We had the good fortune of connecting with Craig Long and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Craig, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
When I first encountered my drumming injury (Focal Dystonia) back in 2012 I was shocked and very lost as to what to do with my drumming career and my life for the first couple of years. After multiple attempts at treating the injury with specialist visits and different treatments, including physiotherapy, hand surgery, arm surgery, sports massages, acupuncture sessions, steroid injections into my hand, amongst many other things; I realised the injury was going to be very hard to treat effectively and would take a lot of patience to deal with in the future in terms of continuing to try and fix the problem. I fell into a deep depression and a state of confusion as to what was happening in my life and what I was going to do with myself and my future.
I got to the point where I had to move forward with my career in music and as a musician, even if it wasn’t playing drums on stage and in studios as I’ve been used to for most of my life.
This led me to think of a ‘Plan B’ as to keep myself musically active and stay pursuing a career in music, even if it wasn’t playing drums.
That’s when I came up with the idea and felt the pull to pursue a future as a music producer. This was only supposed to be a temporary solution while I continued to seek help and treatment to fix my Focal Dystonia injury.
After more time passed, more treatments were tried and nothing was effective, I accepted the fact that this was going to take a large effect on my career as a musician and the injury wasn’t going to be fixed any time soon.
I got to the point where I realised that my ‘Plan B’ was going to have to become my ‘Plan A’ for the foreseeable future until more answers were found in regard to fixing the Focal Dystonia. This led me to take up my music production as my main musical outlet and how I was going to stay musically active while not being able to play the drums.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

I’m a music producer and a talkbox artist.

I feel what sets me apart from other producers in this area of Hip Hop (West Coast Hip Hop) is my location first of all. I’m from East London and I’ve found that it’s quite rare for producers from my area (and in the UK in general) to be involved in this area of Hip Hop. I’d like to think that I’m one of very few to be making West Coast music and working with artists from the West Coast in the UK.
I’d say that at this moment in time I’m proudest of the work I’ve been doing with music software companies, as well as working with some heavy weight people in my genre, including The Game, Big Percy, Baby S, Mr Capone-E, amongst others.
It’s taken a lot of hard work, determination, consistency and positive mindset to gain the momentum I have, to be where I am as a music producer and talkbox artist. It has not been easy in terms of the decision to not give up and keep going when it feels like I might not be achieving what I feel I want to as a musician and a producer. But this is also drive to never give up, keep hope, and believe that hard work pays off – cause it always does!
To overcome the low moments and times when you feel like giving up, you have to remember why you’re doing what you’re doing. Remember the love for what you’re doing. And believe in yourself!!!
I’ve learned through the whole experience of encountering Focal Dystonia and pursuing a music career as a producer is to believe that everything is happening for a reason, even as confusing and strange as it may be sometimes. And to make the most of the situation you’re in and adapt. Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. And always keep the belief and thought in mind that better things are coming!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’d take them for a walk around central London!…I love my city, man! I truly believe London is one of the most amazing places on this planet. There’s something about it here which gives off a buzz like nowhere else in the world. The people, the food, the places to see, the different cultures, the music etc. I’m proud of where I’m from too because of all of the amazing people and talents that have come out of London. We’re a breed!
I’d take them to a Pie N Mash shop in the Eastend to experience some real East London grub!
I’d take them for a walk around Embankment, at night time, to see all the city lights and feel that buzz I’ve mentioned.
I’d take them to Ronnie Scotts (World famous Jazz Club) around 1 or 2am to see some live music in one of the coolest spots in London. I absolutely love it in there!
I’d also take them to a cool bar or vintage pub somewhere in central London to get completely rat-arsed cause I love to party haha! (And a lot of English people love to party!)
I’d also take them to Hyde Park for a walk around cause it’s a nice place to chill and relax, especially in summer. And maybe a ride on the London Eye catch the views and see the city in it’s entirety.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

Man…I have a lot of people to thank and give recognition to here…

First of all I’d like to thank Musicians Union UK for helping and guiding me from the beginning of this journey. They have helped me with leads to specialists, offered emotional support, guided me with what treatments to try etc. They also put me in touch with Help Musicians UK, who I also have to give a huge shoutout to! They helped me incredibly, financially, at the beginning of my injury when I wasn’t working my usual job as a drummer and had no steady source of income. They also helped with funds to seek help for my Focal Dystonia, giving me the opportunity to see specialists and try some treatments privately.
I would like to thank every one of the specialists I’ve seen. I can’t remember all of their names because of the large time span I’ve seen them over, but so far I believe I’ve seen 8 different specialists, all in different areas of help. Some were extremely helpful and gave me a lot of hope to fix the injury, with surgeries and treatments and a genuine urge to help me. A couple others were very dismissive and claimed my career as a musician was over without pursuing any kind of optimism or way forward. I’d like to thank them too. They helped me not give up, and made me make sure I believe in myself and continue to pursue my future in music, no matter what anyone else thinks or says.
I’d like to thank my family for supporting me and helping me through this. They know how much my life and career as a drummer means to me. They have seen me grow as a person and a musician from the very start. For them to have been part of my struggle, in terms of seeing the effect it’s had on me as a person, has not been easy. They have given me love and support when I’ve struggled to accept and understand what has happened since this began.
I’d like to thank all of my supporters and followers who’ve been listening to my music and bumpin my sh*t all over the world! I get some amazing messages from people who’ve been listening to my music and found me, and fellow producers who I’ve inspired to pursue a career in music, fellow musicians who have Focal Dystonia offering help and reaching out to talk etc etc.
I’d like to thank all the engineers, graphic designers, labels, fellow producers and rappers etc who’ve helped to release my own music and get my music out there to the public.
I would also love to thank all of the artists who I’ve worked with! I’ve had the amazing opportunity to work with some incredibly talented people. Some, who I grew up listening to! It’s an amazing feeling to gain the respect and admiration back from artists you admire and never imagined working with in your life!
Lastly, I’d like to thank my Granddad, Eddie Jones (RIP). He was a drummer too, but unfortunately passed before I was born. I’ve only ever seen pictures and heard stories about him playing drums from my mum and grandmother which have inspired me to no end. I feel he is with me all the time, by my side. He’s my hero. He’s the reason I won’t give up. He is the energy I keep with me as a person and a drummer, always. I love you!

Instagram: www.instagram.com/hitmandrumma

Facebook: www.facebook.com/hitmandrumma

Youtube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCSLCdtn9x0TZKNX-HA_p8NA

Other: www.soundcloud.com/hitman-drumma https://open.spotify.com/artist/55mhsHCZznjgj53Mv0tNa6?si=QK0XfERnTRqnNl1vw1l3Ug

Image Credits
Charlie Greaves Marius Bukis

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