Interview by @EuropeanIan with San Jose/Gilroy producer ogmprod of OGM Productions.
ABM: What is your producer name?
OGM: I go by ogmprod, all lowercase on purpose because it looks better, lol. It's a shortened version of OGM Productions, which is technically my full name but I just want to be known solely as "ogmprod". OGM stands for Our Generations Mindstate. It means to create things that represent our generation and our ideas.
ABM: What is your company called?
OGM: My company is called Our Generations Mindstate, and the abbreviation is OGM. I just started the business in February, but I have been using the names OGM and ogmprod in music since 2012.
ABM: How old are you, and where are you from?
OGM: I'm 19. I lived in San Jose until I was 9, and then I moved to Gilroy which is where I am now.
ABM: What age did you start creating music?
OGM: I started making music when I was like 4 or 5. I used to play on this electric drum set my dad had. It was exciting to hear the different sounds and what patterns you could make with them so it kept me interested in music. I used to mess around with my dad's CD turntables and try to mix songs together from these Def Jam CDs he had. When I was in fifth grade I joined band and started to learn the trumpet.
ABM: What artists or producers influenced you to start making music?
OGM: Many things pushed me to choosing a career in music, but one artist in particular was Bob Marley. He showed me the power of music and how it can bring people together. Wiz Khalifa also influenced me to go far even if people doubt you and discourage you for being yourself and enjoying weed.
ABM: What are your favorite instruments?
OGM: My favorite instrument is the trumpet because I used to be first chair throughout school and it's the one I'm most familiar with. I also like how it sounds, especially with a harmon mute. Then comes the piano and keyboard with all my synths.
ABM: What do you use to make your beats?
OGM: I briefly used the Native Instruments Maschine but right now I use the one and only, Image-Line Fruity Loops.
ABM: Who are some of the artists you have worked with?
OGM: I mainly work with the artists on my label but outside of that, I've worked with Johnny Drama, and Lil Goofy. I've also got a song in the works with Ooty Ooo.
ABM: If you could work with 3 local artists, who would they be?
OGM: I wanna work with everyone in the Bay Area, but if I had to choose 3, I would like to work with Traxamillion, Berner and Kehlani.
ABM: What is your best moments making music so far?
OGM: The best moments is when your with the squad and you play that one melody where everyone goes "yee" and starts giggin in the stu.
ABM: Do you have any career goals with your music?
OGM: I hope to grow OGM into a large media company that gives people from the Bay Area access to the tools and people they need to be successful in the art field. With my music, I want people to enjoy it worldwide and gig hard when we are at concerts.
ABM: Where can people find you?
OGM: People can find me as "ogmprod". I'm on SoundCloud, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube @ogmprod, and go to ogmprod.bandcamp.com to buy all the songs by my label OGM. Username on everything is @ogmprod.
ABM: Any last words or shout outs?
OGM: Get to know the whole OGM Squad, my soundcloud has links to their soundclouds, and also follow them on IG: @rayemills, @ajbanksogm, @L.L.L.f.r.a.n.k, @Dmills408, @randyfigueroa_cali