SNY INTERVIEW: From the heart of Birmingham, UK, producer SNY is crafting a sound that is as raw and unfiltered as it is impactful. Describing his signature style as bass-heavy and hard-hitting, SNY brings a heavy Hip Hop influence to every track he touches, regardless of the genre. His production journey began in the unexpected setting of a local youth club, where accessible equipment sparked a passion that quickly evolved into a therapeutic form of expression.
Having built a reputation for crafting popular instrumental EPs and providing the backing for scene smashers like KB’s P110 freestyle, SNY has already secured significant milestones, including production on the track All or Nothin’ featuring Frisco, Blade Brown, and J2K, and contributions to the prestigious Lord of The Mics clashes. Influenced by legends from Dr. Dre and J Dilla to Wiley and Swindle, SNY is celebrated for his focus on compelling, dynamic drums—the essential foundation for what he considers the perfect beat.
After a hiatus, he’s back with a new instrumental EP and plans for a major SNY Presents project. We sit down with the influential producer to discuss his craft, his return, and the importance of making music accessible for the next generation.
Firstly, briefly introduce yourself: What’s your name?
My name is SNY
Where are you from?
Birmingham, UK
How would you describe your production style?
I would best describe my production style as bass-heavy, hard-hitting, raw and unfiltered. I have a heavy Hip Hop influence in my production style, regardless of the genre.
What would you say are the most popular beats you’ve created?
That’s tough because I used to put out instrumental EP’s regularly and the beats would travel for all sorts of YouTube freestyles etc. But if I had to choose, it would be the instrumentals I made for KB’s scene smasher on P110.
What is your favourite song that you’ve worked on and why?
My favourite song is worked on would have to be ‘All or Nothin’ by Frisco featuring Blade Brown and J2K. That was when I got a real insight into bouncing stems, arranging production, and having an official video shot to one my productions.
Do you think that production software becoming more accessible is a positive or negative thing for music? Why?
I think its a positive thing for sure. The software itself isn’t the issue, its the cost. With it being easily accessible now is a great way to inspire the next generations to come who can’t afford hundred pound softwares but have a passion for music.
Who influences you as a producer?
I have many influences, both locally and internationally. Dr Dre, Timberland J Dilla, Alchemist to Wiley, Swindle, Davinche. I could go on and on [laughs].
What inspires you to create instrumentals?
To me, creating music or any form of creating is a form of expression. How I feel would be expressed through my production. It is my therapeutic release. And you can hear those moods and feelings in my beats.
How did you begin making music? Was it a particular influence or circumstance?
I began making music from the youth club era. A local youth club got funding for music equipment and it started there just once a week self learning. I ended up taking the install discs home and putting it on my home computer and the rest was history [laughs].
Were you ever involved in any other musical projects besides the ones you are doing now?
Yes, to name a few, I was featured in the 0121 Legacy documentary which is on Link Up TV talking about the music scene in Birmingham. Also, I was approached by Jammer from Boy Better Know to use my beats in some of the Lord of The Mics clashes.
What, for you, is the perfect beat?
For me, its drums first. I need to be captured by the drums. Whether its the kit choices or the patterns. I need to feel it not just hear it. My ears cannot overhear a bad drum set. I like variations and changes also. I don’t want to hear just an 8 bar loop instrumental.
Can you tell us about any projects coming up?
Well after quite a hiatus, I’ve recently just dropped an Instrumental EP which you can check out on snyproducer.bandcamp.com & I’m planning to work on a SNY Presents project putting together a body of work with various established and rising artists
