Our first entry takes us pretty close to home…so close, you’d think this was nepotism if you didn’t have ears. We asked a few questions about his life and career…but first, a little background:
Ian ‘E Major’ Powell was born and raised in Northwest Washington D.C. His father, a pianist, instilled a love and admiration for music in Ian at a young age. With his passion for music intact, E Major began experimenting with composition, producing his first beat in middle school. Throughout high school, E Major began to refine his sound by experimenting with different genres of music. He grew to develope a distinctive R&B, Hip-Hop, & Reggae sound, which has allowed him the opportunity to have several songs played on the radio. He’s already had a taste of big time success with the hit ‘Mind On My Money’ featuring industry leaders Busta Rhymes and Nicki Minaj as well as up-and-comer Brinx Billions.
JukeBOX. sat down with him on a break from his busy schedule to ask him a few questions about his life and career…
JukeBOX: Who or what inspired you to become a producer?
E Major: There are plenty of producers, as well as artists and different genres of music, that inspired me to be who I am. I don’t know where to start man…honestly I’m inspired by a lot of symphonic sounds, video game soundtracks or really just any crazy dynamic sounding shit. Producers such as The Neptunes, J Dilla, Flying Lotus, J.U.S.T.I.C.E League, Kan Yeezy (Kanye West) of course, Drumma Boy, Shawty Redd, Timbaland and Just Blaze have been big inspirations for me. By the way, the Rick Ross album [Teflon Don] has some heavy production on there, [so that] definitely was a motivational album. .
Brinx Billions x Nicki Minaj x Busta Rhymes – Mind On My Money (Remix)
How did you feel when Brinx Billions, Busta Rhymes & Nicki Minaj decided to collaborate over your production?
The track Mind On My Money was CRAZY…I never even expected to get those features, at first it was Brinx song, then I heard Busta jump on it, then I heard NICKI jump on it. I was ecstatic hearin it. I just wish more people knew the genius behind the track (laughs), but it’s all good. I felt a good sense of accomplishment for real.
What artists would you like to to work with in the future?
What software/hardware do you prefer for your production?
I prefer the [Propellerhead’s] Reason 4 (and now 5) with the [Digidesign] Pro Tools on the Macbook Pro. For real it doesn’t matter, if it plays sounds and can record, I’m gonna kill it. Im gonna do me. Period.
E Major – Best Yet (Snippet)
I see that you’ve rapped over your beats as well. do you have any plans to become your own artist?
