Hailing from Trinidad, Kasey Phillips is the name behind the esteemed Los Angeles based production company, Precision Productions. The recipient of a Soul Train Music Award for Best International Performance and a producer on Ciara's latest EP CiCi, including her hit song "How We Roll" featuring Chris Brown, Kasey Phillips is a multi-faceted thinker combining his impeccable intuition as a creative with longstanding industry experience and an insatiable drive to succeed. Since making the jump to Los Angeles from his home country of Trinidad and Tobago, Phillips is placing his company, Precision Productions, on the map with an impressive entrance into the mainstream market.
We sat down with Phillips to hear more about his progression as a producer and his vision for the future to come.
How did growing up in music, and even producing your first track at ten years old influence your progression into the producer you are today?
Starting my journey at such an early age was key in establishing my career. It allowed me the time to focus on my abilities not just as a producer, but also as a proficient mixing engineer and entrepreneur. It also taught me the skill of time management and dedication; a skill that was needed to complete the essential 10,000 hours required to truly master my craft. Additionally, having my father, Kenny Phillips, as a mentor during these formative years contributed to my growth and development. It’s given me the tenacity and drive to aim for the stars in my budding years and everything that's happening today is a manifestation of that drive to want more – From leaving my home country of Trinidad and first genre (Soca), to making the bold move to Los Angeles to expand the brand and venture into mainstream genres.
How did Precision Productions get started and how has it evolved into the leading production company in Trinidad?
My immersion in the world of music started at birth, thanks to my father, the renowned producer and musician Kenny Phillips. Growing up around the studio environment provided me with an early and profound introduction to music. I vividly remember producing my debut track at the tender age of 10 back in Trinidad & Tobago.
Fast forward to 2010; An opportunity for an internship in Los Angeles materialized, under the guidance of the accomplished producers Dre & Vidal. This experience was transformative, equipping me with indispensable insight and hands-on exposure to the mainstream music industry. This insight became a cornerstone for Precision's trajectory toward becoming the foremost production company in Trinidad.
Recognizing a void in the local industry, we harnessed the knowledge and techniques I acquired during my time in Los Angeles, which gave Precision a distinct advantage. This propelled Precision to the forefront of the production landscape in Trinidad & Tobago. This achievement set the stage for our ambitions to reach Los Angeles. In just a few years, Precision extended its influence to the dynamic music scene of LA, proudly establishing our dedicated recording studio.
What was your favorite track you produced on Ciara's EP Ci Ci? Can you take us inside the creative process?
To be honest, I love all the tracks, but if I had to choose I would say “ 2 In Luv” is my personal favorite. The process started from submitting beats to Theron Thomas, the executive producer and main song-writer throughout the album. Several ideas and demos were sketched in preparation for the project and presented to Ciara upon which a few were chosen to then commence more writing and start making the project. My role started after all the demos and sketches were fully written and completed. My focus was the music and getting that part up to par and making it radio ready. The bass, impact of the beats and rhythms needed to be impactful. Clarity of the vocals and instruments also needed to be up to industry standard to compete successfully on all platforms like radio and digital streaming.
Where do you envision Precision Productions and how do you see it interacting with the Urban market?
I envision Precision infusing our distinct Caribbean essence into our productions, seamlessly blending it with the mainstream market sound. Our exceptional mixing and mastering capabilities will also contribute to delivering immaculate sonics.
What was your biggest takeaway from working alongside artists like Ciara, Chris Brown, Big Freedia etc. on Ci Ci?
I've come to recognize the vital importance of collaboration. If I had attempted to handle everything on my own and kept the process isolated, I might have found myself without any songs featured on this project. However, thanks to the collective effort and teamwork that went into creating this exceptional content, I can now take pride in contributing to five out of the seven tracks on this EP.
What has been a learning moment that shaped you as an artist and entrepreneur?
The moment that I learned the immense impact of branding and developing a strong brand identity marked a significant turning point in my journey as a producer and entrepreneur. Previously, I treated my work more as a casual hobby, not affording it the seriousness it deserved. However, once I dedicated my efforts to cultivating Precision into a recognizable brand, that's when I witnessed a surge of accomplishments and triumphs.
Connect with Kasey Phillips: INSTAGRAM
