BILLBOARD PRODUCER: Cartune Beatz

HARLEM, NEW YORK | CARTUNE BEATZ

INTERVIEW TERRELL “REALIFE” BLACK PHOTOGRAPH @FYV.MEDIA

VALIDATED: Being from Harlem, what’s your earliest memory of Hip Hop Culture? 

CARTUNE BEATZ: The movie “Above The Rim” was shot right across the street from my building. Big L lived in the building right next to mine. My dad actually remembers giving him a sandwich or some food as a kid a few times. My dad had a copy of one of his demos as well but someone broke into his car and stole it. 

VALIDATED: What’s the story behind your name “Cartune Beatz”?

CARTUNE BEATZ: It’s actually almost as simple as it reads. I’ve loved cartoons since being a child to even now as an adult. I love DC, Marvel, all things Batman and a bunch of other cartoons as well. So I flipped the cartoon to cartune and added beats. I’ve actually had a fan notice exactly where my beat tag is from. I’ll let people listen closely and see if they recognize it from any particular place or channel.

VALIDATED: Which producers influenced your style of production and what if anything did you “borrow” from them?

CARTUNE BEATZ: Ah, that’s a good one. I’ve been influenced by every producer that’s made beats since the late 80s til now. I started out making trap beats. Huge influences from people like Southside, Lex Luger, Dr. Dre, Alchemist, DJ Premier, etc. I’m a product of every producer I’ve listened to which is just about all of them.

VALIDATED: Your sound varies, allowing you to produce for artists whose sounds are totally different, what would you contribute your production diversity to?

CARTUNE BEATZ: To me this I feel is my greatest strength, my adaptability. But to answer the question, I contribute my diversity to my ears. I never really only listened to one kind of music. I listen to just about everything including movie scores. Another of my favorite musicians is Hans Zimmer.

VALIDATED: Growing up you lived in New York City and Florida, what effect if any did that have on your musical ear pertaining to producing?

CARTUNE BEATZ: The different contrasts of the city and down south definitely helped broaden my range of music. I could listen straight through a Nas album and then follow that up with a Ludacris, T.I. album, Young Buck, and even Lil John. 

VALIDATED: So you’re not the only one in your family that’s musically inclined, you actually have a twin brother that produces music as well. What can you tell us about that dynamic?

CARTUNE BEATZ: Having a family member that also produces and understands the grind helps a lot, but having it be your twin brother is awesome. We started our music journey at the same time and we help each other daily. Whether on the business side or music side. I send him almost every beat I make for an ear test and vice versa. My brother @800hertz is one of the most talented producers out there.

VALIDATED: You were pretty good at basketball, in fact you played from middle school through college but how did you make the transition from hooping to producing? 

CARTUNE BEATZ: The transition was a bit tough but logical. I was pretty good at basketball and I still am. Basketball was my first love and will always be. Around the time I finished playing junior college ball I realized I wasn’t going to the NBA. Injuries also shot down legit overseas opportunities as well with limited chances for exposure. I actually started taking music seriously at the same time I played my first two seasons of college basketball. I realized I wanted a back up that didn’t consist of a typical 9-5 and I loved music enough to want that to be my job if ball didn’t work out.

VALIDATED: In hindsight what one piece of advice would you give your younger self when it comes to the music industry?

CARTUNE BEATZ: In hindsight I would’ve taken music production more seriously when I was younger. I had FL Studio (my producing software) since about 10th or 11th grade. It was more of a game then to me to kind of pass time while I played basketball. But I think everything has happened when and how it should.

VALIDATED: Who was your first major placement and how did the opportunity come about?

CARTUNE BEATZ: I believe my first major placement was with artist Driicky Graham who had a top 10 record with “Snapbacks and Tattoos” at the time. I caught him right as that record started to blow up. I reached out to him on Twitter and sent beats. I ended up with two songs on his debut mixtape with DJ Ill will.

VALIDATED: Which known artists have you worked with? 

CARTUNE BEATZ: I’ve worked with a lot these days. From Lloyd Banks, DJ Paul, Mickey Factz, RJ Payne, Conway the Machine, Spectacular of Pretty Ricky, King Los, Bryson Tiller, Drumma Boy, Roscoe Dash, etc. The features on my records include people like Red Man, Method Man, Benny The Butcher, Ice T, Bun B, Freddie Gibbs, Dave East, Vado. I could go on for a while… lol

VALIDATED: Who are the top 3 artists from your bucket list that you’d like to work with and why those artists specifically?

CARTUNE BEATZ: I definitely want to work with Drake. Because Drake is a generational artist who is respected as both a lyricist and singer. Really one of a kind. I want to work with Nas for sure. I’ve listened to Nas since I was young enough to not be allowed to listen to him. Lol I’ve always loved his storytelling and ability. They’re so many artists I’d love to work with but I’d round it off with the 3rd being a tie between Eminem and 50 cent. They were at the top of my growing up era of music. 

VALIDATED: You’ve produced several records for one of my favorite artist RJ Payne, how did you two link and an emcee of his lyrical ability and work ethic in today's rap climate, what do you feel he means to Hip Hop?

CARTUNE BEATZ: I reached out to RJ on Twitter a few years back. As I started to tap more heavily into making boombap beats and traditional hip hop beats, I came across a viral video of RJ and it was refreshing to hear someone so skilled and lyrical in today's hip hop. I reached out immediately and he was open to working. We started cooking up and that was all she wrote. RJ is a lyrical unicorn with both his ability to tell stories, use punchlines, and his delivery is unparalleled. A true master at his craft. RJ also had a very inspiring story of not quitting and giving up on music which I can relate to. I don’t think he’s anywhere near his peak yet either.

VALIDATED: Recently producing 8 songs on Lloyd Banks “COTI2” and a couple of singles for RJ Payne, although we’re early in 2023, what does this year look like for you thus far?

CARTUNE BEATZ: This year will be my biggest year yet production wise. I will be a part of multiple albums in this first and second quarter. Expect a lot more from me and Lloyd Banks this year. Expect more from me and RJ Payne as well. I’ve locked in with some other legends also. Expect a strong flurry of production from me in 2023. I’ve reached out to a lot of artists. I don’t always get the responses right away but for the ones that do respond, I usually end up with a placement. I’m excited for 2023 and I think this will be my biggest year so far musically.

VALIDATED: You received a Billboard Award for your work on Lloyd Banks album “The Course of the Inevitable''. How does it feel to be acknowledged for your work by Billboard and where does this achievement fall on your list of accomplishments?

CARTUNE BEATZ: This is a huge achievement for me and one I appreciate very much. There are producers that have been in the game 20 plus years and not charted anywhere on billboard. This for me is a big deal because I’m one to appreciate every accomplishment. It may seem like it but none of this was over night. I’m actually waiting on my second Billboard plaque to come in which I’ll have soon for my work on Lloyd Banks “The Course of the Inevitable 2”. I’d also be lying if I said I’m not in healthy competition with my twin bro @800hertz who also has two Billboard plaques. I’d like to keep that going. lol

VALIDATED: What’s the easiest way for an artist looking to work with you to get in contact with you? 

CARTUNE BEATZ: Right now the easiest way to reach me is probably a DM on Instagram @CartuneBeatz or Twitter @CartuneBeatz. I do get them a lot now but this year I will be more prone to answering and getting back to artists. The last two years I’ve really just focused on building my brand and name with the artists I’m with and maximizing those relationships. I definitely will be working with more up and coming artists this year. I just like to have myself situated as best I can first which I’m working on.