Student Profile: Anthony “AR” Ruiz

Written & Interviewed by Kallen Hittner - Team Monster Sessions

Anthony “AR” Ruiz is a talented Monster Sessions Alumnus. He lives in Philadelphia where he works with artists such as Sellz, SGS The Movement, King Fatai, and King Magnetic. Meanwhile, Monster Sessions keeps in regular contact with AR for collaboration opportunities.

Have you been working on any projects lately?

Yeah, I've been working on quite a few. Working on my usual local projects with some of the guys around here and then been working on a project directly with Dame for the last couple of months now.

Oh cool. Who are the people that you work with out there?

I got a guy named Sellz. Couple guys that go by SGS. There are quite a few but those are my main guys.

How did you get involved with Monster Sessions?

Back around 2018, I was scrolling around online and I came across this YouTube channel. I just start diving in. I eventually reached out through the website.

How would you say monster Sessions has affected your musical journey?

It definitely affected me in a positive way by just continuously giving me input on what I need to work on, and you know, just the motivation to keep doing that, on top of the motivation that I already had. It’s been good.

Who would be your dream artist to collaborate with?

That’s a tough one. I'm gonna say Eminem. Shoot for the star [laughs], as big as it gets.

Where do you live and how’s the music scene there?

Pennsylvania. The music scene is so and so. I come from a small town so there’s not a ton of music that comes out of here, and when there is it’s rock, not rap music. So we tend to flock to the bigger cities nearby like New York. There are a lot more opportunities out there.

What's your favorite album of all time?

It's a toss-up between three albums: The Eminem Show, Paper Trail by TI, and Under Pressure by Logic.

What’s the best advice you've received related to music?

I’d probably say the best advice I got is that consistency is key, even though that sounds cliché. I didn’t realize how much you really have do it.

What would you say is the most crucial aspect of producing?

I guess the most crucial aspect would be when you’re working with an artist to capture what they're looking for. Some might say the melody is more important, some might say the drums are more important, but it has to be what the artist wants.

 What's your favorite project that you've worked on?

 I'm gonna say my favorite was an album I did about four years ago with my buddy. I did the whole album except one song, and just creating it was the most fun I had creating music. It's not around anymore, and for four years ago it wasn't that good, but it was still fun to do.

 What advice would give to a younger musical artist or producer?

 I’d keep it simple and say if they really want to do this, they have to dedicate every second they have to it. And you should study what you’re trying to make.

 Where does your motivation and inspiration come from?

 The short answer would be just to have and keep a better life. But musically, I have a dream of one day creating music that gives me the same feeling that I get when I hear music. I want to give that to somebody else.