Daily Inspiration: Meet Kheilstone

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kheilstone .

Hi Kheilstone, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Born and raised in Jamaica, music was always part of my environment. As a teenager, I’d search my neighborhood looking for old electronics like radios, TVs, anything with a circuit board, to take them apart and learn how they worked. That curiosity and love for music eventually led me to DJing. After high school, I moved to New York, where my brother, Bal, introduced me to Kevin Lloyd, a friend and DJ who had a small basement studio at the time. The moment I stepped inside the studio, I knew I wanted to produce music and that was one of the pivotal moments that sparked my journey into music production.

As I began building my career in New York, I started gaining traction both locally and internationally, working with major reggae and dancehall artists like Beenie Man, Popcaan, Sizzla, and Busy Signal. Eventually, I took a leap of faith and moved to Los Angeles to focus fully on music. A producer and mutual friend, LMR, introduced me to music executive and producer Sham “Sakpase” and working with him helped me understand the music business on a broader scale and reinforced my vision of establishing a lasting career in the industry.

As my network grew, new opportunities unfolded, one of which was the collaboration with acclaimed song writer, Verse Simmonds, and led to my first Grammy nomination for Sean Paul’s Scorcha album. That milestone has continued to open new doors and opportunities.

Being a multi-genre producer allows me to create from different perspectives including Afrobeats with BNXN and Tiwa Savage to R&B collaborations with Kevin Ross and Eric Bellinger. I have also expended into movie and television synchs and now have the goal of continuing to build Audovic Nation (AVN). AVN is designed to be a creative hub for artists, writers, and producers to connect, collaborate, and bring new sounds to life.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t been a smooth road. I didn’t start with industry connections or a blueprint to follow, so I had to learn everything the long way. Like most creatives, I’ve faced missed opportunities, bad deals, and times when I wasn’t properly credited for my contributions on projects. The hardest part wasn’t the work itself, it was learning how to navigate the industry politics, egos, and the business of music. But those experiences made me sharper.

There were moments of doubt, times when I questioned whether things were moving fast enough or if I was even on the right path. Eventually, I realized that doubt is part of the process. To move forward, I had to be intentional, stay focused, and continue adding value.

One of my biggest challenges was being an introvert in an industry that thrives on networking and constantly being “on.” Socializing didn’t come naturally, and that made certain spaces harder to navigate. Instead of trying to change who I am, I learned to evolve, adapt, and show up authentically, and most people respect that. Every setback came with a lesson, and because of that, I’ve learned to appreciate them all.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a music producer, mix engineer, and founder of Audovic Nation (AVN), a creative hub and production company. I don’t box myself into one genre because music is spiritual to me, so I create based on what I feel. I’m known for my taste and ability to merge genres seamlessly.

I’ve worked with artists such as Sean Paul, Wizkid, Eric Bellinger, Lecrae, Kevin Ross, Buju Banton, and Tiwa Savage. One of my proudest moments was being in a club in New York and hearing “Family” by Popcaan, a record I produced, playing on repeat, yet no one in the club knew I made it lol. Another significant milestone was being nominated for a Grammy for Sean Paul’s Scorcha album. I’ve also secured multiple sync placements in film and TV; my latest is in the upcoming movie EscoBank releasing November 14. What sets me apart is taste and versatility. I’m not a “type-beat” producer; my approach is like a painter’s: I explore, experiment, make a mess, and let the magic reveal itself.

What was your favorite childhood memory?
Honestly, one of my favorite childhood memories was building a little sound system with my cousins and friends and starting to DJ. We’d set it up on the street side of my aunty Highgrade’s bar and everyone from the neighborhood would link up and vibe.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.audovicnation.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kheilstonemusic
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3ADCgndbwnnirF0Wf1sYog?si=ZhZSJsu9RbC8lrXSVUc7FQ