We’re looking forward to introducing you to Keenan Berry. Check out our conversation below.
Keenan, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
That it is the same as everyone else’s in the industry.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
4orty2 Productions is a Music Production Company and Studio servicing the DFW area. We’re
located inside of the Luxury United Studios building in Garland,TX.
We specialize in Music Production specifically in the realms of Audio Recording, Film Score, Beat Production, ADR, Foley, Songwriting, Commercial Audio, Mixing and Mastering and much more. It consists of myself (MixedByKB) Engineer, Songwriter, Executive Producer, Tony Ratliff Jr (Dinero) as Cheif Producer and Hardis Neal (Lorenzo) Engineer/Songwriter and Owner of Luxury United Studios. We travel for work as well so we do not only just work locally or in our building, but nationally and wherever a client needs us. The goal is to bring out the very best in any Artist we are working with. Being “yes men” in the studio isn’t tolerated. So that means push them out of their comfort zones with their music. Rather it’s a new style of writing or beat production, the final product is almost always perfect to them once completed. We only aim to create new and timeless music. Grasping moments and emotions in time and putting it in the music for others the feel and connect with forever.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
There have been many people throughout the journey who saw the potential and what could be. Not many wanted to add on value and/or help reach the goal. I have met a-lot of great individuals however. There were two who saw the vision.
Derrick Markray aka Big D The Mogul (Mogul Media) and Gary Jenkins aka Big G
(G5ive Studios) were the first people who I knew wanted to see others and myself be great in anything we were into. Even if it didn’t necessarily benefit them personally.
These two gave 4orty2 a place to work and consider home upon first relocating to Dallas. They saw and believed in the vision and did what they could to help nourish it. Sadly we lost both of them. Rest in paradise to our good friends. It is very rare to meet genuine people let alone make friends in this line of work.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
You may not see or understand your gifts and struggles now, but you’re going to be great because of them someday. Never giving up is key.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
Having good business practices, being affordable and building proper relationships. Those few things have shaped and molded myself and 4orty2 Productions into what it is and what it represents. Dinero and myself stood on certain morals and principles since the day we met. Throughout the years we’ve come to find that everyone and everything isn’t in your best interest. That doesn’t mean that you have to burn a bridge or have bad feelings towards it. Things don’t work out or it could be timing. Lack of knowledge or whatever. Sometimes things just might not be for you. Either way you make the best out of any situation that you are placed in. It usually comes back around when it’s supposed to from our personal experiences.
Currently our team is preparing to release our first official Collab Album titled “Sweet Sixteen” with Luxury Sound Music Group in October. The project has been in the making for some time and there have been many setbacks during the process but we are finally at the finish line. The project has 16 songs that we feel are classic compositions. We brought some of the best Artists we have worked with as well as LSMG, from all over together for this project. Our first single officially released on all platforms “Mi Novia” by Cuzino. It’s been in radio rotation in Phoenix, Arizona on Power 98.3 and a few other stations in the Southwest region. Big shout out to DJ John Blaze for believing in the record.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Easily. My passion nor does anyone else’s stem from accolades or praise. We do what we do because we have a die hard passion for it and we are good our crafts. It’s therapeutic and challenging all at the same time which gives us the proper ingredients to create great things I believe. When you understand that you’re destined for something you don’t quit even when it’s pressure or seems far fetched. You don’t know how to. That’s how you know it’s IN you. Those are the moments you ensure to go harder and push through. We have been in situations where we produced records and didn’t get properly credited for it or compensated. All we could do is tighten up business and continue to push forward. Trail and error builds good or bad character in people. Focus on the good.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: 4orty2 Productions
- Other: Instagrams
@MixedByKB
@DineroFromTheLand
@LSMG.Lorenzo
Image Credits
CreativelyRae
DNC Visuals
WestVisualzz
ShotByAD
