The District Chronicles

Issue date: 11/9/08 Section: Business

Media Credit: Khadijah Ali-Coleman/District Chronicles

In his home-based studio in Ft. Washington, Md., Benjamin "Hook Heffna" Dawson leaned back in his seat with furrowed brow. "Try that again," he said.

A voice boomed over the speaker in front of Dawson, boasting about coming from D.C. and attracting all the ladies. As the throbbing bass line filled the room, Dawson nodded his head to the beat and adjusted the many knobs and boards in front of him. As the song ended, Dawson said, "That's a take." Two members of the rap group CityWyde emerged from the sound booth and clap hands with Dawson -- another job well done.

Dawson is the owner and lead engineer of MYST Studios, a comprehensive arts entity that specializes in recording and graphic arts. MYST, which stands for Making Your Speakers Thump!, has been in business for nearly three years. Dawson creates web sites and logos for local businesses and produces albums for local artists.

Dawson has worked with local artists like singer/guitarist Mr. Kuku, a U street favorite, and rapper Nile Nu'Man, a D.C. native who has been featured on D.C. radio station WPGC and appeared on BET's "106 and Park." Dawson, a self-taught guitarist, performed with the go-go band Blackism, and now plays lead guitar for R&B/funk band Phreaknahdo. He has also been part of the house band at the popular poetry spot Harambee in Northwest D.C.

Dawson believes his performance experience comes handy when working with artists who are recording in the studio.

"I can give constructive feedback with pitch and tone and overall depth of performance, unlike an engineer who is just familiar with the computer and technical aspect of recording and not the integrity of the music."

With this music skill and understanding beyond the engineering aspect of production, Dawson believes the quality of his work stands out.

"When I'm creating a track for an artist, I take into consideration who their audience is, what sound they are trying to achieve and what their abilities are as artists. I consider my style fluid and avant-garde but I have the ability to recognize the style of the artist and create based on their needs."

Dawson believes that his studio makes the dreams of aspiring performers more accessible than it was back in the day. It's more common for a teenager with a dream and voice to record a CD demo than it was in the past, Dawson said, because of computer programs like Pro Tools. The software lowers his overhead cost by allowing him to work at home. It also makes it possible for Dawson to charge $30 per hour for his services, a relative bargain.

Dawson credits the popular producers-turned-rappers Kanye West and Pharrell for making the production side of the recording booth more popular.

"A lot of young kids are still aspiring to be rappers and singers and caught up into the glamour of being in front of the audience, but I think people are becoming more aware of how powerful the person behind the artist really is," Dawson said.

Phone: (240) 682-7177

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