Crossing over styles and merging sounds has always been a big part of the evolution of music, and few musicians have had the same impact as Ashanti Floyd, better known as the Mad Violinist.
Ashanti was born into music. Both his mother and father were accomplished musicians, and they ingrained in him a love for the violin. But it was his experimentation with other genres that set him apart as a musician. His creativity and skill netted him a full scholarship to the Berklee School of Music.
Today, Ashanti is one of the top string arrangers in the music industry, and has worked with major artists in all genres from Rap and Hip Hop, to Pop and more. He has been nominated for six Grammy’s and continues to help artists grow in the music industry.
Today we welcome The Mad Violinist, on this episode of The Big Break.
You can Follow Ashanti on Instagram and Twitter
Check out Ashanti's website to keep up with his tours and current work
Show Notes
1:34The first time playing the violin, and growing up in a musical family
4:15What did “taking violin seriously” mean for you?
5:23What were these violin camps like compared to Tallahassee?
8:01What kind of music were you playing?
9:15How did you develop your skills after High School?
10:14Auditioning for Berklee College of Music
12:25Were there a lot of Jazz string players like you?
14:08Did you ever feel pressured to stay more traditional with your practice instead of experimenting?
15:57Discovering the reach of music
16:44What was your experience like at Berklee?
18:15Leaving Berklee, playing in clubs, and the birth of “The Mad Violinist”
18:55Working with childhood friend T-Pain
20:30Was it a hard decision to leave Berklee?
21:20Learning from signing a bad contract
23:00Moving back to Tallahassee and starting to make beats
27:10Ashanti’s popularity starts to get crazy
28:53“Not everyone’s your friend”
29:31The J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League and “Buss Yo’ Head” by Young Buck
30:51Accidentally moving to Atlanta
33:33Meeting Malay and working with John Legend and Yelawolf
35:38Was it unusual being in the studio with an actual violin with the artists you were working with?
37:33When you’re in the studio, are you in there with a specific idea? Or are you just seeing what
works with the record?
41:06Do you think your reputation precedes you now?
42:28Would you say your work with Malay and Yelawolf was the turning point for you?
43:10Starting the Youtube Channel
44:45Right Above It by Lil Wayne and Drake and The Show Goes On by Lupe Fiasco
46:48What was it like getting the Grammy nominations?
48:00What did your parents have to say about the Grammys?
49:06What have you been working on recently?
50:50Respecting each other and being comfortable in the studio
52:15Helping other musicians
54:27Closing thoughts from Ashanti
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