Alex Narvaez works for The Strombo Show and has contributed to HipHopCanada.com. His most recent CBC Music piece was "Hip-hop battles over Polaris Music Prize: Drake vs. Cadence Weapon." Here, Narvaez gets a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Rich Kidd and SonReal's new collaboration, The Closers.
Working as a journalist, creativity is an essential part of my everyday life. This is why I’m always on the hunt for new things and experiences that inspire me. Over the summer, I decided to take a trip to what some people refer to as the creative capitol of the world: Los Angeles, Calif.
As planned, I had the opportunity to meet and network with some great people out there while on these Hollywood adventures; the creative juices were definitely flowing. The most impactful experience, however, didn’t come from the locals but from two Canadian artists, Rich Kidd and SonReal.
Through my work in radio over the years, I had become familiar with the two artists’ individual careers, sound and style. My goal has always been to push Canadian talent and they were two artists whose music I had advocated. I was intrigued to learn that Rich Kidd, hailing from Toronto, and SonReal, from Vancouver, would be working on a full collaboration together. I have seen both artists in their own element, but this time I was fortunate enough to see them in a combined creative space as their project the Closers was conceived.
A few days after landing in L.A., I was invited for my first visit to Truth Studios. Rich Kidd and SonReal had just wrapped up the recording for the song “Best Believe” and were stepping out of the booth. It would be one of the first songs released to the public, generating attention and anticipation for this project. I arrived just in time to hear the first playback of the song while the mics were still hot. As the song began, the high energy quickly filled the studio and everyone in the room looked at each other in a moment of agreement — the song was a hit.
Listening to the song for the first time, with the unpolished kinks and recording imperfections, made it a genuine moment of raw artistry. There’s something really special about being the first to experience a piece of art, but even more so when it’s fresh off the press. As the song intensified, Rich Kidd and SonReal both got out of their seats and began to perform along with the song. At that moment, I experienced first-hand the great chemistry behind this collaboration. Listening to a finalized product on an iPod or radio is a great experience in itself, but the magic of seeing it come to life is an inspiring process.
After a couple of days recording in the studio, the discussion of what to call this album came about. The project was well on its way and a suitable title was still missing. I got to sit in on one of the final brainstorming sessions and, I have to say, it was entertaining. The team was constantly pitching a plethora of ridiculous names, such as Ebony and Ivory. It almost seemed like pitching absurd ideas became the focus of the meetings. Funny as it was, these meetings did provoke thought, and although none of the pitches were used, it pushed Son and Rich to come up with something clever.
The following day in the studio, I spoke with Rich Kidd and he told me that he and SonReal had finally come up with a title while working out at the gym. They wanted a name that would speak to the evolution of an artist transforming from opening act to headliner, so they went with The Closers. As Rich Kidd explained it to me, the name made absolute sense and the theme became more evident as the project got closer to its final stages.
On one of my last nights in L.A., I was hanging out with Rich Kidd, SonReal and mutual friends after they had completed a full-day video shoot for the song “Around the Globe.” By this time, every song on the album was complete and you could tell both artists, their managers and team had all developed a comfort and camaraderie through the extensive time they had spent together. Watching them interact was like watching siblings tease each other. They all had funny stories about one another and complained about each other’s snoring and bad habits.
The climax of this brotherhood, however, happened when they all huddled around the television and began watching the raw footage from the shoot. It was non-stop laughter as the group analyzed Rich Kidd and SonReal’s antics caught on camera. Everything from Son’s fear of roller coasters to Rich tripping on the beach, all while accompanied by two pretty ladies for the shoot. The brotherhood these two artists developed lends itself to the success of this project, and serves as an inspiration to all artistic partnerships.
The Closers is in stores and on iTunes Oct. 16, 2012. I know you’ll enjoy listening to this album just as much as I enjoyed watching it come together. You can also check out the latest webisode from The Closers online series.
For those who missed the debut of “Hometown” on The Strombo Show, you can check it out here (Also take note of the upcoming tour dates below.
Nov. 2: Victoria, B.C., University of Victoria
Nov. 3: Vancouver, B.C., Fortune Club
Nov. 9: Calgary, Alta., SAIT
Nov. 10: Edmonton, Alta., The Haven Social Club
Dec. 1: Toronto, Ont., The Rivoli
Also, check out their hot off the presses new video for "Money Money" right here:
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