Emile Ghantous is a grammy nominated record producer and songwriter. He has credits with artists like Pitbull, JoJo, Charlie Wilson and dozens of other household names.
But, before he was producing songs for big-time artists, he was just a kid buying the latest R&B CDs in his hometown- Peoria, Illinois. Listening to groups like Boyz II Men and New Edition had him hooked on music and he began experimenting with creating beats and making songs with his friends in high school.
Flash forward a few years and Emile is hustling artists back and forth to his friend’s recording studio, spending sleepless nights producing music, and meeting with some of the most influential managers in the industry. All of that dedication eventually paid off when he landed a huge deal to produce an album for an aspiring artist.
He has a great story with a lot of ups and downs, a lot of hustle and some funny memories. Listen to it now on this episode of The Big Break.
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Show Notes
1:31\t\tWhere did you grow up?
3:08\t\tWho fostered your interest in music when you were young?
4:25\t\tWhen did you start writing music?
6:35\t\tEmile’s first time using a drum machine
8:05\t\tBuying his own drum machine
10:43\tRecording people for the first time and selling the first records
12:10\tSelling old demos to collectors
14:28\tStarting to record in a real recording studio
16:06\tDealing with doubt and discouragement from people
17:02\tMoving to Chicago
18:19\tColumbia College and learning Music
18:56\tTomboy and getting connected to R. Kelly
22:00\tBeing told to drop out of school, and just go get involved in the music business
23:37\t“He wanted me to learn that I can make money doing something I believe in.”
24:45\tAfter Emile dropped out of school
25:45\tPartnering with Erik Nelson, and making “Set You Free”
27:35\tThe birth of The Insomniax
28:53\tGetting ripped off and learning lessons
30:08\tEmailing A&R’s and Managers
32:34\tWhen did all the pressure and work start to pay off?
32:45\t3LW
36:55\tJared Rosenberg
38:50\tGetting in touch with JoJo
40:20\tGetting connected to Vincent Herbert, and recording in New York
44:05\tWhen did you guys start charging people to record?
46:54\tMeeting Courtney Stewart and recording with Bobby Valentino
49:48\t2009, and how working hard and doing work can turn your life around
55:00\tWorking with Nasri
56:20\tStarting “The Cartoons”
57:50\tThe importance of being organized, and sampling yourself
60:03\t“You never know when you’re going to meet that person you’re supposed to make magic with.”
62:00\tClosing thoughts
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