Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Channy Cardenas. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Channy, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

If you have followed my music career closely most know the reason I started to release music. The passing of my mother and realizing life is taken in the blink of an eye. Your art and music must see the public eye but in the end it isn’t for them, it’s for you. Leading up to my most commercial hit album “MENACE”, before I had a few projects and ep’s that did good, got good reviews and recognition etc but I wanted to achieve more. I wanted to work with legends people I listen and look up to. I had to take a huge risk in time, mental state, investment, and most of all expressing to these artists I wanted to work with they are best fit for my album. So to say a director choosing his first choice actor for his script, an example like Quentin Tarantino. Approaching the album I knew the cast I wanted off the instrumentals I created, I wanted to make a movie in music form. Without the right cast no matter how big the name was they had to be on it so it would work for the album.

Emailing, manager & artist conversations, licensing, publishing, contract signings with a new label. About half these things I did not even think about. All I thought about was taking the risk in this creation I had in my head. Based on all these factors the average person would think I am insane. literally. I had a dream while vacationing in El Salvador about finally working with Raekwon The Chef ( Wu-Tang Clan) and the same song have along side Griselda innovator WestSide Gunn.
Alongside them I envisioned Benny The Butcher, Mick Jenkins, Boldy James, Jay Worthy, G Perico and tons of other established and respected artist in the music industry. Through my will and although the uncomfortableness of stepping out of introverted shell and becoming an extroverted producer was arguably the toughest challenge for me in the process. I had to take the risk I had to achieve this album being made to the smallest detail in the vision I had.

In the outcome of completing the album I had zero clue what was to come after, and frankly I did not care for any recognition. I chose this because I felt in my heart I am an artist and this is what I need to make for my well being. After the album released strictly only on Bandcamp. Record Label Old Soul Music ran by innovator Austin “L’Orange” Hart (formerly the creative director for Mellow Music for 15 years) approached me to sign me as an artist and to help spread what he compares the Mona Lisa being hung in my garage. All streaming platforms it was released, alongside a campaign with strategy, a lot of things I was unfamiliar with. The results were unbelievable. All vinyl for “MENACE” was sold out within two weeks, overall streams for the album strictly only on Spotify are closing in on one million streams. Also but more importantly I feel the music is well respected and understood. To the point where I had to ship tons of records to shops all around the world (France, Germany, Japan for example). All these achievements I did not think of once creating this album but I certainly love the cherry on top. I pat myself in the back time to time but I know now I have to keep creating and never ever settle to lower standards.

Take the risk.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a record producer first, engineer second, and lastly DJ third. Prior to my album “MENACE” I was not aware of the music industry and just how many opportunities linger around waiting for the right artist. It took a lot of self awareness and self reflection on not only my music but who I am as a person. Music is about half the battle it has to be perfect to your liking. the other half is your mentality, to expect nothing in return but be ready for any result.

I am a record producer and engineer. I love to collaborate with artists not only for my own songs but in helping an artist achieve a successful collaboration. I record vocals, mix, master, produce, and most of all achieve the vision me and my collaborators see.

I think the most interesting thing about my music is an artist knows not to approach me and ask for a certain beat. They know what my sound is like and ask me for that type of sound. I don’t know exactly the genre as when I create music I don’t think of that type of thing but artists tend to tell me they know when they hear a “NappyHIGH” beat. This makes the collaborations certainly interesting, it’s as if two worlds are colliding but thanks to the music being great they coincide immensely.

I am most proud of how far I’ve come as an artist. I went from dreaming of working with artists but yet making the music I want. To actually achieving that and more. I don’t really look back but I see how far I’ve come and it is so important to me. I cherish it.

I want my fans and clients to know that I love making music and producing for me. When people love my music I am so thankful. it isn’t what I do it for it’s almost like therapy for me. I don’t mean to sound so nonchalant and not appreciative of my fans because I very well am, but I don’t make the music I make to impress my fans I do it for my mental health and ideas to be put on paper to reality.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

This is an important question actually. It’s quite simple if you are a fan of an artist. purchase the album, buy the physicals, see them live, buy the ticket, any merch, purchase it. Labels and artists coexist because one is better than the other at doing something and vice versa. The artist needs help with their true fans, it doesn’t even have to be an excessive amount. Anything helps the artist and most importantly it motivates them to keep going. Spread the word also, retweet, repost if you really like it say it with your chest. Express your music appreciation for the artist proudly.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Since October 2023 till now I had to learn the music business almost too quickly, thrown to the lions really. but in a good way! Publishing, sync deals, licensing, contracts, communication. It can be stressful to do any tasks of something you don’t have much knowledge about but the beautiful thing about creatives is the real stick together. They all help each other and are genuine with their intentions. It is crucial to know when someone you are partnering up with is somewhat a creative themselves. I had to shift my mindset pretty quickly that their is a time to create and a time for business.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.oldsoulmusic.com/artists/nappyhigh
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nappyhigh/
• Twitter: @westsidenappy_
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzbY1SmPqj0UvAsOLdYATuw
• Other: https://nappyhigh.bandcamp.com/album/menace-2

Image Credits

Mjsxwrld & Jahmario