Why This Episode Matters:

Freddie Joachim’s path is a blueprint for balancing passion, persistence, and perspective. From digging for records as a teenager to shaping one of Joey Bada$$’s breakout songs, his career shows how much can happen when you pursure your craft for the love rather than the recognition.

Who is Freddie Joachim:

Freddie Joachim is a DJ, producer, and co-founder of Mellow Orange. With roots in hip-hop, jazz, and soul, he’s known for his warm, sample-based production and timeless beats. His work has been featured by artists like Joey Bada$$ on the track “Waves” and J. Cole’s “False Prophets”, and he’s released numerous instrumental projects while helping build Mellow Orange, a launchpad for many independent producers. Beyond his catalog, Freddie has performed worldwide and recently took part in Jazzy Jeff’s Playlist Retreat, where he collaborated with legends and emerging artists alike.

What We Dive Into:

* How skateboarding videos and DJ battles sparked his love for underground music

* Transitioning from DJ to producer and building confidence in his craft

* Founding Mellow Orange and creating opportunities for other artists

* The story behind Joey Bada$$’s “Waves” and J. Cole’s “False Prophets”

* Lessons from Jazzy Jeff’s Playlist Retreat and the power of community

* Redefining success and creativity on his own terms today

Three Key Takeaways:

* Focus on creation, not numbers. For Freddie, success comes from putting out music you’re proud of, and not chasing streams or clicks.

* Stay open to evolution. From DJing, to sampling, to learning instruments, growth comes from constantly challenging your process.

* Collaboration is powerful. Whether it’s Mellow Orange or Playlist Retreat, the connections you make can shape your career in ways you don’t expect.

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Before You Go:

Think about what success means for you. Is it numbers, recognition, or simply releasing something you love? Like Freddie, set small, attainable goals and let them fuel your long-term growth.

Chapters:

00:00 – Intro

01:20 – Early influences

11:45 – Lessons from DJing: moving a crowd and song structure

13:05 – Transition into production: looping breaks and scratching over samples

21:40 – Balancing DJing and production, from battles to beat-making

25:00 – The shift toward production and the rise of the beat scene

46:15 – J. Cole reaching out for “False Prophets”

52:40 – Making “Waves” and unexpected recognition

56:20 – Redefining success and building his dream studio

1:00:20 – Focusing on projects you can control vs chasing numbers

1:12:30 – Jazzy Jeff’s Playlist Retreat: collaboration, heroes, and confidence

1:23:45 – Quick Hits

1:36:30 – Balancing music, family, and raising his son

1:38:25 – Upcoming projects and independence as a producer

1:40:20 – Closing reflections: staying calm, being kind, and avoiding negativity

1:42:05 – Outro

List of References from the Interview:

Songs:

* “Waves” – Joey Bada$$ (prod. Freddie Joachim)

* “False Prophets” – J. Cole (prod. Freddie Joachim)

Products/Tools:

* Ableton (Live, Push 2, Move)

* Maschine

* MPC X

* SP-404

* Serato

* Output Arcade

* Native Instruments Kontakt

* XLN Audio RC-20

* Melbourne Instruments (rotary controller)

Connect with Freddie Joachim:

* YouTube: Freddie Joachim

* Instagram: @freddiejoachim

* Spotify: Freddie Joachim

* Apple Music: Freddie Joachim

Connect with Toru:

* Website: torubeat.com

* Instagram: @torubeat

* YouTube: @torubeat

* Spotify: Toru

* Apple Music: Toru

Credits:

This episode was co-produced, engineered and edited by Matthew Diaz. From ProducerHead, this is Toru, and in a way, so are you. Peace.

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