Kato On The Track Is Collaborating W/ B.o.B On A Sonic Challenge Nurturing Emerging Artists

Kato The Producer, a seasoned producer, and Grammy Award-winning artist B.o.B recently teamed up with Audius to launch a unique challenge—providing a platform for emerging talents to showcase their skills and potentially collaborate with the industry giants.

The journey behind this challenge has deep roots, as Kato explains, “I have been doing contests like this for a long long time, and Bob and I go way back. This was always in the making, and now with partners in Audius, I wanted to prioritize giving my community more opportunities this year.”

For Kato, the excitement begins with the submission process. “My favorite part is when those first few submissions start coming in, and I can see the beat turn from just a piece of production to someone’s creative process,” he shares. “Especially when you see someone who spent time and effort making something over top of production I made, it’s special for me.”

The challenge holds personal significance for Kato, who didn’t have similar opportunities early in his career. Reflecting on its meaning, he notes, “I didn’t get opportunities like this early on in my career. Social media was barely a thing. I know it won’t turn someone into an ‘overnight success,’ but that’s not the point. You put in hundreds of hours of unseen work, and to have one moment where someone recognizes you for it means a lot.”

The inspiration behind the challenge stems from Kato’s previous successful contests. “I did a contest every year for 7 years called No Sucka MC’s, and it was always a big success,” he explains. “Joyner Lucas, Token, a few more notable names that won.” This time, he wanted to elevate the experience, stating, “I hit up Bob because it was a no-brainer to add a Grammy Award-winning artist and songwriter to the mix to really take the experience to the next level.”

When evaluating submissions, Kato looks beyond just the music. “The presentation of it is pretty important today too. Does the artist not only sound but also look the role? It has to feel as authentic as it sounds,” he emphasizes. “I also ask myself what kind of artistic merit is in this? Does the artist understand spacing? Is there something in the submission that moves me? Those are all things I take into real consideration.”

The relationship between Kato and B.o.B is more than just a professional collaboration; it’s a friendship. “Bob and I have always had a dope relationship. I have a ton of respect for what he’s accomplished that so few have been able to do, but more so just as a human being,” Kato shares. “To have him not only as a sounding board but a friend… that has meant everything to me.”

Looking to the future, Kato envisions expanding this concept. “This is only the first of many. There will be opportunities like this every 4 to 6 weeks that me and my team has planned in advance from last year,” he reveals. “Can’t wait to dig up more amazing talent and help put fans onto them.”

As for his plans for the rest of 2024, Kato teases, “More challenges, some secret artist collabs, and even dropping my own records. The Overnight Success Story is my mantra, and I’m excited to remind people what consistency and believing in yourself looks like over and over again.” With a commitment to nurturing talent and embracing collaboration, Kato’s journey continues to unfold in the ever-evolving landscape of the music industry.