Music Essentials: Curtis Heron

If you don’t know Curtis Heron, you’re definitely missing out. The Long Beach producer — who is featured on this week’s Music Essentials — has not only constructed many standout selections from LA rapper Bones’ mixtapes and is an esteemed member of TeamSESH crew, he also was responsible for the production of A$AP Rocky’s comeback single in 2014 “Multiply.” In our past installments of Essentials, it is evident that many musicians and producers like to display lifestyle and fashion items; very few dedicate their spot to their most-used studio equipment and their favorite records. However — with Curtis — you can tell he’s truly got a passion for music; each item displayed tells a story on his affinity with the artform. Equipment-wise, he keeps it modest with a Samsung Carbon 49 keyboard and a 13” Macbook Pro Retina for production, monitoring his mixes with the home studio standard Audio Technica ATH-M50 Headphones. Although Curtis does not proclaim to be a DJ, he’s been using his Numark Mixtrack Pro DJ Controller to play songs for people to get hype to. Heron also shares a few of his favorite records which have inspired him: The Jimi Hendrix Experience’s Are You Experienced, Curtis Mayfield’s Super Fly, Miles Davis’ Seven Steps to Heaven, and Michael Franks’ Burchfield Nines, as well as a few books that he recommends: The Elements of Music Melody, Rhythm & Harmony by Jason Marineau and All You Need to Know About the Music Business by Donald S. Passman.