Decap's Drums That Knock Sample Packs Have Powered Hits Across Genres

The Verge reported that Decap does not have the name recognition of the artists whose songs feature his work, but his fingerprints are on tracks across genres. Kenneth Blume, the producer formerly known as Kenny Beats, said Decap 'changed a million lives with a single snare.' Blume has produced hits for Denzel Curry, Vince Staples, Rico Nasty, Idles and FKA Twigs.

In the interview, Decap said his most indispensable tool is Ableton Live, which he uses to get ideas out. He named the clipper as the most underappreciated tool, saying a soft clipper can give drums a warm analog sound or make them hit extremely hard. 'It's the tool that changed my music,' he said.

Decap said he wishes he could change the speaker on his phone. He wants to hear a fat 808 through a phone, but a raw 808 with no processing is basically inaudible on a phone speaker. 'So many people listen to music all day on their phone without ever truly feeling the low end,' he said. 'If I can make my drums knock on a phone anyway, I'm doing something right.'

His favorite gadget he has ever owned is his Boss SP-202 sampler. It was the first sampler he had, acquired in junior high when he started making beats. He chopped his first samples on it, describing it as the start of everything he is doing now.

Asked which technology trend he wishes would go away, Decap pointed to gatekeeping over gear. He rejected the idea that someone is not a real producer unless they use hardware or a particular digital audio workstation. 'If you've got a computer, you already have everything you need,' he said. 'The dopest producer might be a kid in North Africa with Skullcandy headphones. The only thing I care about is if you're dope or not.'

Decap said he does not wish he had created anyone else's work. He is happy making his own music because it is meaningful to him and is his expression. He said he is most proud of creating a hard-hitting sound that he loves and watching it move across genres.

He recalled the best advice he received, from his father: make a decision and put a stake in the ground, but remember what a stake is, because you can always pull it up and move it. To focus, he meditates, which he said aligns his mind and body. When he feels stuck, he uses the 3M technique: make it, mix it down, move on. He said it does not have to be perfect and is about staying in the action of creation. He also said he thinks really good food is worth splurging on, and living in Los Angeles gives him no shortage of restaurants for a nice dinner. Asked for the tagline of a biopic about him, he offered: 'This all started with not wanting a real job.'

Editor's Summary

Decap's Drums That Knock packs have become a behind-the-scenes force in pop, hip-hop and film scoring since the series debuted in 2016 and reached its 11th installment. In an interview with The Verge, the producer described how tools such as Ableton Live and soft clippers shape his drum sound, and said he aims to make drums knock even on phone speakers. He also rejected gear gatekeeping, arguing that a computer is enough to make music.