. But when you mix the impossible, that separates you from the rest.
Q:
Oh trust me when I say I believe you and get where you're coming from.
Striking out and doing your own thing in this day and age will always bring scorn and conflict, especially at home I've noticed.
But I'm glad you're doing this anyway, because when you find your success it'll be just that more rewarding that you went against the grain.
That's very true. The mixes I've seen you put out I would never think they'd actually work until I click that audio button and hear how well it actually blends.
You have an ear like no other and because of that and your drive, success will come your way regardless of any obstacles or barriers.
What is the process of mixing and mastering two completely different sounds together?
What is the formula behind your mashups that make them sound pleasing to the ear?
Are there any strategies or distinct avenues you utilize?
A:
The process is very short to be honest.
I could be listening to a song and if I love the beat enough I could hear another song playing in my head. It starts with my mind first because I can always hear two songs playing at once in my head.
Then once I grab the instrumental and acapellas, I go into fl studio and do the hard part. People think that all you do is match the bpm’s but it’s not that easy.
You have to decide if the beat should be slow or normal, pick a key for vocals and make sure the vocals sit on the kicks and snares just right, and eq the vocals a lot.
It’s definitely a process to this for sure.
I really can’t explain how I can just put these songs together that would be considered weird or not normal. Like you said you have to have an ear for this and I guess I just know which songs to do.
Q:
That's crazy and a criminally underrated talent to have an ear for these things, especially the left-field mashups that I hear every time I click a video of yours.
And from what you told me, this process goes farther than just linking up the songs and taking and adding vocals.
I, myself, didn't know the how complex the process was. This should be an eye opener for many listeners.
You most definitely do, which I think is a driving factor for your edge amongst your peers. Your creative direction is different from others I've ever heard in this lane of music.
My last question would be what advice would you give someone who wants to start doing mashups like you?
Or simply getting into music in general, any tips or tidbits you've received or have thought about that you would like to pass on?
A:
I would tell them to listen to as many instrumentals for their favorite songs as possible. great instrumentals are the key for great mashups.
Don’t settle for instrumentals with trash drums either and don't be afraid to do mixes with your own beats.
My biggest advice would be to not be afraid to mix shit that would raise eyebrows or have people questioning you as to why you did it.
Do what you want to do. Outside opinions do not matter.
Constructive criticism can always help though, so don't just negate that either, and always have fun with it.
Q:
That's great advice man.
Glad to have gotten this interview with you. Truly a conscious dude. Nefarious Supply will be supporting you fully in your future endeavors.
Is there anything you'd like for us to promote for you in this interview?
A:
I am truly grateful for this opportunity.
My 2 disc “blacclist” is releasing February 15th. I’m counting on that project to propel me upwards.
Other than that, I thank you for this interview
Q:
Sounds good. We'll make sure our followers have access to it within the interview.
Thank you again, great talking to you.
If you have any new projects you want us to cover, feel free to let us know.
A:
Hey, thanks for interviewing me. It’s been a pleasure.
The questions were great.
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The BLACCLIST is out now on platforms everywhere! Go check it out below and thoroughly support the artist, and we’ll see you in the next interview!
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