Meet The Genius Party

Today we’d like to introduce you to The Genius Party.

Hi Genius, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
(Millie Vaughn= MV/ Ace Dizzy Flow=ADF/ Strizzy!=S!/ AmpurSand= Amp)

ADF: I got started in production because I wanted to learn how my favorite producers made the beats. From chopping the samples, programming drums. Today I took those same techniques and created my own sound where I’m currently using to spread the music I wanted to make.

S!: Started making beats and rapping at 16. Was part of a local Rap trio in 2010 called RDU. And also continued to make beats and produce for local artists in the area such as FKB$, Eternal ,and Ty Harriz.

MV: Hello, My name is Maliq “Millie” Vaughn and I was born in Greensboro, NC. I started my beat-making journey in the summer of 2005. I was first a fan of producers like Pharrell and Timbaland being that I lived in VA for 7 years when I was younger. I was intrigued by their style and ultimately wanted to become a producer myself. I proceeded to compete in 25 beat battles until I actually won my first battle. I proceeded to win 5 more from 2012 to 2014. I am now a 6x beat battle champion and in the next year, my goal is to take one more trophy home for lucky #7! In the past few months, I have joined a collective of beatmakers and started building a producer community presence online which is called The Genius Party. Our goal is to come together and make something dope for the producer community.

Amp: I got started making beats in high school when I was trying to get into arts college. I was making beats on a beat machine made by Roland. More specifically its the MC-909 unit. At school I met my friend Justin “Knánk” McClain. He taught me how to sample in Fruity Loops. From there I just started trying to find my own sound. Experimented and kept at it. Got signed to Golden Era Music and started working with Fin The Dj (FKA Chaundon). I moved to around from Richmond, VA and San Francisco, CA before I moved back home in the middle of the pandemic. I got with Strizzy during the pandemic and talked about building The Genius Party and after that we talked to Ace and Millie about getting involved and well… The rest is history in the making.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
MV: At one point in time in 2017 someone broke into my residence and stole all of my music equipment and I mean everything. My mouse, iMac, beat pad and the piano! I remember being so sad and wanting to never do music again. Fast forward a few years, what a difference it makes when you remain resilient and focused.

ADF: It hasn’t been a smooth road, because sometimes what you create isn’t for everyone, and that could transition into a creative block.

S!: Staying consistent and finding a balance between working, life, and doing what I love to do which is making music.

Amp: It hasn’t been a smooth road at all for me personally or any of us in my opinion. We started the party in the pandemic. At the time I was going through a lot in my personal life with Covid changing everything for me. But I started making music with Strizzy! and another producer in Louisiana by the name of Wino Willy. Wino Willy put me on to some tools I had never heard of and that’s what we started using to work online. We all had to work together virtually and that’s a completely different experience than being in the same space but we made it work with a few apps like Pedal and Facebook Group Rooms. We really had to get creative to work together. But it worked in our favor because we actually used that time to plan. But I think that’s the way it was supposed to happen. No It hasn’t been an smooth road but nothing worth having is ever easy to attain. The work’s just getting started.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Amp: I specialize in making music that is electronic and sample based. I’m mostly known for my music when I used to rap primarily. I used to go by the name of C-Minor. But now I feel like I’m so far away from that idea now. I am most proud of my team mainly. But on a personal level I’m proud of my growth in making my remixes. I love making beats and when Covid hit I decided I would deep dive into it. I figured in the mean time until I start working with more artists I’d work with the ones I’ve always wanted to work with and reimagine music I listen to. I think what sets me apart is my creativity and thinking outside of the box. I’m always trying to look at music in different ways and approach it as honestly as I know how to. My goal when I make music is to always capture honesty in my music. I want people to be able to feel it and you can’t feel it if you’re not being true to yourself.

ADF: I specialize in soul samples, and drums, even though I don’t play drums I love drum sounds and programming them. I’m more known for my sample choices and flips. I’m most proud of the fact listeners can enjoy the music. What sets me apart from others is I have a very soulful sound (according to others) and I can chop samples in a very unique way.

S!: Musicly I specialize in sampling. I love how you can chop any song or sound, manipulate it and make it something totally new. Im definitely known for soul samples. But yea I take a lot of pride in that.

MV: I work in the IT world and love it! I’ve been in my career as an IT specialist for 4 years now. I am most proud of my achievements recently; I gained my Google IT cert and continuing education in the fall to continue rising in my career. As far as on the music side I am known for my versatility and creativity to flip a sample. I feel like I can do it all but I’m always learning new tips online and that’s ultimately how I learned how to make beats over the years. I’m a most proud of a beat battle win in 2017 where I participated in the Durham hip hop summit beat battle. It was so much competition in the building so my main goal was to get out of the 1st round. I surprised myself and went on to the win the entire thing. That moment alone taught me to always bet on myself and that I’m capable of doing anything I put my mind to.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
S!: Effort is a very important quality I feel I posses. I feel as long as you put forth effort towards what your doing, anything can be accomplished. Also seizing the opportunity and communication is key.

MV: I feel like remaining humble and staying focused will get you far. If you keep at whatever you love to do you are bound to have some type of success and make waves. To me life is a journey and not a race so I try keep up with no other persons pace but mine.

ADF: Self confidence has been the key for important for my success because I’m showcasing what I love to do and it’s such a confidence booster with positive or negative feedback. People love music, creatives love to create.

AMP: Consistency. Hands down. I think that’s the thing that sets a lot of artists apart if we’re talking about success. I truly believe excellence is a habit and it’s something you can work towards. Consistency is key.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @thegeniuspartync
• Facebook: @TheGeniusParty
• Twitter: @TheGeniusParty
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgJ51kD__txYgF2Q_XWxDLg
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/genius-party-144754086?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@thegeniuspartync?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

Image Credits
Image Credits: Heirplane Media, Dexter Jeffries II, Maliq Vaughn