During a time where we rely on music to fill up the time we’re spending at home, we should appreciate the backend of all the great songs we’ve heard thus far. Music producers are essential in the music making business and producers like twenty six year old music Demond Auguste are no different. Hailing from the community of Anse La Raye, Auguste graduated from Corinth Secondary School before he decided to venture into music production and launch Ransum Records.
Dazzle: How did you get started in music production?
Desmond: Someone told me there was a studio close to where my dad had his bakery. I decided to check it out for myself and that’s when it started. It started with Yohan Deterville, more widely known as Yogi. He’s a music producer mainly based in Canada. At the time, he used the studio that I’m currently working from and he taught me how to use Fruity Loops, the program I use to make beats. When I first started using it, I would bring it back for him to have him listen to it and give me pointers on what I should do differently. When he started traveling, I got permission to use the studio while he was gone.
Dazzle: What did you produce first and how did you get your inspiration? Desmond: I was more into music from people like Usher and 50 Cent, but what I started making first was dancehall and a little bit of R&B.
I get inspired based on how I’m feeling. It depends on my mood. If I’m happy, angry or sad then it reflects on the beats I make. I also get inspiration from other artists and their music, but I try not to take too much out of it so it can be my own work.
Dazzle: How do you describe the Ransum Records sound?
Desmond: I like a lot of base, so if you hear something that’s shaking the floor and the walls, there’s a likely chance that I did that. I like to know people can hear what I make, and feel it too.
Dazzle: What has been your most memorable moment thus far?
Desmond: In 2016, I did a Soca Trap challenge with Mac 11. We got together through Megabyte, who brought him to the studio and we started working together. Mac 11 had the lyrics and I made the beat to fit it. He played the original song and I used that to make a soca version. That was one of my favorite studio moments. Also, hearing people talk about my music and hearing it be played on the radio or at events; that feels amazing.
Dazzle: Have you ever needed to change your production style to suit an artiste?
Desmond: Most times when the artistes come to me, they tell me what exactly they’re looking for but then still give me ample room to be creative with it. They always say “put my ransum touch on it.” I’ve worked with Sedale and Lisa Weekes on Emergency, Michael Robinson on Body Language, Mr. Killa on Oil it Up and Screwdriver. I’ve also worked with Prince Swanny and Kranium but that’s soon to be released.
Dazzle: What advice would you give to up and coming producers like yourself?
Desmond: With music, you have to be very patient but hardworking. Don’t be afraid to invest in yourself as an artiste or producer because time and energy will go a long way.
Dazzle: What challenges have you faced and how have you overcome them?
Desmond: I don’t let things get under my skin too much. If there’s a problem then I face it as best as I can but I try not to let things affect me too much.
Dazzle: How did you end up working with some of the artistes you’ve mentioned?
Desmond: A guy from Martinique messaged me and said he wanted a beat for himself. He wanted a beat to put an artiste on and after I did it, I got to know that Mr. Killa was interested in it and from then, I started working directly with him. That’s how my work started to spread. When people started hearing it, a Trinidadian guy messaged me to work with Prince Swanny. I sent him a couple of beats that I had and a few days after he and Kranium did a song on the beat.
Dazzle: What were your first, biggest and most recent hits?
Desmond: The first one was Padnas with Mac 11 and the biggest one was Oil it Up by Mr. Killa. Plenty Loving by Pilot has to be the most recent and it’s still growing.
Dazzle Magazine is looking forward to hearing more of Desmond’s work with Ransum Records! Good luck!
