We recently connected with Kion Williams and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Kion thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I first learned how produce by djing, I would DJ party’s for friends and family, but when I was djing I realized that I was mixing different songs together with different instrumentals and drum patterns. After a while I got Ableton to produce and from there I self taught myself with tons of YouTube video and by being blessed to sit in and watch some of my all time favorite producers. In between that process I picked up a lot of skills when it came to songwriting because I was always eager to use what I learned from my mentors to vocal direct and produce artists over my own beats. The repetition that was getting working with everyone sharpened my pen immensely. The only thing I think that could’ve sped up my learning process is just putting in even more hours than I already did. I had a job that I felt led me to a dead end and I feel like had I left that job and put the hours I spent there into molding my craft I’d be a lot further than I am today, but everything happens in divine timing. The skills I feel were most essential were just simply learning what the program I use (Ableton) actually does and what all it’s really capable of. There were tons of obstacles that’s stood in the way of me learning more about my craft such as having an actual job that wasn’t paying me enough to live off of, the lack of a steady workplace in the beginning, finding different and creative ways to get my beats out to artists and get more people to want beats from me, and so much more.

Kion, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Kion Williams and I’m from Los Angeles, CA. I first started making beats in October of 2013 but I had been writing music majority of my life thanks to various people in my family being a huge inspiration for me to learn how to put words together and even record and perform them. Now I provide beats for artists, record, produce and vocal direct for artists, and even help artists find the best words to express their vision in songwriting. I’m most proud of being a to put together full records from start to finish for people to enjoy and listen to while also being able to help other artist find themselves within their own music. Working with anyone should be a full blown experience full of learning and growth so I look to provide that experience to anyone I work with just as much as I would assume they would provide for me with all the tools and knowledge they have. It’s a reciprocating effort!

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Working in the music and entertainment industry requires a great amount of resilience all around, but there’s always one story I share with people to really put that into the right scope. When I first started producing in 2013 I was going to college and working a 9-5 at the mall selling shoes at finish line. After a while of doing that I realized that not only was I not getting paid enough from the job that I was working almost full time but with also school on top of that I had little to no real time to give to my music. I had to make a tough decision because I was making beats out of my car and found myself just having to milk every minute of the little bit of free time I had. I ended up leaving my job at finish line to be able to put that time I was spending there towards being able to attend sessions which ended up paying off in a huge way. As soon as backed away from finish line I got my first real opportunity to learn from some of the greats due to me actually having the time to show up and through that it really segued me into my journey within the music business as a serious professional producer and songwriter. When things started rolling in the right direction I decided to back away from the community college that I was attending and went to put even more hours into music. By no means am I telling anyone to quit their job or drop out of school. This was simply my path and experience, but without this level of resilience I would have never been in the position I’m in today doing what I love.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me so far the most reward aspect of being and artist and creative has been being able to put smiles on people’s faces and giving people a different perspective on creatives when they hear not only everything I’ve had to go through to get here but also them hearing what all of those short comings have accumulated to make the music they hear coming thru the speakers and headphone. Music is therapy and healing for a lot of people, so to see the look on their faces or their full blown reactions when they hear something they enjoy that I’ve created is honestly the most rewarding feeling.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/kiontyree
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kiontyree/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kion.williams.7?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/KionTyree
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Ki2DaCityEnt
• Other: Ki2DaCity.beatstars.com

Image Credits
@JamilnotJamal on Instagram