Bekim! He was born in 1970 to Kosovo Albanian parents. Originally from Germany. He was a child when he first realised how much he loved music. Bekim! purchased albums and hoped to one day be a musician.
Bekim! started creating rap rhymes and making tape bootlegs in high school. As soon as he graduated from high school, he built up his recording studio and taught himself how to play harmony and the piano.
In 1989, that was the year. Early on, he was creating all of his music. Composer, songwriter, producer, arranger, and engineer—he’s done it all.
Let’s have a read of what he has to say about his journey to becoming a musician and listening to “Close Your Eyes” for the first time.
What is your real name?
Bekim Bytyqi
What’s your official showbiz name?
Bekim!
How did you get into music?
As a child, I always listened to music. At that time, it was still vinyl records and music cassettes. Then later, CDs.
As a teenager, I mixed cassettes and eventually started writing my lyrics and rapping on them. Shortly thereafter, I bought my first keyboard, a Kawaii, and a short time later, a drum machine from Yamaha. That’s how it all started.
What field or genre are you into, and how would you describe it?
Definitely music production. I love R&B, especially 90s and 00s R&B and a little bit of hip-hop, dance, and even 50s and 60s rockabilly and 80s pop.
What were your first projects, the people you worked with, and which year?
My first project was back in 1989 when I set up my studio. In the beginning, I worked alone. Then my younger brother came along. We taught ourselves everything autodidactically. I’ve always been interested in the production and structure of a song, and that’s how I got into producing.
Who or what inspires or motivates you? And why?
Many producers and musicians inspire me. For example, Dr. Dre for his beats, Hot Chocolate for their melodies, and Boyz II Men for their vocals.
I also love to listen to Lemar, Beverly Knight, Mario, Jodeci, Meghan Trainor, and Charlie Puth, to name a few. Apart from music, I love watching series on Netflix.
Any models you look up to? With reason(s), why?
Sure, Dr. Dre, Mike Oldfield, Babyface, and Darkchild
What do you look out for in this line of business?
I want to make my dream come true. Even as a child and teenager, I could predict with great accuracy which song would be a hit. And that’s what I want to do with my songs now. I want as many people as possible to enjoy my music and feel something beautiful about it. I want them to experience the same positive emotions that I felt when I composed it.
What are some of the challenges you face in your career path?
It’s not enough to have good music. Nowadays, you have to be creative to cut through the noise. You are supposed to be online 24/7 and active on social
A musician or producer would only sit in his studio and produce songs in a perfect world. But that’s not the way it is. The promotion side is way more time-consuming than the creative process.
How do you feel the Internet has impacted the music business?
It’s easier to be successful as a musician these days. In the past, there were always these gatekeepers who, to be honest, in my opinion, didn’t always have a great idea about music.
Today, you can take it into your own hands and market your music. This is a great advantage of the Internet.
Do you have any advice for aspiring songwriters?
Just be yourself. Feel free to do your own thing. Find your sound, even when it doesn’t sound like the stuff in the charts. Stand by your sound.
What is your current project about?
My current project, ‘Bekim!’ is about producing timeless R&B and pop R&B songs. I work with different vocalists from all around the world.
What are your hobbies?
Music. But also sports like football (soccer) and basketball.
What do you do aside from this profession?
I am an interpreter by profession. But I hope that soon I can only concentrate on the music.
What is one message you would give to your fans?
Thank you, because without you, none of this would be possible.
If you hold on to your dream you will eventually make it. Just don’t give up.
