Before he even began making beats, Pinnacle Mint was listening to Korean hip hop/R&B like Crush, Jay Park and Dean. The way they smoothly blended hip hop and R&B made an impression on him, so from the start he wanted to try his hand at something similar.
Most of his early productions were simply trap beats with stock pianos playing R&B chords, but as he started to experiment and became more comfortable with sampling, his music naturally started pulling a lot more influence from vaporwave. He even had a vaporwave project called Late Night Arrivals in June 2020, but subsequently has been focusing on crafting a more unique, genre-bending sound.
These days, his restless album release schedule – solely to Bandcamp and Soundcloud nonetheless, has been slowly gathering traction from underground communities centred around hip hop, lo-fi and vaporwave. Hip hop and vaporwave don’t often appear next to one another, but the Auckland beatmaker is harnessing them both effortlessly to create his unique lo-fi vapor-beats.
After some lengthy research, I discovered there was a considerable geographical distance between London and Auckland, NZ, so I figured it probably best to catch up with Pinnacle Mint over email. We had an interesting chat about his influences and modus operandi when it comes to producing:
Dpph: Alright then, I’m going to pick your brains a little. First off, I’d like to know what got you started in creating a unique niche blend of beat tape / vaporwave music?
Pinnacle Mint: I used to watch a lot of the “Deconstructed” videos on the Genius Lyrics YouTube channel, where producers would explain how they made their hit songs. I was inspired to pick up a DAW and try making music for myself. I was immediately hooked. Originally, my goal was to get placements, but eventually I started focusing more on instrumental hip-hop and from there on I’ve been making beats regularly and finding my own sound.
Bringing in that chopped up / vaporwave aesthetic was what first drew me to your music. Were you making beats that evolved into vaporwave? Was it the other way round? Or did you decide this was the music you wanted to make from the outset?
I take more influence from artists like J Dilla or Knxwledge than any vaporwave artist. I would say my sample choices are the only vaporwave thing about my music now. So in short, I started making trap beats that evolved into Vaporwave that evolved into beats if that makes sense.
I can see that. I’ve always wondered though – what exactly is behind the community’s fascination in media of the 80s and 90s?
I think it’s most likely nostalgia for a lot of people. Nostalgia can really influence your perception of stuff. For me, I find 80s and 90s music interesting because of the way it approached new technology. The way artists would play with synthesisers and drum machines is colourful and exciting to me. A good example off the top of my head would be Old Keith Sweat or Jodeci music, with super lush chords, bright synths and snappy drums and percussion. But in the end, it’s really about nostalgia. There are some really corny 90s R&B love songs and slow jams that I just can’t get enough of because of how much it brings me back to my childhood. Nothing can beat a good tune that reminds you of the good times.
You’ve released 3 beat tapes in the last few months, with the newest one dropping only last week. How do you go about producing these? What’s your preferred setup and how do you get them out so fast?
I make a whole lot of beats whenever I have spare time and then I just pick the ones that I feel fit together nicely on a beat tape. To be honest, my music doesn’t take too long to make, especially since its sample based. Most of the work comes from sample chopping or making the drums. I’ve released so much in the last few months because I like to drop the music when it’s freshly made. I hate the feeling of dwelling on beats for so long. Also there isn’t as much pressure to create big masterpieces as I have such a small following so I can just upload when I feel like it. I try my hardest not to over think things.
That’s a good attitude. I’d definitely say it’s the right approach; just do what feels right. So finally, what are some of your favourite releases in the last couple of years?
Here’s some recent albums I consider among my favourites:
Knxwledge – 1988
PENOMECO – Garden
SUPERSEX420 x TENDENCIES – Split EP
Bryson Tiller – Trapsoul
Pierre Bourne – The Life Of Pierre 4
Moe Shop – Pure Pure
Freddie Gibbs x Madlib – Bandana
Yung Bae – Bae2
Brayden Potts – kutoff
MINOTAUR – akhouse (vol.1)
Earl Sweatshirt – Some Rap Songs
GOT7 – 7 for 7
Pinnacle Mint’s new beat tape CGI is out now on Bandcamp and Soundcloud.
