iGetMuzik Interview: Mike Banger - Young Money Engineer...

With the official "No Ceilings" mixtape dropping today,
I had a chance to catch up with Young Money's Engineer.

Mike Banger is a producer, writer, beat maker and recording engineer from

Miami, FL, who currently works for Young Money Entertainment. He has
worked with Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, and Curren$y just to name a few. Banger
has also produced tv/radio ad jingles for the University Of Miami, Ashley
Furniture, and Nova South Eastern University.

DefConArtists.com
MySpace.com/MikeBangerMusic
FaceBook.com/people/Mike-Banger/1257315105
Twitter.com/MikeBanger

How did you get started in the music industry and was it something you always wanted to do?

Yea this is something I've always wanted to be a part of. I started playing drums by ear really young which evolved into making beats, keyboards, writing, and audio engineering. I did what I had to do to save a bunch of money for some recording equipment and began working all day on smaller local projects. I didn't plan on being an audio engineer but interning for a recording studio was my way into the business. I had 3 internships at once. Wayne recorded most of The Carter 2 at one of those studios. I worked with Rick Ross at another one of those internships and did commercial ad jingle work during the day at the other. I actually did the U.M.'s "All About The U" beat on all their commercials.

How did you acquire the role as "Recording Engineer / Producer" for Young Money Entertainment?

When I was interning Wayne came in and worked with my boy Drew Correa. After engineering for about 2 years Drew went on to produce "Mr. Carter" feat Jay Z and "Prom Queen". He dropped engineering to strictly produce and Wayne needed someone a few times so I eventually got the call. I haven't done too much production yet maybe because I feel like its a conflict of interest to be playing my own beats while engineering other producers sessions. I think with time I'll be given bigger responsibilities when everyone starts noticing everything I'm capable of.

What is a typical day like for you?

I usually wake up in the afternoon since we work till sun up every night. I might make a beat then head straight to the studio to be recording Wayne by 10pm. We could be touching up 3 songs at once, making something completely new, or doing a feature. Once Wayne calls it a night another Young Money artist such as Jae Millz or Gudda might want to work on something so I'll stay even later for them. If Nicki's in town I'll get to the studio even earlier for her to get some work done before Wayne arrives. I may get home at around noon the next day and edit some beats before going to bed. Its been hard to fit normal things like eating, laundry, family, and friends into the schedule lately. I'll get calls to fly out of town too but I basically do the same thing everywhere we go. I got a little portable production setup to bang out some beats in the hotels.

Whats Weezy like in the studio?

I truly think he's a genius with this rap sh*t. People may disagree or not like certain lyrics but I can tell you for a fact that no other artist in music period works like him. We sacrifice everything at all times for this. We land at 4am from a long flight and where do we go? The studio! No questions. He's also the most difficult artist I've ever worked with but he improved the way I work immediately. Its like all the smaller detailed things I've learned that most artists overlook he doesn't.

What's it like traveling with the Young Money team?

Honestly it felt like I was finally home on the road with them and still now just being a part of everything is a blessing. I've never really felt comfortable enough to work to my fullest potential elsewhere. I'm kinda shy so its tough for me to express my creative thoughts. They're loosening me up a bit though. Gudda spills my food, Jae Millz makes fun of my sideburns, Mack is my brother in law (joke), etc... We pick on each other a bit.

What are some of the current projects you are working on?

Weezy's No Ceilings mixtape,The Young Money Album, Rebirth, and The Carter 4.

Any other artists you want to work with in the future?

Of course there are other more established artists that I would love to work with but I really want to grow with the whole Young Money fam. Plus, Wayne's CD was probably in my disk changer at the time of the call so actually I don't think I could be working with anyone better.

How has music changed since you started in this business?

Other than declining record sales and recent advancements in recording technology I wouldn't know. I'm still on the grind developing myself further and learning new things everyday.

Last words.

I just wanna say thanks to everyone who made way for me to do my thing. Big ups to all the haters and non believers too for making me push myself way past the edge. Shout out to Drew Correa, KY, Weezy, Gudda, Jae Millz, Nicki Minaj, Lil Chuckee, Drake, Lil Twist, T Streets, Jew Fro, Shanell, Tyga, and Short Dawg. Young Money Salute!