Quick question: what do Beyonce, Jessica Simpson, Gwen Stefani, Pink, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Macy Gray, Kelis and Keyshia Cole all have in common?

Give up? Damon Elliot.

He’s been called the greatest producer you never heard of. And even that presumptuous title sells him short. Producing is just the beginning. He’s also written songs for several movie soundtracks with pictures like Malibu’s Most Wanted, Mean Girls, & Fat Albert already under his belt. At the impressively young age of 33 Damon Elliot has created a career that would make your favorite producer jealous. Put simply, Elliot is the total package. First there’s the music industry pedigree (he’s the son of classic recording artist Dionne Warwick). Then there’s the business savvy, (an imprint on Interscope and now his own label). Oh, and let’s not forget the Hollywood connection (he’s quickly becoming the go-to guy for movie scores). And if that isn’t enough to make your day than consider the fact that he’s written or produced (or written and produced) for projects totaling a combined 68 million records sold.

That’s a lot of records. HipHopDX quizzed the music genius himself for our latest installment of Industry 101: an in-depth look at the music industry through the eyes of artists, producers, and decision-makers. If you want to learn how it’s done, then pull up a chair and pay attention. Class is in session.

HHDX: A lot of people call themselves producers these days. What does the title “producer” mean to you?
Damon Elliot: Well to me, I’m kinda old school. I grew up watching producers like Quincy Jones and Bert Bacharach work with my mom. Now, the word producer now is used so widely when really to me it’s a very direct word. A producer to me is a songwriter, and also somebody who actually produces an album or a song, meaning that he’ll write the song, he’ll coordinate artists, if it requires a group pf musicians he’ll put the artists together. Like a Quincy Jones. That’s what I think of when I think of a classic producer. Of course, nowadays you got guys who go out and buy a couple pieces of equipment and mess around a little bit and they submit songs and they call themselves producers. But really, out of respect for the word, it’s a little deeper than that. I really respect the word “producer”.

HHDX: Lot’s of producers talk about how their inspiration comes from outside of the studio. Is that the case with you?
Yeah. I’ve been inspired by the strangest things. Most of my inspiration comes from outside of the studio. That’s what art is, it reflects life so if you’re not living and seeing things, and being a part of the world, I don’t think you can come up with great production. Look at movies and musical scores and even albums: Nine out of 10 times an album is a story of an artist’s life, and where they are at that point time. It’s your job as a producer to take what that artist is trying to say and kinda interject what you’re going through and hopefully some of the greatest albums happen when the producer and the artist are online and both going through the same stuff. Art really reflects life. That’s just what it is. Continued on page 2 »