Emile Ghantous is a grammy nominated record producer and songwriter. He has credits with artists like Pitbull, JoJo, Charlie Wilson and dozens of other household names.
But, before he was producing songs for big-time artists, he was just a kid buying the latest R&B CDs in his hometown- Peoria, Illinois. Listening to groups like Boyz II Men and New Edition had him hooked on music and he began experimenting with creating beats and making songs with his friends in high school.
Flash forward a few years and Emile is hustling artists back and forth to his friend’s recording studio, spending sleepless nights producing music, and meeting with some of the most influential managers in the industry. All of that dedication eventually paid off when he landed a huge deal to produce an album for an aspiring artist.
He has a great story with a lot of ups and downs, a lot of hustle and some funny memories. Listen to it now on this episode of The Big Break.
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Show Notes
1:31Where did you grow up?
3:08Who fostered your interest in music when you were young?
4:25When did you start writing music?
6:35Emile’s first time using a drum machine
8:05Buying his own drum machine
10:43Recording people for the first time and selling the first records
12:10Selling old demos to collectors
14:28Starting to record in a real recording studio
16:06Dealing with doubt and discouragement from people
17:02Moving to Chicago
18:19Columbia College and learning Music
18:56Tomboy and getting connected to R. Kelly
22:00Being told to drop out of school, and just go get involved in the music business
23:37“He wanted me to learn that I can make money doing something I believe in.”
24:45After Emile dropped out of school
25:45Partnering with Erik Nelson, and making “Set You Free”
27:35The birth of The Insomniax
28:53Getting ripped off and learning lessons
30:08Emailing A&R’s and Managers
32:34When did all the pressure and work start to pay off?
32:453LW
36:55Jared Rosenberg
38:50Getting in touch with JoJo
40:20Getting connected to Vincent Herbert, and recording in New York
44:05When did you guys start charging people to record?
46:54Meeting Courtney Stewart and recording with Bobby Valentino
49:482009, and how working hard and doing work can turn your life around
55:00Working with Nasri
56:20Starting “The Cartoons”
57:50The importance of being organized, and sampling yourself
60:03“You never know when you’re going to meet that person you’re supposed to make magic with.”
62:00Closing thoughts
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