JWK: And the alternative scene?
PAQ: We have really good alternative ar-
tistes here too. I like the sound they produce.
It shouldn’t always be sounds you’re used to.
Sometimes you have to clear your mind and
brainstorm with other tunes – take inspiration
from other tunes and the alternative scene is
providing that.
JWK: What are some of the things you consider
when producing?
PAQ: For me, I produce based on my feelings. I
have a catalogue which I share with the artistes
I work with to choose from. I don’t stylize my
beats from the onset, sometimes you need to
take them away from their style a bit to bring
out their other side. Other times, I go into the
studio and will not have any inspiration. On
such days, I don’t do anything at all.
JWK: Ghana music awards, have you submitted
anything? Let’s talk about your awards first.
Have you had any?
PAQ: For now I haven’t won any award but I’m
hoping to sometime soon.
JWK: Are you one of those people who say “oh
I’m not working for the awards” but subtly you
need the recognition?
PAQ: It’s not even about the recognition. It’s
about the feeling of being appreciated.
JWK: For me, I feel getting an award is adding
another 0 to your rates…
PAQ: In a way, however it’s not all about the
awards. You’re doing music because you love it.
If people like it, they like it.
JWK: Which artiste are you dying to collaborate
it with?
PAQ: I don’t have any now. I’ve already worked
with the artiste I was dying to work with and
that’s Shatta Wale.
JWK: Let’s talk about Shatta Wale. How did it
happen?
PAQ: I’ve known Shatta Wale for a while but to
work with him I felt I wasn’t there yet. I want-
ed to give myself time to grow. We met some-
time last year where I showed him my works. I
remember how surprised he was as he listened
51 | Colossium . March 2019
to them. So we decided to meet up again and
discuss a possible collaboration.
JWK: Give me details. I’m trying to visualize
everything.
PAQ: I started the beat at home then took the
skeleton to his studio. Whiles I was playing
the beat, he started humming a melody which
I thought was great so I decided to record the
melody before he forgets. He later sat down to
put words into it. That record was produced in
about 45mins – very organic. I knew the song
was done and was dope, however I wanted to
add some touch to it but time wasn’t by my
side. I decided to go home and continue the
next morning, only to find out the next morn-
ing the song was out hahaha
JWK: How did you feel about that? Was it like a
premature baby for you?
PAQ: It wasn’t like a premature baby. I mean
the beat was done, I just felt like there was
more I could add to it. I’m guessing it’s because
I perhaps wanted to impress myself – c’mon its
Shatta Wale’s record so I’ve got to give out my
best. As a creative person there’s nothing like
satisfaction. I remember Shatta Wale telling me
“Yo! It’s done. You have to chill on it, if you keep-
ing on doing this you will never be satisfied”. I was
OK with it. I had all my elements in it – my 808
– Xylophone – Strings and all.
JWK: What’s your creative process like?
PAQ: Typically I start with the drums, kicks and
snare patterns every time. I start with drums
to know the bounce I want and how groovy I
want it before I put in melodies. So I will do like
8 bar drumming before I will add my strings
and others. I will keep going through the el-
ements till I get the one I’m looking for. I will
sometimes tweak the elements to produce the
sound I want. After doing all these, I will find
myself being inspired to produce melodies I
believe will do well with certain artistes. Some-
times artistes come in with completely differ-
ent vibe and I will have to work with that – the
final results feels spiritual.