Studio Sesh Pt. 2

As the track kicked off, the studio filled with the pulsating rhythm, everyone circling around, lost in the music. Young Thug was the first to break the silence, his eyes lighting up. "Arell, I need this," he said, his grin wide.

Arell met his gaze, nodding in understanding. "Alright, you want that favor?"

Thug's response was immediate, a knowing look passing between them. "Yeah, that self."

Arell returned the smile, sealing the deal. "Cool, let's do it."

With that, Thug turned to Metro, instructing him to switch up the playlist. "Put on that other joint," he requested, ready to dive into the next track.

Arell's attention shifted back to Swae Lee, who was eyeing him curiously. "You want some more?" Swae offered, lifting his cup of lean.

Arell shook his head, trying to play it cool. "Nah, it's not really hitting me," he admitted, casual-like.

Swae chuckled, recalling his own experiences. "Same here when I first tried it. If you change your mind, just holler."

Arell thanked him, appreciating the offer. "Bet. Thanks, man."

Swae then turned serious, his eyes narrowing. "But hey, you know how to produce, right?"

Arell shrugged, playing it down. "I'm alright."

Swae's interest piqued. "For real? Who does your beats?"

Arell confessed, "Usually me." Though, most of his song were song structures, he was still good at producing, and his production stat was his highest attribute.

Swae laughed, impressed. "Then why you said you're alright? Let me show you something." He led Arell to a quieter booth, away from the main action.

Swae slid into the chair of this studio section, plugged a flash drive into the console, and played a track.

The beat that filled the room was raw and emotional, a mix of deep basslines and melancholic piano, with a hard-hitting drum pattern underneath.

Reference Beat (Brent Faiyaz "Trust)

Swae watched Arell's reaction closely. "What you think about this?"

"It's got that sad club vibe, hits you deep but keeps you moving," Arell listened closely, feeling the beat's pull.

"Glad you like it. It's still rough and needs some tweaks," Swae admitted, watching Arell closely.

"Play it back," Arell said, his mind already racing with ideas.

Swae rewound the track and hit play once more. This time, Arell listened with a critical ear, pinpointing what worked and what needed adjustment. As the hi-hats came in, he frowned slightly.

"I don't like how deep the hi-hats are," Arell remarked, leaning in closer to the console. "They need to be lighter, more crisp."

Swae nodded, adjusting the levels and tweaking the hi-hats. "Got it. Let's see what we can do."

For the next twenty minutes, they worked on the beat, refining each element.

"Alright, play it again," Arell said, leaning back in his chair.

Swae hit play, and this time, the hi-hats were sharper, more defined, blending with the rest of the beat. The track sounded smoother, more polished. Arell nodded in approval, a satisfied smile on his face.

"Mhm," Arell murmured, feeling the beat resonate more deeply now.

Swae grinned. "Yeah, that's it. It's coming together."

They continued to fine-tune the beat, tweaking the bassline and adjusting the piano chords. Arell added subtle layers of synths to create a richer, more textured sound.

As they neared the end, Arell had an idea. "You know what would take this to the next level? Some background vocals, something soft."

Swae's eyes lit up. "I like that. What are you thinking?"

Arell leaned over the console, humming a melody. "Something like this. Just a simple, repeated phrase, but with a lot of reverb. It'll add that extra depth."

Swae nodded, quickly recording the suggested background vocals and adding them to the track. He applied the reverb, making the vocals ethereal and atmospheric.

"Now that's fire," Arell said as they listened to the track.

Swae leaned back, a satisfied smile spreading across his face. "You got a good ear, Arell."

"What about this one?" Swae asked, as he scrolled through his tracks, selecting another one. This beat was more upbeat but retained that emotional core.

They spent the next hour in the booth, refining the beat, discussing ideas, and laughing. The creative energy was contagious, making the session feel like a jam session among friends.

Finally, Swae leaned back, a thoughtful look on his face. "You're good at this. Why downplay yourself?"

Arell chuckled, a bit embarrassed. "Just didn't want to come off too big-headed, I guess. But I like the beats you're working on. They've got something special."

Swae nodded, agreeing. "People hit me up with beats all the time. I pick the ones with potential and tweak 'em. It's all about finding that spark."

Arell nodded, feeling the connection. "Exactly. All about the vibe."

Swae pulled out his phone, to exchange numbers. "Let's hang out sometime. You're based here, right?"

"Yeah, I live here," Arell replied, typing his number into Swae's phone.

"Bet that. Let's do something soon," Swae said, giving Arell a nod of appreciation.

They headed back to the main section where the energy had somewhat simmered down.

As they walked in, Jeff called out to them.

"Ay, where y'all been, ya'll went with Travis and em?" Jeff asked.

Swae grinned. "Nah, just cooking up some shit with Arell."

"Word? Let's hear it," Jeffery said, leaning back into his seat.

Swae exchanged a quick look with Arell. "You cool with that?" he asked.

Arell nodded. "Yeah, go ahead."

Swae grinned, eager to share their creation. "let's run it."

He cued up the track, and the room fell silent as the beat filled the air. The upbeat tempo and emotional melody instantly grabbed everyone's attention, drawing them into the vibe.

As the track played, heads started nodding along to the rhythm. The energy in the room shifted, becoming more focused and engaged.

When the song ended, Metro was the first to speak up. "Swae, you ain't leavin' before you spit on this," he said, a grin spreading across his face.

Jeffery chimed in, "For real, that shit's fire."

Swae grinned at Metro and Thug's enthusiasm. "Alright, let me record something," he said, feeling the rush. He stepped into the recording booth, adjusting the headphones and getting ready to lay down some vocals.

Metro hit play, and the beat started again, filling the room with its vibrant energy. Swae closed his eyes, feeling the rhythm before beginning his verse. His voice was smooth and melodic, perfectly complementing the emotional depth of the beat.

"Yeah, I'm tryna see the light through the pain,

Late nights, tryna wash away the rain,

Shorty in my ear, tryna ease the strain,

But these demons keep on messin' with my brain.

Trust issues, but I'm tryna let you in,

Got a past, baby, full of sins,

Lean in my cup, help me breathe again,

But your love got me feelin' like a king."

Metro signaled him to stop. "Hold up, Swae. Let's take that again, but with a bit more grit—really make it hit."

Swae nodded, taking a sip of water before starting again. He nailed the hook, adding the right amount of emotion and emphasis Metro had suggested.

Metro gave a thumbs-up from the control room. "That's it! Perfect. Let's move on to the next verse."

"Whippin' through the city lights, thoughts on replay,

Voices in my head, tryna make 'em all sway,

Roll another blunt, tryna keep the stress at bay,

But your touch, girl, you take it all away,

Neon signs strobin', yeah, the city's never asleep,

Diamonds on my wrist, cold enough to make 'em weep,

Got a deal on the table, yeah, the pressure's on high,

But your voice on my phone like a sweet lullaby,

Skyscrapers reachin', touchin' clouds in the night,

But compared to your love, they ain't nothin' quite right,

Studio sessions all day, yeah, the grind never ends,

But one text from you, girl, makes me forget all my trends

Double cup in the Phantom, yeah, I'm chasin' that dream,

But nothin' tastes sweeter than your love, it would seem

Maybe I don't need the lean, the haze, or the smoke,

Just your smile on the screen, girl, to make my spirit revoke.

This life, it can take you, twist you up in a knot,

But your love's the anchor, the one thing I've got,

So let your ex keep talkin', let the world keep on spinnin',

Cause when I'm lost in your eyes, girl, that's all that's winnin'."

Swae's voice flowed effortlessly over the beat, but halfway through the verse, he signaled to stop. "Hold up, lemme take that from the top. I can feel it more now," he said, taking another sip of water to keep his throat clear.

Metro rewound the track, and Swae started again, this time with even more intensity and emotion. His voice blended seamlessly with the beat, creating a mesmerizing effect.

Metro interrupted again, "Yo, Swae, let's try layering some harmonies on that hook. It'll add more depth."

Swae nodded, understanding the vision. He recorded several takes of the hook, each with different harmonies, adding a richer, fuller sound to the track.

"I know it's hard to trust, been through the fire,

But I'm here for you, never let you tire,

We can ride this wave, take it higher,

Just you and me, girl, we light the fire."

Swae's voice carried the weight of the lyrics, his delivery soulful and heartfelt. He took a moment to drink more water and gather his thoughts before continuing.

"Wrist on froze, VV diamonds dancin' like a hologram

Phantom glidin', streets a blur, city lights strobin' like a strobe show

Got that fire on deck, exotic smoke curlin' out the window pane

But your texts got me fiendin' for a different kind of flame

Trust issues clingin' tight, like a Burberry scarf in the winter

Haunted by the whispers, echoes of past flings that didn't simmer

Used to sip lean for serenity, drown the noise in purple potion

But your voice, a melody sweeter than any platinum promotion

Built these walls 'round my heart, reinforced with concrete and pride

Guarded by suspicion, a fortress no love could confide

But your smile, a Ferrari pullin' up, a million dollar offer

Got me thinkin' maybe trust ain't such a bad muffler."

As Swae finished the final hook, he added an ad-lib, his voice soaring above the beat, adding a raw, emotional edge to the track. Metro signaled him to stop, giving a satisfied nod.

A tense silence followed, which Metro, a ghost of a smile playing on his lips, finally broke.

"Alright, let's hear it raw," he said.

The speakers crackled to life, spitting out the unmastered track. Swae's vocals were upfront and unfiltered.

Jeff leaned back in his chair, listening intently. His initial enthusiasm seemed to have dimmed a bit. When the beat died down, he offered a hesitant, "Yeah, that's good. Sounds good, Swae." His tone, however, lacked conviction.

Swae, picked up on the subtle shift. He glanced at Arell, a question mark etched on his face. "Hmm," he mumbled, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "Something's missing. It feels a bit..." he trailed off, searching for the right word.

"Bland?" Jeff supplied, his voice laced with a hint of disappointment.

Swae winced. Bland wasn't exactly the word he was looking for, but it was close enough. He turned to Arell, a silent plea in his eyes.

Arell, who had been studying the track with a furrowed brow, raised his eyebrows in response. "Alright," he said with a playful shrug. "Let's spice it up a bit, shall we?"

Swae's face broke into a wide grin. "Hit me," he said, gesturing towards the booth.

"Leland," Arell said, moving closer to the console. "Let's revisit that fade-out."

Metro swiveled in his chair, raising an eyebrow in question. "What are you thinking?"

"That piano melody that comes in right before the end?" Arell described. "Let's isolate that and loop it."

Metro's eyes widened in understanding. "You want to create a continuous loop, huh? Like those old school R&B joints where the song just fades into itself?"

Arell grinned. "Exactly. It'll add that timeless vibe. Perfect for that late-night vibe."

Intrigued, Metro nodded. "Alright, let's see what you can do with it." He started fiddling with the controls, isolating the specific piano phrase Arell had mentioned.

"Here," Metro said, gesturing to the empty space next to him. "Work your magic."

Arell didn't hesitate. He slid into the producer's chair, his fingers flying across the console. He chopped and looped the piano fragment, extending it. He then played with the pitch and filters, adding a touch of reverb to create a more dreamy feeling.

"Alright, play it," Arell instructed, eager to hear his creation in context.

Metro hit play, and the song began. This time, as the track approached its natural conclusion, the looped piano melody gently took over. It washed over the fading beat and Swae's vocals, creating a bridge that looped back to the beginning.

The room fell silent once more, everyone captivated by the transformed track.

Finally Swae, who had been listening intently, broke the silence, a satisfied smile playing on his lips. "See, I told you, you're good," he said, nudging Arell playfully. "You got that producer touch, man. We gotta cook up some more beats together sometime. And you gotta be the one to spit on this?"

Arell grinned at Swae's praise, feeling a surge of confidence. "Alright, let's see what I can come up with," he said, grabbing a pen and notebook to jot down some ideas.

Swae took a sip of his drink and settled back into a chair, ready to hear what Arell had to offer.

Arell closed his eyes, letting the beat wash over him, and began to scribble down his thoughts. He tapped his foot in time with the rhythm, then started humming a melody, feeling his way into the lyrics.

After a few minutes, Arell looked up. "Alright run it."

Metro cued up the track again, and Arell stepped into the booth, adjusting the headphones on his ears.

The beat started, the looped piano melody giving it an ethereal quality. Arell took a deep breath, and began to rap.

"Shadowboxing with my demons in the moonlight,

City lights flicker, mind's a battlefield at night,

Came from the bottom, now we're cruising heights,

Night owl, sharp eye, but fears grip tight,

Trying to let you in, but my heart's a heavy tread,

Past whispers haunt me, like ghosts in my bed,

You say trust me, but that's a steep climb,

My mind's a warzone, heart bled time after time,

Your touch, it's a balm, eases the dread,

Maybe we'll find peace, where angels fear to tread

Got my walls high, like the Berlin divide,

But you break 'em down with just one glance from your side,

You're my Cleopatra, I'll be your Marc Antony,

In this labyrinth of life, where love's the key

Phantom ghosts in the rearview, past chasing me,

But your voice on my phone, it's a sweet melody,

Lean in my cup, but it's you who sets me free,

In this world of chaos, it's us against the spree

Building dreams together, skyscrapers in the sky,

Like Kanye, our love's a vibe that won't die,

You're my muse, my art, my eternal high,

In this gallery of life, you're the piece that catches the eye,

Through the trials and the storms, we'll find our way,

Like Bonnie and Clyde, but in a brighter day,

Your love's a compass, guiding me to stay,

Your hand in mine, keeps me real, keeps me wise,

Remember back in '04, Nelly had a hit,

'Dilemma' playing, while we first met, legit,

They said forever's a fairy tale, fantasy spun,

But with you by my side, baby, we've already won,

Like Beyoncé on stage, fierce and unafraid,

You stand beside me, a queen in this love parade

So let the chatters whisper, let the rumors fly,

We're untouchable, like stars in the sky,

So let the music play, baby, enjoy the night,

Here to celebrate, make you feel right."

Metro gave a thumbs-up from the control room, signaling for Arell to continue. He felt the flow, the emotions, and kept going.

"Rollin' through the city, lights dancing in the rearview,

Your laughter in my ear, cutting through the fear too,

Diamonds on my wrist, but they pale next to you,

Every night we chase dreams, make 'em come true,

We hit the club, let the bass hit our souls,

But it's your love, girl, that makes me whole,

The lean might fade, but your touch never gets old,

In this trap love story, our hearts are gold.

Your love's a wave, crashing through my doubts,

In the sea of uncertainty, you're the lighthouse

Enemies behind, future in our sight,

We ride or die, till the end of the night.

Trap beats and love songs, blending in the dark,

Our story written in the stars, leaving a mark,

In this city of sin, you're my saving grace,

Together we conquer, in this endless chase.

We're like Future and Hendrix, two worlds combined,

In this late-night vibe, our souls entwined,

Lean in the cup, but your love's my high,

With you, I can touch the sky."

Arell finished his verse, feeling the weight of the lyrics lift off his shoulders. The room was silent for a moment, the beat still echoing in the air.

Swae, broke into a wide grin. "That's it, you got that depth, that realness. It's exactly what it needed."

Arell stepped out of the booth, a satisfied smile on his face. "Thanks, man. I just felt it, you know?"

"Alright, let's finish this up," Metro said, getting ready to polish the track. "We need some ad-libs and harmonies to round it out."

Swae stepped back into the booth, ready to add the final touches. He recorded a series of ad-libs, his voice weaving in and out of the main vocals, adding an extra layer of emotion and intensity.

"Ooooh, yeah, yeah, trust me, girl, we'll find our way, In your arms, I wanna stay."

He added harmonies to the hook, his voice blending seamlessly with Arell's, creating a rich, textured sound that gave the track more quality.

Metro worked his magic on the console, layering the vocals, adjusting the levels until it was ready. He played the final version, and the room filled with the completed track, a blend of raw emotion and polished production.