Representin’ New Jersey
Sounds Like: Rodney Jerkins Meets Timbaland
 |
D-Town remembers the first time that he got in the studio with Beyonce.
“Beyonce is incredible,” the New Jersey born producer says. “They told
us before we went in with her like she doesn’t spend any more than an
hour or two to cut a record. But she got to the studio-we were supposed
to start at 12, she didn’t get to the studio until 4. We played her
literally a scratch and she finished the song by 5:30.”
The song was “Beautiful
Nightmare,” a track that D-Town made with his frequent collaborators,
Jim Jonsin and Rico Love. With another song, “Spotlight” on the diva’s
popular album, I Am Sasha Fierce,
D-Town knows that he’s headed in the right direction-straight to the
top. A classically trained pianist, the producer got his start while
attending college in Hartford, CT.
“It was an all white college
so if you were known for doing anything music wise urban, we pretty
much did it,” the producer, who also produced “New Day” for Patti
Labelle laughs.
Eventually, he landed in
Atlanta, where he linked up with R&B group, Jagged Edge, producing
tracks including “This Goes Out” and “Seasons Change.” Now, he’s using
his classical background to add depth to his production, a technique
that has transferred well to listeners so far.
“Classical training helps me
diversify my style,” he says. “With classical music, you have people
who interpret the music in different ways. When I translate that into
producing it helps me be able to get in with any artist.” -j.h.
