Meet Andre Pinckney of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Andre Pinckney

Hi Andre, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I actually got my start playing drums (which I like to call “music’s gateway drug”), very young at my grandfather’s church in South Jersey. Similar to many other musicians who got their start in the black church, I was eventually encouraged to move to the keys because our organist decided to leave to make more money playing for a larger church. By the time I graduated High School, I had played so much left-hand keyboard-bass, that I had developed a natural inclination for bass playing. I coupled this with my brief background in upright bass-playing from middle school orchestra and jazz band, and moved on my community college professor, Mike Billingsley’s advise to audition as a music performance major at The University Of The Arts in Philadelphia, PA.

My attendance there laid the foundation for my career, as it enabled me to learn to chart and read music, provided me with access to recording software, and provided me with a network of performers that I would otherwise less likely have access to as an untrained musician.

After leaving UARTS, I was able to create a stable music career performing with a wedding band, playing at local clubs in the Philadelphia area, and performing/touring with recording artists such as Jazmine Sullivan, Eric Roberson, and K’Naan. I was also able to record bass on a few albums such as “A Couple Of Friends” by Kinded The Family Soul, “The Green Room” by Vivian Green, and Bilal’s “A Love Surreal,” thanks to grammy-nominated producer and early mentor, Steve McKie.

In the summer of 2016, i decided to explore my love for music production away from the Philadelphia area, and relocated to Los Angeles along with 2 other Philadelphia area producers (“iRobot” Scott Carter, and Ali Prawl) to eventually function as a production collective known as Triangle Park Music. Upon relocation, the collective went on to produce records for artists such as Bebe Rexha, Kanye West, Teyana Taylor, Noah Cyrus, Ant Clemmons & more. Separate from this collective, my production credits include works for artists such as Wizkid, Ari Lennox & Summer Walker, Robin Thicke, Tory Lanez, Trevor Jackson, and more.

In the summer of 2021, I parted ways with Triangle Park & pursued my solo endeavors under the umbrella of my newly formed company, Nappy Genius Inc. I have since dedicated my time to producing and developing newer artists such as Taylor Felt, Major Myjah, Markētta Patrice, and (recently) artists under the umbrella of LA Reid & Usher’s new label, Mega. I have also split time performing and touring with artists such as LL Cool J, Givēon, and Reneé Rapp, as well as preparing to release my own solo music as a recording artist.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It hasn’t been a smooth road, however the challenges I’ve faced along the way have shaped my identity as a producer, musician, and artist.

Getting into UARTS was a challenge in itself. Two months before i auditioned, I was nowhere near proficient in sight reading music, nor did I meet many of the other requirements for the initial exam, so with the help of my Community College professor, Mike Billingsley, I was able to take lessons & cram my behind off for those two months leading up to my audition at University Of The Arts (UARTS). And somehow, by the grace of God, I was accepted!

Coming-up and navigating through Philadelphia’s Music scene was a challenge in and of itself! Philly is known as “the city of brotherly love,” however that love is as tough as nails, and the soul of the city is known to be hypercritical and blunt. (Ask the sports fans! Lol) However, this particular character trait was instrumental in shaping the city’s rich musical legacy, producing artists such as The Roots, Jill Scott, Musiq Soulchild, Jazmine Sullivan, Will Smith, Meek Mill, and Lil’ Uzi Vert. The constant harsh criticism from our peers & OG’s along the way brought plenty of discouragement and backhanded compliments. And, I was constantly compared to and put in environments to compete with my peers for jobs that paid scraps, or yielded little to no exposure or benefit… which had me in positions where i had to travel through the city on public transportation with my instrument & equipment, and spend many nights bumming it on friends floors & couches in order to be closer to where the money was. The silver lining was that I was always where I needed to be, and I made some amazing friendships along the way.

Also, because the city has this rich musical legacy, my generation had developed a sense of entitlement, which also became a tough mindset to overcome. We felt like because Philadelphia was a hub for a slew of prominent recording artists’s bands (which included The Roots, John Legend, Jill Scott, Pharrell/N.E.R.D., Bilal, Musiq Soulchild, GUY, and many others), that we should be granted 1st access to or be “handed down” all of these gigs without question! We were wrong, and gradually grew bitter and jealous!

We failed to realize that since the contribution of DJ Jazzy Jeff’s production house “A Touch Of Jazz,” which housed powerhouse music producers such as Dré & Vidal, and Carvin & Ivan, as well as artists such as Jill Scott and Musiq Soulchild, the major labels had not been producing many new R&B/Soul artists to provide new work for up and coming Philadelphia area musicians. And, for some reason, all of the newer Hip-hop acts were only using DJ’s. In a nutshell, the city was dry for us! All the work was where the labels are: Los Angeles, CA!

Relocating to LA brought new challenges as well… after moving here, me & the two other members of Triangle Park Music decided to get a 2 bedroom apartment… problem was: there were 3 of us! Three grown, heterosexual men in a 2 bedroom apartment is crazy! To make matters worse, it was never just 3 of us in the apartment! Because we had no major placements yet, we welcomed a slew of up-and-coming writers and recording artists, charging them (to write) 2 songs a day instead of charging them rent in order to stay with us. Needless to say, the productivity was amazing, but the amount of privacy & personal space was almost non-existent. Sometimes there would be up to 10 people staying in that apartment at one time, just to paint the picture with no exaggeration.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
1.) What do I do?…

I am a 4x Grammy nominated, mult-instrumentalist producer, singer-songwriter, and touring bassist/music director… which in a nutshell just means i show up to either create music, or to make someones music and/or musical performance sound, look, and feel better.

2.) What do you Specialize in?

I specialize in bass playing, and overall artist development, since I’ve been privileged with the ability to see and experience multiple phases and aspects of a musician, producer, writer, or recording artist’s journey from many different vantage points.

3.) What are you known for?

I am most commonly known for playing the heck out of a bass! I’ve been touring and performing on large stages for over 12years with acts such as Reneé Rapp, LL Cool J, Tyler The Creator, Givēon, Jazmine Sullivan, Bebe Rexha, Skip Marley, and many others.

4.) What are you most proud of?

I am most proud of my recent decision to release my own music, because being seen in the forefront of something was the hardest mental hurdle to overcome, but the most beneficial fear to get over. My first single, “Have It All,” is available on all platforms. My new project is scheduled to drop in March of 2025.

5.) What sets you apart from others?

I believe it’s my versatility that sets me apart from others. It enables me to produce a positive outcome from any seat in the room. I’ll also include my desire to be a better person every day. It’s like at the very least, you’ll walk away with a dope baseline and a great conversation! Haha

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success is when you no longer question your self worth… or when thoughts towards your own self worth no longer hinder your ability to function happily in your daily life.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drepinckney/profilecard/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@drepinckney?si=sCl8idIlvhJpSZA4
• Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/T7GH1JTBJ9VdyvQLA

Image Credits
Hunter Moreno
Marc Prodanovic
Marketta Wilder