When did you start Hot Money Studios?
I started Hot Money Studios in 2008 after seeing the opportunities social network site Myspace was creating for independent music artists. I found a professional music complex in Bermondsey which also housed UK Urban legends like Wiley and Dizzee Rascal. I officially opened the doors in October 2008.
What equipment did you have then and what are you running now?
When I started, I pretty much bundled all of my bedroom equipment into the back of my car and just got on with it. Once the business started taking off, I partnered up with Kazbar Systems who supplied equipment for all the top UK engineers and recording studios to upgrade the whole sound.
You’ve worked with quite a few names, from Stormzy to Stefflon Don to Krept and Konan. How was that experience?
It was always my goal to build a brand separate to myself personally as I noticed a lot of engineers getting caught up being the face of the sound. I wanted Hot Money to be bigger than myself, so I focused on service and hospitality. Word of mouth got around in the urban scene as I offered drinks, crisps and general refreshments as part of the package. This attracted a lot of the clientele that I was targeting at the time. Eventually, managers and promoters find out about Hot Money which led to higher profile clients. In the case of Stormzy and Krept and Konan, I actually worked with them before their mainstream success which was still an honour.
Hot Money was featured on the BBC News Video regarding the Drill Music Scene and its effect on the younger audience. How did that come about?
I received a call around 12pm in the afternoon that day about the story and by 2pm they were at my studio filming the piece. I just wanted to speak up for the kids who were involved in that scene and defend the art itself. A few rotten apples in the bunch were responsible for the bad publicity but a whole scene shouldn’t be penalised.
The studio has also been involved in charitable donations and projects involving British Farmers and Learning Disabled children. Tell us about that?
We were approached by St John’s School and College about helping a young teen attend the 2017 Chelsea Flower Show. He had a learning disability and they felt the experience would help in his development so we agreed to help fund the trip.
For the British Farmers, we were approached to help judge a competition in which the winner would win a free recording session at Hot Money Studios. We produced the song to launch on digital platforms like Itunes and Spotify and donate the proceeds to the National Federation of Young Farmers Club. Had a lot of fun doing that!
What is next for Hot Money Studios?
The plan is to keep going and creating more awareness about the Brand as well as increase our quality control and service to our clients.
Where can we find you?
www.hotmoneystudios.com
https://www.instagram.com/hotmoneystudios
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