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South Florida producer, Numonics, has made a name for himself in Hip Hop production since 2009. The producer, born Jonathan Rosenfeld, is known for his use of lush melody and infectious basslines. His work has allowed him to collaborate with many national artists including Apathy, Black Rob, Planet Asia, Freddie Gibbs, Mayday, Jon Connor and Termanology to name a few.
Numonics is best known for his collaborative albums that he has released with individual artists. His 2012 release "REBELutionary" with Showoff's REKS garnered an "XL" rating in Harris Publications' XXL Magazine and would go on to be released by Gracie Productions (home to acts such as DJ Premier, Royce da 5'9" and Joe Budden). In total, the producer has released 8 projects to date and has been featured by prominent media entities such as: Complex, Ego Trip, Respect Magazine, L.A. Times, HipHopDX, Miami New Times, AllHipHop, NahRight, The Source, URB and Earmilk.
Moving forward, Numonics has plans to release more collaborative albums with artists Koncept and Planet Asia as well as pushing his sound to new extremes with instrumental releases such as VIKING BLOOD.
OK-Tho:
Where did you come up with the name Numonics?
Numonics:
The name "Numonics" derives from a nickname i had in high school (Johnny Mneumonic). It was based on the Keanu Reeves movie from the early 90's (which is garbage btw). I used other names previously but nothing that was given to me so i decided to remove the Johnny and change the spelling as the original way is ridiculously hard to spell.
OK-Tho:
When did you start getting into production?
Numonics:
I've been producing since i'm 16 or 17. I started making trip hop music, progressed into drum and bass and moved over to hip hop when I was 21 or 22.
OK-Tho:
At what point did you realize you wanted to make a career in producing?
Numonics:
I enjoy it more than anything else in this world. The main goal in life has always been to create my own music. I love the artform so much that i had to contribute myself. I can't imagine doing anything else. I have other pursuits in life but a majority of my time is making music and I am very grateful for that
OK-Tho:
What other producers inspired you?
Numonics:
Pete Rock, DJ Premier, Blue Sky Black Death, Audible Doctor, J57, Blockbeattaz, RJD2, DJ Shadow, Dan the Automator, Just Blaze and Celph Titled are prob the most influential to me right now.
OK-Tho:
Your also into brand marketing and events, explain what you do?
Numonics:
I have worked with Crooks and Castles, Imking, Imprm, Last Rights and Akademiks in the past. I did a variety of different things with these great companies utilizing my marketing background. Anything from writing copy to sponsoring a mixtape or hooking up dope artists with free clothes. I just try to help any way that I can. It was great working with these guys as I've always had an interest in streetwear and these are companies I would represent and wear regardless of any affiliation.
In regards to shows, I've always been involved as I want to bring quality shows to South Florida. I started "The Rising" concert series with last rights and now work with DJ Heron for his shows at the stage in Miami. We have De La Soul on December 5th and Ghostface Killah on December 6th at the stage in midtown Miami for Art Basel. (shameless plug)
OK-Tho:
What is Last Rights?
Numonics:
Last rights is a creative group and clothing brand based out of Miami, FL. I have a strong affiliation with the brand due to co-creating "The Rising" with owner Joe Cinnante and producing for Last Rights' artist J Nics
OK-Tho:
Your catalog list is very very impressive, how hard was the grind of yours to get to where you are now?
Numonics:
It's all about consistency. I'm always working and I try to be as busy as possible when it comes to making music. The difficulty is keeping yourself hungry and wanting to work. It's very easy to feel content or negative. It's difficult to keep pushing and striving for more.
OK-Tho:
Do you limit yourself to working with any artists?
Numonics:
Yes. I try to have a personal relationship with the people I work with. It makes the process easier and I try to stay away from the untalented and douches.
OK:
I'm sure you keep your ear to the new upcoming music and rappers, when making a beat do you already knwo who you would like to hear on it?
Nu:
From time to time that definitely happens. For me, it's always tempo based. I have a good idea of what mc's work for which tempos and try to align it that way. Example: if I make a beat in the 90-97 bpm range, I'm hitting Reks first because he's a natural at that tempo.
OK:
What are your go to equipment when making a beat?
Nu:
I use Logic as my D.A.W., fender strat with Roland VG insert, fender jaguar bass and various virtual instruments.
OK:
In your ears, has your sound improved drastically since when you started? How long did it take for you to find your niche and sound?
Nu:
Yes, definitely. I'm always learning and trying to improve. Mostly in the music theory department. Learning guitar opened me up composition wise and fueled my progress on sample free material. I think that's the biggest thing for me now is original stuff. I'm making more of it, it sounds better and it's more advanced. What I make tomorrow will be better than today, that's my mentality. My goal in music is mastery. That probably won't happen til I'm damn near dead but that's the ultimate goal. I started with simple techniques and progressed more and more. Musicianship is a lifelong thing and that maybe the best part of it all.
In terms of how long, it's hard to say. I knew my niche early but it took a little longer than expected to find my sound. I feel like I'm reinventing my sound with each project.
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OK:
From making as many beats and projects as you have, do you find it hard to continue producing, epecially maintaining your own style and sound? Does it ever seem like it gets harder to produce beats the longer you do it?
Nu:
For me, the key has been to have a few different styles to run with. If I'm having boom bap problems, I'll trap it out on some southern shit. If I suck playing the keys, I'll play guitar. If you have variety there's no difficulty. The hard part is telling yourself to make a change. Sometimes I try too hard and waste an hour on a shit beat, ha.
OK:
Its very rare to me to hear a Florida producer or even artist to be making the type of beats you make and working with the underground heads that you do. What was the hip hop scene in your local are like when you got into hip hop?
Nu:
Diverse.
South Florida is very misunderstood hip hop wise. We are a transplant state with a heavy NY influence (at least when I moved here). NY hip hop was always the biggest thing for me and that's the sorta local sound I was first influenced by. Celph Titled, from Tampa, is prob the first Florida influence of mine and his beats are east coast as fuck. All my friends were obsessed with Wu Tang and DJ Premier as I was. Granted, Miami bass and Trick Daddy were (and still are) a big thing here but it's only a portion of what's truly appreciated down here.
OK:
Florida has become a very commercial scene with hip hop music, is every up and coming artist down there trying to follow suite or are there a lot of new comers that are going in their own lane and making good music?
Nu:
Most, if not all, are going in their own lanes. Only "commercial" labels in Miami don't have Miami artists on their label.
My favorite Florida group on a very notable label is Mayday and they're a band.
OK:
I hear your a chef? Whats the special on your menu? Whats your favorite meals to make?
Nu:
Pan-seared champion of the world.
My top 3:
Fried lobster tails
Pan seared swordfish with balsamic glaze
Chicken and waffle tacos
OK:
Whats your favorite restaurant to hit in FL?
Nu:
Steak at Ziggy and Mad Dog's in the Keys, buffalo at Market 42 and any Peruvian restaurant.
OK:
You have numerous albums with other artists, how does that mostly come about? Is it mutual, do you contact them etc?
Nu:
Mutual thing. It comes about mostly from us having a mutual friend and it just comes about that way. I try not to force anything as that only leads to headaches. I've been fortunate that I know a lot of great artists who in turn introduced me to more great artists.
OK:
Are all those projects all instudio together?
Nu:
50/50, really all depends on the situation. I don't mind either way as I trust the person I work with to do the damn thing.
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OK:
What upcoming artists are you feeling and would like to work with?
Nu:
These guys aren't upcoming but I want to work with Freddie Gibbs and Killer Mike because I listen to a ton of them. My 2013 playlist would be 75% those two.
OK:
What are some of your favorite beats you made?
Nu:
Planet Asia Ras Kass - Kings
Reks - Unlearn
Sin - Let Me Be
Saheed - Gaza Trip
Wrekonize - One Day As King
OK:
What new producers do you think are coming up in the game?
Nu:
The Arcitype is really dope. I just heard a lot of stuff from him recently
OK:
Whats next for Numonics, what artists, projects etc are you working on?
Nu:
My new instrumental album drops next month and my album with J57. Got some other projects that will come out next year as well.
Numonics links:
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