Shamann Cooke grew up in Richmond, Virginia. As an escape from the drugs and violence in his neighborhood, he began rapping, and cultivating himself as an artist. When he got recognized at a rap battle in New York, Shamann was connected to industry superstars like T.I., Young Dro, Rick Ross, and more.
Today, Shamann goes by Beat Billionaire. He produces many of the hits you hear coming out of Maybach Music Group, including “Purple Lamborghini” by Rick Ross, which was the featured song in the blockbuster film “Suicide Squad” and got him a Grammy nomination.
Beat Billionaire joins us to talk about how he went from selling drugs in his hometown, to a premiere producer with Roc Nation, on this episode of The Big Break.
Follow Beat Billionaire on Instagram and Twitter
Show Notes
1:33Growing up in Virginia
3:40What kind of music did you grow up listening to?
4:23Being inspired seeing Virginia on the map
6:00Rapping, and getting discovered by Parish Smith
7:57Did you travel to New York often?
9:09Moving to Atlanta, and linking up with T.I.
10:27How were you sustaining yourself while you were producing in Atlanta?
11:45Takeoff with Young Dro
12:40Getting introduced to Rick Ross
14:23Loyalty, and honoring the people you’re with
15:20At this point are you familiar with the structure of the music industry?
16:47Getting signed at Maybach Music Group
17:24The story of Bag of Money
18:47What did it feel like getting a #1 hit?
20:45What’s the story behind the ‘Beat Billionaire’ name
23:25Do you ever think you would go back to rapping?
24:06Blue Cheese
24:30If you could pick out one moment as your ‘big break’ what would it be?
25:45Making Purple Lamborghini
26:45Do you think working so closely with a small group makes your work better?
28:03What was it like working with Skrillex, from a totally different genre?
29:30Roc Nation
30:50How was the transition going from a producer to a ‘boss’
32:00If you could go back, would you have done anything differently?
33:45Did you feel pressured to make music? Or was it something you just naturally always did?
34:40What is your biggest motivation?
35:03Do you have any new stuff with MMB coming out in the next couple years?
36:45Do you use the internet at all to market yourself?
38:22Do you think a lot of your success is from being in the right place at the right time?
39:14With the popularity of streaming, do you see music changing to fit this new format?
42:00Do you have any other thoughts to share?
44:02Giving back to your home town
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