Terrace Martin and Kenyon Dixon Talk Come As You Are, Their LA Roots and Timeless Stories

Terrace Martin and Kenyon Dixon are two of Los Angeles’ most respected musical exports, but their latest project together shows that their artistry goes beyond their solo reputations. In a wide-ranging conversation on Effective Immediately with DJ Hed and Gina Views, the longtime friends pulled back the curtain on the stories, skills and principles that fuel their careers.

The pair joined forces for Come As You Are, a collaborative album that blends R&B, soul and jazz with street-level authenticity. Across the interview, they reflected on their LA upbringing, past collaborations with artists like Kendrick Lamar and Justin Timberlake, and the intentional choices that shaped their new work. For both, the project is not just about songs. It is a statement on creative ownership, collaboration and representing their city with pride.

Martin, known for his work on landmark albums like To Pimp a Butterfly, and Dixon, a Grammy-nominated R&B singer-songwriter, have crossed paths often in the industry. But Come As You Are gave them the space to merge their worlds fully, showcasing their range without relying on heavy guest features or outside production. The result is a body of work that feels personal while still connected to the city that raised them.

The conversation revealed not just how they work, but why they make the choices they do. From their early years in South Central and the church to producing hits for some of the biggest names in music, both artists have learned to navigate the industry on their own terms. That approach shaped every track on Come As You Are.

Multiple Sides of Kenyon Dixon

Dixon’s artistry is rooted in complexity. DJ Hed noted during the interview that Dixon’s public presence carries several distinct energies, including the introspective creative, the sharp-tongued Twitter personality, and the straightforward LA native. Dixon said he does not view these sides as separate identities but as different parts of the same person. “Nobody is the same 24 hours a day,” he said. “I just lean into all of them.”

Growing up in both church and the projects gave Dixon a layered perspective. He credits this background for his ability to adapt in different spaces, whether onstage, in writing sessions, or interacting with fans. “Different things deserve a different response,” he explained. “If somebody comes at you with some energy, that is going to get a different answer than someone who approaches with respect.”

That ability to shift gears is part of what he brought to the collaboration with Martin. Dixon said the full spectrum of his personality made its way into the music, and that learning when to take and give critique was key. “A lot of critiques come from people who do not understand or cannot do what you do,” he said. “I know who to take critique from, and I know what to take from it.”

His perspective is also informed by early professional experience in multiple entertainment fields. From acting and dancing to singing in choirs, Dixon developed versatility that now allows him to write and perform with equal skill. That openness to different creative lanes was essential in shaping the sound of Come As You Are.

Terrace Martin’s Musical Roots and Creative Approach

Martin’s history with instruments and production is as deep as it is diverse. His first love was the saxophone, but he started out with DJ gear and drum machines in elementary school. “My mom got me my first drum machine in third grade,” he recalled. It was his father, also a musician, who encouraged him to learn to play rather than just sample records.

Growing up in South Central’s Crenshaw District, Martin was surrounded by music at home and in the community. Family dinners mixed gospel harmonies with neighborhood realities. He described it as “gang banging and playing music and singing,” a mix of joy and survival that shaped his creative instincts. For Martin, music was not just a pastime. It was the family business.

His approach as a producer emphasizes putting the right people in the right room. That philosophy led to defining moments in his career, such as his role in Kendrick Lamar’s “King Kunta” and YG’s “Twist My Fingaz.” He recalled calling DJ Hed before finishing the YG record to confirm the tempo most popular on radio at the time. “What is the BPMs today?” Martin asked. When Hed said “100,” Martin went back in the studio and finished the beat, a decision that helped the song connect instantly.

Martin’s sense of collaboration extends beyond just beats and instrumentation. He often seeks the raw, unfiltered reactions of friends before finalizing music. He described playing early versions of songs for peers to gauge their emotional response, explaining that it is better to hear honest feedback than to miss the chance to make a record stronger.

Collaboration Chemistry on Come As You Are

When it came time to make Come As You Are, both artists agreed on keeping the guest list small. Dixon said the decision was intentional. “When you are getting something you have not heard before, you want people to know you can execute it yourself,” he said. Features were added only when a song truly called for it, with Rapsody as one of the few collaborators.

The album title reflects the mindset they carried throughout the process, using what they already had and trusting it was enough. “We do not need all the bells and whistles to distract people from listening,” Dixon said. For Martin, the stripped-back approach was natural. “At the least, we can play every single record ourselves,” he said.

Their chemistry was evident not just in the music but in the mutual respect for each other’s craft. Martin described Dixon as someone who brings authenticity and precision to every session, while Dixon praised Martin’s ability to frame music within a larger cultural context. By focusing on their own contributions and only inviting select voices into the mix, they created an album that feels cohesive and deliberate. It is a project that carries their fingerprints on every detail, from arrangements to lyrical themes.

Stories Behind the Records

Some of the project’s most memorable tracks carry personal meaning. “Tyrese” is a nod to the singer-actor who played a key role in Dixon’s early career, both as a touring partner and as someone he wrote for. Dixon sent the finished track to Tyrese, who embraced it fully.

“Come As You Are” is a centerpiece of the album, opening with the lines, “Not looking for perfection, just want something real.” Dixon said the lyrical inspiration came from classic R&B and gospel, citing Anita Baker and The Winans as touchstones. The song, he explained, can be heard as both a love song and a form of self-encouragement, “almost like a future you talking to the you now.”

Another standout, “Only Real Ones Survive,” reflects on life in Los Angeles with the kind of detail only natives can provide. Martin compared it to Ice Cube’s “How to Survive in South Central,” calling it “a soulful diagram for South Central Los Angeles.” By pairing Dixon’s smooth delivery with street-level storytelling, the song offers both warning and pride.

These songs illustrate the balance of personal history and universal themes that runs through the album. They speak to love, resilience and identity, making Come As You Are both a deeply local and widely relatable project.

Legacy and Takeaways

For both artists, Come As You Are is a declaration of creative independence and a reminder of what LA can produce when authenticity leads the way. Dixon hopes listeners, especially Black creatives, see that it is possible to succeed without fitting into narrow expectations. “It is okay that you are good, you are dope, and you are multifaceted,” he said. “You do not have to limit yourself.”

Martin echoed that message, pointing to his own career as proof that versatility can be a strength. From jazz to hip hop, from live instruments to programming, his work resists easy classification. “My friends are the best,” he said, referring to peers like Thundercat, Kamasi Washington and Kendrick Lamar. “I have been around the so-called best in the world, and I know the people I came up with are just as good.”

Both see Come As You Are as more than an album title. It is an invitation to show up as yourself, without the need to alter your identity for acceptance. By trusting their instincts and focusing on substance over spectacle, Martin and Dixon have delivered a body of work that stands on its own terms.

Their hope is that listeners walk away feeling empowered to do the same in their own lives. Whether that means pursuing a dream, speaking honestly, or staying grounded in their roots, the message is clear. Authenticity wins.