9 minute read
LET’S MAKE A HIT
LET’S A MAKE HIT
Mr. Hanky, Corey Dennard, is the producer behind several club single hits for Young Jeezy, Gucci Mane, Nicki Minaj, Yo Gotti and Young Dolph. His music became radio mainstays from two breezy, laidback singles--“California” performed by Colonel Loud featuring Young Dolph, Rico Barrino and T.I. and the RIAA Gold Certified Smash “On the Way” featuring DJ Luke Nasty, “Smile (Living My Best Life)” by Lil Duval ft. Snoop Dogg and Ball Greezy. Which was also on RIAA Gold Certified and #1 Billboard on Urban Radio For 6 Weeks, on R&B Charts for 12 weeks and #4 on Rhythmic Radio. His most recent hit, he collaborated with 2 Chainz featuring Lil Wayne and The Human Jukebox, Southern University’s Marching Band, on the latest track “Money Maker.” Mr. Hanky has created unique gems in a field saturated with unoriginality and repetition.
How did you get the name “Mr. Hanky”?
Mr. Hanky recalled getting the name in college from a character on South Park. He went on to say, the character, Mr Hanky ” on South Park is literally “a pile of bleep” wearing glasses. He stated “ I wore big glasses and have radiant dark skin,” some of the members of the band coined the nickname thinking it was a funny comparison. He stated they didn’t realize the nickname “Mr. Hanky,” would become his personal brand and a household name in the music industry. While in band during his college years, he began working as a DJ, selling mix tapes, and promoting parties at local clubs. Mr. Hanky said most people only knew him by his band nickname, so he began to use nickname as his personal brand. Therefore, “Mr Hanky,” became the brand on his mixtapes, his DJ name and promoter name.
Which Song are you proud of the most?
In response, he admitted that he’s proud of all his work but picking the one song that stands out depends on the time and the mood that he is in.
Mr. Hanky replied that there are multiple factors that affect and influence his creative process. He also emphasized that depending on the company he has when making music makes a huge difference. Mr. Hanky made a comparison between producing music when women are around and vs when “goons” are around. It was a funny comparison but unsurprisingly, it made his point clear.
In the same context, Mr. Hanky explained that his music also depends on the general mood of society. He stated that in a time of protests and widespread anger, it becomes creatively difficult for musicians to focus on uplifting or “booty-shaking” music as he called it. Mr. Hanky replied this music would not be embraced by people who are heading to the streets to protest. When asked if there is any specific sitmulus i.e., drink, act or trigger that prompts him to make music, “it just happens” and it’s not dependent on anything.” For instance, Mr. Hanky said that while he was at a cookout, he came up with the California record. He credits the knowledge he gained from his years as a DJ helped him make hits that would make people dance and the ladies “booty-shake.” as traditional education. According to my interviewee, traditional schooling would teach students to operate the equipment, however creativity can not be taught. In coclusion, Mr. Hanky said that school can be helpful to groom skills and learn the basics, however he didn’t consider it necessary. Going back to his time in school, Mr Hanky recalls wanting to be a band director but instead, found his passion as a DJ. He confirmed that he made it as an artist while still attending school both artistically and financially which supports his idea that traditional schoolling is not necessary to be sucessful in the music industry. Mr. Hanky admitted that he learned to make money in leau of graduating from college. He highlighted that one of the important perks of attending college is that it helped him establish a solid network of contacts that he can still use until this day.
When asked wheather or not he accepts impromtu aritist sharing new beats or lyrics?
Mr. Hanky, replied adamantly, “absolutely not! It’s actually wrong to go to someone and offer music beat ideas or rap lyrics.” Mr. Hanky stressed, “he is not that guy and that most people in the music industry are not interested in impulsive imprompt.”
What Does It Take to Become a Successful Artist or Producer?
“Artists should put in real work to get noticed and become successful.” When asked what he meant exactly by “put in the real work,” he replied “putting in real-deal business.” He explained that any potential artist should do their research about the music industry. “If the artist has not invested in his work, why should I or any other music executive invest in them?” He states they should find an entertainment attorney, basically establish a team, and invest some serious money into their talents and career. He took the examples of McDonald’s and Coca Cola stating that even though most people all over the world. know their brands, they still spend billions of dollars advertising like nobody knows them. He carried on with the importance of investing in one’s self as an artist, in equipment, and in establishing a brand for themselves as artists.
Do You feel traditional education is necessary to be successful in today’s music industry?
In this context, I asked Mr. Hanky about his opinion on going to a traditional school to learn music-making skills or if choosing the self-taught method, was a better alternative to acquiring the necessary knowledge to be a successful producer. Mr. Hanky, stated that music-making is not similar in any way to traditional professions. He thought school was important because it requires discipline and establishes consistency in learning. However, he didn’t consider it to be completely necessary because most schools don’t offer music and entertainment training due to the constant technological developments and ongoing changes in the artistic fields. “Mr. Hanky stated that trends can come and go every 3 months.” New applications can change the way music is produced and completely change the music industry in the blink of an eye. He mentioned the example of the pandemic. He stated the pandemic required everyone to readapt normal day to day practices and routines. He stated strategies were created to promote social distancing, and minimize risk of contamination in studios. I think the music executives have had some form of traditional education, however life experiences are just as profound
If you’re not investing in yourself, how do “ you expect anybody else to invest in you?
He said that he grew up in a house where his mother played the piano and the organ, so he and his sister grew up playing the piano. He also started taking trumpet lessons at the age of 7 and played different instruments in school. He concluded that he can’t count the instruments he knows how to play because “they are all the same”.
How helpful was your musical background to your current success in the music industry?
Mr. Hanky, credits his musical background as helping him throughout his entire production career. He stated, there are producers that pay musicians to take care of the composition which is not the case for him. Instead, Mr. Hanky was thrilled that he doesn’t have to split his earnings with anybody. He stated, unlike most producers, he can play most instruments well enough to produce melodies. Most producers need to bring in musicians to play the hook to develop a certain beat. He clarified that he doesn’t think it’s wrong to hire someone to play a melody for a hook, even if the producer can actually play the instrument. However, it is always a benefit if you already know a little about a particular instrument to give guidance on what you need from the musician. Mr. Hanky considers artists and producers who do all the work by themselves to be powerful. “Producers that have a musical background can often build and create all parts of their work more smoothly and faster.”
How do you feel about collaborations with other artists and producers?
Mr. Hanky said that he’s always appreciative and willing to collaborate with other artists.
“Nowadays, I ain’t trying to be funny, but some producers got 8 producers and 20+ songwriters. What are you going to buy after the money is split? A hotel room for the weekend? It just doesn’t leave that much money.”
Futhermore, Mr. Hanky prefers working alone because it allows him more space and freedom to implement his ideas and put his complete vision to work. He also highlighted in the past, a lot of legal disputes stemming from collaborations. For example, an individual who was in the studio and didn’t contribute ended up suing a label and the other artists for his split. I know it sounds crazy but it has happened. So sometimes it is just easier to work independently.
“I am working on some independent personal projects. Most people do not know that I can rap and hold a tune. I can actually sing, compose and rap. So you might see my personal album drop soon,” he said jokingly. We told him the ladies in the back wanted to hear him sing. He stated “they could hear him sing in one-on-one personal sessions, ans he jokingly declined.” “I also see myself collaborating with more artists locally and internationally.”
