Today we’d like to introduce you to Jesse Del Queens.
Hi Jesse Del Queens, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My creative journey began in the heart of Mississippi, where I grew up surrounded by music. My dad was a gospel DJ at a local Christian radio station, so our home was filled with gospel vinyl records. This was before the internet era, and all we had were local TV channels, the radio, and our trusty record players. I’d always pick out the albums with the most organ, bass, and drums, then hop on the piano to try to recreate the sounds I heard. My mom taught me my first song on the piano, and after that, I was hooked.
At my dad’s church, there was a Peavey keyboard with a sequencer, which is how I learned to make beats. Later, my brother-in-law Earl Ross Jr. introduced me to my first digital workstation, a program called Magix 4 that he picked up at Walmart. That’s where I learned the basics of music editing. As I developed my skills, I was drawn to the sounds of David Banner in Jackson, MS, Mannie Fresh and the Hot Boys in New Orleans. They became my inspiration as a young aspiring beat producer.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
When I first started making beats, I tried to emulate the sound of every top producer out there. That mindset held me back for a long time. It took years for me to finally discover my own unique sound and figure out how to bring the music in my head to life. I had to dive deep into “sound design” and learn how to work with synthesizers. I quickly realized that sound presets rarely gave me the sound I was after, so I had to create it from scratch. That shift in mindset really clicked when I transitioned from Magix 4 to Propellerhead Reason software.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My career in the technology industry is how I financially support my music dreams. In 2012, I moved my family to Dallas, TX, in search of better job opportunities and higher pay. I swapped my tool belt and work van for a corporate office job, and looking back, it was the best decision I could’ve made. I quickly advanced in my career, and now I work alongside electrical engineers and software developers in Texas, China, and India. I’m absorbing so much knowledge, it feels like being back in school. My ultimate goal is to design and manufacture my own microphone preamp, with hopes of sharing it with the world as a piece of pro audio equipment.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I was the kind of kid who was always climbing trees, catching spiders, frogs, and the biggest insects I could find. We got a basketball hoop one summer, and we spent a lot of time shooting hoops together. But music was always my true passion. The Hammond organ was my favorite instrument growing up, and it still holds that top place when I create music. Playing classical music earned me a small scholarship in college, and playing at churches became another source of income—though I retired from that a few years ago to focus more on producing hip-hop and working with local artists. I’ve since opened up my home studio for collaborations, and things are really starting to take off.
Pricing:
- Beats – I don’t charge for my beats as long as I’m allowed to assist in the creative process. I want to produce not just make beats.
- Studio Recording – I don’t charge for the use of my studio gear as long as I’m allowed to participate in the creative process.
- Mix/Mastering – I don’t charge for any of these services now. My goal is to build up my catalogue right now.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sutherncropz.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessedelqueens/profilecard/?igsh=MXBhZjdhN2NncnAwaA==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/16GpkdPwrP/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessedkelly/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@jessedelqueens?si=hCM18Qb7TTIZZARs
