Some may know Dario Rodriguez by his producer name “Skitzo”, others may know him by his MC name, “Rod Rhaspy”. And for those unfamiliar, Dario is most famous for his extensive work in the studio producing records for artists such as Cam’ron, Dipset, Clipse, Pharrell Williams, A$AP Mob, and the Migos, in addition to writing and recording his own original music. The New York born producer-artist can often be caught backstage at most east coast hip-hop events with artists such as A$AP Ferg, who Rodriguez has received gold RIAA certifications with. 

What is your earliest memory of music that inspired you to get creative?

I started doing music at a young age, I used to dream of Melodies and lyrics before I was able to translate them out on record, usually when I hear a song that makes me think “damn I wish I came up with that”. 

How did Cam’ron become involved in your early career?  Can you tell us more about that relationship?

So I started working at Def Jam as a teenager on their street team, and I was making beats just walking around waiting for my first break, eventually I was able to play a few beats for Cam’rons A&R, and then Cam himself asked to meet me. We had musical chemistry ever since, it’s not hard to find an artist that you can balance with, as long as you never lose the formula.

What’s the story behind producing A$AP Ferg’s “Nasty (Who Dat) ft. The Migos”?

Well I went to school with Ferg (h.s of art and design) but we were in different classes, but Cam brought me to one of his sessions, they were supposed to do a joint Album, and one day, Ferg asked me to come by and recreate a JT Money record for him, and Migos was there too, so it all just went together.

Who has been your favorite artist to work with thus far and who would you love to work with?

To be honest, I’ve had great experiences with every artist that I’ve encountered, so there is no particular favorite as of yet, but I would LOVE to work with Andre 3000 and/or get a beat from Timbaland! 

When producing, where can you typically be found?  What’s important to you about that space?

I can honestly produce anywhere, as long as I have either GarageBand, or an MPC, I’ll be able to cook up, inspiration comes from everything in life, so there is no limit, I’ve made beats in a hospital bed, on a train, on a plane, and even on the toilet. I’m making a beat right now while doing this interview.

Can you pull back the curtain on your creative process? How has it evolved over the years? 

My formula is nostalgia, something about hidden memories always gets me going, if I can reach a person through their memories and have them feel like they did when they were in a happier state, then I’ve done my job well. It’s that happy place that I wanna bring you back to with my music.

You recently dropped Professional Fuck Boy as Rod Rhaspy, congratulations!  I have to say, the Certified Lover Boy irony was achieved perfectly - were there other inspirations behind this album?  What does the project mean to you?

Well thank you. I remembered waiting till 2am (like everyone else) for the album to drop, usually when Drake puts out an album, it gives me a good perspective, but this one had me like “that’s it?” And that is where I had to come to my own conclusion, I literally freestyled this whole album, it was just a way to speak for the guys who been on the shitty end of the stick, and since I had fun with it, it was easy to put together, unlike my newest project I’m working on (2Sides2aStory) which took me almost 2 years to perfect.

Being that you have produced for some of the best in the business, and have also recorded your own original music, which would you say you prefer?

I mean I always enjoy making my own. I don’t have to worry about the artist time schedule, or their vibe, work ethics, song concepts, or ego. Some artists like to work alone and don’t want a producer’s opinion on a record, but in reality, it’s a 50/50 thing, so you need that secondary opinion. I know I do when I work with a producer!

What can the world expect to see next from Skitzo / Rod Rhaspy?

Well as for Skitzo, we are working on getting more placements this year, with different genres and elements of artists, also thinking about doing a competition where we can find the next best artist and producer duo. As for Rod Rhaspy, we are putting out new music, 2022 is the year of the 2’s so first is “2 sides to a story” then “Diario 2” “Fovk Luce twice” and might finish up the “Up Down Left Right” series, along with working on a new show called “See You Soon” based off the music video, where I turn into a puppet, you guys should take a Look at that (on YouTube).

Lastly, what advice would you give to the incoming class of producers looking to make it in the industry?

Be CONSISTENT, with everything! Beats, reaching out to artists, content, connections, building relationships, being humble while doing it. You never know who will become the next superstar, so don’t knock anyone for their efforts. A bad ego can be your downfall, also find an artist you click with and stick to them, that body of work will catapult you both into financial freedom, if done right and with enough effort, NAMASTE.

Click here for Spotify and here for Tidal, to listen to the playlist curated of songs highlighting Dario’s best works and biggest inspirations.