Diamond Pistols is a Gold and Platinum Record Award-winning producer who’s collaborated with a global cast of ascendant rap stars such as 24kGoldn, Lil Pump, Blackbear, Joji, Flosstradamus, and bbno$, plus he has become 88Rising rapper Rich Brian’s main collaborator for the bulk of the rapper’s solo work. After so much success behind the boards for other projects, he’s prepping the launch of his own debut EP.
The following has been lightly edited.
What influences you?
The idea that I’m entirely in control of my own future is what keeps me going the most. The music industry can be a very feast or famine place but the idea that any session that you walk into could result in the song that changes your life forever should be a big motivating factor for anyone. Also, I’m really into cooking lately, and the number of parallels between cooking and making music is insane. It’s a really good creative outlet.
What’s the most overrated?
Big studios, expensive gear, and the idea that you can’t make an incredible song with what’s in front of you. Also, truffle oil. That shit sucks.
What’s the most underrated?
I think having mental health days are super important and underrated. Before the pandemic, quarantine, and everything, I was doing five or six recording sessions a week. I was constantly inundated with demands from artists, labels, managers, etc. I was getting really burnt out. The mentality that if you’re not working constantly you’re falling behind seems really common, and I don’t think it could be further from the truth. Creative careers are hard in general because it feels like you’re never doing enough, yet you’re constantly burnt out. It’s a tough balance but feeling good mentally is the most important prerequisite for doing your best work.
What are you most excited about right now?
I’m really excited to see how this new wave of music that Gen Z kids are making pans out. There’s so much left-field shit coming out that flips the script on traditional song structure and production. I think the next generation of song makers is really gonna change how music is made.
What’s next for you?
I recently released Time Machine with Rich Brian. It’s the first song from my upcoming project – there are probably 2 or 3 more singles coming out in the next few months before the whole thing drops which I’m really excited about. The whole project highlights artists that I’ve been working with over the past year or so, and that I’ve been investing a lot of time into as a producer. I’m really excited to show the world what we’re all about.
