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Beat Makers Female Artist Of The Month |
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Black Orchid: Demystifying the Female
Producer  In a Producing world dominated mainly by males, Black Orchid seeks to
break the mold and become an equal, and open the doors for other female
producers who are not recognized for their talent and skill. Born in
Toronto Canada in 1981, Black Orchid (nee Renee Brown) was a musical
child growing up. In school music was her favorite subject and she took
a liking to the piano at an early age. At age 10 her father bought her
first keyboard, a Casio. She was enrolled in piano lessons but chose to
practice her own little musical creations and play by ear instead. At
age 14 she wrote her first song, a gospel song called My Everything and
sang and played it at church the following day. Renee was actively
involved with music in church and sang on the choir and in a Trio called
Redemption. I remember just being in the shower and a song would pop
into my head, and I would jump out without hardly drying off and try to
get the song out of my head on my little keyboard before I forgot! she
recalls. I may have written about 20 songs in one month that year. But
that was only the beginning. She had the knack for producing as well.
But she didn't fully tap into the craft until 2 years ago after the birth
of her daughter.
After getting married and moving to California in 2003, did she realize
the hidden talent she possessed and was determined to bring it out into
the open. I was sitting on the computer one day and was playing around with the music program Fruity Loops she remembers. I figured out the basics of the program and made my first beat, a little techno tune (laughs) I though it sounded pretty good, but figured I could do better. So little by little she learned more and more about the program and every chance she got she composed music. She tries to be as versatile as she can, by doing everything from R&B, Hip Hop, Reggae and Reggaeton as well. I don't want to stick to just one style of music, you know? Id love to do it all! even Rock and Roll if I can! (Laughs) Black O doesn't see a lot of representation from females in the music business, and argues that it should be so. for every Lil Jon or Dr Dre, or Scott Storch, there's only one or two Missy Elliotts or any other female producer out there not getting the shine she deserves. Im not sure why, but it needs to definitely change. Along with a fellow female beat maker by the name of EQ who hails from Houston Texas, EQ and Black O created the Femme Fatales Producers Page and Group on Myspace, and so far it has taken off. We figured that we try to bring all the females that are bringing the crazy heat as well together and to the forefront, and let us all support each other and network. Will there be a place in the music industry for Black Orchid and the other countless women all over the world who produce? Only time will tell. Until then, Black O continues to perfect her craft and one day be known worldwide for what she does, and share her music with everyone. |
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 www.myspace.com/blackorchidmusic |
 www.myspace.com/femmefatalesproducers |
