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 Interview By Cameron Allen
C-Note, Grammy nominated writer, vocal producer, and engineering producer who received a nomination for his work on Rihanna’s “Loud” album shares his secret to a dream with us.
Cameron Allen: Who is C-Note?
C-Note: I can best describe myself as laid back, hard working with a strong belief in God.
CA: Have you always had a strong belief in God?
C-Note: I always had a steady belief in God. Even the struggling in college was a blessing. God has always been the driver. He has always directed life. Even meeting Rico Love, who is a vocal producer and engineer was God driven.
CA: How did you first get into music, meaning, how did you get your foot in the door of music industry?
CN: Like I said, even the struggle in college was a blessing. I had the opportunity to meet Rico Love and work with him while I was in school. Rico Love, #1 song writer in the game -- responsible for such hits as “Touching You,” by Rick Ross -- executive producer on Usher’s album, and “Motivation (Kelly Rowland).” We were both low on funds, and just treating people right and working hard -- I made a name for myself. When Rico got on he put me on. People liked my work and things grew from there.
CA: Since I am a personal friend of yours, I always knew you were destined for success, but I want to know do you feel that you were always destined for success?
CN: Always, it was clear, just waiting on the right timing. Things are good now, but things are just gonna get bigger. I’m at a position where I am cool, but I’m still waiting on the right time to be where I need to be. I learned discipline in college and my work ethic, now I just apply what I learned to do what I love.
CA: What qualities do successful people you work with have and what qualities do you think a successful person should encompass?
CN: Belief in God or higher power. God, the universe whatever you call it. For me it’s God. Belief in self is next. The CEO of Proctor and Gamble or a major record label didn’t just walk into the position, they had to believe first. It takes an uncommon belief in yourself to step out on a dream. You have to be unnormal and have a radical belief in yourself. Then you need hard work and discipline. Once you have those things you have to be “willing to take NO.” No is a door closing to lead you to the right door. You have to take no -- you will hear no all the time.
CA: What were your favorite musical projects you worked on?
CN: Rihanni, because is a “humbug,” It was a spur of the moment thing. It just happened. My man just asked me to work on a lil project and it turned in to a big thing. We were just having fun, and things turned out great. I knew it was meant to be because on a lunch break-I was talking to a young white lady next to me about view points on life and philosophy -- nothing about music. We talked for almost an hour. Before she left I introduced myself and she did the same thing -- it was Katy Perry. I had just been randomly chatting with Katy Perry and didn’t know it. I knew that was a sign.
CA: What is your best musical memory and why?
CN: Working with R Kelly. I grew up listening to that dude, then I got a call from him. He said he wanted me to just do me. He gave me his ideas and left me to work. After I cut the track, he listened for two hours to find mistakes, and he only found one minor error -- he wanted to work with me after that. Working with R Kelly is different—he is just intune with himself. He does everything off what feels good, and instinct. Look at "you remind me of my jeep – I wanna ride it” -- Lol he wrote the hook for “Bling Bling” by Lil Wayne and the Cash Money Crew. He will just say anything, but you love it because it just feels right.
CA: How would you describe your style as a producer?
CN: Team oriented because you get so many different ideas. I have different people I work with, just depends on the situation on who gets the call.
CA: What music programs do you use or any great technology that really gives you the edge?
CN: Every studio uses Pro Tools or Logic. Logic is production and Pro Tools is the vocal aspect -- London, Europe, everywhere, they will use one of the two.
CA: When did you know that you made it?
CN: I haven’t made it, I’m still making it. When you feel like you made it you get comfortable. I don’t want to get comfortable.
CA: What is the best advice that you have been given in life?
CN: If it’s not on paper, it’s not business, because minds can change.
CA: What projects are you currently working on?
CN: Jacob Lattimore.
CA: What words can you offer teens who have given up on dreams? CN: The word quit does not exist. You learn more from failure than success. When you lose you analyze it. Look at the Miami Heat, they are celebrating the victory, but the other team – the other team, they are looking at films trying to figure out how to get better. CA: How can people find you?
CN: I guess you mean the independent person, because record labels already know how to reach me. Independent people can just find me on facebook -- Facebook.com/chad.c.roper or twitter -- twitter/cnoteroper |
