The beatmaker Mehdi Nine talks about his job and his prods for Wejdene, through Ninho, before appearing on the big project Le Classico Organiser released on November 5 for the title Je me sens seul with Jul, L'Algerino, Soprano, Lyna Mahyem, Dina, Imen.es and Lynda.
- What made you want to get into this beatmaker job?
When I was younger, I was immersed in music: we listened to albums on repeat. I also saw my older brother make prods, he even made one for the title La 1 de Timal. By dint of watching it, I wanted to get started. What I like about beatmaking is the freedom of creation!
- Among the music you listened to when you were younger, are there any instrumentals that have marked you in particular?
I would say the albums Le monde Chico by PNL and Or noir by Kaaris. The instrumentals are dark, melodious, with a certain atmosphere. That's what I liked, and I try to convey the same emotions in my prods.
- Which artist did you collaborate with first?
When I started I took artists' emails on Instagram, and every week I sent my prods to as many rappers as I could. The first one who answered me was RK. We did a freestyle on Générations, and the title Parano on the album Insolent. We were both young, we were making our debut at the same time. It helped me understand how the music industry works.
- A few years later, you made the instrument of the title Anissa de Wejdene. How did that happen?
Before Anissa I was in a very rap period, I had just produced Ninho's Outro. I wanted to take on a new challenge: switch to radio to gain visibility. So I started making pop instruments and looking for new artists to work with. I canvassed 100 people on Instagram and among them was Wejdene. We worked together on a first title J'peut dead and then on Anissa. I did not expect such success!
- Then, you worked on the title Coco !
Yes, we did it right away with the beatmaker group M.O.C , before Anissa gained momentum. This meeting with Mr.O.It allowed me to have a broader vision of music, and to discover new production techniques to make my work more efficient.
- Subsequently, you did the production of the title Le même by Landy. How did it happen?
It's a bit of a coincidence! I was in the studio with one of my friends, I was showing him how to make an instrument… And I happened to really like it (laughs) so I asked my close friends who to propose it to… and everyone told me Landy. So I decided to send it to him and he took it directly! It looked like it was tailor-made for him!
- There you are present on the big project launched by Jul Le Classico Organised. There are more than 150 artists… Was there more difficulty for you?
The difficulty was enormous! We had a WhatsApp group with Jul where we sent the prods… I sent about 300. At first, none were selected, I really thought I wasn't on this project… until the last moment. One of my instruments was taken right on the day of the deadline, for the title I feel alone. I had a hard time realizing!
- Do you have any advice for those who are just starting out with beatmaking?
You have to persevere, you can't collaborate with artists overnight. You really have to dare to go to them, take the time to understand the music industry, and work hard!
