KingsOfKings
βοΈ πππ, πππππ ππ π¬π ππππ π΄π! βοΈ
Spanish Ran, a Bronx native and multi-talented hip-hop producer, has become a staple in the underground scene with his ear for up-and-coming talent and distinctive, throwback production style. In a recent in-depth interview with The Harvard Crimson, he opened up about his journey, influences, and passion for music, as well as his experiences working as an A&R in the music industry and the challenges he has faced along the way.
Before fully immersing himself in music production, Spanish Ran worked as an intern at Def Jam with famed hip-hop photographer and executive Lenny Santiago.
βI started interning at Def Jam and then when Lenny S. left Def Jam, he was like, 'I'm going to Roc Nation, you can stay here or you can just come with me and you can be my right hand,'β Spanish Ran said. βI got my first opportunity by signing Rapsody.β
After signing Rapsody, Ran helped expedite the signing of Chicago rapper Vic Mensa. He also championed the Buffalo-based Griselda Records as a collective of up-and-coming talents to watch. The producer recalled first discovering Griselda rappers Westside Gunn and Conway the Machine and playing their track β βThe Cowβ β for Jay-Z in the Roc Nation office.
βI was playing βThe Cow,β crazy, blasting loud like, 'Listen to this Conway verse,'β Ran said. βJay would walk by back and forth just looking around like, 'Who the fukk is that?'β
Spanish Ran's full time transition into production was driven by his experience with the record label system and a desire to participate in the conversation as an artist.
βIt was based on frustration really,β Ran said. βI'm already in it. And I'm seeing and I'm hearing it. I'm like, βYou know what, let me take a step back and really just focus on myself and bring something to the table myself.β"
This shift marked the beginning of his journey as a full-time producer, allowing him to focus on his craft and developing his unique sound.
Born and raised in the Bronx, Spanish Ran's early influences included legends like Wu-Tang Clan, Dr. Dre, and DJ Premier. As he grew older, his appreciation evolved to include artists like J Dilla, Madlib, and The Alchemist. According to Ran, The Alchemist in particular inspires him to remain relevant by consistently adapting to new sounds and working with younger artists.
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"He got better in time,β Spanish Ran said. βLike he's always been good. But as his peers are starting to drift away, he evolved way more."
Ranβs first project, "Spanish Sauce," released with Sauce Heist in 2019, was a significant milestone in his career. Released on vinyl, it was a moment that humbled the producer as he recalled the project's creation in his home.
βWe did this in the crib, in the house, like just a room and a mic and our focus,β the producer said. βNo big studio, no nothing, I just know how shyt's supposed to sound now and I did what I had to do with it.β
Seeing his work on vinyl and watching people from around the world spin his records was an awe-inspiring moment for the producer.
βSeeing people spinning it, or playing it, or reposting it from Switzerland to Sweden, and all these places that's not the Bronx, we can take this to the world now,β Ran said. βMusic has always been universal, but when you do it in a room in the Bronx, and then you see the same work that you did getting played in a country that you haven't been to yet? It's humbling.β
The producer emphasizes the importance of consistency and dedication to his craft.
