Songwriter and producer Jason “Poo Bear” Boyd, known for his work as a songwriter for Justin Bieber and for having written four Billboard Hot 100-number single (including “Despacito (Remix)” and “I’m the One”), has just launched a digital music course on Passes, an online platform designed to provide aspiring producers and songwriters with insider knowledge and the music production skills they need to pursue their dreams in this competitive industry. The course debuted on December 4, 2024, and is already getting attention.
Pushing for Quality
For Poo Bear, his new “What Would Poo Doo” course fulfills a long-held desire to help younger artists not just learn to produce but also to shape soundscapes that are authentically their own.
“I’ve always wanted to give back the wisdom that I’ve been blessed to acquire over the years,” Poo Bear posted to his Instagram recently.
His classes are aimed at younger talent – high school and college students looking to test their edge and discover what they can do before venturing into their careers.
“Ever since I was younger,” Poo Bear reflects, “I knew teaching was something I wanted to do. When I finally felt that I had absorbed enough from my years in songwriting and vocal production, I made it my mission to give back.”
Thinking back on his encounters and trials throughout his career, Poo Bear describes his passion for helping younger artists discover and shape their technique and their authentic voice and find within themselves the persistence to make that voice heard.
“I believe that while anyone can make music, not everyone is committed to making great music. I want my students to understand how to protect the integrity of their work and push for quality in every note they create.”
Writing for Yourself First
One of the things Poo Bear hopes to do with his new courses is share with new talent the tips and advice that he wishes he’d had the opportunity to hear early in his career.
“Don’t try to write songs for the artists,” he says. “Write songs for yourself. Write music that’s true to your own voice, because unless you live the artist’s experience day to day, you won’t capture what they really need. I always wish someone had told me, ‘Stop writing for others—write for yourself,’ and be brutally honest about it.”
Listeners can hear that authenticity, that strength of voice, but writing for yourself doesn’t only help you reach the top of the charts; it enables you to live a more fulfilled life, love what you do, and do what you love–and pour that passion into the songs you write and the unique soundscapes you produce.
Throwing Open the Doors
Lucy Guo, CEO of Passes, echoes this sentiment and shares how she sees Poo Bear’s vision as a good fit for her educational platform: “Our goal has always been to break down barriers in education. With Poo Bear joining us, we’re not just offering another course—we’re inspiring young creators to think differently about their music and their future in the industry. This partnership is about igniting a movement.”
For Guo, breaking down the barriers is paramount. Music isn’t always an easy industry to get started in, so Passes is offering individual lessons from Poo Bear for $5 and a full-course membership for $30.
“We want to make sure that world-class music education is accessible to everyone… We’re opening the door for talented young people from all walks of life to learn from one of the best in the business…”
Perhaps Poo Bear’s courses will help a new generation of artists – including those from humble beginnings – to make music that sets new standards and gets the hearts of listeners beating fast.