We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Antwan “Amadeus” Thompson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Antwan “Amadeus”, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Taking risks is the only way you can live the life your dream of. I’ve taken many risks throughout my life, career and journey even still to this day its an on going thing if you want to be successful in anything you do. Lets just say if I didn’t take any risks the world wouldn’t have the Musician/Producer Amadeus today.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Im a Muilt-Platinum Bad/Hitmen Music Producer who has produced for over 100 major artists such as Chris Brown, Jennifer Lopez, Trey Songz, 50 Cent, Lil Wayne, Busta Rhymes, Cam’ron, Jim Jones, Keyshia Cole, T.I, French Montana, Jeezy, Dave East, Young M.A., The LOX, Papoose, Remy Ma, Lil Mo to name a few. Im the Music Director/Tour Drummer for Multi-Platinum Recording Artist Trey Songz been touring with Trey for 15 years to present. I have a residency at the #1 Hip Hop Nightclub on the Las Vegas strip Drai’s Nightclub as the resident drummer. I’ll stop there but I wear many many hats as I feel the more you are able to do and bring to the table the more valuable you become to the business. Music is my love and passion it was all I wanted to do as a child so I was able to devote a ton of time and dedication to my craft which allowed me to become great at what I do musically. I must say nothing about my life or my musical journey was easy it was extremely difficult starting with me being from my neighborhood 169 Washington Ave Bronx, NY 10456 very tough neighborhood it was a lot of love there but also a lot of negativity but I chose music and I felt like music chose me. Instead of tapping into the streets and being apart of something that could be detrimental to my life I felt music saved my life. My parents were believers of God and they raised us to be the same filled with spirituality, morals and values so they didn’t take no mess we were in church multiple times a few and it wasn’t a choice and Im so grateful for that because that is how I fell in love with drums and musicianship, so instead of being in the streets and getting caught up I was in church playing drums and making beats. I didn’t know it was something that I could do professionally I just knew I loved it and it was all I wanted to do so as I got older I slowly started to learn and realize that I can do this professionally and this could be my career and at a very young age I would say about 15-16 years old I decided that being a music producer and a professional musician/drummer is what I wanted to be. The rest was HISTORY. The amount of lessons I learned along the way is endless starting with you can be and do anything you want in life if you 1st believe in yourself and that you are capable of doing so, then its about putting in the work I feel like people think that its just gonna fall in their laps it definitely doesn’t work that way I always say Im not gonna let anyone out work me because its not only about your talent its about your hard work and dedication as well. People that are successful in music doesn’t necessarily mean there the most talented because Im sure we can put together a list of artists, songs & albums were not fans of but that doesn’t take away that persons work ethics so throughout the years I’ve learned to lay it out on the table put your all into everything you do and into everything your name is attached to. Relationships are very IMPORTANT, Timing is EVERYTHING, Patience is Key and whats for YOU is for YOU no one else in the world can take or steal your blessings. I started making music out of love and passion and I always gave it my all and I always will give it my all and the day I can’t do that is the day I’ll retire but Im sure thats not happening anytime soon. I’ve been blessed to share my music with the entire world and I’ve also been blessed to be able to have traveled the world performing on stages around the globe and I must say its an AMAZING feeling and experience I know for a fact Im beyond blessed. At this point in my life Im grateful for my contributions to music it will always be in the world and thats so dope but whats more important to me is the impact that I make on peoples lives especially the children who are the future I want them to chase and live all their dreams as well just like I’ve done and like Im doing so Im really big on the give back and the community work because musically someone new and something new is released everyday so its easy to be forgotten but when you are a blessing to someone and their life they’ll never ever forget you so thats the person I want to world to remember me as and for.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
This is NY the big city of dreams so there’s a few places you must experience and things you should have & do. In no particular order

1. 42nd St Time Square
2. World Trade Center Memorial
3. Statue of Liberty
4. Empire State Building
5. The Edge
6. The Summit
7. A Visit To THE BRONX
8. Yankee Stadium
9. My Neighborhood 169th Washington Ave Bronx NY, 10456
10. The Cathedral at Greater Faith (My Church)
11. The Barber Factory Barbershop
12. The Bronx Zoo
13. Nick’s Pizza Shop (The Bronx)
14. Kingston Tropical Bakery (The Bronx)
15. Dallas BBQ’s (The Bronx)
16. Philippe Chow (Downtown)
17. Madison Square Garden
18. Barclay Center
19. Citifield
20. NY Public Library on 42nd St.
21. Brooklyn NY Public Library (Jay-Z Exhibit)
22. Ride The Bus
23. Ride The Subway
24. Ride The Ferry
25. Neighborhood Chinese Food Spot
26. Kennedy Fried Chicken Spot
27. Mikey’s Ice Cream
28. Bronx Native Shop
29. Bronx Walk of Fame

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 would love to give a shout out to God who blessed me with all of the gifts/talents I possess today, to my parents Ruth Thompson & my late Dad Silas Thompson my siblings Jaison, Pearlz & Jurnee. My Late Bishop-Pastor Michel White, my mentor & my big brother Steve”Supe”White, Saint Augustine School of the Artists (SASA), Cardinal Hayes HS, to all my family, friends. Shout out to ALL the artists that allowed me the opportunity to share my gift with them and the world. S/O to Trey Songz for allowing me to be apart of his musical journey and taking me around the world a few times and we still going. Finally to all the fans that support any & everything I do no way I can do this without so THANK YOU!!!!

Website: www.IAMKINGAMADEUS.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amadeuspbm

Twitter: https://twitter.com/produceramadeus

Image Credits
Photo By: Sidney Kirk

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.