Songwriter DB Bantino has had the pleasure of writing for just about every chart-topping artist that comes to mind over the past decade including Boosie, Casey Veggies, Uncle Murda, French Montana, Dram, Party Next Door, Blac Youngsta, Chris Brown, Bone Thugs and more. The D.C. native was fortunate to land his first publishing deal with popular, super producer Rodney Jerkins and has since then taken his talents to the West Coast in Los Angeles.
Additionally, Bantino has seven songwriting credits on Fox’s hit show “Empire” and the upcoming Tupac biopic on A&E. DB is currently working on his first solo project titled 5 In The Valley and has a single out on Epic Records right now called “Bad Tings” with Zoey Dollaz.
Check out his interview below.
How did you get started with playing and creating music?
I started making music when my neighborhood friends started a rap group that I was too young to join. I wanted to prove that I was just as good in rapping and making beats so I started early with a lot of motivation.
How did you turn your passion into making this your living?
In high school, I started selling beats and then started taking it more serious in college so that I could have money to survive living in another city. Eventually, I got a call from a company that needed a theme song created and they accepted my music and paved me a nice check for it. That’s when I realized there is a way to make a living in this business. Since then I have been able to sell beats, lyrics, or even a complete song to different companies and artist.
Which musicians and songwriters have had the greatest influence on you?
I am a big fan of Nina Simone and Stevie Wonder. Those are two of my favorite voices to hear on a song. I looked up to producers like Pharrell, Kanye West, Scott Storch, Timberland, Rodney Jerkins, and some of the other greats. They are able to remain relevant by adapting new ideas and sounds into their music.
What are your favorite albums?
Two of my favorite albums are The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill and College Dropout by Kanye. Honestly, though you can get in my car and hear almost anything playing from Little Dragon to Lil Uzi.
How did you first connect with Rodney Jerkins?
I believe someone sent him some of my music to check out. I know it was a completely unexpected call that I received at my Obi the Producer’s crib and it was my manager saying “I’m about to bring Rodney Jerkins on the line.” After that convo, Rodney flew me to LA where I met him at his house alongside Mike Tyson. We played basketball in the backyard for a while and got to know one another. Since then we have established a great relationship and have worked on some major projects together.
Can you describe, briefly, how the two of you work together on a project?
Rodney has some dope studios at his crib where we work. Normally he will bring me in with an idea that he has started. Maybe some chords that he has played or some simple melodies. Then he gives me the freedom to come up with the topics and the lyrics. Once I’m done he takes a listen and gives his opinion on the record and begin on post producing it. When working on TV Shows like Empire there is a little more direction. I would get a summary of the upcoming episode and have to write lyrics according to they story.
Let’s talk a bit about your songwriting process. How does a song usually develop — do you first start with the lyrics, melody, chord progression, or something else?
I have two ways of coming up with lyrics. Sometimes I will go into the booth and record vocal melodies pretty much humming through the whole song. I will do that twice and then select the parts I connect with the most. I will organize them into a good song structure and then write the lyrics to that. Other times I go in the booth and record the first line on my mind without thinking. Then punch in a second line in which the melody and topic work with the line before. I will do that all the way throughout the song until it is done. So no writing jus punching in what I feel sounds good and that’s honestly my favorite way.
What is distinctive about your writing process?
Unless it is a track that I created. A lot of times I do not like to hear the track I am writing to until I am behind the microphone with the headphones already plugged in and ready to record. That way whatever vibes I get from the track from the first time I’ve heard it will not be wasted. And the first vibes are normally the best vibes.
Do you have favorite places or times where you like to write?
I like to write in the morning. I have my own mobile studio equipment that I set up on the side of my bed so that I can record while still laying down in the morning. I wrote a couple songs from Empire that way.
How long does it usually take you to write a song?
Writing a song for me normally takes an hour or less. It takes more time when writing for a specific theme because of the research I have to do so that all of the lyrics make sense.
What instruments do you play, and which ones do you compose songs with?
I don’t play any musical instruments. As a producer, I started with Fruity Loops, then went to Reason, and now I create on Logic. I use a keyboard to produce but that’s about it.
What can great sounding recording do for an artist’s career?
It can turn trash into treasure or the exact opposite. Most people are going to hear your before they see you so you want to make sure you are representing yourself by having good quality music. People will know that you take your craft seriously.
Do you have a favorite musical project that you’ve worked on?
I just finished working on my own project titled 5 In The Valley. It’s definitely my favorite right now because I can showcase how my writing actually sounds before another artist sings it or before someone makes changes. This project is all me.
Who are your favorite current songwriters or musicians? Can you turn our readers on to someone they may not have heard of yet?
One of my favorite songwriters from right now is Swae Lee from Rae Sremmurd. They have a really cool sound that kind of sounds like a trap Sade.
What are your plans and hopes for the future with regard to your music?
I want to continue putting out music that people love and appreciate. I want to do more music for film so I will be working on making that happen. Also, I will be touring this year going to different cities to perform so my social media sites will have updates on that. Eventually, I want to start signing new producers, songwriters, and artist to my own production company.
