We met music producer, Sarcastically Kumar, hailing from Delhi. He’s the magic hand behind many of the projects by the well-known YouTuber and rapper, Jaiyash. His impressive roster includes collaborations with artists like Dakait, RCR, Agsy, Shah Rule, MC Amrit, and GD 47. No doubt, his talent shines bright, but it’s the daring leaps of faith he’s taken that truly paved his path to success in the music world. Here is the full interview:
1. Tell me about yourself. How did you begin your journey in music production, and what specifically inspired you to pursue a music career?
My name’s Ayush, born and brought up in Delhi. I’m 22, and I live in the poshest area of Delhi (Jamnapaar XD). It all started with me trying to learn the guitar in my 9th standard, for which I availed some classes that lasted for less than a month (my parents had some other plans for me).
The credit also goes to one of my friends, Saurabh, whom I do not name that much because the information is significant to me, but without him, I would not have been able to develop the much-required self-belief you need to even keep experimenting and sticking to music (even as a hobby).
The production came in way later, not until 2019 when I was about to get into college. I realized I did not want to stay as an artist who does music covers and sings other people’s songs. So the closest thing I could do was to learn the technical side because I had faith in my creativity. Also, the boom of the internet in India and type beats were exploding at that time, which played a major role too. I started by posting beats on Instagram and, down the line, connected with people in Germany and had the honor of getting my craft appreciated by Fat Joe, Kerry Krucial Brothers, etc.
2. Now that you’ve worked with all these talented artists, what do you think you bring to the table that’s fresh?
The ear. I am a listener first and a producer later. While I can write an essay about sucking myself off to feel better or present myself as larger than life, honestly, what I like listening to on loop is only what I decide to work on. If it does not have my head nodding to it, I am out of the project, or I scratch the piece out completely. Though the outros, the drops, the sound selection, the international vibe, and my producer tag — “you are the worst boyfriend I have ever had” — alone bring that swag juice and freshness to the table.
3. You’ve been working with Jaiyash; what did you initially bond over?
I was sending out beat packs as usual to artists, and Jaiyash posted a story in search of beats. I sent him a pack; he made a song called “Minute,” and we started working from there. There was a time in our life when we were doing daily Discord cook-ups, cooked up almost an album-like mixtape, and decided to do a throwaway of five or six songs, other than the aesthetic of projects we worked on prior, which would have never seen the light if it were not for the EP “throwaways one.”
It was legit an effort of 5 days, during which we created the whole thing and delivered. However, I believe the daily sessions and repetitions in the cook-up helped us achieve the sound that we had done.
We both are heavy hip-hop heads; we love artists such as Drake, Yeat, Future, and D-Block Europe. So, it was natural for us to understand each other’s vision, and most of the time, it is that missing piece of the puzzle that we all look for. I found mine for my production because I have made songs with him that I still listen to on a daily basis, even though they may not be released. Also, the point is, that we have been going through things in life parallelly, and we decided to express it through our music. There is something celestial and incomprehensible to it that I may not be able to describe in words!
4. What is your favourite project that you’ve worked on?
There are a lot, honestly. But the one project that will always be close to my heart is “RSNT,” the album-like mixtape that Jaiyash and I were working on tirelessly. We had it finished but then decided to wait on it, considering the market reception. It legit had mind-blowing interludes, polarities, and everything that you might expect from a good project.
So much so, I believe that project is a homage to Drake’s “Take Care,” “Care Package” mixtape with the influence of The Weeknd’s Trilogy on it. I still get goosebumps listening to the intro we made for it, the beat switches we had, and the subject matter he was talking about. It was all personal and numinous for me.
5. Are there any artists that you’re excited about, or is there an artist you really want to work with?
Yeah, I always stay excited for the new talent. My indigenous hip-hop community is all prepped up to represent us globally, and we are showing it through versatility, diverse subject matters, and sound selection. It’s not limited to making a radio hit now, but to have the song stuck in the memory of the listener and adding meaning to their lives.
I always look out for Kanii, Tana, Jssr, Young Silver, Sufr, D33P, MoneyEz, Kid Web$ter, and plenty more artists who are doing commendable work in their craft. One artist I’m excited about is Deepansh, aka The Blenc. That kid has potential, and when actualized, he would do wonders.
Coming to the artists I want to work with, I want to get that Divine (rapper) placement for the sake of it, honestly. My ultimate goal is to collaborate with Drake, Partynextdoor, and a few more artists in my lifetime. However, it is Drake and Partynextdoor, in all honesty, that I want to work with.
6. Can you walk us through your process of producing a song from start to finish?
I go to the studio to experiment and enjoy myself. There was a time when I had taken production as a job, and my results were horrendous. So, I show up to the DAW daily, but I do not expect results or force myself to attain something. I sit down with the artist, get to know them, their inspirations, and the sound they want, and then start with the work. While the technicalities are the same, I believe building an OFF THE DAW relationship is what defines how good the music would turn out to be. If given the creative liberty, I experiment around or keep it simple based on my intuition.
Cutting the BS short, I work on what my intuition guides me to do. The process is more or less the same: making the melody, getting the drums, doing the post-production, and then adding the producer tag (can’t miss out on this one).
7. What do you think is the most important aspect of music production?
“Understanding that producer creates the framework and canvas for the painting while the artist delivers the strokes and fulfils his vision of the same.”
The most important aspect is to understand the interdependence and dynamics of the relationship between an artist and the producer. Many producers lack that understanding by being at the extreme ends of both poles. You both need each other, and you both complete each other. An artist cannot go platinum singing acapella, and a producer cannot have a “full song” without the artist. You both have to care about each other, just like a healthy relationship, wherein orgasms matter for both parties.
8. What are your thoughts on the lack of recognition that producers often face despite the importance they hold?
Addressing the elephant in the room, let us go. As I said above, an artist cannot go platinum with acapella. Producers need to understand that, and I believe we should learn from the producers of the ‘90s, wherein they had a sound signature and could be recognized just by their sound, be it Dre, Pharrell, J Dilla, Scott Storch. Even in the present scene, the way BNYX and Wheezy have developed their sound, there has to be that element that makes you recognize the producer at first listen.
Talking of the Indian scene, while in a session, a rapper told me, “Bhai, aapko pata hai, adha scene producers ko yaha r***d maanta hai.” This sounds contentious in many ways, but it is true for the Indian scene. The concept of royalty splits does not exist for rappers here, and the artists want the best for themselves without paying the producer.
While changing the mindset of rappers would take a lot, the producers NEED to put respect on their craft and should ask for royalties, and licensing fees, and SHOULD always treat themselves as a business and a brand owner. You as a producer are not an individual but a representation of our whole community, and whatever you do does pave the way or make it difficult for the upcoming generation.
And do not stay limited to the “mindset of making beats”; you are an equal artist, so have an equal say and let rappers find an alternative if they can. Do not undermine yourself or your craft.
9. Ayush, would you like to share what you’re currently working on? Are there any collaborations or projects in the pipeline?
I am focused on my mixtape that I have been working on for quite a long time. It is called “Strictly Sexual.” I always have a plethora of songs in the pipeline with Jaiyash, and other than that, I have a few tracks coming up with Team Evolution, i.e., Dakait, 2Fistd, and Aniket. RCR and I have something in the vault as well. However, the list does not end here. Who knows, I might randomly drop a song with Karan Aujla, Diljit Dosanjh, or Badshah 😉 — I like to stay secretive.
10. Do you have any advice for the aspiring producers in the current game?
More than advice, it is a reality check that I got myself when I got into production. People would not give you your due credits, or due money, and the stress is complimentary.
While you pursue something that you love, make sure you do not lose yourself in the process and remember the reason why you started. Life is uncertain, so do not ruin connections with anyone and work with as many people as possible. Get your education right and let that be the primary. Be it in music, be it in anything, but do not let procrastination drive you off. As you enter this game, make sure you have done everything else you wanted to because once you enter this game, there should be no going back before achieving what you wanted.
All that Ted talk aside, music for passion and music for business is altogether a different ball game. While perfecting your craft, learn the business and know that to make music, you need money, and to make money through music is our ultimate pursuit.
You can follow and listen to Sarcastically Kumar on Spotify here!
