The WHY Behind the WHAT

Posted November 4, 2024

A Tribute to Quincy Jones and the Mission Behind DRFT Farm

In over 20 years in the music industry, you meet countless people—not every encounter is memorable, but some are unforgettable. We vividly recall meeting Quincy Jones via an introduction by our good brother Coodie Simmons at our first Grammy party in LA, following our win for Best Latin Urban Album with Wisin vs. Yandel: Los Extraterrestres in 2009.

Fast forward to today: our 15-month-old son is obsessed with Soul Bossa Nova, Quincy Jones’ iconic instrumental from his 1962 Big Band Bossa Nova album. Jones famously composed it in just 20 minutes, featuring the playful cuíca that creates that unmistakable “laughing” sound. Our son lights up when he hears the Austin Powers theme, singing and dancing along daily—it’s even our secret to getting him to eat and sit still for hair braiding.

Quincy Jones has always inspired us with his fearless genre-blending and knack for seamlessly placing music in TV and film. His legacy shows that greatness comes from ignoring limits and silencing the naysayers.

If you’ve been in the industry long enough, you have your own Quincy Jones story. What’s yours?

This is a perfect moment to share our why. We often wait until legends pass to appreciate their gems. As two passionate music creatives, our mission at DRFT Farm is to build a space where creators can thrive in a healthier, more sustainable way. We’ve seen too many lives lost to stress, disease, overdoses, and burnout. Creativity deserves nurturing because, ultimately, death spares no one—no matter the talent, status, or race. Taking care of ourselves is essential, and DRFT Farm is our offering to help make that possible.

With gratitude,

MILK+SIZZ