Production Series: Monte Booker

Welcome back to my music journalistic series, which has just undergone a crucial rebrand, yet the music focus remains. As production is literally the backbone to the music industry that we know and love, let's get back to the Production Series.

If you haven’t heard this name, I can confirm you are missing out. Monte Booker is a record producer from Chicago and has worked with many artists you know. From Smino to Ravyn Lenae, a dynamic duo we love, to JID and Ari Lennox. If you’re into that “alternative R&B and rap” type sound, you are familiar with Monte’s work. 

While he started producing in 2011, I am familiar with him from the Twitter Era of Music. Around 2017-2018, my personal highlight of music discovery, I got into that “Zero Fatigue” Era. “Zero Fatigue” is the collective founded by Smino and includes artists and producers Monte Booker, Ravyn Lenae, JayBaby TheGreaty, and Nosidam. “Mona Lisa” and “Kolors” is the Monte I was introduced to and it shaped the way I listened to music, Twitter being a monumental platform in my discovery of music.

So what exactly caught my ear? I’m a huge fan of unique signatures. Whether that be Pharrell’s 4-count or RZA’s Wu-Tang “Kung-Fu influence”, producers are truly recognizable when they have their own sound. I noticed that I could recognize a Monte song anywhere, to this day. Around 2018, I became a fan of his experimental sounds and layered synths. Now I may not be a full-time producer, but as I study production I start to pick up on the various elements of a beat. Monte is truly intentional in the way he produces and the signature sound he upholds. 

In addition to his tough beats, he works with some of the hardest artists in the music industry (in my opinion). We’re all quite familiar with Smino’s unique sound and his soulful artistry, but he and Monte truly work magic in that studio. I hate to call it unconventional, because I love all different types of music, but it is true that Smino and Monte together make a whole different sound of hip hop and R&B, and it is one worth paying attention to. I feel that Monte is one of those producers that needs a certain vibe of an artist to flow on his beat properly, and that is why his beats translate so well in the media. Between Smino and Ravyn, his beats are truly catered to. Smino and Ravyn can be an entirely additional conversation in itself! 

I feel it’s a true example of artistry when a producer can have a signature sound, yet their beats don’t all sound the same. If you are wondering where to start with his discography, just press play. It’ll be a new sound for you, one that may catch you off guard but one you will love. My personal favorites are going to be “Interstellar” and “Glass Flows by Smino (Ft. Ravyn Lenae)”. Take a listen and you won’t regret it. You’re welcome!