To stand out in music, especially a genre like Hip Hop, an artist has to have a presence not only the presence but commanding energy to them that makes you invest in their artistry, which they present for us to buy into. That separates an artist who you only give one listen to and who you start to keep up with. ArjayOnTheBeat brings that confident swagger to his approach that makes you want to stay connected, as he has been unfailing when connecting with his audience and executing vibrant and unique records from a career standpoint.

Arjayonthebeat discussed with us and answered our uncommon 11 Questions. Check it out below.

HONK: Let’s start by introducing ourselves. You know the basics, like name, age, and where you’re from, as much or little as you’re comfortable sharing.

ArjayOnTheBeat: Artist Name: Arjayonthebeat /Arjayonthebeat3x

Legal Name: Robert Dickson Jr 

Hometown: Los Angeles, California 

HONK: What’s the best advice you ever received concerning music?

ArjayOnTheBeat: The best advice I’ve ever received concerning music was about mixing. I was honored to have had a one-on-one session with a Grammy-awarded engineer, Leslie Brathwaite, who engineered Pharrell’s “Happy,” which headlined Despicable Me 2. He listened to my beats and told me, “everything was great, but one thing, your mixing.” He then said when it comes to mixing your beats, nothing should be panned to the center but vocals”. In other words, every sound in your beat should be panned between the left and right, never down the middle. 

The best advice of my life…

HONK: What would you have done differently if you knew then what you know now?

ArjayOnTheBeat: One thing I would have done differently is take more of the presented opportunities rather than rejecting them due to being overly cautious.

HONK: What is still your biggest challenge?

ArjayOnTheBeat: My biggest challenge is finding an artist with the potential/ talent to take them to the top and team up. Until then, the search continues. Most artists don’t take it as seriously as I do. I instead get plaques/awards with one artist repeatedly than try to get one plaque out of multiple artists… if that makes sense.

HONK: What keeps you going when things get tough in the music industry?

ArjayOnTheBeat: My daughters (Indiyah & Xia) and my family are the ones I need to be successful. My goal is to leave generational wealth /money behind for them. 

HONK: If you could open a show for any artist, who would it be?

ArjayOnTheBeat: Lil Uzi Vert, Chris Brown, or DJ Khaled

HONK: Could you talk me through your creative process?

ArjayOnTheBeat: When it comes to my productions, I never force them. I only make beats when I feel like it, so I don’t burn out my creative juices. 

If I’m not working, I typically listen to various genres to get ideas on enhancing my sound daily. Every genre has something you can learn from…

HONK: How do you solve productivity/scheduling problems and reduce overwhelming situations?

ArjayOnTheBeat: I always try to keep the customer/ clients happy, mistakes can occur, so I’ll always offer something in exchange for the mishap to reach a positive conclusion.

HONK: What are you focusing your time on now?

ArjayOnTheBeat: I’m focusing my time on executive producing more projects rather than singles & building my artist (once they’ve been found).

HONK: How do you currently feel about the state of “Your genre” in general?

ArjayOnTheBeat: We need more substance in the hip-hop community and a different topic to rap about rather than hoes, guns, apps & negativity. I feel it’s time to switch it up, or else we won’t get as successful as other genres like folk rock & country music.

HONK: How can our readers follow you online?

ArjayOnTheBeat: Instagram | Twitter | YouTube