Patrick Mazara, 19, is a hip-hop/rap and R&b beat maker known as Zara616 and ZaraBeats. Patrick was born on April 13, 2002, in the city of Grand Rapids, Michigan. He began his journey as a producer in March 2020 and is now exploring genres such as afro beats and dancehall.
“I’ve listened to music all my life, initially doing improvised freestyle with friends, but the rhythms always fascinated me. I knew that music flowed through me and that if I put my energy into it and stayed genuine, everything would be fine,” he says.
Zara616: The producers who inspired/influenced me are Kanye West, Timbaland, Pharrell, Turbo, Earl on the Beat, Pablo616 and Sav.
Anyone who has a passion for music can create their own music, you just need a decent computer, a mouse, a solid-state controller for space (DAW), and maybe some headphones or a speaker. Zara616 tells us that he started with the desk at home and when good rhythms came out for hours, he invested in a good laptop. “FL Studio is easy, you can learn a lot by watching people on Youtube,” admits Zara616.
Zara616’s first EP (released in 2020) features 4 free-to-use instrumental cuts, and they are available on music platforms such as Youtube, Deezzer, Soundcloud and more. He is preparing the release of a new song with Baby Smoove under the co-production of OkayJones and Brian313. “I’m going to be behind the production of some artists like YN Jay, Baby Money and Skilla Baby, to name a few,” Zara616 says during the interview with Free Press Info.
ZARA616: “I WOULD LOVE TO CONTINUE WORKING WITH SKILLA BABY, BABY SMOOVE, YSR GRAMZ AND MORE.”
- Interview with Zara616: “Every day I make a beat or new rhythm”.
Do you have any suggestions about books or YouTube channels that people can learn how to make music from?
I love Budd Kellie and Lucent‘s videos. They definitely have great tutorials and a lot of energy. Personally, I never saw tutorials other than that, but I recommend producers watch interviews on ProducerGrind.
What is your advice on sampling?
It can lead to great music, but when it comes to paperwork it can be a hassle because it has to be clarified, so if you want to try feeling free, I’m just saying you also know how to make melodies.
Do you think it is necessary to learn how to mix and master?
As for quality, of course, however, there is uncertainty in the producer community because many times your work ends up being remixed and mastered.
Which plugins are best to download first?
I recommend getting Xpand2. It has a lot of sounds that sound great and with which you could make a full rhythm. I also recommend Purity, Omnisphere, and Kontakt, all of which are benches again, but contain all the different sounds.
What should a producer do if they have difficulty finding inspiration?
Keep going. There will be days when it seems like there is no result, but they will come, just stay persistent and don’t force a vibe. You’re doing what you do for yourself, no one else. Each beat is a lottery ticket. Invest in yourself and don’t think about negativity. If you believe in it, do it and remember, “If it were easy, everyone would,” G.T.
What’s the best and most difficult thing you’ve been through during the artistic process of creating yourself as a musician?
The best part is being able to express myself in my favorite art form and creating a platform for musicians to express themselves. I would say the hardest part is staying determined. When there’s a lot to focus on in music, sometimes you just have to take a step back and enjoy the moment.
What is the lesson you’ve learned from the world of music and entertainment?
It’s not always genuine, many people will see you as an opportunity rather than a person, and when it comes to receiving a payment or credit, it can get complicated, but you need to stick to it and deliver what you expect to receive.