SANTA MONICA, CA - OCTOBER 18, 2019 - - Songwriter and producer Antonina Armato holds a crystal skull inside her recording studio which is her favorite room at Rock Mafia Studio in Santa Monica on October 18, 2019. “This is what I love about this space. It attracts people to make music. We built this place to protect the souls of people who come here,” said Armato. Many of her hit songs, including those with Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez, were recorded in this room. She has navigated a notoriously male-dominated music industry to become arguably the most successful female songwriter, producer, and artist developer in the music business. She has written and produced songs with leading artists such as Zedd, Ariana Grande, Eminem, Miley Cyrus, Marshmello, Ke$ha, Selena Gomez, Migos, Karol G and many others, culminating in over 10 billion streams and over 35 top 10 singles.(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

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My Favorite Room | Antonina Armato

Producer-songwriter Antonina Armato has found success in a male-dominated industry. Her studio reflects the safe and nurturing environment she strives to create for artists.

Songwriter and producer Antonina Armato holds a crystal skull inside her recording studio at Rock Mafia Studio in Santa Monica. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

SANTA MONICA, CA - OCTOBER 18, 2019 - - Engineer and producer Steve Hammond is a fixture inside songwriter and producer Antonina Armato’s favorite room at Rock Mafia Studio in Santa Monica on October 18, 2019. “This is what I love about this space. It attracts people to make music. We built this place to protect the souls of people who come here,” said Armato. Many of her hit songs, including those with Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez, were recorded in this room. She has navigated a notoriously male-dominated music industry to become arguably the most successful female songwriter, producer, and artist developer in the music business. She has written and produced songs with leading artists such as Zedd, Ariana Grande, Eminem, Miley Cyrus, Marshmello, Ke$ha, Selena Gomez, Migos, Karol G and many others, culminating in over 10 billion streams and over 35 top 10 singles.(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Engineer and producer Steve Hammond is a fixture at the studio.
(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

SANTA MONICA, CA - OCTOBER 18, 2019 - - Posters featuring Bob Marley and an angel, rest behind a row of guitars inside a recording studio at Rock Mafia Studio in Santa Monica on October 18, 2019. This is part of songwriter and producer Antonina Armato’s favorite room. “This is what I love about this space. It attracts people to make music. We built this place to protect the souls of people who come here,” said Armato. Many of her hit songs, including those with Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez, were recorded in this room. She has navigated a notoriously male-dominated music industry to become arguably the most successful female songwriter, producer, and artist developer in the music business. She has written and produced songs with leading artists such as Zedd, Ariana Grande, Eminem, Miley Cyrus, Marshmello, Ke$ha, Selena Gomez, Migos, Karol G and many others, culminating in over 10 billion streams and over 35 top 10 singles.(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Posters featuring Bob Marley and an angel rest behind a row of guitars. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

SANTA MONICA, CA - OCTOBER 18, 2019 - - Skulls made from different materials, including granite and crystal, rest next to a engineering panel inside songwriter and producer Antonina Armato’s favorite room at Rock Mafia Studio in Santa Monica on October 18, 2019. “This is what I love about this space. It attracts people to make music. We built this place to protect the souls of people who come here,” said Armato. Many of her hit songs, including those with Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez, were recorded in this room. She has navigated a notoriously male-dominated music industry to become arguably the most successful female songwriter, producer, and artist developer in the music business. She has written and produced songs with leading artists such as Zedd, Ariana Grande, Eminem, Miley Cyrus, Marshmello, Ke$ha, Selena Gomez, Migos, Karol G and many others, culminating in over 10 billion streams and over 35 top 10 singles.(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Skulls made from different materials, including granite and crystal, rest next to a engineering panel. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

SANTA MONICA, CA - OCTOBER 18, 2019 - - A neon sign for Rock Mafia rests above a Marshall amp in the recording studio at Rock Mafia Studio in Santa Monica on October 18, 2019. This is part of songwriter and producer Antonina Armato’s favorite room. “This is what I love about this space. It attracts people to make music. We built this place to protect the souls of people who come here,” said Armato. Many of her hit songs, including those with Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez, were recorded in this room. She has navigated a notoriously male-dominated music industry to become arguably the most successful female songwriter, producer, and artist developer in the music business. She has written and produced songs with leading artists such as Zedd, Ariana Grande, Eminem, Miley Cyrus, Marshmello, Ke$ha, Selena Gomez, Migos, Karol G and many others, culminating in over 10 billion streams and over 35 top 10 singles.(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

A neon sign for Rock Mafia rests above a Marshall amp. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

SANTA MONICA, CA - OCTOBER 18, 2019 - - A huge crystal, which changes colors, and a painting of a heart reside in the recording studio at Rock Mafia Studio in Santa Monica on October 18, 2019. This is part of songwriter and producer Antonina Armato’s favorite room and she believes in the power of crystals. “This is what I love about this space. It attracts people to make music. We built this place to protect the souls of people who come here,” said Armato. Many of her hit songs, including those with Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez, were recorded in this room. She has navigated a notoriously male-dominated music industry to become arguably the most successful female songwriter, producer, and artist developer in the music business. She has written and produced songs with leading artists such as Zedd, Ariana Grande, Eminem, Miley Cyrus, Marshmello, Ke$ha, Selena Gomez, Migos, Karol G and many others, culminating in over 10 billion streams and over 35 top 10 singles.(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

A huge crystal, which changes colors, and a painting of a heart reside in the recording studio. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

SANTA MONICA, CA - OCTOBER 18, 2019 - - Orchids and crystals are found throughout the recording studio at Rock Mafia Studio in Santa Monica on October 18, 2019. This is part of songwriter and producer Antonina Armato’s favorite room and she believes in the power of crystals and the spiritual nature of orchids. “This is what I love about this space. It attracts people to make music. We built this place to protect the souls of people who come here,” said Armato. Many of her hit songs, including those with Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez, were recorded in this room. She has navigated a notoriously male-dominated music industry to become arguably the most successful female songwriter, producer, and artist developer in the music business. She has written and produced songs with leading artists such as Zedd, Ariana Grande, Eminem, Miley Cyrus, Marshmello, Ke$ha, Selena Gomez, Migos, Karol G and many others, culminating in over 10 billion streams and over 35 top 10 singles.(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Orchids and crystals are found throughout the studio. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

SANTA MONICA, CA - OCTOBER 18, 2019 - - A neon sign “Not For Sale,” reflects in a window in the recording studio at Rock Mafia Studio in Santa Monica on October 18, 2019. This is part of songwriter and producer Antonina Armato’s favorite room. “This is what I love about this space. It attracts people to make music. We built this place to protect the souls of people who come here,” said Armato. Many of her hit songs, including those with Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez, were recorded in this room. She has navigated a notoriously male-dominated music industry to become arguably the most successful female songwriter, producer, and artist developer in the music business. She has written and produced songs with leading artists such as Zedd, Ariana Grande, Eminem, Miley Cyrus, Marshmello, Ke$ha, Selena Gomez, Migos, Karol G and many others, culminating in over 10 billion streams and over 35 top 10 singles.(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

A neon “Not For Sale” sign reflects in a window. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

SANTA MONICA, CA - OCTOBER 18, 2019 - - A neon sign glows a positive message underneath a ceiling of chiffon fabric in the recording studio at Rock Mafia Studio in Santa Monica on October 18, 2019. This is part of songwriter and producer Antonina Armato’s favorite room. “This is what I love about this space. It attracts people to make music. We built this place to protect the souls of people who come here,” said Armato. Many of her hit songs, including those with Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez, were recorded in this room. She has navigated a notoriously male-dominated music industry to become arguably the most successful female songwriter, producer, and artist developer in the music business. She has written and produced songs with leading artists such as Zedd, Ariana Grande, Eminem, Miley Cyrus, Marshmello, Ke$ha, Selena Gomez, Migos, Karol G and many others, culminating in over 10 billion streams and over 35 top 10 singles.(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

A neon sign glows a positive message underneath a ceiling of chiffon fabric. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)