When I took over management for Produced by Nef, the very first thing I noticed was the gap between the work he’d actually done and the story the internet was telling about him. Here’s a producer mentored by DJ Premier and Statik Selektah… a Brooklyn engineer who’s quietly worked with some of the heaviest hitters in hip-hop… and yet almost none of that lived online in a way that built legacy or leverage. That’s when my Purpose Chasers brain flipped on. I didn’t just want to talk about Nef’s credibility, I wanted to surface it, structure it, and turn it into digital assets that compound over time.

So I did what I always do when a creator’s story is undervalued: I fired questions and Produced by Nef answered.

This conversation became the spark behind the entire Behind the Beat series, a fusion of artist development, digital ownership, and the curiosity that drives our brand.

And if you want to see this moment from Nef’s own vantage point, including the full Behind the Beat session he recorded with Sko, you can catch it here: https://producedbynef.com/post/life-like-part-
Now we’re going to talk about scaling vision into legacy, it’s not just businesses, it’s artists, too.

Purpose Chasers sat down with Brooklyn-based producer and engineer Produced by Nef to dive into his latest collaborations with Lord Sko (Life Like and Blue Bags) and unpack the mindset behind building music that lasts as digital assets.

Also catch Produced by Nef's most recent interview recording on the Purpose Chasers Podcast. This interview was right before Nef left to go manage DJ Premier x Alchemists Overseas tour.

Produced by Nef on Life Like, & NY Hip Hop

Mark (Purpose Chasers): “You told me you knew Sko was going to rock with the ‘Life Like’ beat before you even played it. What tipped you off?”

Nef: “This beat felt like a mixture of his last two albums. I knew it would resonate with him because it carried elements of what he’s already built, but it pushed forward at the same time.”

Mark: “You and Sko seem to have built more than just tracks, you’ve built a sound together. How did that chemistry develop?”

Nef: “Over time we really formed a sound together. The consistency of weekly sessions and honest feedback from our circles gave us clarity on what was working. It wasn’t just random collabs, it was a process.”

Mark: “Blue Bags dropped right after Life Like. How did one lead into the other?”

Nef: “Blue Bags was made directly for Sko, and the sound we had already started with Life Like solidified where we were going. One track naturally fed into the other.”

Mark: “You’ve been mentored by giants, DJ Premier, Statik Selektah. How do they show up in your current sound?”

Nef: “Those two gentlemen are full inspirations for me. From drums to sequencing to energy, I’ve learned so much from them. Their mentorship shows up in all my recent work.”

Mark: “How did that mentorship journey, and working with so many artists, prepare you for producing directly for Sko?”

Nef: “The order I met my mentors mattered. Each one taught me something unique. And sitting down with a lot of different artists over time sharpened me. By the time I produced for Sko, I was ready to really tailor the sound to him.”

Mark: “After Life Like made noise, what mindset did you take into Blue Bags?”

Nef: “Life Like went so well it only made sense to grow from it, expand into something celebratory. That’s where Blue Bags landed, bigger energy but still rooted in the craft.”

Mark: “You’ve said Life Like came out of just a normal evening of creating. Do you think timeless records often come out of those ordinary sessions?”

Nef: “Absolutely. The surprise is that Life Like wasn’t some huge planned event. It was just us creating on a regular night. But those moments are where the best ideas live.”

Mark: “You’ve called Hidden Tiger family and a core piece of NYC’s hip-hop scene. What does that space mean to you?”

Nef: “Hidden Tiger stands for family and the authentic NYC hip-hop scene. It’s been a central place for the culture and for us as artists.”

Mark: “You’ve been connected to venues like Tiger and the old Fat Buddha since moving to NYC. What role have they played in your journey?”

Nef: “Almost since I moved to NYC. They’ve always been home base. The energy, the people, the music, it all shaped me.”

Mark: “You once described seeing The Beatnuts live there as life-changing. Why did that moment stand out?”

Nef: “That night was everything. Seeing them perform in that intimate space showed me what hip-hop at its core really was. It set a standard I’ve carried into my career.”

Mark: “And when you say Tiger feels like ‘home,’ what’s behind that statement?”

Nef: “It’s where everything aligns, the crew, the sound, the culture. It feels like where it should be.”

Mark: “At Purpose Chasers, we talk about turning creative work into digital assets that last. How do you approach producing records so they live beyond the drop?”

Nef: “I see every record as more than just a song, it’s a piece of culture, a digital asset. That mindset makes me focus on replay value, authenticity, and production choices that stand the test of time.”

Mark: “For younger artists and producers chasing their purpose, what advice would you give about building longevity in this industry?”

Nef: “Focus on the relationships, not just the placements. Find mentors, build with artists consistently, and create from an honest place. Longevity comes from authenticity and patience.”

More From the Purpose Chasers: Termanology on Fatherhood & Good Dad Gang

If you connected with Produced by Nef’s story about building assets in music, you’ll love our sit-down with Termanology. In that conversation, Term got real about balancing hip-hop with family, launching Good Dad Gang, and what fatherhood really looks like in the industry.

👉 Read it here: Termanology on Fatherhood & Good Dad Gang

Also Check Out Brady Watt’s Bass and Bars: Music Career Blueprint

Purpose Chasers is all about chasing craft and scaling it into legacy. That’s why our episode with Brady Watt is a must-read. Brady walks through his rise in music, collaborating with legends, and why bass remains the heartbeat of his career.

👉 Dive into the full story: Brady Watt – Bass, Bars & Career Lessons

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