Today we’d like to introduce you to Shake & Bake.
Shake & Bake, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I started producing & engineering when I was 17. I’m now 24. I began my journey in Chicago, just recently moving to LA within the last 6 months with my partner/artist Asa2Times to complete his highly anticipated album entitled “MOVIE”. I seem to stand out and shock most people as they don’t expect me to be in the “hot seat” in the studio as a [predominately Hip Hop] producer/engineer, mainly because it is so uncommon to see young white females such as myself in this light. However, in Chicago, I made a name for myself and my brand working with artists/producers such as King Louie. Thelonius Martin, C-Sick, members of Treated Crew, and countless other poppin’ artists from Chicago back in 2013/2014. After working at studios such as Pressure Point, Classick Studios, and managing a series of studios at Columbia College, I began to carve out the uniqueness of my sound/style in beats and engineering. In late 2016/early 2017, I was hired to be the manager as well as head engineer/producer/A&R at 1st & 15th (famously known as Lupe Fiasco’s label) on the West Side of Chicago where I made tons of connects and gained a huge amount of experience and responsibility. There I worked with the majority of new age hot rappers from Chicago and the OGs as well, including, but not limited to, Lupe Fiasco, Crucial Conflict, CDot Honcho, Jeremih, SoundTrackk, Saba, globally popular EDM artists, grammy award winning writers and engineers, and more.
While working with FNF I began to focus more on my production. During this time I met artist Asa2Times and we quickly became a super producer-artist duo with our first few singles together including “Whip” and “YUP” which began to take off in the club scene, on the radio, and in strip clubs across America. These were the first two records to get us deal offers from major and indie labels on the table. My ‘turnt up’ beats became very recognizable for their slammin’ 808s, simple/dark melodies, and drums that hit (especially in the club) earning me the producer nickname “Big Shako”. Once I started gaining attention from producing with Asa, I began to get more production placements with artists such as Valee, Queen Key, El Hitta, Kid Kenn, Nimic Revenue, etc. I am still unsigned, but working with several label artists on countless new projects, EPs, and singles with the release of “MOVIE” being the top priority for this year. I am currently freelance engineering/producing out of LA where I am networking like crazy and living my best life.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The music industry is no joke. It is all about creating and maintaining solid relationships with key people especially those who are considered “gate keepers”. I have been lucky enough to have great connects, mentors, and partners around me to help steer me down the right path. Being a boss lady in any industry comes with its challenges, and the music industry is tough, but I have a very strong business-minded mentality. I take my work and my craft very seriously, and I am very upfront and transparent about that which most people can respect. I also pay homage where it’s due and, thus, usually get my respect in return. Being from Chicago makes you tough and gives you a pretty strong BS radar, so I usually know that as long as I am surrounded by the right people and I always follow my gut, then I’m good.
Also, a major learning experience for me along the way has been learning to find the right lawyer. Once I found my current lawyer(s), I began to be able to negotiate a lot more out of deals for myself as well as educate myself on contracts of all kinds.
Please tell us about your work.
Shake & Bake Productions LLC offers professional recording, mixing, mastering, and production/composing services. I am most known for specializing in Hip Hop beats. My style of beats is “club bangers” with heavy 808s, simplistic (and often devil-ish sounding) melodies, and catchy/modern/up-beat drums. Most of my beats have that rachet, in-the-pocket sounding simplicity that just hits. I also have been a piano player since a kid so a lot of my beats lately include more complex piano melodies in the lead. Occasionally I enjoy a good live instrumentation collaboration where I will bring in a friend to lay down a guitar lick and I match it with trap drums/808s.
Other than being a young woman in Hip Hop production, a major attribute that sets me apart and is easily recognizable is the whisper-like “Shake & Bake, Shake & Bake” tagline at the beginning of almost all of my beats. I also think that working on 100+ songs with Asa2Times has helped us carve out a unique sound together as well. The combination of my sounds, my tagline, and his unique and easily distinguishable adlibs has created a catchy and popular wave for both of us.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I have mad love for some of my mentors along the way including Charles “Chill” Patton (and whole FNF fam), Able Garibaldi, Joshua Shapera, Asa2Times (who has single-handedly taught me the most about myself and music), and countless others. Also, shouts out to the squad/label Movie Mafia LLC.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shakeandbakeee_/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/shakeandbakeee_
Image Credit:
Shot By PG
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