Soulful, smooth, and rugged, Chefry Kitchen’s music ensures the kitchen will always be on fire.
Good music, like good food, requires a proper mixture of seasonings and other ingredients to ensure it’s healthy for its consumers. Hip hop, a blend of blues, jazz, and rock, embodies all the great genres and nowhere is that more clear than in Memphis, Tennessee. Memphis producer Chefry Kitchen has been at the forefront of its southern sound for years, crafting classic records for everyone from Playa Fly and 8Ball and MJG to Gucci Mane, 2 Chainz, Don Trip, and Starlito.
His label, Kitchen on Fire, has taken the popular analogy of crafting great food and made it synonymous with the production process, all while allowing the city’s budding talent to blossom.
Groomed in a family of musicians, Chefry’s immediate bloodline reads off like the pages of a novel. His grandfather, Mac Thompson, played bass for legendary soul singer Sam Cooke. His uncle, Syl Johnson, is one of blues music’s most notable singers and rap music’s most sampled artists. Chef’s father sang in a popular cover band in the city and his cousin, Syleena Johnson, contributed to Kanye West’s mega-hit, “All Falls Down”.
As a kid, Chef learned from his father by helping in their home studio. He learned to engineer the sessions and then took up playing the drums.
“Once my dad saw I was forreal, he told me I got equipment in storage and if you can figure out how to use it, it’s yours, says Chef.
Impressed by his passion, his father bought him new equipment to help support his dream. “That’s who I get my love of music from, says Chef.
Chef spent his formative years bouncing across the city, spending part of his life in the Whitehaven neighborhood before moving to East Memphis. The desire to be close to the streets and his family who lived there pulled him away from music and from activities like band until he met one of his earliest musical influences, producer Ensanye Wayne.
Wayne, an accomplished producer known for making beats for groups like Three 6 Mafia and 8Ball and MJG, took Chef along with him to meet his brother, Drumma Boy. “Wayne was the one who introduced me to Drumma Boy. Drumma took a liking to me and when I moved to Atlanta, it was over for there.”
Moving to Atlanta to work alongside Drumma and his label Drum Squad Records, Chef got the chance to watch him work with artists like Gucci Mane and Rocko, as well as learn how to conduct himself in the studio.
“My first placement gave me a sense of achievement. Like man, this person bought a beat from me. My first one was with 2 Pistols and 2 Chainz’s “I Don’t Care”.
Hard work and networking helped Chef expand his network and from there he began expanding his portfolio of hits, working with everyone from 8Ball and MJG to Memphis mixtape legends Starlito and Don Trip. Chef’s signature beat tag, “Beat Those Drums” became his calling card and soon the universe gave him a partner in crime to help, DTdaKidd.
Out of all the collaborations he’s done, however, his work with Starlito and Don Trip remains some of his most cherished work. Starlito, who first rose to prominence in 2005, has remained one of rap’s most gifted rappers and has consistently released work under his own banner since.
“He’s top 5. He makes timeless music. He’s one of my favorites to work with. I’ve done things with, but I’d like to work with him as much as I work with Don Trip.”
In Chef’s eyes, the Tennessee pair of Starlito and Don Trip is comparable to that of Kobe and Jordan, with him at the helm as Phil Jackson. Just recently, Don Trip and Chef completed their newest project, Gotham City, to start off 2023. To add to the excitement, he’s also stated he will be behind the pair’s anticipated release, StepBrothers For Life. “It’s coming. I can’t say when, but it’s been a topic of conversation, says Chef.
In the decade-plus since he’s become a producer, Chef’s work has helped elevate the city. When asked what does Chef think his purpose is, he simply states,
“To be Phil Jackson and bring the city’s talent together. Help shine more light on the city and discover new talent. The light is shining on us now.”
Chef’s label consists of artists like Highlife G, Slick Nick, and Pretty Payola, Memphis artists who are generating considerable buzz without a major label.
The light’s in the kitchen are on full blast. It’s just time for the chef to turn on the burners and keep the kitchen on fire.
Wright World 