FAMU student opens new recording studio

Saidon Richardson. Photo courtesy: Christopher Shipe

Saidon Richardson started producing beats at the age of 12, becoming enamored with the creation and building of sounds. In 2018, he studied music industry as his major at FAMU. During his sophomore year of college, he got a producing placement on rapper YNW Melly’s RIAA-certified gold album “We All Shine” with the song “Rolling Loud.”

This gave Richardson the official title of a certified gold producer and encouraged him to work even harder. Since then, he’s made more placements and focused on creating longevity for his business.

The recent center of his attention has been opening his own recording studio called Gated Community Studios in relation to his label, Gated Community Records. In recent years, he’s been working on his beats or as a sound engineer for other artists either in his own room or at other studios. Richardson decided the next step of his journey was to open an official space.

“The process of getting a studio was very hectic, especially being Black and young.

I got promised spaces about six times and it took me about seven to eight months to find the perfect spot,” Richardson said. “A lot of spaces didn’t want the noise so we really had to look.”

He has had multiple partners working in different disciplines in order to bring the studio to fruition. Vincent Anderson is a Tallahassee native and fellow producer that will have his own room in the studio. His placements with artists include Luh Tyler, Seddy Hendrinx, and more.

“My main inspiration when it comes to producing music is knowing that there are no limits and boundaries to my artwork,” Anderson said. “I am capable of creating literally anything I can think of or put my mind to.”

Richardson and other team members share those same sentiments, even if it is within another art form. The shared passion within the team motivates them to create something significant. FAMU Alumna Jordan Roberts serves as a creative director and interior designer for the studio.

“It is a pleasure working with Saidon, he’s very diligent, focused, future-oriented but present as well. The rest of the team is great and it’s a very strong group of well-dynamic and well-versed human beings,” Roberts said. “That’s why this studio will be successful because everyone involved is just a good person genuinely at their core.”

The projected date for the grand opening event is June 5th. The team is in the process of renovating and adding the furniture necessary to make the whole studio feel complete. For now, they are still open for bookings and will continue to prompt growth in the music scene of Tallahassee.