STLNDRMS Talks Making LoFi Beats, Spotify Income, History of LoFi + More

STLNDRMS interview on the Producergrind Podcast. STLNDRMS stopped by the office to talk about his come up and how he made thousands of dollars on Spotify without even knowing until his friend told him to check his Distrokid Bank. STLNDRMS has quickly becomer one of the biggest names in LoFi he has even been the face of the largest LoFi playlist on Spotify. He talks about how he formed connections and fans from hosting a weekly show on Facebook Live. He even met the owner of 'Chillhop" through doing the show. We talked a lot about the history of LoFi and how millions of people worldwide listen to LoFi Playlists as study music or just chill background music. STLNDRMS biggest advice to any producer or creative is to stay in your lane and persue what you like to do. Do not try to do something you are not passionate about for the sake of making money. Lots of gems dropped in this one!
Producergrind Merch: bit.ly/Producer...
Sound Kits: bit.ly/Producer...
1:03 STLNDRMS makes Lo-FI beats in a shed at home
1:42 What is Lo-fi?
2:40 What is and is not considered Lo-fi?
3:05 Different genres of Lo-fi?
3:32 Anime's influence on Lo-fi
4:35 How STLNDRMS grew his spotify following
5:02 STLNDRMS talks about being laid off from google fiber
6:09 Discovering thousands of dollars in his DistroKid Account
7:03 Quality drives success in Lo-fi genre more than brand
7:29 STLNDRMS discusses factors that helped drive his success
8:13 Relation ships with ChillHop
8:59 STLNDRMS being the face of Lo-fi on Spotify
9:22 Benefits of using Facebook Live
11:06 People don't buy things, they buy themselves
11:55 ChillHop is like DeathRow
13:23 Is it easier finding success in Lo-fi over Trap?
15:00 Your best bet is to do you to the fullest
15:37 Does STLNDRMS make anything other than Lo-fi?
16:29 Trying to make trap beat for Common
18:05 Difference between a Beatmaker and a Producer
19:03 Do people rap on Lo-fi Beats?
19:21 What type of artist raps on Lo-fi Beats?
19:58 STLNDRMS beatmaking background
21:33 Why didn't DRMS take the trap route?
23:10 The "Magic Couch"
23:54 DRMS career as a Videographer /Photographer
25:58 Staying patient during the journey
27:54 Setting up different sources of income
28:30 STLNDRMS' "Slappy Drums" Drum Kit
30:52 Selling Beats online
32:14 Lessons to learn from DRMS failures
33:43 Understanding your Data and using results for growth
35:12 STLNDRMS' Shows (Controllerise)
36:28 STLNDRMS' Team
39:33 Applying Macro View to Martial Arts
42:18 Overrated/Underrated
- Trap Music
- VST's
- Veganism
- Supreme
- Thrasher
1:02:48 Discussion about Capitalism
1:06:59 Camera Gear setup for Live Broadcast
1:09:06 Developing Skill set out of necessity
1:10:13 Lighting Setup for Videos
1:11:10 DRMS tells story about moving his studio to the shed
1:13:06 Top 3 most important things when it comes to videos
1:13:35 DRMS breaks down composition
1:16:11 STLNDRMS shares his long and short term goals
1:17:08 ChillHop Radio Licensing, Sync deals, Live Stream etc.
1:18:53 STLNDRMS talks why he got a manager
1:19:54 STLNDRMS talks about buying sample libraries
1:20:43 DRM talks about selling digital products through Gumroad and Shopify
1:23:08 What type of person can relate to you?
1:24:04 Upcoming Projects for STLN DRMS
1:26:35 STLNDRMS drops his social media info
Hosted By
@ceodylan
@carrington_hill
@theletterlbeats
@producergrind
Special Guest
@stlndrms
Directed by
@cookitupkayo
@Samo_ent
#ProducergrindPodcast

[@ChillhopMusic]

Haaa Great podcast, STLNDRMS is the man. Thanks for the shout outs as well, appreciate it.

[@NumbrXII]

This is the kind of interview you watch over and over to motivate you...

[@opalprism5470]

NumbrXII I’ve watched it 6 times now 😄

[@howiewonder9507]

real talk, respect for mentioning nujabes and samurai champloo

[@Mojojojo9828]

howiewonder nujabes the goat!

[@HighOffLifeTV]

Excellent Interview.. Drms is a great example of going left when everyone goes right... and trusting the process & allowing it to grow.

[@digitalmusicalart3494]

That's my process.

[@stoniibeats]

yeah and that dude is damn talented!

[@welcomehomecolumbia4131]

people dont buy products people buy them self deadass

[@onthegolabel]

Facts

[@aaronbarber6238]

It’s so refreshing to hear someone else say “I can’t make trap.” Whenever I make trap, it just doesn’t sound right.

[@smokescreenFromThe6ix]

I'm the same way. I'm from the Boombap era and when I make trap music something is a bit off!! Other people like it but it don't seem real to me!!

[@0utwestbreezy]

Same

[@CallMeMicahT]

Why this dude look like Will Smith with dreads

[@vc0.]

Prod. by MiB that’s a fact 💀 😂

[@madimakes]

Prod. by MiB. Hahaha I came in here before watching just to say that 😂😂😂

[@DarkCreed]

He even mentions Will Smith. Maybe he trying to throw us off the scent.

[@THEREALGPHRESH]

When ol boy in the blue jacket starting rethinking his life lol 27:14

[@MGTheFuture]

This brother dope

[@jeremyrodriguez9828]

I knew it you'd be here

[@TheBBG31]

@@antihero5518 You know what I'm about

[@MontemayorLeo]

you dope too MG. learned alot from your videos

[@whoisthegawd]

26:20 is the most realest answer in the history of Producer Grind

[@grayorganization]

Gawd Said bro seriously 😂😂😂

[@stakkzz]

big facts made me feel a little better!

[@0utwestbreezy]

This WHOLE interview nun but gems. 💎Dope content

[@ebososa]

Low fidelity’s low fi. There’s a similarity in filtration amongst all of them.

[@zkc8]

90's had mad lo-fi vibes to me, like DJ Shadow, DJ Krust and many others worldwide.

[@Neoplasma]

lofi has mad 90's vibes :p

[@CainaanDC]

Grap lava and Pete Rock too

[@rashford5636]

Thelonius Cain Exactly! Guru has an entire album named Jazzmatazz. There is also Digable Planets and J. Dilla. Most of the Hip Hop from the early 90’s was Jazz based.

[@rashford5636]

Thelonius Cain Exactly! Guru has an entire album named Jazzmatazz. There is also Digable Planets and J. Dilla. Most of the Hip Hop from the early 90’s was Jazz based.

[@IsaUrameshi]

Cuz boom bap is from the 90’s and most lofi is boom bap.

[@zachobrien6886]

Dude is wise /intelligent and sound is something else- 2000xl still knockin'. Keep up the good work. Thanks for this; inspiring. Nice call out to Dibiase.

[@DustinJJ98]

SchoolboyQ makes beats now?

[@digital6k190]

Needa start looking into Lofi more, it’s been around longer then I thought

[@digital6k190]

Those 2 are mutually exclusive...

[@Stoney-Jacksman]

its been aroudn for long time, untill some millenialsad goth cunt kids started to call it 'lofi beats. and have this cunty radio for it. Its just hiphop and its been done since the 90s. and even before.

[@vc0.]

Hey check my lofi music out here’s a link El Vc0 - Wanna love rmx ft. Mishaal kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJOTdIJuea2lZ8k 🙏🏽

[@THECABSOURHERE]

Lofi...ny boom bap beats resurfaced with vinyl feel, and anime gloominess

[@ProdbyGrimeyred]

facts. vinyl vst added. boom lofi.

[@slowitdownroc8946]

lo key i never thought of it that way.. but that makes perfect sense

[@vc0.]

Yeah check me out El Vc0 - Wanna love rmx ft. Mishaal kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJOTdIJuea2lZ8k thanks 🙏🏽

[@rockywalkie626]

"theres enough for everybody...peoples best bet is to do them..."

[@Moschino12123]

Am I the only one who thinks he looks like Will Smith?? Haha

[@iLLWiLLDaGoD]

i thought the same thing when i seen the thumbnail. lol

[@mrchronicblack5810]

I was thinking when did Will grow dreads

[@jankyboymello]

He look like his husky cousin bill smith

[@brucegnice]

STLN is a jack of all trades!! I respect the outta necessity aspect.. it's almost the only way to make the best of the music business.. #TONSofFreeGame

[@cIiffe]

ik it’s been hella long, but ‘jack of all trades’ is no compliment

[@martinirecords9471]

The fck i didnt subscribe long time thx to have the coolest master of the grind in this channel

[@SmokinAcesProd]

This dude cool man! Wasn’t familiar with the music but definitely gonna check it out now! And crazy down to earth

[@CoolCalmMaurice]

I'm in the USAF and I make beats, man this dude right here is my inspiration. I'm could only imagine being at this type of level when I get out. That would be a dream come true. But man, a really great interview, I really enjoyed this. Makes me realize that this is definitely possible if the passion is there. Thank you for this yo!!

[@sosamontana3719]

Yall should have frank dukes or cubeatz on here

[@theycallmeheat]

This might be the HARDEST one yet. Definitely #1 podcast here

[@kellensheppard779]

I got the notepad out right now. I gotta take notes on all of this shit

[@TheBariNoZ]

so much value. whether it be real life shit about how ppl deal with rejection, failure. multiple sources of income (dont put urself down, having a "boring" long term might be a good thing imo).. i mean.. dude has lived in multiples country & has worn multiple hats. gems about how he filming his stuff. just a general cool ass dude tbh. also, do 10 push ups every time he says "that's a good question".. i dare you :)

[@AnkhManRaw]

Y'all should use Y'all own intro music max your coin. #YaDig!!!!

[@matthewsaul3533]

I've been listening to MADLIB and Dilla since 2000, which I know wasn't the beginning, and I can tell that talented producers like STLNDRMS are like branching off from the trunk of MADLIB and Dilla but this is the first day, right now today, that I've ever heard it called LoFi lol I guess they were bound to name it at some point

[@Unlucky13ification]

When they talked about anime being associated with chillhop, I think that is because of adult swim bumps. Anime followed by short bursts of hip hop beats solidified the association between beats and anime. Adult Swim

[@derekjames900]

Chillaxative13 🙌

[@stoniibeats]

I love this dude! He is so humble and talented. Great interview!

[@Andresmarincomedy]

Great outside of the box interview. Definitely contributed to the culture guys. Thank you

[@Sarah2ill]

HERE FOR THIS

[@spliffsoldier]

Hey Sarah

[@theR0ck3tsumm3r]

❤️😬😬😬

[@str8frmthacr8]

You'll be on soon, love.

[@Origamibeats]

this was fire

[@allpraiseyeezus3876]

according to one of these guys, MALCOLM X AND MARTIN LUTHER KING HAD NO FAMILY AND NO SKILLS...

[@Bigsperg]

thrasher is overrated. Nowadays if i see u with a thrasher shirt and u can't at least kickflip, im giving u shit

[@rechade]

Anybody catch what was the album he mentioned? It was a Brazilian record..

[@GarfRichards]

Just found your podcast; can't believe I've been sleeping 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@indo3000]

Who were his top 4 producers? Dilla, Madlib, knots?, debiocy?

[@Ghowste]

Aaron Franklin DiBiase

[@indo3000]

Ghowste, man thank you!

[@ChameleonHulk]

STLNDRMS is a cool cat and his beats crazy nice! Bravo!

[@drewward6895]

this dude on whole different wave, easy to see whys hes successful

[@tinadaniels7396]

The third screw emphatically sail because rugby preoperatively remove failing a hesitant mouth. maddening, swanky clarinet

[@mannykefalos9461]

Spotify lofi producer taking Over. So proud to be part of the movement

[@TheLboogie330]

,church

[@mannykefalos9461]

@@TheLboogie330 ?

[@smiauu]

lol

[@bigWILLfrmus]

I think Stussy was the other brand you couldn't remember at 1:02:20

[@allpraiseyeezus3876]

Learn the difference between an economic system, political party, education system, the freedom to create and profit, and private/public business structure

[@Similee]

This was very inspirational. Now I'm on DistroKid putting my work up

[@stakkzz]

"They dont buy products; they buy themselves". Always had a theory of this in my head but hearing out loud confirmed it fr!

[@tykirenwillingham2871]

I’m glad he shouted out Dibiase, Dibiase deserves some recognition.

[@sontwisted]

This is the best producer grind to date

[@deno31k_]

These interviews hella interesting!

[@BeatsBangcomtv]

Dope interview!! He dropped a gang of philosophical life gems in there. 💯

[@kuhyugaa]

I'm next up

[@oatmellofi]

Great Interview! STLNDRMS music is always inspiring!

[@MrCrashbeats]

Dooope interview! Prob my fav joint so far. You can tell Drms is a humble and cool ass dude.

[@eddienom]

Damn.

[@FoolishPlays]

The term "Lofi" being used to describe a type of music started in the 60s

[@zackdopp6961]

This pry my favorite episode. Shout out boom bap and lofi guys.

[@Metamophisis]

God bless the homie! I met him before at the Controllerise with the homie JFilt a couple of years ago.

[@Wren_The_Ten]

Will smith secret son anybody? 😂 Jokes, it’s all love

[@mindalteringfx316]

Been following the movement for a min...natural organic evolution. Yo what he said about removing wheat from the diet is facts. Been doing it for 2 weeks and it's like night and day. Alot of my aches and pains are gone

[@sad_is_fiction]

Anyone wanna collab I do all music also Lofi if anyone is into that

[@CyrusKrow]

☆$adisfiction☆ hmu @cyruskrow on all social media

[@sad_is_fiction]

@@CyrusKrow hmu my Instagram is linked would be faster

[@modoesstuff]

me too. 🙃

[@PudWhacker]

💯💯

[@JavierScheuermannMusic]

Let's work. Let's talk on IG @jbangabeats

[@ReyhanJoseph]

I look up to him cuz he got that sweet shine on his lofi beats.

[@boonhouse]

Met this guy at Controllerise. Super down to Earth.

[@gueldaswing]

Dope interview, can someone tell me who's the 3rd producer's name please (Dilla, Madlib, ?, Dibiase) ? Thanks !

[@qualeonard5057]

Nottz

[@enyceofnyc]

What’s the beat in the background at the beginning of the video?

[@kd173]

This one's insightful frfr. 🔑 Pave Your Own Lane

[@SundayVibesmusic]

One of my fav podcast you guys done

[@ericsandoval7743]

What books is STLN DRMS reading or has read on Sound engineering, photography, graphic design. This dude is my soul brother!

[@jimmynelson1403]

This dude is so dope. Been following him on Instagram so it’s cool to hear an interview.

[@ericsandoval7743]

I learned more from STLN DRMS than researching and KZbin videos. Truly inspired me.

[@lilawreebeats]

$14.99 a month? Which vst site is he talking about ??

[@lostsaint]

pro tip: watch while playing his lofi in the background

[@MarvillousBeats]

"People buy themselves" #MajorKey

[@jwalkonthetrak]

Stlndrms is straight 🔥🔥 love his story

[@equalfoundation895]

Will Smith with Dreads

[@tekbeatz]

STLNDRMS is supa talented. I watch all his videos

[@matasuki]

The Keanu Reeves of making beats. Super Humble

[@jamieian]

they're even talking about truthful matter, that's crazy.

[@djpowerhauspaul]

My dude Chris Blowing up SALUTE

[@MarcoBoomin]

Bro dropping so much knowledge

[@ot-mills]

Great interview! Thanks for the jewels guys!

[@Xavier-lm3cd]

This is one of the best episodes. Great info about trusting the process.

[@playon9852]

Distrokid --> distrokid.com/vip/seven/593402

[@JTMUSICCHANNEL]

Making beats and going into the army now so this is dope

[@officialjeremiahblake]

Same. I make beats and I’m going to the Air Force to support my family. This gives me motivation

[@phillytnoize]

Dope interview I like his creative aesthetic as well as his general outlook on the world.

[@maxmartinez6430]

This dude has a great outlook on life

[@bobdabuilder1404]

Appreciate these podcast. Does wonders for a young dude. 22 and every couple mins looking some shit up. Bless

[@kidstax]

I got hella lofi tracks, my take away from this interview is to just out that shit out.

[@prod.12tone]

"shout out to edward bernays" HAAAAAhahah

[@doctorguava5763]

Stlndrms!! The man, thanks for sharing knowledge

[@russtalksmusic8692]

This podcast was amazing. Shout outs to Producer Grind and STLNDRMS

[@angelowalls9054]

Just cause he from Detroit I'm fuckin with him for here on out

[@1beatsbytdot]

Yeah finally some LoFi

[@famusic3997]

Why is this get recommended to me now. Great podcast

[@BroRaid]

the crazy shit is they talked about chill hop on youtube and thats where i hear his music and found this interview

[@DatsDatBoyBlaze]

Stream video composition setup time stamp 1:10:01

[@NelsonMusicBeatz]

Excellent interview, enjoyed every minute, thanks!

[@beats4thought401]

I got Jilla and Madlib but who were the other two producers he mentioned? DB Yahtzee and Knots?

[@mauriceperkins8934]

Dibiase

[@sicariokilledthem1134]

This guy is so dope

[@loucaine6770]

this is the best one he say the most realistic stuff salute