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Producer Beats: Shorya ‘Tha Reign’ Sharma

In our Producer Beats series, we talk to Music Producers and Beatmakers about their influences and idols. We pick their minds every Tuesday to find out more.

Singapore-based Shorya ‘Tha Reign’ Sharma started making music at a tender age of 13, juggling roles as a songwriter, producer, artist and mixing engineer. Now 22, he has gained his stride in the Singapore music industry. With his works receiving airplay in Malaysia, his production for Sheikh Haikel and Yeng Castantino’s ‘Better Than Yesterday’ was featured on Philippine Entertainment Portal. He has also worked with the Hip-Hop trio Whereverest on their award-winning song ‘Mother Nature’s Cry’. Our boy Charles ENERO is one of the members of Whereverest.

Photo by GHXSTONE.

Having written the official song for G-Shock’s 30th Anniversary in Singapore, Tha Reign endorses Nokia’s Lumia 1520 officially as a Music Producer. He takes time out of his busy schedule of working on Sheikh Haikel’s upcoming album and on tunes for Singapore’s 2014 National Day Celebration to chat with us.

You have been a performer and producer as well. Which competent are you more keen in?

Definitely producing. Performing is always fun as I enjoy the energy and adrenaline rush you get when showcasing your music to a large crowd. That being said, I feel most at home in the studio, exploring new ways to be creative. Producing is like a journey for me. That feeling of never knowing what is going to happen next makes it what I want to do for the rest of my life.

Was there a defining moment where you thought, “Fuck it. Imma gonna do Hip-Hop and this music business shit for the rest of my life?”

I remember the day clearly! Previously, I was producing Electronic Dance Music (EDM) but as I witnessed Hip-Hop grow and evolve, I noticed how there is no strict format. This made producing so much more exciting for me, like a blank canvas that I could do anything I wanted with.

Hip-Hop embodies freedom of expression. So once I was into it, there was no going back. I don’t believe success in this business can be done if it’s just a hobby.

This is my Plan A, B and C.

You are busy producing for Sheikh Haikel and Whereverest this year. Which track made you think to go into music production and beat making?

Yeah, it’s been a great experience so far! I wouldn’t say there was a specific track. (It’s more like) producers who have inspired me. When I listened to beats that the likes of Timbaland and Swizz Beatz had produced, I was hooked. I have spent years locked away in my room studying these producers, using the way they have inspired me to create my own sound.

Speaking of which, how is work on Sheikh Haikel and Whereverest’s albums coming along?

Well, with Sheikh Haikel, he is one of the greats in this country. This could be one of his final projects. So when I was offered the chance to work on it, I had to grab it with both hands. As he has been around a long time, I have learned so much from him, together we have the potential to make this one of his best projects yet, expect a lot of surprises!

With Whereverest, it has been a different journey, I’ve never worked with such innovative recording artists! When the four of us get together, we never know what might happen as we are all so open to trying something different. The blend of the artists, Requiem, Charles ENERO and Sheeq Luna is so diverse. So I felt this project had to be unlike anything else that was out there.

I really believe that this can be a milestone project for both my and the group’s careers. I can’t wait to let you all hear what we have been coming up with!

Hip-Hop embodies freedom of expression (for me).

As a beatmaker, what direction do you think you are heading towards? What music trend are you trying to capture?

To be honest, there isn’t a trend I am leaning towards. For me, trends are just waves and they will soon die out.

My aim is to create my own sound that can survive the test of time. In this day and age, we all need versatility but I’m hoping to make a style that is my own. So as soon as a song comes on, people will immediately recognize that I have produced it!.

Is there a specific production trick which you use in most of your tunes?

That is a tough one. I wouldn’t say I have a particular trick. I guess it is all just time and hard work, knowing the sound you want and searching for it. I’m never afraid to scrap something if I feel it isn’t working.