Despite Pittsburgh producer Peter Mudge’s preference to remain out of the limelight, his contributions are that of dreams, holding credits on tracks from national acts like Wiz Khalifa, the late Mac Miller, and J.I.D, as well as local talents including Cam Chambers, Mars Jackson, and Pk Delay.
Mudge, who works under the moniker Nice Rec, embodies a hidden yet vital thread in the music industry: an artist whose career has unfolded without much fanfare, yet still echoes through the rhythmic landscapes of acclaimed hip hop and beyond, including in soundtracks for hit films and television series.
His unique musical journey started like that of many adolescents enthralled in the vibrant culture of late ’90s rap, R&B, and East Coast hip hop. Inspired by artists like The Notorious B.I.G. and Nas — “I think the first CD I ever bought was The Chronic,” Mudge tells Pittsburgh City Paper — he obtained and taught himself to use a set of turntables and records.
“I was exploring all the different things in hip hop as I was becoming a teenager,” says Mudge. “I tried out doing graffiti and breakdancing and rapping a little, which I’m sure is embarrassing now, but I settled in on DJing and was like, ‘Oh, yeah. This is this is my thing.’”
The allure of DJ culture captivated him, leading him to dive headfirst into the scene despite lacking formal training. In his later teens, while attending the University of Pittsburgh, Mudge started experimenting with beat-making. Using a pirated version of FruityLoops, a music mixing software now known as FL Studio, he began crafting beats from sampled materials.
Mudge adopted a hands-on approach, often teaching himself using chord charts and the guidance of friends who had more experience. His collection of vintage keyboards and synthesizers grew as he honed his skills, expanding his capacity to create and manipulate sounds. His connections in the local music scene also grew, and the relationships he formed during these years significantly evolved his approach to music composition.
Mudge, who, initially, adhered to a “do-it-alone” philosophy, embraced the idea of working with others, a shift that allowed him to explore new opportunities, including the creation of song fragments for other producers rather than constructing an entire song himself. Mudge became known for his ability to craft infectious loops and samples that would provide a springboard for other artists.
“Once I let go of the mentality of, I’m gonna do it all, no help, to being like, you know what? I’m gonna make short song ideas that are a minute long with the whole purpose being that it’s unfinished to give to other producers to finish them if they like them,” Mudge explains. “That really started to present a lot of the opportunities and songs that are some of the bigger songs that I’ve been a part of.”
Mudge credits peers like DJ Bonix and Pittsburgh-based producer/engineer E. Dan, the founder of ID Labs in Etna, for helping him land his first credit on “No Limit,” a track on Wiz Khalifa’s fourth studio album, O.N.I.F.C.
“It ended up being a two-part song, so it was two different beats, and I made an interlude for those two beats,” says Mudge. “I’ve been making music for a long time before that, but that was the first song I had on a major label album.”
Since then, Mudge has established relationships with a worldwide network of artists, either through mutual acquaintances like the Pittsburgh-to-Atlanta transplant producer Christo or through the use of communal studio spaces. The latter is how Mudge came to produce one of his more notable contributions on Mac Miller’s 2018 album Swimming.
It was through E. Dan that Miller and Mudge were able to connect. E. Dan knew that the two shared an interest in blending hip hop with more electronic, house-leaning elements like synthesizers and keyboards. So when Miller visited I.D. Labs, where Mudge has a basement studio space, E. Dan suggested the two should meet.
“[Miller] would once in a while work on stuff there, making beats basically,” Mudge explains. “Then, when Swimming was happening, for reasons I don’t really understand or know, [Miller] decided to have me more involved. That was super cool and exciting.”
Mudge recalls the satisfaction of adding dynamic synthesizer lines and background vocals to two tracks on Swimming, “Self Care” and “Ladders.”
“I would have never predicted all the stuff that happened around the run of things I had in 2018 to 2021,” Mudge says. “I didn’t think of anything as it was happening, that a couple of those songs would become people’s favorite songs from those artists.”
“151 Rum,” a J.I.D. track that has been featured in the hit HBO show Euphoria and the 2024 film Monkey Man, is another track that came to fruition during that period. It was created alongside Christo at a house in L.A. that was being rented for J.I.D. and Earth Gang. At the time, while visiting L.A. with hopes of working with Miller, Mudge accepted an invitation from Christo to come by the Hills rental. “I went to the house, and we just made the beat for [“151 Rum”], in person, on the spot, while J.I.D., Earth Gang, and whoever else were just hanging out,” says Mudge.
Not limited to high-profile artists, Mudge frequently works with independent Pittsburgh musicians, producing entire albums for emerging talents like Mars Jackson and Cam Chambers.
In 2021, he released the instrumental album Drink the Blue Sky, and his forthcoming project, Eye Presser, promises to deliver an immersive experience inspired by visual imagery.
Looking ahead, Mudge teases upcoming collaborations with Pittsburgh artists like My Favorite Color. He also describes working on a unique folk album with musician Jessica Pratt, showcasing his versatility and willingness to explore beyond an established genre.
But beyond his professional aspirations, Mudge hopes to inspire the next generation of musicians. He encourages young artists to embrace their ideas and resist the urge to compare themselves to others.
As Mudge continues to carve out his niche in the music world, he emphasizes the importance of patience, persistence, and collaboration. For him, every sound contributes to an evolving narrative — one that intertwines creativity, connection, and the wonderfully chaotic essence of making music. It’s not just about creating tracks; it’s about building a community where inspiration can flourish and new ideas can take root.
Mudge represents not only the heart of Pittsburgh’s musical landscape but also the unyielding spirit of artists who dare to push boundaries and share their voices with the world.
This article appears in Nov 27 – Dec 3, 2024.
