Today we welcome Byrdversion1 to the interview room.

Tell us who you are and what you do..

My name is Fatim Byrd and I make sample based hip hop instrumentals. I am also a recent college graduate of Temple University. I produce under the alias Byrdversion1. I was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA

How did you come up with your name?

Its an interesting story behind my name. I used to watch a lot of wrestling growing up. One of my favourite wrestlers was Matt Hardy. He had a really interesting nickname that i loved....Matt Hardy Version 1...I just took the last part of that and added my last name to the first part. The name also relates to my belief that a person has different versions of themselves. Each version of oneself shares itself to different people. So i guess the name is my way of saying that im sharing a musical version of myself to you all.

What do you use to produce your music?

How did you get in to producing?

​I became a music producer about four or five years ago. I primarily became one so that i could create music that i enjoyed. I had a hard time finding anything in mainstream music that spoke to me. I really enjoy a variety of music that doesn't always have to be hip hop so i found it odd that i couldn't find anything. Anyways, i purchased FL Studio and began playing around and watching tutorials by a producer on youtube named Warbeats. After years of practicing, i honed my skills to where i am today...which isn't much lol. However, i am please that i have become much better than what i used to be. Hopefully i will continue to grow...

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Who are your biggest influences and inspirations?

​Some of my biggest inspirations come from cats like J Dilla, 9th Wonder, Kanye West, Large Professor and AraabMuzik. The way they sample old records and revamp them into soulful melodic hip hop tracks has made huge impact on the way i sample. I also listen to producers on Soundcloud like Handbook, ProLogik, Manofthedowntrodden, ManOnWire, JP Balboa, Keith Price, MadColour, Nextwon, and many more to gain inspiration. I am so blessed and privileged to be apart of a vibrant music community like Soundcloud.

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What have you been listening to recently?

I have been listening to a lot of oldies like the Whatnauts, The Miracles, The Originals and anything that has that golden era feel to it. Besides that, I usually enjoy mainstream hip hop acts like Jay Electronica, J.Cole, Nas, Jay, Mos Def aka Yasin Bey, Kanye West, Hitek and Talib Qweli plus many more. I am overly very eclectic with what i listen to as well...so i can listen to anything from classic jazz to electro dubstep.

What is your biggest music achievement?

My biggest personal music achievement has to be working on my debut album Thank You and working with Pragmatic Theory. They both equally were two very rewarding experiences for me. I have a hard time figuring out which was better. On one end it was just excellent working with Cor Stidak and Nextwon to come up with the track we did. Every track on the The Curtis Mayfield Tribute Album was just raw and uncut. I am truly privileged to have been on the same compilation as artists like Ta-ku, Handbook, ManOnWire just to name a few. On the other hand, it was relaxing and an revealing experience to work solo on Thank You. Working on Thank You alone allowed me to see where I was at musically and where I could improve.

Tell us about any big projects you have coming up

My next big project will be called The Tributes. Its my next solo beat tape. Each track will be a tribute to a musician,band, icon, and/or any person i feel deserves a tribute. I plan to release that project around December depending on how many blogs decide to pick it up. Outside of that, I have some things brewing with some mcs and producers you all may know...but i'll keep that secret for now!

Any last words?