The airwaves are filled with young artists commanding attention with their new and vibrant sounds. There are also budding stars behind the scenes. Atlanta’s Sonny Digital got his start as a producer while he was still a teenager.
Now, he is THE go-to guy for a hot, Hip-Hop record.
Sonny Digital shares some of his story, triumphs, and goals with AllHipHop.com:
AllHipHop.com: How did you get your start in music?
Sonny Digital: It came about when my older cousin moved to Atlanta from Michigan. He was making beats; at the time I wanted to rap, so I started hanging out with him. I then realized making beats was my thing, too. This was around the time 12 or 13.
AllHipHop.com: What inspires or motivates you?
Sonny Digital: All the young producers out right now motivate me. I feed off their energy. It keeps me on my toes, makes me step my game up constantly.
AllHipHop.com: What has been the biggest challenge so far?
Sonny Digital: My focus is always on being better than before. That’s all the challenge I focus on.
AllHipHop.com: What else would you be doing if you weren’t working in music?
Sonny Digital: Nothing else has stood out as much as music. I would be doing something with myself, but I’m not sure what it would be.
AllHipHop.com: Name some artists you have worked with.
Sonny Digital: I’ve worked with 2 Chainz, DJ Khaled, Juicy J, Wale, and Future, to name a few.
AllHipHop.com: And, what was your first record?
Sonny Digital: I was almost 20 when I produced “Racks”.”It was crazy seeing the record climb the charts. Around that time, “Motivation” by Kelly Rowland was out as well. It was a big moment to see the first record I did among other huge records. It sold 50,000, so I got a Gold plaque. “Same Damn Time” was my next big one.
AllHipHop.com: What would you tell any aspiring producer or young person with a dream?
Sonny Digital: Work for what you want. Always remember that overtime work will bring overtime pay. No shortcuts are allowed; if you take some it will put you right back where you started. Your grind will get you noticed – trust me. Take pride in your work and make yourself exclusive.
AllHipHop.com: What do you feel music is missing?
Sonny Digital: I don’t feel music is missing anything. What you hear now is all about evolution, and artists and producers adjusting to change.
AllHipHop.com: What else are you working on or want to share?
Sonny Digital: Well, I produced 2 Chainz’s next record with Kanye West, called “Birthday”. I have my own mixtape that will drop soon called Forbes Atlanta, I’m also in the process of working on a mixtape with Drumma Boy, too. I’m all about venturing out, so I’m excited to work with LRG on their back to school campaign. Waka Flocka is a part of that also.
For anybody on Twitter, follow me at @SonnyDigital. Trust me there’s a lot more to come from me.
Tawni Fears is a freelance writer and contributor to AllHipHop.com. Follow her on Twitter (@brwnsugaT).
