Breative is a 757 native that has been around the Virginia music scene for a few years. She was initially a writer for northern Virginia-based platform Lovelace Magazine and eventually began producing in 2018. She has released a couple of beat tapes since then including Bretopia in 2018 and Queendom in 2019. Her latest drops are on her Soundcloud two months ago with an Afro-Latina-influenced sound Conquista and a mellow beat called 8 A.M. In Houston. I had the honor and privilege to ask her some questions about her craft and perspective on a few different topics.
Jay: Who are some of your influences?
Breative: My dad. He is still an active drummer in his church today. A lot of my dad’s side of the family is all musicians so the influence has always been around. Definitely my dad’s family and producers I listen to on the regular like Wonder Girl, Monique Winning, and Kanye. 808s and Heartbreak is one of my favorite albums of all time and I love the production so much. It's a timeless piece of work.
Jay: What were some lessons you learned during your journey as a producer?
Breative: For one, I would say to network as much as you can. Even if you're introverted like me, you'll gravitate towards the right people if the energy is there. Another is to collab. Don’t be afraid to collab. Although this sounds contradictory, I also learned to be more independent as a producer because I can’t rely on solely collaborations or doing a lot of collaborations. I learned to hear no a lot because it prepared me for this one yes that has changed my life. I won't say what it is but I am forever grateful.
An old collaboration she did with Florida’s very own YodaYae1k, who has produced with artists such as Kamaiyah, Kodak Black, & Rich Homie Quan
I learned to take breaks from producing and learning different aspects of music. I also learned that it’s a very weird industry. It’s very misogynist so I feel like I have to work twice as hard because I’m a woman, a black one at that, I have to do more to stand out. One of the more important lessons I learned is to still have fun with it and know my worth with it.
Jay: Now that you said that you learned to still have fun with it and know your worth with it, I'll present you this question: what do you feel like is the line to decide that you do not need to do any more free work as an uprising producer? This is a question that I ask everyone from freelance writers to rappers to performers and any creative in general. The responses vary from person to person but I'd love to hear your perspective.
Breative: The thing is, damn it’s a great question… I don’t mind collaborating and doing things for free if I know for a fact, it’s for the sole benefit of having fun. I know how to separate having fun and business. If it’s someone I don’t know well, I would want to build up a professional rapport with them first. I still let my friends know that I’m about business too but we already have an established understanding of things with each other. Another thing I would suggest for people to do is to still create invoices for people just so they know how serious you are with your craft.
Jay: How would you describe the process of producing for someone who has never produced before?
Breative: I would describe it as having a blank canvas and you just literally transfer whatever ideas from your head whether it sounds or an ambiance or even little visions you create in your head, I just transfer it on my DAW. For me, I have random sounds in my head and try to translate them to the program I used and try to make it sound cinematic.
Jay: How is the Austin, Texas scene compared to the music scenes out in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and Richmond?
Breative: It’s a lot more lively and a lot of different people from states and cities just come to bars and hear live music. It's easier for me to navigate and network compared to home for some odd reason although I still have good love for Virginia. I feel like when I'm in a new area, I don’t have to do too much to be myself. I will say that I see the influence of the Virginia scene in Texas.
Jay: How so?
Breative: The music. They’re always playing VA artists and the homie vibe as far as getting to meet people, it’s easy-going. I already have a familiarity with the pace of the scene because of how easy going it is That’s all I can think of off the top of my head right now.
Jay: Would we expect another beat tape coming out soon? You released Queendom in 2019 and Bretopia in 2018.
Breative: There are numerous projects I’m working on individually and collaboratively with other producers and artists. That’s all I’ll give you on that.
Jay: Who are some artists that you would like to shout out?
Breative: YLee, she's a videographer and my best friend. I also have to mention you, Suglyboy, PLVXID, dsickmusic, ZeroTheGod, and UvScutti.
You can check out all of her production HERE and her contact info for business is prodbybreative@gmail.com
Follow her on Instagram @breative_ and Twitter @_Breative
Written by Jay Guevara. @justinhisprime on all social media.
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