Hello U Do It and welcome to College Radio Charts! Thank you for spending some time with us today. How has your autumn been so far?
Thank you for having me! I’m honored. We love New Jersey for the seasonal changes, and this is a great time of year to unwind from the Jersey Shore life.
The name “U Do It” is intriguing. How did you come up with your artist name, and what does it mean to you?
I wanted a way to easily empower those watching our content and listening to our music. I use “our” because what I create is for you to enjoy and learn from. “I Don’t Do It – U DO IT ™” is the quick way for you to remember that I show how I do it. By the way, I really don’t know what I’m doing and just figure it out as I go along. And then yoU Do It.
Can you talk to us about the U Do It website? It seems to have all sorts of helpful videos and information on a variety of topics. How long have you been doing this?
The website, udoit.me, contains articles providing more details than what my videos can possibly do alone. Although I find DIY activities therapeutic, it can be challenging. I even have an article on that! I’ve been breaking, fixing, and making things since my dad handed me my first Craftsman toolset at 2 years old, and my mother had me help her with ceramics. I’ve only been documenting these since the start of my YouTube channel in 2015. My best compliments have been, “Thank you! I fixed my pressure washer, and you saved me a service trip of $250.” Another great but rare one is, “I’m calling a professional.” They saw what was involved and decided it wasn’t for them to DIY.
How did you get your start in music? Did you come from a musical family? What are some of your earliest musical memories?
My grandmother and my mother were piano players in church. They provided in-house musical lessons at the piano in my grandparents’ house. However, it’s something that I didn’t appreciate until later in life. Isn’t it the truth with most things? You don’t appreciate them until it’s too late.
Congratulations on the release of “Hold the Cheese!” Can you tell us a little bit about what inspired this track and the meaning behind its title?
No Cheese Records is a direct assault on cheese. And “Hold the Cheese” deviously hides the battle plan in plain sight for what’s about to unfold in the war against cheese and the fight for the lactose intolerant.
Your new album, Bigginz Group Therapy, has such a unique vibe. How did the concept for this album come together, and what do you hope listeners take away from it?
Bigginz Group Therapy is a comedic introduction of No Cheese Records to the world. It’s a response to the constant barrage that I’m subjected to by Savvy Turtle on a daily basis about cheese. We are great friends, but I had enough! We agreed to seek counseling and attended group therapy – BIGGINZ GROUP THERAPY was an attempt to make things better between us. Didn’t help!
Your music blends elements of hip hop and electronic production. How do you approach blending these genres, and do you have a specific process for choosing sounds and beats?
I approach blending hip hop and electronic production by focusing on the energy and groove. I love how these genres can create a sense of movement and excitement. Like Savvy Turtle, I believe in creating original music, so I don’t use any samples. I craft all my sounds and beats from scratch, which allows me to have complete control over the sonic landscape. I usually start with a beat that grabs my attention, and then I build the track around it, adding layers of synths and vocals. I’m always experimenting with new sounds and techniques to keep my music fresh and exciting.
You’ve cited influences like Missy Elliott, Snoop Dogg, and DeadMau5. How have these artists shaped your sound, and what qualities of theirs do you aim to incorporate into your music?
I grew up listening to Hip Hop and EDM. I might be wired differently than others, but I feel uplifted when I listen to Missy Elliot, Snoop Dogg, Skrillex, Deadmau5, and others who have influenced me. The beat pulls me in with an instant hit of dopamine that makes me crush whatever I’m doing. I want to get up and do stuff like there’s a surge of Nitrous released to a race car. I want that for our music, even if it is just a sliver of energetic uplift I provide in the beginning.
Can you walk us through your creative process for “Hold the Cheese?” Did you start with a beat, a lyric, or a particular emotion?
I’m still trying to process how emotional it was dealing with group therapy and the aftermath from Anti Cheese. Ideas like “the dairy aisle in the supermarket,” “cheese in your fridge,” and “a cheese pizza” were targeted. Even ordering a burger and saying “hold the cheese” (burger and the bread is all I need). We started with the beat and arranged the lyrics as the process evolved for the track.
“Hold the Cheese” is a fun title—do you often incorporate humor or unexpected elements into your music? How important is that aspect of your artistry?
Humor can uplift your spirits and poke fun at all of us, as it transcends identities regardless of geographical, racial, cultural, physical, philosophical, and many other differences. We get to laugh at ourselves. This is very important, and if I can make someone laugh, my heart is full. We all need to laugh, even in the darkest of times. Comedy and food (except cheese) unites us.
You’re known for your “artistic freedom” in music. How do you balance following industry trends with staying true to your unique style?
I don’t follow industry trends. I stay true to being myself each day in everything I do, including music.
What message or vibe do you want listeners to feel when they hear Bigginz Group Therapy?
Look at life through the lens of comedy. Find the funny things about it and poke fun. If you take life seriously, you will worry about things that don’t matter. Focus all of your energy on the things that really matter and choose happiness over worrying. Yes, you can choose happiness.
Your production style has been described as “crisp and contemporary” yet “timeless.” How do you achieve that balance, and what equipment or techniques do you use to get your signature sound?
I achieve that balance by combining classic hip-hop elements with a dedication to old-school production techniques. Like Savvy Turtle, I’m all about that analog sound. I use a variety of vintage equipment to create my music, including synthesizers and drum machines from the golden age of hip-hop. I love the warmth and character that these tools bring to my music. I believe that by blending those classic sounds with my own unique style, I can create music that is both timeless and relevant.
Are there specific life experiences or themes that inspired the lyrics and sound of Bigginz Group Therapy?
We were struggling to find a name for our label. Then Savvy Turtle was doing a one-month-long live stream for Guinness World Records and was severely deprived of sleep. One night on the live stream, he ordered pizza from Little Caesars. It came with a load of pepperoni and no cheese. He was already worked up from a previous order from a different company where the burger was half-eaten, and he was missing his fries. So this didn’t go well, and he kept saying over and over, “How you going to bring me a pizza with no cheese?” Months later, we’re still laughing about this and were still struggling with the name. It was at that moment we realized that the name had to be No Cheese Records. The lyrics in the introductory album, Bigginz Group Therapy, maintained the same theme.
Looking at your social media presence, you seem deeply connected to your fans. How important is that relationship to you, and how do you keep fans engaged and inspired?
Connecting with fans is incredibly important to me. It’s like having a conversation with friends – sharing laughs, ideas, and experiences. I think what keeps our fans engaged is the authenticity. What you see on my social media is really what you get in person. I’m 100% a nerd with a smile on my face 90% of the time, and self-deprecating humor is my jam. When I’m walking through a crowd, I’ll yell “Wide Load Coming Through!” My GIFs on GIPHY are a reflection of this, as they are mostly funny, with some cameos from friends and family members. I want my fans to feel like they’re part of the journey, and I try to inspire them by being myself and sharing my passion for music and life.
What advice would you give to aspiring producers and artists?
Draw inspiration from samples and beat packs, but please don’t use them. You are robbing your future if you do so. If you know, you know. Create your own sounds so you own the entire production. There will be a time when it is right to use samples, but do so wisely and strategically with the right partnerships. Most importantly, be true to yourself, work hard, and never give up on your dreams.
Finally, what’s next for U Do It? Do you have any upcoming projects, collaborations, or live performances we should look out for?
Yes, we have several projects and collaborations in the pipeline, but none that I can discuss yet. As you know, these can take years to plan and execute. But I can promise you this: We’re always working on something new and exciting, so stay tuned!
And speaking of exciting things, I’m thrilled to be collaborating with Savvy Turtle on a very special project! We’ve created two music videos dedicated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, featuring a talented group of puppeteers. The videos, “Savvy Turtle – Rock On” and “U Do It – No Cheese Anthem,” will premiere on Vevo on November 15th, 2024. Be sure to check them out and show your support for this amazing cause!
Don’t miss the premieres! Subscribe to our Vevo channels now and click the bell icon to get notified when the videos go live. 🔔
https://youtube.com/@SavvyTurtleVEVO https://www.youtube.com/@UDoItVEVO
Thanks for taking the time for us today! Where can people go to find out more about you and your music?
Thank you again for having me. The party is always on instagram.com/RealUDoit and you can find me on https://www.youtube.com/@UDoItVEVO and https://www.youtube.com/@NoCheeseRecords
