Saidon Aloaye Richardson was born on August 15, 2000, in Gainesville, Florida where his parents Te-Erika Patterson and Salisu Richardson were students at the University of Florida. His mother is an author and his father practices law.
SaiDON moved to Miami, Florida at the age of four with his mother and then to Lauderhill, Florida at the age of 14 with his father. He attended Parkway Middle School, Blanche Ealy High School for 9th and 10th grade, and transferred to Dillard High School for 11th and 12th grade to be educated under the Dillard Center for the Arts Music Magnet Program. SaiDON graduated from Dillard High School in 2018.
SaiDON then enrolled in Florida A&M University’s music program in Fall 2018 and is currently a student. A few notable accomplishments include:
- Creator of the Saicology Music Series, showcasing up performing over Saidon’s beats. Saicology 1 (2018), Saicology 2 (2019), Saicology 3 (2020)
- Produced records for more than 20 artists before the age of 20 years old, available on all platforms
- Produced More Pain, Rags, Weak and Rolling Loud, all songs with more than 500,000 streams on Spotify
- Collaborated with a team of producers in the development of Chandelier Music Team
- Founder of Hip-Hop Collective – Gated Community
WHAT OR WHO INSPIRED YOU TO GET INTO MUSIC?
I started getting into music in the 7th grade when I attended a World Music Drumming class. This made me figure out flow and rhythm.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE OF MUSIC AND PERFORMANCE? HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR PHILOSOPHY AND STYLE AS AN ARTIST?
My style of music is very southern, mixed in with a heavy influence of soul and ambient sounds.
My philosophy and style are mainly based on feeling. I make sure that I don’t finish a beat unless it touches the core of my soul!
WHAT DRIVES YOU TO CREATE, AND HOW DO YOU DEFINE SUCCESS FOR YOURSELF IN MUSIC?
Genres outside of my usual genre help me create more unique and beautiful beats. Traveling and seeing the world also gives me a different outlook on life, especially in the music scene. I define success for myself in music when my music and beats lift spirits and put people in a better mood.
THROUGHOUT YOUR CAREER, WHO HAS HELPED YOU THE MOST WITH DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORT?
The most support has come from my parents. They were able to do what they wanted to in life, so they wanted to instill the same methods into my life. They love my music as well!
SOMETIMES BEING IN THIS BUSINESS CAN BE OVERWHELMING. DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS FOR MAINTAINING PERSPECTIVE AND NOT SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF?
Keep a tunnel vision! No matter what your peers are doing, good or bad, make sure you keep pushing and focus on yourself.
WHAT CAN OR SHOULD THE NEWER GENERATION OF MUSIC CREATORS, AND MORE SPECIFICALLY BLACK MUSIC CREATORS, FOCUS ON AS THEY ENVISION A NEW MUSIC FUTURE?
Black creators, make sure you tap into your history! The creativity is there, it is in your blood, literally!
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE THE MUSIC INDUSTRY DO TO TRULY BE A REFLECTION OF THE CULTURE AND COMMUNITY IN WHICH IT CREATES?
I’d like to see the industry give more credit to the originators of these trends and startups! A lot of Black creators aren’t getting recognized, and/or stripped away from the creators. It isn’t fair. It needs to be more of a community, rather than a space.
BLACK ARTISTS, SONGWRITERS, AND CREATORS HEAVILY INFLUENCE MOST TRENDS IN MUSIC, ENTERTAINMENT, AND SOCIAL MEDIA - BUT THEY OFTEN DON'T RECEIVE THE RECOGNITION THEY DESERVE. DO YOU HAVE ADVICE FOR DEVELOPING CREATORS WHEN IT COMES TO PROTECTING THEIR WORK?
Make sure you tag everything! No matter what it is! Also, make sure you have a niche that no one else can touch.
DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER ADVICE FOR YOUNG ARTISTS AND MUSICIANS JUST STARTING THEIR CAREERS, BASED ON WHAT YOU’VE EXPERIENCED?
Focus and be confident! If you aren’t confident, no one else will!
WHAT DO YOU HAVE COMING UP IN 2022?
A lot more placements and collaborative albums coming soon!
Follow SaiDon on:
