How Michael's Advice Inspired Sean Garrett

In a recent interview to HipHopDX US singer, songwriter, and producer Sean Garrett, aka “The Pen,” describes the influence Michael Jackson had on him. Garrett has produced quite a number of hit singles (e.g. Usher “Yeah!,” Pussycat Dolls “Buttons”) and is one of the most successful producers in the USA. He has worked with top artists such as Usher, Destiny's Child, Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Janet Jackson, Fergie, Pussycat Dolls, Chris Brown, Britney Spears, Jay-Z, Gwen Stefani, and Chris Brown.

A lot of the records from the Thriller album were like the blueprint of what I wanted to create musically from a perfection perspective: from the lyrics, to the sound, to the quality. So I followed a lot of the greats.

Michael Jackson was probably her favorite artist, and she pushed that into my bloodstream. That's a very high bar, and she taught me how I should pay attention to techniques.

DX: Ten years ago, people didn't really know who producers/songwriters were. They may have been familiar with their names but not them personally. Did this encourage you?

Sean Garrett: As a songwriter/producer, when I came into the game, I wanted to make us known to the world. One of my main objectives was to make songwriters known to the world. I am a huge fan of Quincy, Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson. And when Michael did the “We Are The World” song, it was one of the most important songs of our lifetime. That song inspired me to want to do other things than make money for myself. I wanted to educate and share my gift. Before Michael died, he said to me, and this is one of the most important things he said to me, was that my gift was from God and it was to be shared with the world. Not only am I to use my gift but use it to bring the world together.”

Source: MJFC / hiphopdx.com