Meet Tonal Vision Presents Louie Bandz, The Just Allen, & Dre Musiq | Music Producers

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tonal Vision Presents Louie Bandz, The Just Allen, & Dre Musiq and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tonal Vision Presents, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Louie Bandz: This game is all about taking risks. Sometimes the only way to learn to swim is to just jump in. I knew I was all in the day I decided to leave my city and quit my job. I left with just $1,200 dollars to my name. Best decision I ever made in life.

The Just Allen: I would not be where I am today without assuming risk. My boy, John “CoolWhit” Whitaker once reminded me that Kobe Bryant stated, ” You miss 100% of the shots you DO NOT take! I do not regret any of the leaps I’ve taken. You have to decide, how much you are willing to give up to have
more. Me, everything….because I believe in myself 100%. Let my position in DC, traveled to Joburg, South Africa RSA to host my first international production. Came back to pack my bags and left the DMV
on Dec 21, 2020, moving to ATL with a few hundred to my name, was homeless sleeping in my car on top of the ATL VAMC for about a week, but no one knew. I didn’t call my parents or sister for help. I made no excuses for myself, I just hustled to make it happen.

Dre Musiq: Risks are a part of being successful. You won’t get anywhere in life without taking risks. I took the risk to pack my bags and moved to Atlanta with nothing but a keyboard and suitcase, only 6 months later have the #1 billboard album in the world. It wouldn’t have happened without taking a risk and having
faith.

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.
Louie Bandz: Getting to where I’m at wasn’t easy by any means. I left my hometown with no job and little to no money, sleeping from couch to couch, just steady grinding. I never lost faith and I always had patience. Being uncomfortable made me hungry, and created a work ethic unmatched. I stayed consistent in making music, even traveling on the road to ATL. I and Dubba AA would hook our laptops to the car aux and cook up. The work just never stopped!

The Just Allen: I live by the mantra of becoming comfortable with being uncomfortable. Consistency truly sets the dreamers and doers apart…so that’s what I did, threw doubt to the wind, hugged my parents goodbye, and left for ATL. While I was always worried about my credibility as a producer, given I did not possess the same credit productions as my colleagues, my knowledge and my musician expertise as a pianist and ability to compose and arrange as I’ve been told I have a “hell of an ear” that brings ideas to concept, have always exceeded such insecurities. People do not know what you know, so when you can stand all ten toes down with substance, this makes all the difference.

Dre Musiq: What sets me apart from most producers, is I’m a multi-instrumentist. I compose signature, soulful sounds, only achievable with long hours, dedication to my craft, not settling for mediocrity, and fulfilling my greatness. It was not easy being broke and hungry trying to chase your dreams, but you can never lose faith! You have to believe in yourself, even more than when people are calling you crazy. My brand is about overcoming any adversity and never giving up whether in life or music.

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.
Louie Bandz: ATL is another home for me. I recommend anyone doing music in the hip-hop world to start and build there. I met so many artists and different ppl in the music industry that are actually solid and down-to-earth people. LA is a good move too.

The Just Allen: I enjoy ATL is the rich culture of music as you find artists from all facets of life. Now to eat, my spot is Slutttttttyyyyyyy Vegan. All about the Heux Boy (Vegan Shrimp Burger). Slut me out Pinky!!!!!

Dre Musiq: The most fun places out here honestly are the studios you never know who you will meet or network with. Another is definitely the food soul food at its finest.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Louie Bandz: There are few people to mention that have a big influence on my story. Tennessee State University is really where everything took off. Being in the marching band heavily influenced my music and playing in the drum section is how I met Dubba AA and joined This Is The Sound.

The Just Allen: I would like to recognize my mom, LaDonna Faye Hopkins-Fletcher, who has always believed in my ability. Through my most egregious ups and downs, her wisdom and love have taught me that I have the tools I need in my arsenal, trust myself and execute, and lastly, my ace, JC aka Dr. Je’Coy
C. Hawley, who has always been aware of my musician talent since undergrad.

Dre Musiq: I definitely want to shout out to Tennessee State University (TSU) because that’s where my career began, where I met Dubba AA, who took me under his wing and taught me how to be a producer, but I wouldn’t be anything support and leadership skills from my mom and dad they taught me how to have a good work ethic.

Website: tonalvisionpresents.com

Instagram: @reallouiebandz @thejustallen @dremusiq

Image Credits
The first photo is Louie Bandz, the second photo is The Just Allen (myself with the hat), and the third is Dre Musiq (with the Gucci headband).