There aren’t many artists in the industry that are completely well-rounded. Most artists get help from those that are more talented in an area. Those select few well-rounded artists are what we call MacGyver-type figures or artists who can make music from anything and make it sound good. Though rare, such an artist does exist in the form of Bei Maejor.
Born, Brandon Green from Southfield, Michigan, his name is a variation of the chord, b-major. Breaking into the industry after moving to Atlanta, he joined singer Ne-Yo’s production team, Compound Entertainment. He was later signed to Jive Records as a recording artist in January 2010 and later that year he released his first mixtape, Upside Down, featuring acts like Trey Songz, Drake, Keri Hilson and T-Pain, all of whom he has produced or written for. Maejor has many YouTube videos where he can be seen making beats out of various random objects, hence the MacGyver-likeness mentioned above. Chatting with Parlé Magazine, Bei Maejor talks of his start and his expectations. Check him out below…
Parlé Magazine: Tell us how you got your start in the business.
Bei Maejor: I started producing and created my own website just so I can get my music out. Then I started producing for Keri Hilson, Ne-Yo and T-Pain, that’s how I got my foot in the game.
Parlé: Who influenced you musically?
Bei Maejor: I’m influenced by old school music like Anita Baker. My parents are from Jamaica so some reggae like Bob Marley and others.
Parlé: What was your first big break?
Bei Maejor: I got my first big break producing for Trey Songz and for the Disney movie, A Princess and the Frog.
Parlé: What is behind the upside down movement?
Bei Maejor: I told my label, I wanted to put my picture upside down and they were like no, don’t do that. I did it anyway and it was big hit and then the label saw and decided to run with it.
Parlé: With the break-up of Jive Records, how has the affected the album?
Bei Maejor: It hasn’t really, the label is just called something different, but it’s all the same people.
Parlé: Do you have complete creative control of your music?
Bei Maejor: Yes, part of the reason I was signed was because of my creative side.
Parlé: What was the best collaboration so far?
Bei Maejor: R. Kelly, I did a song with him and T-Pain for T-Pain’s album. It was an honor to be on a song with him.
Parlé: Who’s your dream collaboration?
Bei Maejor: Anita Baker and Stevie Wonder.
Parlé: What do you have in store besides the album?
Bei Maejor: I’m still producing, writing and doing shows. I take part in charity events and forums for children.
Parlé: How do you set yourself apart in this competitive industry?
Bei Maejor: I don’t know I just got lucky. I think my style is different and it is not something that people hear all the time. Also I think because I tell the truth.
Parlé: Do you consider yourself a studio rat?’
Bei Maejor: I’m actually in the studio right now. [Laughs.]
Parlé: What is better being an artist or producer?
Bei Maejor: An artist because it is more of my experiences and identity being seen than in producing where it’s just music.
Parlé: What are your expectations for yourself?
Bei Maejor: I feel like I’m lucky and blessed to be here. So I’m just getting what comes to me as it comes.
Parlé: Thank you for your time.
Bei Maejor: Thank you.
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