JuneOnnaBeat is the fast growing producer for 2015/2016. After making several successful songs with his Mozzy members, and helping Mozzy members craft there own style and sound, he has also made a successful radio song, Iamsu's "Famous" track with K Camp and Dej Loaf. Read up on why he is on the cover for All Bay Music Magazines commemorative Producers Issue.
ABM: Where are you from?
JuneOnnaBeat: Im originally from Sacramento, Oak Park to be exact. Im an official Mozzy member. Im a producer/rapper and I've been doing music since the age of 14.
ABM: How did you and Mozzy link up?
June: You know, Mozzy and me are from the same hood. He's older than me, I grew up on his music, my whole era did. We came together because we're all from the same hood, he's my brother. We go beyond rap and we were brothers before rap. Bra always be around, he's like someone you walk outside and you see everyday. Someone who always would be like "Heres a dolla man." thats the kind of relationship we have you know.
ABM: How old were you when you first met Mozzy?
June: I was about 16, Mozzy was 21 or 22 when he first met me. Like I said I mean, I always knew who he was because we grew up off his music, you know.
ABM: How did Mozzy find out about you making beats?
June: Just soon as I walk outside, he's right there. He's out in the block or out on the streets. At first the beats was weak but as I got better Mozzy was more and more interested in my beats and they just got saucier and saucier.
ABM: Would you say Mozzy pushed you to do better?
June: He did kind of push me to do better you know, because once you start messing with Mozzy its like you have an opportunity. At that point you got to come hard. These guys are writing verses in 5 minutes, and moving onto the next song, so you gotta come quick. At the same time, I really influence myself to become better too.
ABM: How long have you been rapping?
June: Since about 16, and my first album was at the age of 18/19 with J. Stalin, called "Love Loss". J. Stalin put me in a better position, we was always rapping but it didn't mean anything if you didn't know how to push it. Then I dropped "On God" and then after that "Nothing Personal", which are both self produced. As of this year, I dropped "No Love Lost 2", and next I got "Tomorrow Aint Promised".
ABM: What are some of the songs that people that would recognize you for in terms of Rapping, and not producing?
June: A song with J. Stalin called "Weirdo", produced by P-Lo. And then I got "Shine in the Darkness". I did one track on Lil Bloods album too.
ABM: How did the song Famous go about?
June: Through a grace of God. Showbanga is my brother, when him and Iamsu! were on tour, the beat prices were going up, and I was cattin on him for a whole year straight. And then I finally said, alright, Im gonna make and send him some beats. As Im making beats, I'm making beats that IAMSU would like, and I was trying to just get it out of the way. After I followed up with IAMSU, he said he was digging one specific one.
We ended up linking up at the studio that night because he happened to be on his tour at that time, and had a show in Sacramento. IAMSU came to the studio before the show, and we recorded a different song with Lil Blood. After we finished the Lil Blood track, IAMSU pulled out Famous, and said this was the beat. I wasn't really expecting him to like that one. He said he had a hook in his head, we were going to leave the studio but we ended up getting another hour. He ended up laying out the hook, we was late to the show and everything. IAMSU got so excited, he was like "I gotta get Dej Loaf on this", I remember him telling me he had just locked in with her while they were at SXSW. He sent me the session, and I touched it up a little bit more. He ended up sending it over to K Camp, and 20 minutes later, K Camp sent the song back with the verse finished, and also posted it on twitter at the same time. The next day Dej Loaf called, and said "Is this June? This beat goes crazy!".
I went back in and tracked out the song after I received the files, and it became one of the best mixes I've ever done. It's actually one of the highest played songs on iTunes right now, and hardly any money has been put behind the song yet.
ABM: Who are some of the other artists that you're working with right now, other than Livewire members and Mozzy?
June: I'm working with artists Lil Goofy, Lil Blood, E-Mozzy on their new albums right now. Also I have new song and video being released with Boo Banga. I also have some stuff going on outside of the Bay with DJ Mustard, YG, and Nipsy Hussle. P-Lo and I did the beat for YG. Sometimes you need to collaborate to get the best outcome. P-Lo's my brother you know, thats bra. You can also look for me on the albums from Kid Red, Rich Homie Quan. Im managing and working with so many people, I just can't even name them all.
ABM: How many beats are you making a day?
June: I produce about 5-6 good ones a day, I could make more than that on other days.
ABM: What do you use to make your beats?
June: Just a keyboard and Macintosh, and thats it. My favorite board is an AR 51, its a mini control board, I use that too. The keyboard is what made me famous, I love that keyboard.
ABM: What do you see in your future, do you see yourself staying in the northern California area? What do you see for JuneOnnaBeat?
June: Its getting bigger bra. No telling where I might be at in the next month or year. But Im always going to have a house in Northern California. At first I wanted to go to LA, but I don't really want to do that anymore. I'll probably just get a house in the hills, I love California. I don't see myself leaving to go down south or anything.
ABM: What do you do outside of the music?
June: Chill with the fam, chill with the homies, but mainly just work. Im always working, its always something involving music going on. There's no break for me right now and I can accept that. If I'm going to a show or just walking outside my house its like "June! June!" and I love that. Shout out to Empire and to Ghazi.
ABM: Where can people find you?
June: @juneonnabeat_x2 on Instagram and Snapchat
ABM: Any Shoutouts?
June: Shout out to Mozzy, we're really the struggle. Shout out to J. Stalin, thats Pops you know. Shout out to Lil Blood. Those three are my fam, you know. Its deeper than rap. Shout out to my fans too, you all really keep me motivated. Keep me winning because I'm winning with you, we're all winning. Shout out to All Bay Music, the work really shows for itself. Shout out to the up and coming, don't stop. I've been doing this since I was 14, I mean, I was in the streets, but I was focused on the studio stuff. There's not one single day I haven't done something music related. To all other producers out there, find yourself an artist. Find that artist that's just going to get you out there.