Tucked away in the endless hallways of the CCT Building lies ISB’s latest project in student engagement: a state-of-the-art, fully furnished recording studio. Few people know about this new addition to the school’s already impressive resources, but ISB is looking to change that. Currently, only two people are certified to use the studio, and technicians are already looking for new recruits to train.
“The studio has been a huge help for recordings I can’t do at home,” says American-born Yoel Abraham, a junior at ISB and avid music producer. It’s great to have access to professional mixing when my home setup just can’t cut it.” Yoel plays guitar, piano, and bass, but his distinction lies not in his instrumental skills alone. What sets him apart are the six self-released titles he has independently recorded, mixed, and promoted. Inspired by artists like Jaydes and untiljapan, Yoel’s music captures the raw, resonant qualities that define the underground rap and indie scenes.
PantherNation recently sat down with Abraham at his home studio to learn how he balances his passion for music production with the demands of daily life. “Honestly, staying on track with school and life has never really been an issue when I’m making music,” he says. “But if I’m not working on something totally necessary, there’s a good chance I’m in my room either recording or mixing a song.”
When asked about his student’s proficiency, Abraham’s music production teacher, Mr. Tom Myers, says he “has obviously studied with and learned from people with a high degree of skill.” Mr. Myers is particularly impressed by how Yoel “has a wide range of sounds that he can use at a pretty masterful level, which is pretty uncommon for his age.”
Mixing involves combining all the sounds from a multitrack recording and balancing them, making some sounds louder or clearer than others. According to the prestigious Berklee College of Music, this process is a skill that often takes months to master. The craft requires long hours balancing sounds, cleaning up audio, and sometimes even re-recording individual pieces. Many top producers today, like rap giant Metro Boomin, have spent years perfecting these techniques to achieve the highest level of professionalism. “I’ve only been mixing and editing for about three months, so it’s tough to meet the high standards that are out there,” Abraham explains as he tweaks countless knobs and sound curves in his program.
Though he’s only been on the rap scene for about a year, he knows that standing out is difficult, especially with thousands of others trying to do the same. Along with the financial benefits, the fame and status of music can attract many to the field, especially in genres like rap where spotlight moments can seem almost random. “One-hit wonders,” or artists with only one notable song, have always been a part of the music industry, and Abraham acknowledges that rap isn’t immune to this. “You never really know what people are gonna like, so you just have to keep making new and interesting sounds to make your mark.”
Popular rappers like Playboi Carti and Yeat have found success by carving out their own unique styles. “A lot of people like what they do because it’s something they’ve never heard before, and it’s definitely never been a mainstream feature,” Abraham says. Like many other artists, he experiments with specific 808s and short sounds that have helped other producers gain traction, all while working to create his own distinct sound.
In his most popular song, ‘in my face’, Abraham’s inspiration from the underground rap scene is evident. His use of experimental sounds and unconventional sound sampling is reminiscent of pre-mainstream Ian, alongside current trap beats and bass lines, which show how much influence the early 2020s rap scene had on Abraham and his development as a producer. Fast-paced and upbeat, his songs and motivation exemplify his goals of making a name for himself both in the rap world and his community.
Through his multiple self-released singles and increasing skill as a musician, Abraham is well on his way to becoming a consistent producer with hopes of one day making a living from his craft. “Whether it’s through my own music or mixing someone else’s, I want to be able to do this no matter what happens,” he says. “Some people release 10, maybe 20 tracks, and if they don’t make it, they just stop. I’m gonna keep going until I make it work.” He released his latest track on Halloween under the name ‘Vaille’ on Spotify and other streaming services.
