No matter how nice a rapper’s lyrics may be or how heavenly a singer’s vocals may resonate, the true heartbeat to the sound of Hip-Hop and R&B is the production. The mesmerizing melodies of a strong production team brings the true vision of any artist to life.

From celebrated production teams like Philadelphia soul pioneers Gamble and Huff (The O’Jays’ “For the Love of Money”), 80s hit makers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis (Janet Jackson’s “Any Time Any Place”) and hip-hop/R&B talents Midi Mafia (50 Cent’s “21 Questions”) these talented knob turners have supplied the sonic soundtrack to the music that defines our lives.

Up next to add their names to the list of these at-times unsung musical maestros is Atlanta-based three-man band of producers and writers known as Strong Foundation & Co. Made up of natural born musicians B-Dunn, 27, Tone Jonez, 24, and LT, 25, this talented trio boasts a sound like nothing before heard.

“Our music is very unique. We strive to bring the musicality back to music,” says Tone. “We experiment with chords; we experiment with melodies. We experiment with drums. Our music has a sound that nobody else can replicate. And that’s what sets us apart.”

Strong Foundation & Co. was unofficially formed 10 years ago in the sleepy small town of Clearwater, SC when all three members first met. Tone Jonez and LT are blood cousins. B-Dunn was born in Baltimore, moved to Atlanta as a tyke and later relocated to South Carolina, where he first met LT.

Both Dunn and LT played instruments at Tree Of Life Ministries International, the church where B-Dunn’s father was the pastor. Dunn played the drums and sometimes keyboards, while LT played keyboard as well. Eventually, they would link up outside the church to make music and often invited pianist Tone to the jam sessions.

Their music as a group was so special because each artist mastered his own instrument but could play everything from the drums to electric and bass guitar to saxophone and even make music with pots and pans.

“We were doing music together but we weren’t real serious,” Dunn explains, “because we were young and having fun.” As a result, they ultimately disbanded as the years passed after high school graduation. Dunn had relocated some 160 away to Atlanta to pursue a degree in audio engineering from American Intercontinental University.

“Then years later, God brought us back together in 2007,” says Dunn. “We started out sending each other tracks back and forth in the mail.”

In no time, they recorded Dunn’s debut single “Survive by Faith,” a compelling gospel rap track that details the ups and downs of Dunn’s life. Soon after, they all noticed their limitless potential as a team and formed Strong Foundation & Co. In no time, both Tone and LT joined Dunn in ATL.

“We want to use it as a tool to minister to the youth to provide something positive,” Tone expresses. “But we want to take it and gospel rap and amplify.”

Hoping to garner attention to their trendsetting production prowess and music-writing skills, they put together a flawless demo CD and distributed it to every studio, open mic night and social gathering in the Atlanta metro area. Their latest project is supplying instrumentals for sensual songbird Jay-Elle. In addition, they are also currently recording songs for their as-yet-untitled debut gospel rap album.

“Our personal music is gospel rap/ Christian hip-hop, but we produce all types of music, all genres,” Dunn contends. “But we keep it all grounded in God because He gave us these gifts.”