The Creative Process of Music Producer Prosper
Zachary Michael, founder of Elizabeth Music Group, recently spoke with music producer and guitarist Prosper to ask him a series of questions about his creative process, collaboration, and experiences in the music industry. Through this conversation, Prosper shared valuable insights into how he approaches music production, from crafting guitar loops to working with artists like Ayra Starr and Johnny Drille.
How do you typically begin the creative process when working on a new project?
Prosper explains that his creative process is largely influenced by his mood or mindset at the time. “Most times it depends on my headspace or mood at that particular moment,” he shares. When working with an artist, he prefers to “tap into the artist’s headspace” to align with their vision. Otherwise, he starts by creating melody or guitar chord ideas as a foundation.
Can you walk us through how you approach creating guitar loops for a track?
Prosper begins by familiarizing himself with the track’s rhythm. “I usually start by listening to the track without the vocals to get the bounce or the feel of the song,” he explains. He then listens to the track again with the vocals to explore melody ideas. Once he identifies a direction, he records a loop, typically starting with the chorus. “I’ll do the same thing for the verse though I’ll tone it down a bit and throw in a couple of melodies in between,” he adds. Intros, however, are left for last, as he finds it easier to create distinct introduction ideas once the song has fully settled.
Can you explain the process of creating Sability by Ayra Starr?
The guitar recording process for Sability was impressively fast. “Funny thing yeah, we recorded guitars for Sability in like 30 mins,” Prosper recalls. Producer London invited him to the studio, played the beat, and the inspiration struck immediately. “The guitar intro idea was just ringing in my head when I was listening to the beat bounce.” London instantly approved, saying, “Yeah, that’s it, let’s record.” They recorded it on the spot, and Ayra Starr loved the result.
When you’re working with an artist, how do you balance their vision with your creative input?
For Prosper, building a connection with the artist before recording is crucial. “Most times I like to bond with artists before we record. It could be as little as playing FIFA 24 or doing something that makes them feel comfortable,” he shares. This approach helps him better understand their vision, especially when they struggle to articulate technical ideas. He explains, “When I clearly get their idea or vision, I just get creative with it and do my thing.”
You've worked on multiple songs with Johnny Drille. What's your relationship like, and how do you usually create music together?
Johnny Drille is not just a collaborator but also an artist Prosper deeply respects. “Johnny Drille is an amazing musician, songwriter, producer, and an amazing mix engineer,” he states. Beyond his technical skills, Johnny’s ability to communicate his ideas effectively makes working together seamless. “It makes working together smooth, especially when both parties are not in the same country at that very moment,” he notes. Their process often involves combining ideas in the studio or Prosper recording from home and sending files remotely.
What advice would you give to an aspiring artist or producer about the importance of collaboration?
Prosper strongly believes that collaboration is essential in the music industry. “Collaboration is everything, you just can’t go wrong,” he states. Every artist and producer brings a unique sound, and teamwork allows for the creation of something special. “Most of the major hit records usually have one or two songwriters collaborating along with the producer and the artist on a record,” he points out. His advice to aspiring creatives is to “have a healthy community that really supports you and also try and network. The big record you are looking for is probably a phone call away from another artist or producer in your circle.”
What has it been like being signed by Elizabeth Music Group?
Signing with Elizabeth Music Group has been a refreshing experience for Prosper. “It’s a new experience for me, and it has been a good one so far,” he shares. He appreciates the publishing company’s “transparency and openings to new opportunities.”
Elizabeth Music Group plays a vital role in ensuring Prosper collects his global publishing royalties for the songs he has contributed to. For example, he owns publishing rights in the composition of Sability by Ayra Starr, where he played guitar. “At EMG, we register his catalog with all pay sources needed to fully collect his global income,” Zachary Michael says, ensuring he receives the publishing royalties he is entitled to from his music.
What's next for your career/journey?
Prosper looks forward to expanding his horizons. “Looking forward to doing more collaborations and exploring new sounds, especially from different cultures and genres,” he says. His journey is one of constant growth, and he remains excited about the future of his music career.
For more on Prosper’s work, visit his bio: Prosper’s Profile.
