Today we’d like to introduce you to Joshua Block.
Hi Joshua, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
In the 6th grade, I downloaded Audacity, grabbed my PlayStation 2 “Rockband” microphone + some stems I spliced from Limewire, and started producing music. If I wasn’t chopping up Freddie Gibbs songs, then I was probably trying to rap like I was Wayne or Drake on “Ransom.” Even back then, I used music as an escape; I was creating anything I could sink myself into. Inside of each song was a quieter more blissful place where everything made sense – away from the crumbling world around me.
By the time I was in 7th grade, I had already begun using drugs with my father, and going into 8th grade, I was addicted to opioid painkillers. The roots of addiction embedded in my family held a tight grasp on me all throughout Highschool, and before I graduated in 2014, I had already been to detox 3 times (Homeward Bound in Dallas) and was in 4 different outpatient rehabs, which almost prevented me from graduating. The 2.5 years after that were the lowest points in my life; I sold everything I had & almost overdosed on heroin at my apt in Aurora, CO. That was my wake-up call. Well, sort of, I had to relapse two more times before finally committing to a program in Dallas (Reconciliation Outreach), and that program saved my life. I ended up becoming an intern there after graduating the program and was very happy working with other addicts. The men and women’s programs at RO eventually closed in late 2018, and I was forced to leave; I was now lost in the world and looking for a way I could use my past & pain to contribute to society. In my innermost parts, I always just wanted to help people; I felt like the things I had been through didn’t just happen for no reason. I wanted to be a beacon of light in a dark world. This is when I turned back to music. I began to release my instrumentals on Spotify in 2020 and gained some popularity after scoring some editorial placements on one of Spotify’s biggest playlists, “Lofi Beats.” I began to work, and executive produce full tracks for some bigger artists. Sharing my vision with all of them. I’m so blessed to say I’ve made some good friends in the music industry and have worked with popular names like: A$AP Twelvyy, Chozus, Venbee & Victor Pope Jr (Dallas native).
Even more so nowadays, music is an outlet; whether I’m the creator or listener, it helps me realize & believe a bigger picture; it helps me hear & feel a purpose in this noisy world. I do still have a lot of pain from my past that I struggle with, and I don’t necessarily know how to express with words, but music continues to change that for me – the best feeling in the world is when I can relay my emotions into rhythms & melodies, it’s like I’m finding a purpose for them. Music to me is the absolute escape for my constant running mind & anxious thoughts; I always hope that my tunes reciprocate the peace I find in them.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I was addicted to opioid pain killers at age 15, used drugs with my father, started using heroin after I left home, woke up in a hospital 2 times after overdosing, sold all of my belongings before finally landing in rehab for the 5th time and that was almost 6 years ago now.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a DJ and music producer; I have a decent size following for my creation of “Lofi” “Chill” beats, and I executive produce pop & rap songs for artists all across the globe. I taught myself how to play guitar, drums, and piano. Taught myself how to record, mix and master music using Logic Pro. I would say what reallllly sets me apart from other music producers is I record, mix and master all of my songs all by myself in my home studio.
What does success mean to you?
Success to me is defined by the value you bring to others. Do you make the people around you better? Do you make the people around you smarter, richer, healthier, etc? Personally, I do not feel successful if I’m only living for myself. I believe we’re put here on earth to help each other, to lift one another up, and doing that has always been the thing that makes me feel the most successful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.beatstars.com/bassicmaderecords74311
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maybebasicbeats/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maybebassic/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRmaDSDoSjmvG4rh6kj8HUw
