Behind the Making of "BRRR"

I’m excited to take you behind the scenes of my latest track, "BRRR." It’s been a minute since I’ve finished a song, and let me tell you—it feels good to finally drop something fresh. There were a few tracks I started but didn’t finish, so this one feels especially special.

The Collaboration Process

The inspiration for "BRRR" came to life in my home music studio, where I connected with Tink Frm UTW, the first artist to collaborate in this space. My setup is pretty simple—just a computer, a small Sterling speaker, an audio interface, a MIDI controller, and a microphone. It’s not sound-treated, so I had to work around the boxy reverb and competing frequencies that came from the walls. Honestly, overcoming that challenge in the mix became part of the journey.

Tink came through with some heavy bars, setting the tone for the track right away. His opening lines were raw, full of faith and strength:

“To all my black kings and queens, don’t stop fighting, hang on.

Fear no man but God, He’s the only one that can take us off our throne.”

It was poetic and filled with depth, expressing dependence on God. This was exactly the type of vibe we wanted to capture for this track.

Challenges in the Studio

But things got a bit tricky as we started to create the sound. I’m more of a producer who likes to craft a song from scratch, pulling things together in the moment, responding to what’s right in front of me. Tink was a bit stressed because, unlike a traditional process where rappers pick a pre-made beat, my process is much more involved. I ask questions like, “What instruments are you feeling today?” and build the music from there. It’s a little slower but allows us to tailor the sound to the moment.

Building the Sound

For Tink, one key thing that got him excited was the piano, so I pulled out a G minor organ sample I’ve had in my secret sauce collection. From there, I laid down the chord progression and then found a bass sound to fill out the track. We added a simple cymbal and hi-hat pattern to get the rhythm going and then put down a kick drum. But, of course, there was a clash between the bass notes and the bass drum, so I had to rework the bass to make it all fit.

Writing the Lyrics

Meanwhile, Tink was dealing with the frustration of trying to fit his verse into a rhythm that wasn’t matching his original meter. Transposing lyrics to fit a new beat isn’t easy, especially when the tempo changes. I could see the tension in him, so I suggested he start fresh with his verse. That helped him refocus, and we quickly fell into a flow.

While Tink wrote, I started organizing the song structure. I kept it simple with a classic intro, chorus, verse, chorus, verse, and outro. This gave the track a solid foundation, allowing the energy to build and then settle. By the time I was done structuring, Tink had completed his verse, and man, it was powerful. His lyrics were raw, talking about life’s struggles but also offering a glimpse of hope. His opening lines:

“Point the finger at me, shit, I guess I’m the villain.

I’m not in my feelings, I just need some mental healing.

Caught a case, asking God for a lighter sentence.”

It’s personal, it’s real, and it’s vulnerable.

"BRR" and the Hook

As the session progressed, the cold Cincinnati weather and Tink's clear out the air with his expressive verse got me thinking. The idea of venting, letting off steam in a cold environment, seemed like the perfect vibe. And then, like a light bulb moment, I thought of the "Bring It On" cheer—just that infectious energy. I played with it and came up with this:

“BRR. It’s cold in here,

There must be some angels in the atmosphere.”

It fit perfectly, so I used it to create a hook that would grab the listener's attention.

For my verse, I wanted to contrast Tink’s raw, personal lyrics with something more general. I decided to talk in the third person rather than the first, and I used fewer syllables to create a more rhythmic feel. My opening lines:

“Is the flame lit in the household?

Seraphim bring burning coal.

Touch my lips, make me whole,

Break these chains, take control.”

These lines are a nod to the Bible—specifically Isaiah 6:7, where a seraphim touches the prophet’s lips with burning coal to cleanse him. Later on I also referenced Jacob’s Ladder, with the idea of Jesus being the ultimate “Jacob’s Ladder,” who came down from Heaven to redeem us.

Mixing and Refining the Sound

Once we had the structure, I recorded my vocals and began mixing. I used techniques like EQ, reverb, and compression to clean up the sound and make everything sit right. I added movement by using automation and effects to highlight certain moments, inspired by Little Simz’s approach of creating memorable moments. It really gave the track its unique feel.

The Visual Concept

Finally, I chose a photo I took in Oregon during a snowstorm for the cover art. The lonely, cold road seemed to perfectly represent the track—symbolizing the struggles we face, but with a reminder that there’s always help around us, just like in the story of Elisha and the chariots of fire.

The Purpose of "BRRR"

The purpose of “BRRR” is simple: It’s about knowing that even in the coldest, hardest moments of life, God is with you. He sends help, and you are never alone. I hope this track can be a reminder of that.