09 April 2006
Steve Pageot
He is
FOCUSED MAN…
Steve Pageot the man behind the music.
Some people are just talented. They possess a little extra “something” that the rest of us don’t have. Call it Charisma, the “it” factor or genetics…some of us just seem to be marching to the beat of their own drum, or flute in the case of Grammy-award winning Steve Pageot. Pageot who was born in Brooklyn and raised in Canada brings a little something extra to his menudo as producer in the way of live instrumentation. Unlike many producers parlaying behind a sampler or moving the knobs up and down at the engineering station, Pageot jumps from the controls to the microphone where he can be heard playing his award-winning flute over many of the tracks he produces. Many may find this a hip-hop anomaly. But with Steve Pageot one must expect the unexpected. And it was just that time of talent and respect for the game and craft that harnessed his platinum plaque with Bone Thugs N Harmony’s Thug mentality 1999 and his Grammy on Aretha Franklin’s wonderful. Known to burn the candle at both ends Steve lent his creative genius to MTV’s Run’s house and UPN’s Living Large and countless television promos. He has worked with Ruben Studdard of American Idol Fame, Wyclef Jean and Snoop Dogg. My first question to the quiet spoken producer was, when do you sleep?
“Hardly ever.” So I got a chance to holla at the “man behind the music” on his work ethic, his lifestyle and what exactly makes him a striver.
What are your 3 lessons for success?
My recipe for success is to have an excellent work ethic, and love what you do.
How do you enjoy your days off when you not striving?
I don’t really have days off, but I’ll take some time to spend with my girlfriend.
What signifies a Striver to you?
A striver to me is someone who will push him or herself to an extreme limit to make something happen.
What jobs did you have before you became successful?
When I graduated from college I worked as a Printed Circuit Board Designer in Montreal and when I moved to NYI was a manger at Blockbuster and worked at a fitness club.
What is success to you?
Achieving your goals.
What advice would you give others attempting to make their dreams come true?
Have a plan, know what you want to do and believe in yourself.
Describe your childhood.
Education and respect for another were the main focus in my family. My parents always told me that I’d go very far in life if I would practice what they preached to me. We weren’t rich and we weren’t starving. My mom always had a job and my dad was always on the road performing with different bands. So as you can see I was very close to my mother but when my father would come back home it was another story. I could get away with a lot of things when he was gone. You know things that kids do…
Did you hold down a side gig while in college to support your hustle?
When I turned sixteen, I got my first job working at McDonald’s. I was proud and it meant something to me. In College, my dad told me not to work anymore because he wanted me to focus on school. There was no need for scholarship because school is free for the most part in Canada.
Pharell is a genius and Kanye West is serious-Timbaland is prolific and R. Kelly is prolific and gifted as well—where does Steve Pageot fit in this picture? Do you see yourself on the level of these accomplished artists or do you just do what you do?
To me it’s more like God blessed me with a gift. You see talent can be lost over the years if you don’t cultivate it. But when you have the IT no matter what, you’ll always be seen as the incredible person.
· Are you a quiet industry person who observes from the periphery? Or are you flamboyant like Diddy? How important do you think it is to be flamboyant in the "game" or could you just let talent speak for itself like HOVA?
I let my music speak for itself but I love to look immaculate. To some, it might be flamboyant. I just love to be the center of attraction; it’s a Libra trait. If you look at Eminem, Usher, Jermaine Dupri, Wyclef, Teddy Riley, Brice Wilson they are all Libras and they all have that special thing to attract people. It’s just something that we all have.
· Where do you really see yourself in 2011 in this industry, in this world as a human being in this life? Your passion for music definitely comes across, but how much do you think that marketing and the real power at record companies affected your own career negatively or positively?
In 2011, I see myself being the man to go to. Having the most successful record label with real talents. Marketing and power at record companies have affected my career in a positive way due to the fact that I am able to keep up with the business and to introduce myself to the movers and shakers of the music industry.
· TThree words to describe yourself?
I’m loyal, respectful and gifted.
Was there ever a time in your life and in your career that you found yourself asking God when will I get on?
Asking God when is my time is going to come was a question that I’d ask him all the time because it’s a dream that I wanted to come to reality.
· What was your first professional paying gig? Was it a steady climb from there up or were you back down again?
My first professional paying gig was playing the flute with the Late Great Haitian Legend, Ansy Desroses. I was eighteen years old. He came to Montreal. I rehearsed with the band members and history was in the making.
When I came home I gave my mother the money that I had earned that night.
Steve Pageot the man behind the music.
Some people are just talented. They possess a little extra “something” that the rest of us don’t have. Call it Charisma, the “it” factor or genetics…some of us just seem to be marching to the beat of their own drum, or flute in the case of Grammy-award winning Steve Pageot. Pageot who was born in Brooklyn and raised in Canada brings a little something extra to his menudo as producer in the way of live instrumentation. Unlike many producers parlaying behind a sampler or moving the knobs up and down at the engineering station, Pageot jumps from the controls to the microphone where he can be heard playing his award-winning flute over many of the tracks he produces. Many may find this a hip-hop anomaly. But with Steve Pageot one must expect the unexpected. And it was just that time of talent and respect for the game and craft that harnessed his platinum plaque with Bone Thugs N Harmony’s Thug mentality 1999 and his Grammy on Aretha Franklin’s wonderful. Known to burn the candle at both ends Steve lent his creative genius to MTV’s Run’s house and UPN’s Living Large and countless television promos. He has worked with Ruben Studdard of American Idol Fame, Wyclef Jean and Snoop Dogg. My first question to the quiet spoken producer was, when do you sleep?
“Hardly ever.” So I got a chance to holla at the “man behind the music” on his work ethic, his lifestyle and what exactly makes him a striver.
What are your 3 lessons for success?
My recipe for success is to have an excellent work ethic, and love what you do.
How do you enjoy your days off when you not striving?
I don’t really have days off, but I’ll take some time to spend with my girlfriend.
What signifies a Striver to you?
A striver to me is someone who will push him or herself to an extreme limit to make something happen.
What jobs did you have before you became successful?
When I graduated from college I worked as a Printed Circuit Board Designer in Montreal and when I moved to NYI was a manger at Blockbuster and worked at a fitness club.
What is success to you?
Achieving your goals.
What advice would you give others attempting to make their dreams come true?
Have a plan, know what you want to do and believe in yourself.
Describe your childhood.
Education and respect for another were the main focus in my family. My parents always told me that I’d go very far in life if I would practice what they preached to me. We weren’t rich and we weren’t starving. My mom always had a job and my dad was always on the road performing with different bands. So as you can see I was very close to my mother but when my father would come back home it was another story. I could get away with a lot of things when he was gone. You know things that kids do…
Did you hold down a side gig while in college to support your hustle?
When I turned sixteen, I got my first job working at McDonald’s. I was proud and it meant something to me. In College, my dad told me not to work anymore because he wanted me to focus on school. There was no need for scholarship because school is free for the most part in Canada.
Pharell is a genius and Kanye West is serious-Timbaland is prolific and R. Kelly is prolific and gifted as well—where does Steve Pageot fit in this picture? Do you see yourself on the level of these accomplished artists or do you just do what you do?
To me it’s more like God blessed me with a gift. You see talent can be lost over the years if you don’t cultivate it. But when you have the IT no matter what, you’ll always be seen as the incredible person.
· Are you a quiet industry person who observes from the periphery? Or are you flamboyant like Diddy? How important do you think it is to be flamboyant in the "game" or could you just let talent speak for itself like HOVA?
I let my music speak for itself but I love to look immaculate. To some, it might be flamboyant. I just love to be the center of attraction; it’s a Libra trait. If you look at Eminem, Usher, Jermaine Dupri, Wyclef, Teddy Riley, Brice Wilson they are all Libras and they all have that special thing to attract people. It’s just something that we all have.
· Where do you really see yourself in 2011 in this industry, in this world as a human being in this life? Your passion for music definitely comes across, but how much do you think that marketing and the real power at record companies affected your own career negatively or positively?
In 2011, I see myself being the man to go to. Having the most successful record label with real talents. Marketing and power at record companies have affected my career in a positive way due to the fact that I am able to keep up with the business and to introduce myself to the movers and shakers of the music industry.
· TThree words to describe yourself?
I’m loyal, respectful and gifted.
Was there ever a time in your life and in your career that you found yourself asking God when will I get on?
Asking God when is my time is going to come was a question that I’d ask him all the time because it’s a dream that I wanted to come to reality.
· What was your first professional paying gig? Was it a steady climb from there up or were you back down again?
My first professional paying gig was playing the flute with the Late Great Haitian Legend, Ansy Desroses. I was eighteen years old. He came to Montreal. I rehearsed with the band members and history was in the making.
When I came home I gave my mother the money that I had earned that night.
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