Meet Richard Hammons III | Artist/Producer/Engineer aka Filth, 1/2 of prodcuer group, FxE

We had the good fortune of connecting with Richard Hammons III and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Richard, how do you think about risk?
Over time, I view risk taking in a unique way. Risk taking is usually held with a uneasy connotation, but with my experience, a risk taken is a new possibility. With each risk you take, I feel is a new chance, beginning, or result. In the arts I work, everything is a risk because of how raw the creation is, each word, note played, ad lib, chant, is a risk. We don’t know the outcome but we believe in the music/art so who’s to say if the world will take it in when it’s out there, that alone, in my opinion is a risk. It’s a driving role in the creation all the way through.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a music producer, engineer, actor, musician. I mostly showcase and express in my music production. What sets me apart is the authenticity and rawness I’m able to keep with people I work with, no matter their style, I’m always able to accommodate my sound to theirs, I’m always willing to work with others to execute the sound. With my musical background and involvement in all throughout my life, my knowledge of everything I was taught from family members to professionals I’ve stumbled across, I apply that knowledge to every aspect of the creative process. Even with acting, I use every knowledge amount of how to channel that consistency to perform. I wouldn’t be where I’m today simply by just not giving up, I’ve been doing music all of my life so the skill has been polished from the start & still polishing. Especially when it comes to the engineering aspect of the production, there’s always I’m improvements on record to be created. I’m engineering a tape with Raps who’s the other half of the producer group FxE. We are finalizing a mixtape by one of our primary artist Melly FTF titled “The 44th Story”. This is the first tape from the artist in almost well over two years & a fully engineered project from us at the level we are at now. We’ve gained tons of new knowledge, resources to execute a new sound we want to introduce to the world and this is only the beginning. This professional journey has freshly started we’ve been in at this full on for a few years & now we are starting to gain traction & the feeling alone is satisfying. It hasn’t been easy because what the hardships you would think happens in a musical conglomerate with 3+ artists at a time, is quite common, so it’s hard to balance egos but when you find the right synergy it’s vital to hold onto and continue to build. Another take I’ve gotten along the way is to always stand firm & enjoy each step you take. Always keep your eyes on the finish line, & remain with a goal. To get over obstacles, I’ve used those to keep myself focused. I learned that it doesn’t happen overnight & it takes undying consistency to make a way. I learned that as long as the intentions are pure and you take it serious from the start, you will have a piece of art that you’re proud of. Working from the underdog position, I believe that it is still vital that we still use our skill and voices to keep telling our stories for the world has never seen this side of the country in this form before & it is an interesting perspective.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would definitely have a friend come during football and basketball season because of the intensity that moves throughout this involving sports, nice eatery, and views all over.

I enjoy downtown a lot because it is becoming more alive here each year, so many restaurants and sports bars that all hold a different vibe because of the rich history that is here.
I would visit the museums we have all across the state, for all ages. From the science to the national bone museum, there’s something for everyone.
There are places to eat with numbers of different types of cuisine all over the city, on all corners. I love almost all types of food & there’s a place that specializes in each type, from cajun, barbecue, Italian, etc.
There’s a newly built park downtown named Scissortail Park and it adds a whole new avenue for spending down time there. With it being finished for a full year now, there’s much anticipation for things to be held in the area for the community to gather.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to give a big shoutout to my family, I have friends that I consider family so that includes them as well! My parents, sister, & now nephew are there with me every step of the way and I could not be more thankful for them. I previously mentioned FxE, a producer group made of me and my best friend who goes by Raps, we’ve been friends since 6th grade and have been in this adult life since college & we’ve been locked into this music since then and haven’t looked back, if it wasn’t for brother, I wouldn’t had went this far, we new age Cool & Dre, Chad & Pharrell. Lastly, are the organizations I hold close to my heart that are within my community, the city of Midwest City where i grew up, my church family, Twice The Cutz Salon, & FTF family, just everybody if you’ve been apart of the journey so far.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fxe_ftf/?hl=en

Twitter: https://twitter.com/fxe_ftf

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2XO-lmx2Rnk-NKK0hlQunw

Image Credits
On Instagram: @sightofshe @videoherotv @its.thesweetlife @esfelipewey @theiaustini