FKi 1st Producer Come Up Story w/ Post Malone, How Engineering Launched His Career + More

We are back with another Producergrind Podcast episode filmed out here in Los Angeles. We had the pleasure of interviewing multi-platinum producer & artist FKi 1st aka 1$t at his studio where he told us his legendary come up story being from Atlanta and working with Travis Porter, Post Malone and Iggy Azalea early on to eventually selling many records with Migos, Travis Scott, 2 Chainz and more.
FKi 1st shared with us many gems and music career advice, including how to build relationships in the music industry through having good intentions, studio etiquette and tips on how to get in a recording studio, and how engineering launched his career!
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Timestamps 👇
00:00 - Intro
01:10 - Reflecting goals during pandemic & getting ready for 2021, getting plaques as an artist
03:09 - Manifestation/law of attraction, going to Tokyo for the first time
05:53 - Everything we say might happen, stop joking & start saying more positive things
08:10 - Growing up to family's music, George Clinton, Parliament-Funkadelic, Led Zeppelin, the power of music controlling people
11:30 - FKi 1st come up story continued, growing up to older sisters' rock & rave/techno music in the 90s & 2000s, influence from Three 6 Mafia, Memphis & Atlanta music
14:10 - First rap album heard, Eminem, Dr. Dre, Nelly, other music they grew up to, needing more rap music genres in the Grammys
18:45 - Dreams/goals as a kid for baseball, playing beats for his friends, recording artists in his mom's basement, knowing in 10th grade that he wanted to be an artist & producer
22:40 - Going to Full Sail University for 1 year & going in student loan debt, learning Logic Pro X
24:40 - How his dad randomly connected him to Beyonce's producer & got him in the studio
26:40 - Don't focus on the little money, keep your eye on the big prize, getting in the studio, working at Sam's Club before attending Full Sail
28:00 - FKi 1st brain only thinking music & not thinking regular thoughts
29:30 - Moving to LA w/ Post Malone & making music, getting in the studio & staying there to work
31:20 - Mixing at Collipark studio for Charlie Rocket, Travis Porter & Waka Flocka song being the first song he mixed, using a Triton keyboard on FL Studio & Logic
34:15 - Getting a manager as rapper AND producer & meeting Travis Porter, making ATL classics "Make It Rain" and "Bring It Back", "Ayy Ladies" w/ Tyga
39:10 - Kanye West "Through The Wire" inspiring him, linking w/ Gucci Mane
40:30 - Collabing with ATL producers Sonny Digital, Metro Boomin, being in the studio where Young Thug made his first songs, linking w/ Rich Homie Quan, meeting Diplo, DJ Green Lantern, having a studio where people can pull up, smoke & hear good music, abandoned studio building in Atlanta
45:15 - Working w/ Jeremih & Lil Wayne, rapping w/ his friends, making beats & figuring it out, meeting an engineer in LA & started working w/ Post Malone
48:00 - Meeting Iggy Azalea in London to work on music randomly from his dad's connection w/ Beyonce's producer, learning music production tips from older producers in Queen's studio in Wales
54:00 - Using old Travis Porter beat w/ DJ Spinz for A.CHAL "Love N Hennessy"
55:08 - Use Dropbox & iTunes to archive music, useful for future sessions, beats getting lost in the sauce because it wasn't labeled, only make beats with people you trust, or else you won't get credit for the collab, working with Kanye West & Rick Rubin
01:00:00 - Being broke in LA, being in the studio was his escape
01:01:20 - Negative Phil Jackson Speech, controlling the vibes in the room, location affects the vibes of the studio
01:05:15 - Not letting money get in the way, how to have business conversation in the studio session & having good intentions, not being jaded from past experiences, controlling your ego & emotions
01:10:47 - Don't talk s***, even if you're joking, everyone will hear it, esp. if they're famous
01:13:24 - Working w/ Lil Uzi "Love Is Rage" & Mac Miller
01:16:10 - Gems on managing relationships, filtering people, having your music ready to send on time w/ deadlines
01:18:07 - Being serious when you hit up people in your contacts, not being clingy, bringing value to help the situation
01:22:00 - Make your own circle & come up with artists, don't jump in other people's squads, staying patient & persistent, having good intentions, producing songs that will never come out, planting seeds
01:29:00 - Meeting Pharrell & Kanye in the studio, balancing music as an artist & producer
01:31:50 - FKi 1st album Tokyo Project featured on LA Weekly, having relationships for press as an artist, being prepared to have money
01:35:12 - FKi's best advice & Outro
🎙Hosted By
CEODylan
@producergrind
👥 Special Guest
@goodjob1st
🎥 Directed by
@ceodylan
#ProducerGrindPodcast

[@Producergrind]

Improve Your Beats w/ FREE Kits & Samples ➡️ bit.ly/FreeSoundKits

[@openheart4606]

🌊

[@worldstarjcino83]

Love yal go add me

[@truelecavalier4884]

You need to get Nick Mira, Pi'erre Bourne, and Southside on the podcast.

[@ayyrazza]

South side before anyone

[@judahbudah]

On me

[@DoceRamey]

ProdByRazza on God .

[@alltrxth]

and Brock

[@typebeat7487]

y’all are forgetting zaytoven and metro too

[@adrianpreciado7501]

So glad you brought this man on here. He speakin fax about spirituality and manifestation

[@Producergrind]

yessir

[@weiserhalunke9168]

he's got such a chill and friendly vibe

[@akzmusik_]

Bruhh 1st a MOTHERFUCKIN legend, and he rap. Favorite producer hands down.

[@youngadminvove2491]

what I took from Fki 1St interview was plant seeds and stay consistent thank you guys so much

[@Producergrind]

yessir 💎💎💎

[@kirk4c]

The most vaulable thing i learned from this video was about the part FKI was talking about was intentions

[@Producergrind]

💎🙏💪

[@maxreaper25]

This is one of the greatest producers alive rn. Love bro

[@LongLiveKikin]

Bro the quality went up so much it was great before but now something with the camera angles that make this feel top notch!

[@Producergrind]

thank you 💪💯🔥

[@cnotes.branding]

I remember that Charlie talked about some "kid" that did their engineering for real low (like $50) and turned out to make the dopest beats, then became one of the greatest producers out there. I was like "man there's no way that's entirely true", then here it is FKi fucking 1st telling the same story, cause he was that engineer lmao that's so dope

[@Producergrind]

FACTS 💎💯💪 Charlie mentioned this on his podcast episode with us

[@DooDicky]

Where can i find that podcast? New to the channel! Gonna sub!

[@cnotes.branding]

@@DooDicky just search for "producergrind Charlie rocket interview" and you'll find it. it's one of the best I swear

[@miltchamberlain6218]

That part about sitting in class.. I felt Dat all the way. No CAPP 💯💯

[@irhad4734]

bruh no cap dats how my brain work too

[@user-nn3nl5pw9n]

Been waiting to this one 🔥

[@fvrdream.]

Can't wait for this🙌

[@uzilondon9278]

Been waiting for this one🔥🔥

[@agusttt17]

Sheeeesh the is an expected one, love y'all

[@vinobeats]

✨control your vibes, protect your magic ✨

[@Producergrind]

💎💎💎

[@capocapo8538]

When this guy did "that's how I feel' I knew they was gonna jack his style. Fki legend

[@griffnbeats3683]

This is the best channel for producers period. Love the content, so thankful for it! blesssssss

[@NEDUMINO]

U guys rlly supporting the community

[@rgabeatz5225]

Glad to have the producer podcast back 🙏🏼💯

[@siltheseeker]

Glad this man understands the way of life. Always been listening to 1st’s creations throughout these past few years. they as well as this interview are very inspiring to me im thankful for that fr

[@beatsbychriz5307]

Thx for the work you put in for us!! Greetz from Germany!🔥🔥🔥👯

[@willsketchesmusic]

I have binge watched these vids for a week now. Listen to it in the car. Full of gems. Thanks so much. As a producer this stuff is inspiring and motivational.

[@coltonshanley1921]

Best one I seen in a long time. This dude authentic n wise for his age

[@jimibarrz]

Thank you for this man! 1st a real one. 100.

[@coolfool979]

OMFG THIS LITERALLY HAS ME SO HYPED THANK YOU FOR GETTING THR GOAT ON HERE

[@Producergrind]

yessir

[@ProdAdrian]

YES!

[@kozmikbeats7756]

I always love hearing journey's like this. Launching a website that's gonna have over 60+ beats in less than a month! Can't wait.

[@amanisun8293]

i needed this. finally sat down to watch and couldnt be better time for some motivaton. 💯 good looks dylan

[@Producergrind]

yessir 💯🙏💪

[@TINYPALM]

Letsgoo🔥🔥

[@Prodmikecheck]

Great podcast!! Good Job 1st on giving the gems and propz to Dylan for always bringing fye interviews 🔥🔥🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@Producergrind]

yessir 🙏

[@imaketrapinmydreamz7972]

Yesssssboiii!

[@BrandonSantino]

Through the wire changed my life too... so dope he said that.

[@Producergrind]

💯🙏

[@jerryondabeat3932]

I needed to hear these last few words 🙏

[@swanjaymusic]

Yo that was a dope interview and he is on point with the road to musical happiness... He sounded like he loves were he at and learned many lessons along the way.... 10 years or more of grinding glad to see he got his own studio and a dope one at that, plaques to show for his efforts and all that... Big shout out goes to FKi 1st ... Thanks for sharing your story... One

[@Producergrind]

💯

[@affidavitdaproducer724]

Fire interview!!! 🔥

[@Producergrind]

💯💪🔥

[@Rome23961]

Man it’s gone be crazy when I do an interview and a collab with fki bc him and Travis Porter changed my whole freshman year look on music .. much luv

[@CodyHoyOfficial]

Really love your interviews, very inspiring & packed with game. I'd love to be on here one day :).

[@Producergrind]

which gem stood out to you the most? 🙏💯💎

[@CodyHoyOfficial]

1) Adding value to every situation you go into, it should be an exchange of talent and good energy to work towards the final product, not being solely focused on doing it for money. 2) Patience & persistence. 3) Building a strong team of like minded people focused on accomplishing the mission with a positive attitude. My favs off the top

[@joshuatelem8796]

I love watching Team Producer Grind fix up some fan sent in beats on Twitch. It's the best!

[@Producergrind]

yessir 💯

[@ocofficial5481]

Yo bro, your vocal tonality control and interview questions are on point! 🔥🦾 I’m rockin with it bro, thank you for the great interview ⚡️

[@Producergrind]

💪💯🙏

[@Drea816]

1st is very talented and really brings it to the table well done

[@herbetplum]

50 seconds in I know this gonna be a banger

[@thatguypinki93]

This is such a dope interview!!!🔥🌊

[@Producergrind]

yessir 🙏

[@spreet_d]

Early gang 💪 . Dear Producergrind team, we want an episode with Cubeatz, can you guys make it possible ? If they don't wanna come in front of camera, that's completely okay, we just need some gems 💎

[@TRIFREEZE]

big facts

[@uzilondon9278]

They’re German, they most likely don’t even speak full English

[@crazyhearts1761]

Swear

[@kaylobeatz]

@@uzilondon9278 you'd be suprised, basically everyone can speak engilsh in germany

[@hustoosleepy8097]

@@uzilondon9278 nah in Germany everyone can speak english. We have it for 7-10 years at school

[@kazzd58]

The Funkadelics!!! Yessir!!!

[@ohgawd978]

If yall didn;t know when you were mentioning camera men, 6ix9ine was a cmera man in the studio before he started rapping and thats how he got his feet in the water

[@briansl4150]

I loved every minute of this interview idk if it’s cause I took acid but I felt 1000% what he was saying and I felt truly inspired to keep enjoying what I like but to also distant yourselves from those that don’t see your vision. Thanks bro you made me get back into my MacBook and try to start cooking shit up 🔥🔥 1st done geeked it up

[@patrickgarrity5529]

This interview is inspiring. Said shit nobody else has. Awesome 😎

[@joshlove9786]

Loved this you gon reach a mill subs keep at it! Let’s speak that metro podcast into existence

[@NEMOBANDZBEATS]

Wow I thought y’all were done with the in person interviews. This is lit 🔥🔥🔥

[@Producergrind]

we got more on the way 💯💪

[@nautico0]

good energy from the start!🔥

[@miltchamberlain6218]

Hol up.. So Mr Collipark is DJ Smurf?? 😲 Bruh wtf 😂😂 my mind is blown.. I came up on all that bass music and I never knew this. This interview too dope 🔥🔥

[@Producergrind]

🔥🔥🔥

[@sahu1189]

Dam I thought this man was just a producer. This motivation right here 🔥🙏🔥

[@ITSMRZFG]

Good Job 1st! Goes back to the Travis Porter days Went to Full Sail University as well

[@MalickBeats]

100K gang, congrats!!

[@BlitzyCobain]

this man gonnna make me take drop box seriously now

[@Producergrind]

💎💎💎

[@ronaldoadamsLethere]

I'm saying

[@implantmusic85]

Producergrind 2.0 google drive works too. You just need to have a specific folder that’s public

[@narquise7242]

mannn i had 2 watch this shit. i gotta get some in wit 1st fr. yall gotta get spinz on here!!!

[@JMikaelian95]

I remember i met 1st in 2018 for a music video my homie was shooting. The video never came out, cool dude. He was high as shit the whole time 💀

[@daneslaybaugh]

Favorite producer

[@ZMadeThisOne]

INTENTIONS!

[@Producergrind]

FACTS, word of the day is INTENTIONS 💎

[@FKiMusic]

🙏🏾

[@Prod.Dequavis]

Got some gems in here! Dope

[@Producergrind]

which gem was your favorite?

[@Prod.Dequavis]

Producergrind 2.0 probably manifestation. But i really liked the whole episode!

[@coolfool979]

HEY FKIIII 🐐

[@Dumblitstudios]

Ayyee 1st a goat hope we get a deconstructed from this

[@relmighttrip]

producergrind is really doing good by the community

[@Producergrind]

thank you 🙏💎💯

[@jllamabeats]

This is about to be a great one🤘🏼

[@jllamabeats]

It was indeed a great one💎💎love the energy this guy carries and the story he has👌🏼very inspiring podcast🔥

[@GOODBOY-ru2gc]

GOODJOB 1ST!

[@fastfeetent]

Coolin ✊🏿

[@JSewellBeats]

He too slept on

[@BEATMAN.]

100k subs letsssssssss goooo 💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾🔥🔥💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾

[@drxwsnow3476]

white iverson was a vibe

[@prodbyjayy4917]

lets goooooooooooo

[@producedbyFerrisMichaels]

Great interview. The entire time I was thinking that he reminds me of someone....and I think it's that dude Kai the hitchhiker

[@zboytheman7139]

Imma be on here very soon ! Tap in !

[@sprtavery1135]

Marlo make every moment felt like he still alive. LonG Live the OriGinal Billy Goat🐐🦅♾

[@TopMidwestEntertaiment]

This shit was so fire 🔥

[@halilcasp]

He made one of my favorite underrated Uzi tracks 'Moist'

[@treysito_]

He did wit my crew x 1987 and Nuyork nights at 21

[@halilcasp]

@@treysito_ true, Nuyork is good too I love that old uzi sound

[@99racks85]

Good bro👌

[@dedafdedaf7961]

You need to bring Rex Kudo in here, would be so sick!

[@damoxclusivebeatz9206]

Wow his story and vibe is so similar to mines it’s crazy. I just don’t have the connections and I’m from Chicago 🤦🏾‍♂️ it’s time to go ✈️ #DONTMISSYOBEAT!™️ #SALUTE

[@rambo3801]

Super producer

[@rapinstrumentals]

I'm ready for gems mabru

[@Kolaps]

Love this podcast! But lemme ask other producers one question... How do you deal with eye strain or sitting too much in front of your pc making beats? Whats your go-to solution for that? I'm pretty sure we all spend so much time sitting in front our monitors so... do y'all ever had problems with your eyesight ? 🙏🏽 Asking this cause its very common to all producers.. and i never stumble on that question during these interviews... Much love! Ya killing it 💪💪🏽

[@TM-mo9rs]

🐐🐐🐐

[@PayDaProducer]

Yeah, I will watch this one 3, 4, 5 moe times...

[@Producergrind]

facts 💎💯💪

[@arzonfireemoji4625]

Fki 1st the forest gump of producers

[@BEATMAN.]

Legendary

[@Producergrind]

💯💪🔥

[@judahbudah]

💎 gems

[@Producergrind]

which gem was your favorite? 💪💎💯

[@judahbudah]

Producergrind 2.0 charlie dropped a lot of gems on this one, but what I picked up mostly from this is just staying focused and how far simply networking could get you in this game. We could be making beats everyday, but things could happen way faster simply by reaching out or (being annoying) and putting your work out there. At the end of the day though those who are really hustling and working hard are going to make it, just listen to your heart and enjoy making music

[@serealbowl.theman]

💎🔥

[@vinobeats]

alignment

[@vinobeats]

everything is the way it’s supposed to be

[@organizedsound9136]

wow great choice

[@AyG]

I'm fuckin with FKi 1st. Dope producer for so many people. Boutta check his solo music too. 💎

[@lilpheniex]

Southside on the track ....yeaaaaahhhh

[@keronbeats7709]

💯

[@666slave]

28:02 this me working at Walmart 😂🤦🏽‍♂️

[@Producergrind]

😂😂😂

[@juvin2506]

This man is my Favourite. Please get Buddah, he's one G too.

[@DigitalVibrance]

the weed hittin this man

[@weediemane]

Get him on a beat breakdown video!

[@GianniPuliafico]

1st with the quarantine pounds lmaooooo goat tho

[@cjlaw228]

42:45 I pass that building all the time and wonder wtf it is