Let’s meet Grammy Award-winning producer, Bernard “Focus”
Edwards Jr.
Bernard "Focus..." Edwards, Jr is an
Atlanta-based Grammy Award–winning producer who first rose to fame when signed to
Dr. Dre's
Aftermath Entertainment. Since then he has
produced tracks for Christina Aguilera, Jennifer
Lopez, Beyoncé Knowles, Busta Rhymes,
Bishop Lamont,
Tony Yayo,
Stat Quo,
Outlawz,
The Game,
Jay Rock
amongst others “Focus” has taken on a new venture called the #TheCoSign is new
brand that he is building with his brother , Ty Cannon, Mike Parker, and Grammy
nominated producer Wyldfyer. #TheCoSign
is looking to build new talent (artist, producers, etc) and groom then and help
them with their careers.
How much research did you do before you made your move?
I’ve been in the music
business for over 20 years so I definitely have been applying
what I’ve learned to
my career.
What did your friends say when you told them about your
dream?
- I’m not a real
talker. They saw me move and I gave results. It’s awesome to have real people
who stuck around (from the start of my career to now) that really know me to
the core. They keep me very grounded…
Did you have any people who did not believe in you?
- TONS! Most of them
were working with me at some capacity just in case I did make it…
Describe a life-defining moment of change?
- I lost my father, my
mother and have 4 children. All of those things keep me motivated to press on…
Did you have moments
of doubts about what you wanted to do, and how did you over come it.
I have those moments
daily! I get through them just by looking into my family’s eyes and realizing
that it’s my God given duty to provide for them and protect them. Can’t stay
weak for too long…
What did you do to stay motivated through the process?
There are a lot of
processes that got me where I am. I guess that focusing on the end result is
what kept me moving forward. I did the best I could to cut a pattern for my
career unlike any other. I didn’t want to be a superstar producer, I truly
wanted to be great at what I did and to be able to provide for my family with
my talent…
Did you ever get down on yourself because you felt like you
were not making progress?
Again, I do that
EVERYDAY! I am my worst enemy. I have always been my worse critic. I expect
better than best from myself and when I come up short, I am the first to let
myself know what I did, how I went about it and where I could’ve done it more
efficiently…
What advice would you give the person who is reading this
blog and has been hesitant about granting themselves the permission to succeed?
PLAN AHEAD! Don’t take
your first step without planning your first 20 steps. Get a proper foundation
spiritually, emotionally and even physically. You will need strong support. In
saying this, nowhere did you read ‘don’t move forward’. Make you move! AT LEAST
YOU STARTED MOVING!!! Learn from that experience, regroup, rebuild, then
EXECUTE!
Five years from now what’s your dream? Five years ago where
did you want to be and are you closer or have you achieved your dream?
5 yrs from now, I
would like to be with my family, serving God in the security of a beautiful
paradise. 5 yrs back, I wanted to be legendary. I no longer equate my career to
the reception of such titles, labels or accolades. I want to help mentor those
who want guidance and direction. I’m not a know it all but I do care about
people enough to help where I can help…
What advice or motivation would you like to leave the
readers about giving yourself permission to succeed?
You can be your best
motivator and at the same time, your biggest obstacle. Work at what you want to
accomplish but don’t get in your own way!
Twitter @Efftripledot
