In The Studio

In the studio with King D Mr. Perfect

We caught up with hip-hop producer and artist, King D Mr. Perfect

Jaz from the RepostExchange Team

Introducing King D Mr Perfect, a hip-hop producer and artist out of Charlotte, North Carolina who’s been grinding for almost 20 years! Fast forward through years of hard work (and touring with Soulja Boy) and he’s built an incredible, melody-driven sound blending hip-hop and R&B. He met UK vocalist Kate Gala right here on Repost Exchange, and they teamed up to make their track "Running Away" which has become his most loved track yet. We caught up with King D to chat all about his studio setup, his favourite gear, and how he keeps making real connections as an independent artist.

How long have you been producing music and how did you learn?

I've been producing music for 20 years now. I first got into it while working security at Club Kryptonite in Myrtle Beach. After getting off work late at night, I'd go home and spend hours teaching myself music production, experimenting with sounds, and developing my own style.

I combined what I learned from composing music on the trumpet with my experience in the choir, along with countless hours studying tutorials and techniques on YouTube. A lot of my growth came from staying consistent, putting in the work every day, and understanding there's always something new to learn, and ways to improve.

What DAW(s) do you use and why?

I mainly use Fender Studio Pro 8, but I also work in FL Studio and Logic Pro occasionally. I've been using 'Studio One' since it was first launched by Presonus, and it's still my go to because of how fast and intuitive the workflow is. I love the flexibility it gives me creatively, especially when it comes to arranging, mixing, and bringing ideas together quickly. Each DAW has its strengths, but Studio One has always felt the most natural for the way I create music.

What are your favourite pieces of gear and why?

My favourite piece of gear is my Apple Mac Studio because it gives me the power to run large sessions, heavy plugins, and stay creative without limits. I also love my Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol Keyboard with the dual screen setup and VSTs it turns the studio into a creative playground and makes producing seem effortless. And my Zoom V3 Vocal Processor is amazing for adding real time vocal effects, harmonies, and unique textures that bring extra energy to recordings.

What are your favourite software plugins and why?

My favourite plugin has to be AutoTune because it lets me push my vocals beyond what I can naturally do and opens the door for more creative and elaborate melodies. I don't use it for correction, I use it as a tool to shape feeling and emotion with my vocals.

I'm also a big fan of all the XLN Audio products. Their plugins and instruments sound incredibly polished and inspiring. Whether it's Addictive Drums 2, Addictive Keys, XO, or the amazing RC-20, their sound helps spark creativity fast and fit perfectly into modern production.

How would you summarise your approach/workflow when creating a track?

I try to create beats with melodies and tempos that reflect exactly how I’m feeling in that moment, then build the vocals and songwriting around that same energy. I usually start by laying down a strong lead vocal for the hook, then stack harmonies, background vocals, and ad-libs to bring it to life. Once the hook sets the tone, the verses and bridge tend to come naturally as they build off the overall vibe and emotion of the track.

What resources do you use to improve your craft?

I improve my craft through a mix of YouTube tutorials, producer breakdowns, and hands-on studio experimentation with new sounds and techniques. I also learn a lot just by staying immersed in the culture and observing how other creatives work.

Recently, I came off the Soulja Boy Drip Tour with PTE and SODMG, which was a really inspiring experience as an artist from Liverpool, UK. I gain a lot of inspiration being around music industry veterans like Mr. Too Official and CEO Miami Mike, who have both played a big role in shaping my perspective and work ethic.

Being part of Too Official Promotions & Quality Control Music, the official team behind Migos, Lil Baby, Rich the Kid, and many more, that also inspired me to develop my own melodic sound.

What knowledge or advice do you wish you'd learned earlier?

Just that there is so much strength in being you. What makes you different than the rest is your super power, so believe in yourself and the art you create.

What challenges related to making music do you face and how do you overcome them?

Being a father and also working full-time, sometimes the week is busy and it is hard to find time to be creative. But if you want the music to go further, you will make time for it.

Can you share any killer tips or techniques?

One of the biggest things I focus on is melodies. Every melody carries emotion, so if you get that right, everything else falls into place. I try to make sure the melody of my voice connects naturally with the melody of the beat, not just fitting words in, but actually letting the vocal become another instrument in the track. If you lock into that emotional connection early on, it becomes a lot easier to build something that feels like a complete record. That’s usually where the best songs come from for me.

Do you use any online tools to assist with the production process?

I have been liking the mastering within the BandLab app. I use Splice for samples on my MPC.

Do you try and get feedback or suggestions to improve your music?

I mostly rely on my own instincts and stay true to the music I want to create. As a self-produced artist, I’m not afraid to release something even if it isn’t “perfect,” because I control the entire creative process. I’ll sometimes send records to trusted industry connections for input on what might be best to drop next.

I also pay close attention to listener feedback through SoundCloud comments and when promoting on Re-Ex, which helps me identify areas to improve and refine my sound.

Which track are you most proud of and why?

That would be Running Away featuring Kate Gala. It was my first time collaborating with a female vocalist, since I’m usually working mainly with rappers.

She originally left a nice comment through Re-Ex, I checked out her music, and reached out about a collab, and she was open to it.

Out of everything I’ve released, that track has gotten the most consistently positive feedback. It’s a clean R&B/pop direction, and a lot of listeners say they really relate to it, which is what makes it stand out for me. Her EDM voice with my R&B/Hip-Hop melodic sound is something different.

Has RepostExchange affected the way you make music? If so, how?

It hasn’t really changed the way I make music, but I do think RepostExchange has been one of the most effective ways to promote it. A lot of other promotion methods can feel saturated with bots, paid playlist placements, or low-quality engagement.

With Re-Ex, it feels more organic because you’re reaching other real musicians who actually take the time to listen, give feedback, and sometimes even connect on the music itself. As an independent artist, you don’t always have a big support system of friends and family actively sharing your work, so being able to connect with complete strangers who are also on a similar journey is actually really valuable.

A lot of the time, people who discover my music through Re-Ex will end up following me on other platforms like Instagram, and it turns into real connections and mutual support. So yeah, it hasn’t changed my creative process, but it’s definitely helped with building real audience engagement. Big shout out to Re-Ex for what you do, and SoundCloud for being one of the strongest platforms for unsigned artists.