Billboard Music Producer, Terion Porter aka Tperccc, gives us insight in the music industry.
Terion, we're excited to have you on board, and our readers are eager to get to know you better. So, why not take a moment to introduce yourself?
I'm Terion Porter, known as T-Perccc to many others. I'm a billboard music producer, soon to be Platinum and Gold. That's what I do. It's my job.
You seem quite young to be a producer. How old are you, and what does a billboard music producer do?
I'm 20. It's not a thing you do; you must become it. It's just like any other producer. You make music daily, and then you try to reach out to find an artist or a company to invest in your craft. Say, for instance, somebody likes what you do, and they put it out on platforms, and if it gets big enough, it goes on the big billboard’s charts, whether Billboard 200 or Billboard 100.
A typical session would involve me entering a room filled with aspiring artists and getting a feel for the space. Once you do that, you get to know them and their talent. They like what they hear. They pretty much get on the beat.
As a producer, what can you do for an artist creating music with a local following but wanting to bring it to you to make it bigger? Do you take an independent artist who's already got something going on, and then you help them grow?
I could help somebody bring a hit alive if that makes sense. I bring it to life and reach the right audience. That's more on the marketing side, too, but it all plays a part.
Do you seek out artists, or are they referred to you?
I looked for artists when I started because you had to do that. Just get your name and foot through the door. I still seek out artists because I'm trying to achieve some goals. But now it's a little more like people seek me out because of my Instagram and YouTube following.
Are there any well-known celebrities that you have produced or collaborated with?
I've worked with Future and NLE Choppa, probably the two biggest global stars I've worked with. I’ve also worked with Juicy J, Blue Double O, and Eastside. Lil Double O and Mac Critter are local artists I've worked with heavily, and they're doing big things now.
Do you have any relationship with any record labels?
I'm currently with this label known as Create Music Group. I have an admin deal with them. How that works pretty much is they make my life easier. I get a song placed. They will register the songs through all the little PROs. That's how we make our money as music artists. They register the songs for me. That's pretty much what they do; they get a very small percentage.
What do you like most about the music industry? What do you bring to the table that sets you apart as a producer?
What I like is how free I am. I like that. I'm just free to do what I want, pretty much, especially with creativity. I'm just free to create. That's the biggest thing to me. Then, it's something I love to do.
I’ve got to say, it's my sound because I don't have a typical industry sound. My sound doesn't sound like everything that's on the radio currently right now. I stick to what I like. When the artist hears that, it catches their ear. That makes the connection even stronger.
At this point, you are a billboard music producer, and you want to go higher. So, what do you dream of being?
Although I have other aspirations, I will keep it strictly music. Years from now, I dream of being a Diamond producer and a Grammy producer. I even won an Emmy Award as a producer. I want to own studios and have a label.
I'm just thinking about Memphis as a music city. How do you feel about the talent pool, and how can you help?
It's a deep pool. I could bring my creativity because, like I said, there's no one sounding like me. Even Memphis has a typical sound, which is not bad because I love it. But I like to break barriers because there are no rules to music. I like to break rules when it comes to music. I open my ear to something different because that's how the hits are made. You have to be different and not do what you think the artist wants.
Do you ever host any events for artists to come out and check out what they have going on?
I should, but just not yet. I want to wait until I know I can do that. I have to learn how to use my connections because I do not use my connections as much as I should.
Memphis rappers typically look up to those who paved the way, such as Three 6 Mafia, Eightball & MJG, and Project Pat. Naturally, they will adapt to their sound. But there's so much more out there. So, how can you help with that? You're young. You can be the young trailblazer and help break the mold.
That's very hard to do. Talent does not have to have a look. I feel like they have to get out and see more than Memphis. I feel like that plays a big part. Because, like I said, one of my friends I work with is named Lil Double-O. He’s three years in as a rapper, but he's way different from how he was when he first started rapping. I feel like you just got to get out and see things, get away from here for a minute. That's what I think, at least.
Let's talk about your childhood. What did you aspire to be when you were growing up? Was it music-related or something else?
I thought I wanted to be a basketball player. I made the team, But I wasn't taking sports seriously. I stopped caring for it, so my parents took me off the team. They saw I wasn't taking basketball seriously. I was playing around while I was wasting my talent.
When did you start having a love for music?
I always had a love for music and an ear for music. I used to dance all the time. Music would play in my head, and I would dance to it. My mom would ask, “What are you dancing to?” I would say, “Oh, nothing”.
Another reason my music is so good is that I’ve always had rhythm. I feel like it plays a big part, too.
I also went to summer camps and learned how to play drums.
This is going to be part of your legacy. We have to make sure that people get to know you. Is there something I haven’t asked that we should know about you?
I have a real thing for fashion, I have to say that. That's another thing I've been slowly building as part of my brand. I'm definitely into fashion. I'd be trying to keep that under the radar right now.
Fashion and music complement each other. How can we follow you and see what you're up to?
instagram.com/tperccc
soundcloud.com/tpercccc
YouTube: @tperccc3272
