SUMMARY:
I figured I would give you guys some background on my creative process, ideas, etc. I explain how certain tracks on Soar came together and fun facts about them. If you listened to Soar, I guarantee you're going to enjoy this read. Thank you all for all the support and getting me to 7.5k streams on all platforms. It's important for everyone to work towards soaring past life's worse times.
1. Akira (The Light)
First, we got the intro. When I was making this I knew I wanted to create a spacey/atmospheric vibe. A specialty of mine is making retro, video game, and Asian-inspired melodies. The word "Akira" in Japanese means "Bright" which ties into it being "The Light". It's also the name of a classic influential anime film, "Akira".
This was the last beat that got finished on the project before the hiatus. Right after I finished making it, I knew it was on of my best pieces of work. Side note, I love using flutes in my beats and the one I used here adds to the trance-inducing synths. The transition at the end just enhanced the whole track's spacey aesthetic.
2. Yu Yu Hakusho 2
I wanted to follow up the chill intro with a dark trap banger. It might be the hardest song on the entire tape to be honest, and is the one I predict becoming the most popular eventually. I named it after a popular legendary anime called "Yu Yu Hakusho," which translates to "Ghost Files".
Melody was actually simple to make. The core of it is just combining 2 of the same melodies but putting one at a slower speed. I added the choir vocal to fill up space as a chorus.
Originally made for my friend Jon Decor who I've collaborated with a lot alongside Sebastian Summers. The Sharingan sound in the chorus (@1:10 mark) was actually his idea that I incorporated.
3. Xanny Man From Japan
This one has definitely became my favorite on the tape. I think it's being extremely slept on. I will say, the name was completely random lol. It was just I dumb phrase I said in a freestyle that sounds good together. With that being said, I do not promote xanax or prescription drug abuse.
I believe this has one of my best melodies ever made and carries the eastern vibe very well. The weird angelic sound is just a reversed pad with a secret trick added to it. It also was too long when I originally made it. I had to go back and cut pieces out for a more concise track.
4. Tardes
One of the best songs to sample hands down: https://youtu.be/aZh14U-f6p4. Still wanna find more samples like this. Originally heard it on this Robb Bank$ song. I added some of the fight audio from Obito vs. Kashashi from Naruto. The Sharingan sample from Yu Yu Hakusho 2. Putting the main sample in reverse might be one of my favorite parts of this tape.
When I started crafting this record, I wanted to make some fast Ski Mask/Robb Bank$ styled drums for this sample. It's without a doubt the most slept on for some reason. I called it "Tardes" because in Spanish it means "Evening" (Evening is the name of the track I sampled). Ignore why I named it something Spanish lol
5. Neleh (Interlude)
Originally made for my friend, Sebastian Summers. It was going to be another version and we did both beats in one session. Seb gave a decent amount of help on the production side low key. Named after my lovely girlfriend's middle name, and is pronounced "Nel-Aye".
The OG instrumental we made for him was some chill jazzy shit. This too gives me that and a peaceful romantic dreamy vibe. Everything from the original beat is in a 3/4 time signature. This made the drums really choppy off-kilter, and more Lofi.
My goal was to show my versatility and my ability to make more traditional loft, hip-hop, Neo soul beats without samples. Additionally, I thought the tape needed a break from the trap aesthetic.
6. Roses Turned Ashes
I think this is everyone's favorite, however to me it's only the 2nd best. It objective might be the best & hardest. The sample is from Dennis Lambert - Ashes To Ashes which ties into the track being called "Roses Turned Ashes". I took something beautiful (the sample or "roses") and made a fire beat with it (Turned Ashes). I completely found the sample randomly and fell in love with it.
The drums so far have been really consistent on the tape. I think this beat has my best drum work on the whole tape. I think one of my strengths is coming up with crazy drum patterns. I've always have fun and experimented with the triplets and rolls in my music.
7. (Bonus Track) - Future Trunks
This is technically the first single since it did drop during my senior year in 2018; which is why it’s a bonus cut. I knew when I made it, I wanted it to be a single. Having a rapper or singer on it just wouldn't make any sense. Future Trunks is the name of a popular character from Dragon Ball Z. He's half human and half Saiyan (an alien race).
It straight up sounds like some spacey Astronaut futuristic sci-fi vibes. I've always love and used retro sounds that remind me of Nintendo, Sega, and anime sounds. Then I added some hard drums of the beautiful synths and reverb. The 3/4 breakdown in the intro sets listeners up for the bounce of the record.
Outro
Originally, I didn't have the hidden piece at the end. I actually wrote it during my senior year of high school. I thought I would make it the outro and have the positive message at the end to truly summarize the over-arching them of this project: soaring out of dark places.
Recorded on my iPhone in bed. I decided to make my voice deeper so it didn’t sound so awkward lol but also to be darker. It loops right back into the intro track Akira. Akira represents “the light” and “happy ending” by its feel good light sonic aesthetic. Wasn't really sure if it was gonna be added, but I'm glad I did.
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Thank you to everyone that brought support ☁️ Soar is available now everywhere to listen to 🔥 Hope you all enjoy
New Project Soar! Coming Feb. 5th
Around this time last year I had made the decision to give up music after losing the passion for it again. I've let depression ruin things I love for multiple years. 2019 was probably one of the hardest; between getting lost in life, dealing with self hate, 2 near successful attempts at taking my life, medication net working, losing my car from weather conditions, etc.
After a very long hiatus from music, I am proud to announce my new project Soar will be released on February 5th, 2020. This tape will be available on all music streaming platforms (i.e. Apple, Spotify, Tidal, Pandora, Amazon, etc.)
All of these things have led up to this moment today for me to announce my new beat tape. Dedicated to soaring past dark times and every day obstacles. I owe it to a lot of people that do enjoy the music I craft and have since removed from Apple, Spotify, etc. It has 3 new unreleased beats and others that are lesser known. Since rediscovering my love for music, I still have not decided if I want to continue after putting this tape out. So while I'm figuring it out, enjoy this piece of work I had fun arranging and keep fighting your internal battles. If you liked my past work "Petals" then this will 100% live up to it.
Soar Tracklist
Stay tuned by following me on Instagram. Also special shoutout to @Golden_Graphicz for designing this cover art for me last year
