Brock Hampton: Music Producer Extraordinare? (Theme Week)

[SamTwoSix 51]

Brock Hampton: Music Producer Extraordinare?

Pictured Above: Michael Jordan jamming to Brock's sweet tunes, circa 2069

 

By Musicman McHockeypuck, Music and Sports Journalist

 

Brock Hampton is a name that many in the VHLM know. Brock is a rookie center for the one and only #BOATGANG (also known as the Halifax 21st). Now, Brock has stated on numerous occasions that he is proud of his rebound from mediocrity. After a rough start to the season, he notably consulted team captain Hadrian for some advice (see here). After a long conversation, Brock had an epiphany. He decided to go back to Corpus Christi, Texas, and mentor young kids about the game of hockey. He was rejuvinated, recleansed, and a new man. He was noticeably less frustrated throughout the games, and with it, he was a better person to be around. Now, Brock is doing quite well, with 23 points in 58 games- instead of a measly 2 or 3 within the first 15 games of the season. Brock is looking forward to the rest of his time in Halifax, and his VHL career as a whole.

 

But what if... what if that didn't happen? Cue VSauce Music.

 

When looking back on the moment that changed his career (and his outlook on hockey entirely), Brock told us: "I wanted to quit. I wanted to call it a career. I was so blinded by my own anger, my own rage, my own frustrations... that I didn't even consider that i'd be abandoning a team that took a chance on me." When I asked about what he would do had he not quit, he said: "I'd probably become a music producer." 

 

And that got me thinking... 

 

What if, instead of returning to the game like he did, Brock Hampton retired and became a music producer?

 

Let's find out...shall we?

 

~

 

Pictured above: Two Greendale Community College students playing guitar to one of Brock Hampton's more upbeat productions.

 

Now, I decided to get in touch with Brock once again, to ask him about his potential musical endeavors. He was delighted to talk more, and I got the info I needed from him. He said that he would love to work with (ironically) the production crew of the band BROCKHAMPTON. He specifically wanted to work with Jabari Manwa, who makes most of BH's melodies (and has numerous vocal features on Roadrunner: New Light, New Machine, BROCKHAMPTON's most recent studio album). Now, Brock also stated that while he would love to work alongside the likes of Jabari and other BH producers Romil Hemnani and Kiko Merley, he would not want to be a member of the band. He said he'd just like to be a sponge, absorbing informatio day in and day out so that he could eventually produce more advanced tracks. And this is where I start to speculate what would happen.

 

I feel as if Brock would become quite friendly with the members of BROCKHAMPTON and would eventually get introduced to a small independent artist named Baird. Baird was featured on Old News, a song off of the previously mentioned Roadrunner LP. Brock and Baird would start working together more and more, as Baird began to rise to fame, Brock would be his go-to producer. Baird and Brock would be a dynamic duo of sorts, making loads of music as the days went on. Fame and fortune would cross both Baird and Brock's path. 

 

Now, with Brock becoming a very well known producer at this point, you'd think he would expand his clientelle and work with more artists. And you'd be exactly right! Over the years, Brock would work with rap staples such as the A$AP mob, Denzel Curry, Childish Gambino, and Amine. However, after a while, Brock began getting... bored with producing for specifically rap. He wanted to move on for a while and ultimately diversify his portfolio into other genres.  After making the announcement that he would be taking a break from producing rap, it was like Brock was a free agent in the production world. He would be getting asked by numerous credible bands and labels to produce for them. But eventually, Brock decided to do what he did for rap- produce for all, not for one. And thus, Brock would spend around 6 years working specifically on all kinds of music. Ambient drone metal, Folk music, Industrial rock, Punk, Heavy Metal, Black MIDI, you name it, he's probably produced it at some point. 

 

Years and years and years of producing were in Brock's future. From the world's most popular bands to the obscurest of the obscure. This was his life now. Production. During this time, Brock would decide to stay out of the public eye. When he was first producing, he was everywhere- Interview after interview, junket after junket, convention after convention. But now, Brock was reserved. No interviews, or junkets, or conventions. Just production. And he loved it!

 

But after a while, Brock ultimately decides to call it a career. After around 20 years of production (and at around 40 years of age), Brock decides to take an extended break from the musical game to focus on personal matters, like settling down and finally starting a family. He decides to come back 5 years later, but decides to work for more independent artists and charges much less for his services. He also decides not to take on too many clients, as at the tail end of his production craze, he was mentally weak and burnt out. Brock's reputation begins to grow sky-high again, and he also returned to producing rap songs- but still stayed true to only working with smaller artists and independent labels. At this point, Brock has earned millions of dollars for his production work and doesn't really do it for the moeny anymore. It's just an added bonus. He does it because he enjoys it. A very noble cause, in my opinion. 

 

Brock decides to do this for 15 more years, until the age of 55, where he turns from producing to teaching. He decides to call it a career (this time for good) and start teaching his ways to new producers who need help starting out. 

 

Brock Hampton went down as one of the most influential, most respected, and most revered producers in history. His versatility transcended genres and artists, and his grind and work ethic was one that is rarely found in any profession, never mind just the production niche. 

 

But that's just a what if. And to quote the man himself...

 

"The only thing I want to do right now is play hockey. Nothing more."

 

Pictured Above: Brock Hampton's first VHLM Goal.

 

-1,059 Words, not including captions and the title at the top

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[Vat 234]

Very well written and interesting to read. I really like how you both added pictures and gifs to make the media spot better. 9/10

[Prout 373]

Good article, really like the GIFS to help break it up and formatted good. The last quote made it seem like you’ve built a character base which is nice to read. Keep up the writing ! 8/10

Edited April 18, 2021 by Prout