We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Cheema a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Cheema thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your creative career sooner or later?

I am beginning to build more of the business aspect around my passion which is music production. I have made music for over a decade for the fun of it and I do know fear has played a huge role in me not leaning into the business side sooner. As a kid I was constantly discouraged from music as it was not seen as a viable career path in the eyes of my parents. I am so happy for my childhood resistance and determination because as an adult I have a calling towards something. So many people in this world do not have any idea what they want to build and contribute to. I am lucky enough to have found music. A part of me wishes I had begun sooner but I believe that everything happens in divine timing and I am learning and gaining the skills I would not have had earlier in my journey.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I go by “Cheema,’ or “Cheema Tha Producer” and I am a Toronto based artist and music producer. My journey began at the age of 11 years old. After I listened to the album “Fly or Die” by N.E.R.D for the millionth time as a kid I decided I wanted to make cool spacey beats just like Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo. I downloaded a trial version of the digital audio workstation “FL Studio” and here I am today.

Currently, I provide custom unique beats for purchase on my BeatStars store, and I also upload music to streaming platforms as an artist.

Something that has always set me apart as a creative is my willingness to create my own lanes with my spacey, and synthy musical vibe. Being perceived as weird or unorthodox has never really bothered me. I am in love with pushing a sound that I love and not feeling pressured to stray towards more mainstream sounds. I use my platform to motivate other creatives to be their true selves through their art, and showcase my own journey as a creative.

I am most proud two things. Firstly, having released my second EP “Leo Season”. The EP is in the house music genre and it was something I had not done before and being a woman of colour, I had not seen many of us represented in that space even though we have a huge role in its creation. My friends had always just called it ”oontz oontz” music haha but I always had a soft spot for that genre specifically. Secondly, I am extremely proud of “The Boy’s Club” instrumental I produced for fellow Toronto artist “Mackenta”(please go check her out!!). It was such a great experience coming together with such a strong minded creative and putting her amazing songwriting and singing with my production. As a teenager I grew up watching in studio sessions of producers Pharrell Williams, and Timbaland working with other artists, and working with her felt just like that.

The most important thing to know about me is I showcase my journey to inspire and motivate other women and creatives in general to go after their dreams and passions. We are all given talents and I encourage everyone to share whatever it is. Love yourself, and love what you do, because the world needs authentic creatives. The world needs you.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

I have noticed overtime this huge decline in spaces for youth and adults to cultivate and maintain their creativity. There just are not many programs dedicated to the enrichment of one’s creative gifts. I think the exploration of the imagination in general is what advances society. Look around the room you are sitting in and you will quickly understand that everything around you started as an idea, and if people are not given the freedom to lean into their ingenuity, we lose out as a society.

I believe getting schools more involved with inventive programs for kids to explore the edges of their minds is a great start. Teaching people early how to think outside the box is an amazing way to build a thriving creative ecosystem from the ground up. I would also just love a collection of spots spread throughout the city for people at any skill level to come out and share their creations, whether it be music, art, film, or any type of creative entertainment. I think this would help the society feel more spontaneous, community based, and not so mundane and individualistic.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

I am huge on reading. It is something that has helped me grow tremendously as a person, and creative. Funny enough the book I would highly recommend for creatives to read has nothing to do specifically with the music business or production, but more with goal setting and your mentality. This book has done so much for me and I hope it helps others on their journey as well. The book is called ‘Maximum Achievement” written by Brian Tracey and it is definitely a gem.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.beatstars.com/cheemathaproducer/tracks
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheema_waves/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@cheemathaproducer3262
• Other: TikTok: @Cheema_waves