Meet Anton “Asoteric” of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Anton “Asoteric”.

Hi Anton, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Hi, I’m Anton, also known as Asoteric. I was born and raised in Copenhagen, Denmark, but I’ve lived in Los Angeles since the summer of 2012.

Two years prior to moving to LA, I attended a boarding school in Bornholm (Denmark) where I took digital music production classes. When I moved to LA, I went to Fairfax High School and connected with Ljay Currie. Ljay got signed to a major label, and I had the chance to produce six tracks on his debut EP FREE, released in 2018. One notable track is “Undercover ft. Kiana Ledé.” Shortly after, I met JELEEL! We quickly started collaborating, which led to my producing four songs on his debut album Angel from Heaven.

Growing up in LA has been quite a ride. Everyone has their opinions about the city, and I of course, have many myself, but overall, I love being surrounded by all the different cultures. The endless networking opportunities have made it an ideal place for my music career.

A major highlight of my career was working on Drake’s track “Money in the Grave ft. Rick Ross”. Back in October 2018, I was in the studio with artists DeLorean Black and James1stgen, where I created a beat that would later become the foundation for “Money in the Grave”. The instrumental exported that day was titled ‘Money in the grave (rough instrumental)’, a name that would later take on new significance, even influencing the songwriting for the track. By December 2018, Lil CC & Ljay sent a selection of beats to Drake, including the “Money in the Grave” beat. By February 2019, Drake sent us a video showcasing the song’s verse and chorus. I knew it sounded incredible, but I wasn’t sure that the track would be released, so I kept it quiet for a few months. Then, around the second week of June 2019, Drake privately mentioned that he would release the song if the Toronto Raptors won the championship in the 100th NBA Finals. One week leading up to the NBA championship game, Drake sent the song’s contract to my lawyer, which led me to believe the release was imminent. The song was officially released on June 15, 2019, and included Rick Ross as a feature, which was a big surprise to me.
This track opened many doors for me, including signing a publishing deal with Warner Chappell & OVO and later collaborating with PartyNextDoor on “Eye On It” for his PartyMobile album.

Other special moments include working with Scott Storch and Chloe x Halle on the track “Do It,” which earned a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Song in 2020, and also collaborating with Scott Storch on the song “Changsha,” with Lay Zhang. Additionally, I’ve collaborated on songs with Swae Lee & Stefflon Don on “Run Through,” NLE Choppa on “Matrix,” Cootie on “Voices in My Head,” Amanda Reifer on “Bag,” ØHENRY on “On My Mind” and “Never Slow Me Down,” and Dutch Melrose on “After Hours,” among others.

Before starting my own musical endeavors, I was fortunate to have a close mentor in my highly talented stepdad, Jonas Jeberg. Without him, I would not be where I am now in music. Over the years, he taught me countless things about the industry, and our relationship progressed from mentorship to eventually collaborating on songs together. This crucial experience allowed me to work with artists such as Demi Lovato, Citizen Four, Alec King, Felix Jaehn, Marc E. Bassy, and Gucci Mane, and I am very grateful for all of it.

Feeling a deep soul-calling to pursue music with a more spiritual and meaningful purpose, I collaborated with Land Is Rising. Together, we worked on numerous songs, some of which are featured on the EP This Land Is Paradise, a project I produced. It explores themes of honoring nature, conscious activism, and spiritual purpose, all of which deeply inspires me.

The Story Behind My Name: Asoteric

My given name is Anton, but I chose the name Asoteric in March 2019. I’ve always been drawn to the spiritual side of life, and Asoteric reflects my deep interest in understanding the hidden layers of existence. From a young age, I’ve been on a quest to learn how life truly works beneath the surface, and this journey has shaped both my personal and artistic paths. Maybe one day, I will share that knowledge with others—it’s something I think would be both fulfilling and exciting. In addition to working on music, I’ve dedicated time to various projects and studying spiritual sciences. After taking a period to really evolve myself, I’m presently in a great space, feeling focused and fulfilled. And with new ambitions on the horizon, I’m optimistic about what the future holds for my career and personal life, while keeping balance through it all.

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?
Naturally, I’m more spiritually and empathetically inclined, and in the entertainment industry, you often encounter bulldozers who will do or say anything to get their way. I’ve had my share of not-so-pleasant experiences, but with the incredible guidance of my mentor and my ability to adapt, it’s all been worth it. Every challenge has brought valuable lessons, and I’ve learned a lot along the way. While the road hasn’t always been smooth, I understand it’s part of the process. Moving to LA at a young age and diving into the music industry came with its own set of challenges—there were moments of uncertainty, setbacks, and times when things didn’t go as planned. But each hurdle helped shape me both personally and professionally. I’ve learned that growth often comes through those struggles, and that’s what makes the journey meaningful. Through it all, staying focused on my purpose has kept me grounded and excited for what’s next.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in music production, particularly in creating beats and recording artists. For my bigger placements, my focus has mainly been on crafting the beat and collaborating with other songwriters, producers, and beat makers in the studio. My primary genres are Hip-Hop, Contemporary R&B, and Pop, where I blend a range of influences to create a unique sound.

One project that stands out as a personal favorite is my work with Land Is Rising, particularly the track Protect the Youth. It holds deep meaning for me and reflects my desire to connect music with something more purposeful.

Professionally, the biggest highlight of my career was working on the song Money in the Grave with Drake and Rick Ross, as mentioned earlier. That track completely changed the trajectory of my career and opened many doors. It came at a time when I was on the verge of stepping away from music altogether. The timing couldn’t have been more ironic, but it proved to be a pivotal moment for me.

In terms of the technical side of things, I work with three different DAWs—Logic Pro is my main tool, but I also use Ableton and FL Studio. While each has its strengths, I’ve learned that it’s not about the software but how you use it. They’re all great programs for creating music.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Based on my own experience and learning from others in the industry, I wish I hadn’t been so attached to certain ideas early on. It’s important to keep crafting and experimenting. For example, I never thought the beat for “Money in the Grave” was finished, but that experience taught me a valuable lesson—what you may or may not like doesn’t necessarily reflect how others will feel about it. So, don’t overthink it; just keep creating.

One of the toughest parts, was navigating the business side of things. Understanding how the industry works—especially contracts, negotiations, and relationships—requires both patience and knowledge. It can be overwhelming at first, but I learned a lot from great mentors and by immersing myself in it—talking to managers, lawyers, and making connections.

For those just starting out, I’d say it’s crucial to find a balance between creating music that lights up your soul and crafting industry-relevant tracks. Also, make genuine, authentic connections with others. Don’t feel the need to seek validation from people; trust yourself and let those aligned connections come naturally. On a more practical note, I wish I’d started using templates sooner—it’s like a time-saving cheat code that really improves workflow.

Don’t tie your sense of success solely to the destination—embrace every form of success in the present moment. Success isn’t solely about the outcomes of your actions; it’s also about how you think, act, and feel throughout the journey. Staying aligned with this mindset has been key for me. Rather than dwelling on what you haven’t accomplished or viewing yourself through the lens of perceived weaknesses, concentrate on the positives and the goals you can achieve.

One thing I’m grateful for is that I pushed myself to take as many sessions as possible, even when I felt like pulling back. My management at the time (Milk & Honey) encouraged me to keep going, and every opportunity taught me more, especially about the psychology behind the music business.

Lastly, don’t be afraid of mistakes; with awareness, they can teach you valuable lessons that help you grow faster. Another tip for collaboration is to put yourself in the shoes of the people you want to work with and consider how you can bring value to them. And most importantly, don’t engage in work that slowly makes you miserable—follow your joy.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/asoteric_
• Other: https://beacons.ai/asoteric

Image Credits
Johnny Theophilus & E Makumeka