Music | magazine

EXCLUSIVE: CT Artist Spotlight - Diny Pierre

August 10, 2016 | Ora

Music has a culture everywhere. A constantly evolving group of people who cultivate the power to reflect the sounds of their city. Their joy. Their pain. Their day to day with their own style. People looking for their own way to be heard, to be seen. Reflecting the now, all the while pushing toward something new. Connecticut is teeming with all kinds of gems in its own hub of blogs, fashion, MUAs who deliver the laying of hands and leave you beat, energetic dancers, soulful singers, word savvy rappers, and producers. One of those people who is helping to create the new wave is Diny Pierre. The upcoming producer, whom is a Stamford native, was able to sit with me to discuss where he started, where he hopes to go, and what he currently is working on.

Ora: When would you say you really got into music? Or what was your first memory of deciding to get so involved with music?

Diny: Well, I was into music since I used to play in church and stuff, that’s how I got into it. Then as I was going to school, I was doing the marching band and all that.

Ora: So what instrument did you play in the marching band?

Diny: Drums. I’m a drummer.

Ora: So how would you say that lead you into the world of production?

Diny: Well, I started off playing drums, through middle school and high school; even elementary school. Then I was still playing drums through high school and I was still playing at church. Then a friend of mine named Ronald and my friend, DJ, they both used to do production. They used to tell me, “Aye, you should get into it!” and I was more like “Uhh, maybe not.” {chuckles}I was so into drums then. I was so into drums I thought I was going to be on tour! You know what I mean, I was trying to be on tour with any type band. So eventually, you know my boy had got me this software, Logic, and I started messing around with it. It was about 3 years ago. Then I just fell in love with it. I just fell in love.

Ora: What about it made you fall in love?

Diny: The ability to move people emotionally. I don’t know. {laughs again} The ability to make people feel a certain way with music is what I really like about it.

Ora: How did you go from hobby to producing and working with other upcoming artists in CT?

Diny: Well, after while, making beats at home you kinda get bored! You know, you making beats all day long and then you want to move on to the next level. I’m from CT so I’m thinking why not start with artists that are from my area. So, I had started working with some kid from around my area named Drop. Then J-Delice probably about a year and a half ago, you know, and I would work with some other cats around the neighborhood.

Ora: How important is chemistry when working with someone?

Diny: Very! It’s key actually.

Ora: {laughs} What other keys are important to production? What would be your framework for producing with someone new?

Diny: Often, if an artist wants to work with a producer, they obviously like the sound that the producer already has but for me, I like to actually study the artist. You know, see what they had out before. I always like to study. See what the person likes. What styles of music they are into?

Ora: So what would you say was your most memorable studio session?

Diny: Um, my most memorable studio session was last year when I went to Yonkers to meet up with Jadakiss and the whole D-Block Crew and I got to play him some beats. It was pretty memorable. He was diggin some of my stuff.

Ora: I know you had said earlier that you had worked with J-Delice on some tracks. What songs did you guys put out together and did any work its way to the radio? What was that feeling like to hear something you produced make it on the radio?

Diny: We had What’s Mine Is Yours featuring Chinx Drugz. It was crazy because it was the first time that I heard my work on the radio so it was a crazy feeling. I don't know how to explain it. I actually had Cut Boy (also by J-Delice) recently on the radio. That was actually last night!

Ora: I also saw recently on your Instagram that you worked with Fred The Godson. What was that like meeting him?

Diny: This song I did, Change, that produced maybe a year ago around the whole thing with police brutality. I did that beat back then but stuff started happening with the girl and her boyfriend in the car (Philando Castile) and it seemed it like it got really ugly lately, so I was feeling like I needed to put something out. I wanted someone from the street. Someone, you know, that people would respect and they definitely respect Fred. I ended up hitting him up and he hopped on the track. I, also, got Dublin on the track.

Ora: Right, he is a CT artist right?

Diny: Yeah. Dublin is from the streets too, you know. They have a different worldview than from people aren’t. They see it more. They see more of the police brutality.

Ora: What did you hope this song to could do or add to the Black Lives Matter or the police brutality conversation?

Diny: I didn’t know what the song would have added to the conversation of what's going on but for me, I was trying to explain what I felt about the situation, you know what I’m saying? I’m a music producer so the best way I know how is through music. I wanted to show how we really felt about the situation.

Ora: Finally, I really liked the inclusion of Philando Castille’s girfriend speaking about her boyfriend getting shot on the song because it really rang true to what Fred and Dublin were talking about. What made you include that?

Diny: I chose that because it was the actual audio in the moment. It wasn’t an interview after or something, it was audio of what was happening at the time. It was so real. I felt like that would touch people, you know. It was so powerful to hear. The way she controlled the situation alone with that little baby in the back. To me, it was so powerful.