Pro Era co-founder, multi-platinum producer, and DJ Powers Pleasant tells VIPER about his worst experience on stage with Joey Bada$$. Get familiar with the Brooklyn writer and composer…

What five words define your sound?


Powerful, Eclectic, Raw, Organic, (A) Banger.

Tell me something unique about your creative process.

I like to take artist out of their comfort zone. I create something new that they never thought they would create. 


Which song of yours would you like people to hear first?

‘Endtro’, it’s the first song on my album. It’s like yin and yang; night and day. 


What inspired you to make that song?

I was thinking stadium. I wanted to make something big it sounds like a movie. And it’s the juxtaposition from bright to dark day to night.   


What’s the most vulnerable you’ve allowed yourself to be when writing/making music?

Hmm, this is a lil’ difficult because I’m more of a writer and composer than a performer. I put my soul into anything I make. It’s art, it has to have meaning.  


What’s the best/worst experience you’ve had on stage?

[Laughs] I was DJ’ing for Joey Bada$$ and fell six feet off stage and broke my ankle! We had two more shows left so I did them before I got surgery. 


What is your favourite song to perform?

I would say ‘Pull Up’. It’s so fun and the crowd always sings it. That might change once I tour my new album though. 


Which artist/song/album made you want to make music?

The Neptunes. I was a fan of their production before I even knew what a producer was. All my favourite songs were produced by them. 

What’s the meaning behind your name?

Powers Pleasant is actually my birth name. But I’ll let you figure out the meaning.

If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing instead?

Nothing, I’d prolly be dead. All or nothing, no plan b. 


What’s success to you?

Success is making a living off of what you love. Or even simpler, the pursuit of happiness. 


What moment in your life/career forced you to change direction?

I don’t think I ever changed direction. I’ve always been learning and growing as an artist. It’s just evolution. Sometimes the world only sees us from one angle; I’m just living my human experience. Never been one dimensional. It can feel like prison sometimes being an artist having to cater to your audience.     

Where can people keep in touch with you?

@PowersPleasant everywhere.