Christopher Gholson, popularly known as “Drumma Boy,” is a talented musician hailing from Memphis, Tennessee. He is widely recognized for his contributions to the hip-hop industry, particularly in the Trap music genre. Coming from a family with a rich musical background, Drumma Boy’s impact in the music industry is worth celebrating, especially this year, as hip-hop marks its 50th anniversary. Last month, on October 17th, he released his memoir entitled “Behind the Hits,” which gives fans an inside look into his signature sound, brought to life through collaborations with some of the biggest names in R&B and hip-hop. Apart from the fascinating behind-the-scenes stories, his book also serves as a blueprint for greatness and a source of encouragement for aspiring musicians and hitmakers to pursue their dreams and succeed in the industry boldly.
Tell us a little about your musical background.
It is safe to say that I have been exposed to all genres of music. My father is the Memphis Symphony Orchestra’s first Black Principal clarinetist, and my mother is an Opera singer heavily involved in the church choir. Additionally, my city Memphis, Tennessee is the home of blues and country music up the street in Nashville. My older brother Ensayne Wayne (RIP) taught me how to produce beats.
How did you get the nickname Drumma Boy?
People started calling me Drumma Boy in high school because I was always beating on my school desk or the cafeteria lunch table. Also, ironically, when I was young my grandmother gave me a Little Drummer Boy ornament to hang on the tree each Christmas.
Why do you call your sound “Gumbo Music”?
I call my music gumbo because I mix it with a little bit of this and that. I always make the best of what I have just like Grandma did in the kitchen. She would reach into the refrigerator to grab the last of what she had and put it all together in one pot. I remember how that one pot would last us nearly a whole week.
Who was the first celebrity you ever produced for?
Most of the guys I produced for were people around me who weren’t celebrities then. We have all come up together. I was out there grinding with artists like Yo Gotti, Gucci Mane, Nicki Minaj, and Young Jeezy in the beginning stages of their careers.
What’s one of your favorite songs you ever created & what made it special?
Producing “Here I Am” for Rick Ross featuring Nelly & Avery Storm was special to me because I got to see the growth in both myself as the producer and Ross as an artist lyrically and style-wise from the hood to mansions and boss life and from trap music to Maybach music.
What can you tell us about your new memoir “Behind the Hits”?
So many people say music is the soundtrack to their lives because when they hear a song, I produced they think about certain periods in life. In my book, I take my life and share behind-the-scenes stories, business knowledge, and different strategies that have helped me be successful. I aim to inspire and motivate anyone that anything is possible with endless effort, research, and execution.
The collaboration between you and Bestselling urban author Wahida Clark’s publishing company seems perfect as you are known for being a pioneer in Trap Music. How did it come about?
Alah Adams, who is well-known in the music industry, introduced me to Wahida Clark. I mentioned my book to him while we were attending a function one day and he started speaking about how Wahida could help me publish it- the rest is history, lol. Wahida and I are definitely an incredible fit for each other. Her experience as an executive has been amazing to see in action and working under her guidance has been amazing.
You write in your memoir “Get a ridiculously ambitious vision for your life and only speak and write the life you want”. How has this motto helped your life?
The vision you see for yourself motivates you to get to your destination. With every checkpoint you reach comes a progress report so to speak. Be able to take constructive criticism and use that as fuel to get to your destination. Your passion will steer you and guide you in the right direction. The more words you say or write down positively the more you speak those things into existence!
As someone who loves every aspect of music, I’m always in awe of the ability of artists to convey stories in just a few minutes. I recently had the privilege of learning more about Drumma Boy, a talented producer who has been nominated for BET Hip Hop Awards Producer of the Year and has produced for Usher’s Grammy Award-winning album, Raymond vs. Raymond, among other accomplishments. Despite his success, he remains down-to-earth and a firm believer in positive affirmations. According to him, acting confidently can make a huge difference in one’s life. For the latest updates, you can follow him on Instagram at https://instagram.com/drummaboyfresh.
Also, be sure to check out his incredible memoir at https://wclarkpublishing.com/.
