BackTrak by TmrO

In this episode of BackTrak, Don Cannon sits down with legendary mix engineer Jaycen Joshua. Jaycen shares his journey of mixing massive hit records and the intense pressure of the golden era of studio culture. He reveals mind-blowing industry secrets, including a $293,000 invoice for six songs and the dark studio vibes that ultimately made him take a step back from mixing. Plus, Jaycen shares a hilarious, embarrassing encounter with J.Lo and officially announces the highly anticipated release of his God Particle 2 plugin.

----TIME STAMPS-----

00:00 Intro: Introducing "The Finisher" Jaycen Joshua

03:42 The "Fuck Your Rough" Mentality & Mixing Approach

08:14 Jaycen's A&R Roots & Starting Over

17:10 The Pressure of Mixing for Tricky Stewart & The-Dream

24:18 Studio Competitiveness & Hiding Mix Notes

27:19 The Mixing Process: Rebuilding from Scratch

30:22 Puff Daddy's Advice on R&B Drum Kicks

34:33 The Nightmare of Analog Recalls & Printing Stems

37:37 Giving Away the Sauce: Templates & Mentorship

45:26 The Golden Era & Decline of Studio Culture

49:32 The Hilarious & Embarrassing J.Lo Bathroom Story

52:43 Navigating the Industry's Dark Side & Protecting Peace

1:00:30 Mega Payouts & The $293,000 Mix Invoice

1:06:23 The Secret of the Fruity Loops Clipper & Lavry Gold

1:08:18 Building The God Particle & Announcing God Particle 2

Follow Jaycen Joshua

📸 https://instagram.com/jaycenjoshua

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📸 https://instagram.com/tmronetwork

📸 https://instagram.com/Doncannon

🎽 Merch: https://shoptmro.com/

#musicengineering #jaycenjoshua #godparticle

On this episode of Backtrack, Don Cannon sits down with legendary Atlanta producer Nitti Beatz to break down the science of a hit record and share untold stories behind some of the South's biggest anthems. Nitti explains how testing tempos in local strip clubs helped him craft the perfect bounce, leading to massive hits like Yung Joc's "It's Goin' Down" and Rich Homie Quan's "Flex". He also shares vital financial lessons, his unfiltered thoughts on modern "depression rap," and an exclusive technical deep dive into his essential gear and classic MPC setup.-- TIME STAMPS --00:00:00 - Episode Intro00:01:35 - Introducing Nitti Beatz00:03:14 - Decatur Roots & Influences00:06:07 - Church Drumming Background00:10:10 - Strip Club Culture & Testing Beats00:12:47 - The Science of BPMs00:17:13 - So So Def & Jermaine Dupri00:22:14 - The 8Ball Breakout Story00:25:07 - Meeting Puff Daddy00:30:15 - "It's Goin' Down" & Finances00:40:06 - Breaking New Artists00:43:45 - Early Rich Homie Quan00:47:10 - Clock Management Segment00:48:22 - Favorite Gear & Studio Tech00:59:18 - "Flex" Beat Breakdown01:01:11 - The Greenbriar Parking Lot01:05:28 - State of Atlanta Music01:12:26 - Final Advice for YouthFollow Nitti Beatz📸   / nittibeatz  Follow us for more insights into hip hop history and music production:📸   / tmronetwork  📸   / doncannon  🎽 Merch: https://shoptmro.com/#NittiBeatz #DonCannon #AtlantaHipHop

Tricky Stewart has spent decades quietly shaping the sound of popular music.

On this episode of BackTrak, Don Cannon sits down with the legendary producer, songwriter and music executive to unpack the career, philosophy and business strategy behind some of the most influential records and artists of the modern era.

Tricky opens up about discovering and developing The-Dream, building a creative ecosystem in Atlanta, the influence of Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis and L.A. Reid & Babyface, and why Love Hate remains one of the projects he's most proud of.

He also gets deep on what actually makes a hit record, how he identifies talent before the rest of the world sees it, why chemistry matters, how creatives should build their personal brands, and the business of masters, publishing and catalog ownership.

Then the conversation takes a turn toward the future.

Tricky gives his unfiltered thoughts on AI in music, the ability to replicate an artist's sound, AI-generated music flooding streaming platforms, and why he believes the industry is already in "deep trouble."

This is a conversation about hitmaking, creativity, ownership, artist development and the future of music.

00:00:00 - Intro

00:01:41 - Don Cannon Introduces Tricky Stewart

00:03:03 - The Project Tricky Is Most Proud Of

00:04:27 - The Producers Who Changed Tricky's Career

00:06:34 - Finding Your Own Sound Without Being Predictable

00:16:36 - Growing Up Around Gospel, Funk & Rock

00:19:15 - The $1 Million It Used to Take to Enter Music

00:20:15 - Why Tricky Quit Football at 16

00:24:25 - Moving to LA With $15,000

00:26:46 - Tricky Stewart Explains Where the Money Is

00:29:12 - What Actually Makes a Hit Record?

00:31:34 - How Tricky Stewart Discovered The-Dream

00:34:52 - Making “Umbrella” & “Me Against the Music”

00:36:20 - How Tricky Spots Superstar Talent

00:42:11 - The Hidden Writers & Creatives Behind the Hits

00:43:42 - Why Tricky Stewart Came to Atlanta

00:47:30 - The Secret to Surviving the Music Business

00:50:28 - Why Atlanta Has Been So Good to Tricky

00:54:02 - Why Creatives Need to Build Their Personal Brand

00:57:03 - The Importance of Consistency & Chemistry

00:58:20 - Should You Sell Your Masters?

01:00:48 - How to Actually Own Your Music

01:01:49 - The Business of Music Catalogs

01:04:22 - “I Think We're in Deep Trouble”: Tricky on AI

01:05:36 - AI Can Replicate Your Sound

01:08:02 - AI Is Changing the Music Industry Forever

01:09:37 - Tricky Stewart's Next Chapter

#musicindustry #artistdevelopment #aimusic #rihanna #beyoncé

West Coast legend Daz Dillinger sits down to share the untold stories behind the legendary run of Death Row Records. From sneaking into studios to help craft The Chronic, to swiping MPCs and learning production secrets directly from Dr. Dre, Daz breaks down the true origins of G-Funk. Hear firsthand how he came up with Snoop Dogg and exactly how he and Kurupt forged the iconic Dogg Pound.Whether you're a producer, engineer, artist, or simply obsessed with great music, this episode is packed with decades of knowledge from one of hip-hop's greatest sonic architects.00:00 - Intro: The legacy of Death Row Records11:53 - Learning from Dr. Dre & stealing the rented MPC drum machines13:46 - Growing up and trading hats with Snoop Dogg22:25 - Meeting Kurupt and the East Coast connection23:59 - The true origin story of The Dogg Pound name24:40 - Living together and making Dr. Dre's 'The Chronic'28:07 - The fun and wild sessions behind Snoop's 'Doggy Style'38:09 - Dr. Dre's secret production and drum mixing techniques43:21 - Sneaking into the studio with tin foil to use the mixing boards46:13 - Tupac joining Death Row & recording "Ambitionz Az a Ridah"52:17 - Creating "Big Pimpin" for the Above the Rim soundtrack01:05:12 - Breaking down the beat and production for "Big Pimpin"Follow Daz Dillinger📸 https://instagram.com/dazdillingerFollow us for more insights into hip hop history and music production:📸 https://instagram.com/tmronetwork📸 https://instagram.com/Doncannon🎽 Merch: https://shoptmro.com/#snoopdogg #drdre #doggpound

Grammy-winning mix engineer DURO joins BackTrak for one of the deepest conversations ever recorded about the art of engineering, producing, and building timeless records.Known for shaping the sound of classics from Jay-Z, The Roots, DMX, Erykah Badu, Kanye West, Pharrell, Mariah Carey, Fabolous, Frank Ocean, and countless others, DURO takes viewers inside the mindset that has made him one of the most respected engineers in music history.From growing up in a musical Trinidadian household to becoming one of New York's youngest elite engineers, DURO reflects on the evolution of hip-hop recording, the importance of trusting your ears over plugins, building Desert Storm, discovering Fabolous, working with DJ Clue, and why great mixes are meant to serve the artist, not the engineer.Whether you're a producer, engineer, artist, or simply obsessed with great music, this episode is packed with decades of knowledge from one of hip-hop's greatest sonic architects.00:00:00 - Intro00:01:29 - DURO's Legendary Career & The East Coast Sound00:09:56 - Building Desert Storm & Discovering Fabolous00:11:03 - Growing Up in a Musical Trinidadian Household00:18:17 - Becoming an Engineer Whose Name Artists Shouted Out00:23:33 - Breaking Into New York's Elite Studios00:46:36 - Working with Erykah Badu & Producing Early Records01:10:35 - Breaking Down Jay-Z & Frank Ocean's "Oceans"01:25:00 - Mixing Philosophy: EQ, Space & Dynamic Control01:36:40 - Plugins vs. Analog Gear: Trusting Your Ears01:43:59 - Vocal Processing, Delays & Creative Limitations01:47:42 - Retirement, Purpose & Choosing Meaningful Work01:48:22 - Why Dr. Dre Is Hip-Hop's Greatest PhilanthropistFollow Duro📸 https://instagram.com/duroceoFollow us for more insights into hip hop history and music production:📸 https://instagram.com/tmronetwork📸 https://instagram.com/Doncannon🎽 Merch: https://shoptmro.com/#jayz #fabolous #mixingengineer #producer

Don Cannon sits down with legendary producer and Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Dallas Austin for an exclusive episode of BackTrak. Dallas shares the raw, behind-the-scenes stories of crafting timeless hits, his legendary studio sessions with Michael Jackson, Biggie, and Janet Jackson, and how he helped pioneer the iconic Atlanta sound. He also breaks down his transition from classic hardware to modern digital production. This episode is Collaborated with PLUG-IN BOUTIQUEhttps://www.pluginboutique.com/TIME STAMPS0:00 - Intro2:00 Welcome To The Studio06:00 Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame12:15 The Strategy Behind TLC's "No Scrubs"19:10 Why Modern "Top Line" Songwriting is Destroying Music21:50 The Real Inspiration Behind "Creep"28:18 Tantric Books and Janet Jackson Studio Sessions37:20 The Secret to Audio Frequencies & Crafting Massive Hits54:00 Why Dallas Austin Keeps His Platinum Plaques in Storage01:04:46 Creating "This Time Around" with Michael Jackson & Biggie01:31:08 Why Atlanta Remains the Ultimate Creative Hub01:35:16 Dallas Austin’s Go-To Vintage Gear & PluginsFollow Dallas Austin📸 https://instagram.com/dallasaustinsFollow us for more insights into hip hop history and music production:📸 https://instagram.com/tmronetwork📸 https://instagram.com/Doncannon🎽 Merch: https://shoptmro.com/#dallasaustin #michaeljackson #producer

On this episode of Backtrak, hip-hop legend Warren G shares the untold history of the West Coast's golden era. The "Regulator" breaks down his uncredited hustle on The Chronic, forming 213 with Snoop and Nate Dogg , and architecting the G-Funk Era . He also drops legendary studio stories about 2Pac and Michael Jackson , reveals how Def Jam funded his early solo career on credit cards , and details his current legal fight to reclaim his masters .Follow Warren G📸 https://instagram.com/warrengFollow us for more insights into hip hop history and music production:📸 https://instagram.com/tmronetwork📸 https://instagram.com/Doncannon🎽 Merch: https://shoptmro.com/#warreng #drdre #gfunk

On this episode of BackTrak, legendary production duo/group Justice League sit down for a deep conversation about their rise from Florida to becoming one of the most influential forces in hip-hop production as well as going into how they made 'Maybach Music 2' & "Aston Martin Music'From crafting the cinematic sound behind Rick Ross’ Maybach Music series to working with Jeezy, Drake, Mary J. Blige, Lil Wayne, and more, Justice League breaks down the creative process, sacrifices, and brotherhood that built their legacy.The conversation dives into the early Tampa and Tallahassee music scenes, moving to Atlanta, building Hot Beats Studios, transitioning from hardware to Logic, creating orchestral hip-hop before it became mainstream, and surviving the changing music business through streaming and AI.They also reflect on health sacrifices, creative dedication, catalog ownership, investment strategies, and why real artistry will always rise above trends. If you care about music production, hip-hop history, creativity, technology, or the future of music itself — this episode is essential viewing.

In this episode of BackTrak, Don Cannon sits down with the architect of New Jack Swing to break down the sound that changed R&B and hip-hop forever.From working with Michael Jackson on Dangerous to creating timeless records like “No Diggity,” Teddy Riley shares the real stories behind the music, the mindset behind hit records, and the technical secrets that gave his sound staying power.This episode goes beyond nostalgia—it’s about how great music is actually made.Inside this episode:The creation of New Jack SwingWorking with Michael Jackson in the studioThe making of “No Diggity”Why frequency matters in hit recordsArtist development vs today’s industryThe blueprint for timeless music

On this episode of Backtrak, we dive deep into the luxurious soundscapes of the legendary production team, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League.Discover how they crafted the cinematic, orchestral beats behind two of Rick Ross's most iconic anthems: "Maybach Music 2" and "Aston Martin Music." From lush live instrumentation to legendary studio sessions, we deconstruct the magic and technical brilliance that defined an entire era of luxury rap.Follow J.U.S.T.I.C.E League 📸 https://instagram.com/justice_league📸 https://instagram.com/rookflair📸 https://instagram.com/the_o_gawdFollow us for more insights into hip hop history and music production:📸 https://instagram.com/tmronetwork📸 https://instagram.com/Doncannon🎽 Merch: https://shoptmro.com/#astonmartinmusic #maybachmusic #rickross