Florida State has produced many successful people, but rarely do we find someone who has created their own success from the very beginning. Sean Momberger, born in 1990 from Gainesville, Florida, has been paving the way to his own dream since he can remember. Following in his older brother’s footsteps, Sean applied to FSU four years ago and graduated with a degree in business. At age 23, he has already worked with many notable artists and produced over 100 songs of his own. I happened to meet Sean in my apartment complex and was blown away by his story. Currently in London, Sean is working with a couple of artists from Turn First Artists, and I happened to be lucky enough to speak with him on his break from the studio about how it all started and where he stands now.
Her Campus (HC): How did you come to realize your passion for producing beats?
Sean Momberger (SM): At age 10, I started playing the drums and piano. My piano skills eventually led me to getting a keyboard and from there I started playing non-stop. Motown and the Jackson 5 and The Temptations are what really made me look at music from an artistic perspective; the energy and vibe of the music behind the lyrics are what really spoke to me.
HC: What were your first investment steps toward making music?
SM: Back then, I bought myself a MPC 1000 – sampler/drum machine, Pro Tools – digital audio workstation, and a Fantom x6 keyboard.
HC: What is your most memorable success and how do you feel it made your dream a reality?
SM: I would have to say being in London right now has made me realize this is for real. Being offered the opportunity to be flown out internationally and work with artists that want what I create completely put my career on the map of reality.
HC: How has your business major contributed to your music career?
SM: I decided to be a business major because I loved the entrepreneurial aspect of creating my own line of work. The music industry is rough, and business ethics is the foundation for success. I always knew I wanted to work independently, and business has given me the skills to not only manage myself, but to manage others. I eventually want to start my own management company that works with talented people trying to make their dreams come true.
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HC: How has the industry impacted your motivation and perspective on music itself?
SM: The industry is definitely a rat race. Everyone is trying to make it out there, so you have to stand out. If you can’t keep up with the best, you get dumped with the rest. There is not a day in the past eight years that I haven’t worked on music, and seeing what the music business is first-hand only drives me to work harder than I ever have. My perspective on music itself is that, although you may think you’re work is the best, you have to sacrifice your own vision for the vision of who you’re working with. It’s all about how you’re willing to compromise with what you produce; definitely a give and take when it comes to music.
HC: What sets you apart from other producers?
SM: My work ethic and dedication to the music put me out from the rest. Like I said, there isn’t a day that I haven’t worked on music since I hit the first note on that piano. My originality and individualism are what make a real connection with the people I work with. A lot of producers think it’s all about what they can put out there, but collaborating ideas and trying new things are what give me my edge.
HC: Who have you worked with?
SM: Skeme, Dom Kennedy, Wale, Freddie Gibbs, Field Mob, Slick Pulla, and just recently, Iggy Azealea.
HC: What has been your biggest inspiration?
SM: Mo-town music, Jackson 5, The Temptations, Tupac, and Kanye West have all been my sole inspirations in the art of music. The music itself and the lyrics they spit on the track are what drove me to compose and create my own feel of hip hop and soul.
HC: What advice would you give to other students aspiring to make their dreams come true?
SM: You are a product of your own creation. Push yourself to the edge and don’t let criticism get the best of you; take it with a grain of salt. And always, always persevere in the face of failure because you never know what could be next.
The amount of hard work Sean has put into achieving his dreams is astonishing. Working from the ground up, this man has created opportunity for himself. Everyone wants to be something in the future, and this is just one example of the difference between wanting and doing. Initiative and drive are what sets people apart from the average bystander. Just like Sean, this is our time to do something great. Take risks, and always do your best. You never know where you could end up in life. Mr. Momberger’s last statement speaks absolute truth: we are a product of our own creation.