It has been just a couple of days since ODESZA bid their final goodbye to fans. Truth be told, we’re still not over it.
To properly close out their The Last Goodbye tour – which saw the prolific electronic duo at the iconic Gorge Amphitheatre in their home state – ODESZA raced against the clock to bring a once-in-a-lifetime immersive installation to their fans.
Tapping SETUP and SNAPDRAGON as collaborators, ECHOES was an incredibly technically ambitious project. Yet, when it came time for 20,000 fans to experience the magic of ECHOES, it all came down to just one emotion: Gratitude.
The sight of ECHOES was one that took your breath away and the sonic scape starred intensely emotional fan voicemails. Walking into and out of the venue through the installation, thousands of ODESZA fans found themselves overwhelmed with gratitude, proud to be a part of such an expansive community. It carried real emotional weight.
While ODESZA has officially said their “last goodbye” for an indefinite amount of time, one thing is certain: the power of that music community is sure to echo for a very long time.
See the awe-striking ECHOES installation with this collection of photos below.
Fred again.. is finally having his breakout moment as one of the biggest names in music. Within the past few years, the English musician and DJ has taken the EDM world by storm with many hit records and collaborations. His album series Actual Life navigated the COVID-19 pandemic as he turned audio clips and sounds from social media and everyday life into joyful and melancholic moments named after those he sampled. The third installment earned him one of two Grammy Award wins. He took home Best Electronic/Dance Recording for “Rumble,” his collaboration with Skrillex and Flowdan. In addition to his awards and accolades, Fred again.. has headlined major festivals, including Bonnaroo and a closing B2B set with Skrillex and Four Tet at Coachella. Together, the three also sold out a pop-up show at Madison Square Garden.
Now a giant in the dance music world, Fred again.. is far from a new artist. Before focusing on an artist career, he produced for the likes of Ed Sheeran, Rita Ora, Shawn Mendes, and BTS. Outside of electronic and dance music, Fred again.. is also active in hip-hop, producing tracks for numerous rappers in both the UK and the US. His earliest rap productions include Roots Manuva and Stefflon Don while he has also collaborated with Eminem, Baby Keem, and Lil Yachty in recent years. Today, we are ranking Fred again..’s best rap collaborations from least to greatest. Take a look at the list below.
7. “Jungle (Remix)” – Fred again.. feat. Rico Nasty (2022)
Fred again..’s silver-certified “Jungle” is one of his biggest singles. He recruited Rico Nasty for the remix, adding a rap twist to the dance-banger as Rico spits over the song’s abrasive beat drop. She matches the intense house beat with her usual energetic delivery. Fred also chops part of her verse to compliment the other vocal sample that acts as the song’s centerpiece. An essential Fred again.. song, “Jungle” already hits hard with its buildup and drop, but Rico Nasty’s guest verse on the remix packs an even more powerful punch.
6. “West Ten” – AJ Tracey & Mabel (2020)
With the help of Take A Daytrip, Fred again… crafted the beat for “West Ten,” AJ Tracey’s collaboration with Mabel. A smooth UK garage song, the track acts as a spiritual successor to AJ’s other UKG track and biggest hit, “Ladbroke Grove.” Much like his 2019 single, the song sees AJ rapping over the groovy beat from Fred as Mabel sings the chorus. AJ Tracey and Mabel’s “West Ten” is yet another danceable ode to West London and a fun song that recaptures the feeling of his biggest hit.
5. “Rumble” – Skrillex, Fred again.. & Flowdan (2023)
Before they took over Coachella and Madison Square Garden, Skrillex and Fred again… teamed up with Flowdan for “Rumble,” a rap and EDM fusion. An intersection of grime and dubstep, the Grammy-winning single’s production is simple yet effective. The unpredictable percussion and stuttering basslines allow Flowdan to skip across the beat with his signature grime flow. The high-pitched sample of Beam’s vocals on Skrillex’s “Selecta” juxtaposes Flowdan’s deep voice. Fred and Skrillex’s production may be minimal, but the song builds to create an exciting blend of rap and electronic music.
4. “Baby” – Aitch (2022)
Many of Fred again..’s rap collaborations see the producer bringing artists into his world for experimental electronic tracks. In 2022, he ventured outside his comfort zone when making the beat for Aitch’s “Baby.” The lead single from the Manchester rapper’s debut album, Close To Home, is a smooth blend R&B and hip hop that emulates the early 2000’s. Aside from Aitch’s charismatic bars, the sample of Ashanti’s “Rock Wit U (Awww Baby)” practically makes the song, so much so that she is credited as a primary artist. The production from Fred again.. and others bring out the best of Aitch, turning the sample’s vintage vibe into a summertime jam.
Easily Fred again..’s hardest-hitting rap collaboration is “Pop Boy.” He produced one of three tracks for Stormzy’s Heavy Is The Head. The song’s explosive production constructs the right moment for Stormzy to showcase his confident lyricism as he revels in his success as a rapper who has crossed into pop. He even name-drops Fred again… before the chorus: “Fred, you forgot the drums, wait there.” The bouncy production on “Pop Boy” also allows for one of Aitch’s earliest breakout moments, exhibiting chemistry between him and Stormzy, as well as foreshadowing his and Fred’s future collaboration on “Baby.”
2. “Own It” – Stormzy feat. Ed Sheeran & Burna Boy (2019)
Another Fred again…-produced highlight from Stormzy’s Heavy Is the Head is “Own It.” The hit single is a crossover collaboration between Stormzy, Ed Sheeran, and Burna Boy. The dancehall production from Fred and Jay Weathers allows for each artist to shine individually. It lends itself to Stormzy’s rapping as his singing intertwines with Burna Boy’s chorus and Ed Sheeran’s standout vocals. “Own It” is a tender yet energetic track that brings the best out of its star performers. Fred again..’s production incorporates dancehall but can highlight elements of hip-hop, pop, and afrobeats.
1. “Know Me” – Headie One & Fred again.. (2020)
One of Fred again..’s most notable rap collaborations is GANG, his breathtaking project with Headie One. The 8-track EP chronicles the rapper’s recent release from prison at the time. A departure from Headie’s typical content, Fred provides a balance between his ambient, electronic sound and Headie’s typical UK drill. The whole project is transparent as it gives a multi-dimensional glimpse into the mind of one of Drill’s biggest stars during one of his most vulnerable moments.
A standout track from GANG, “Know Me” specifically pushes Headie out of his comfort zone on a fast-paced blend of techno and drill. Fred provides a thumping kick, rapid percussion, and modulated 808s that are essential to any UK drill track. Headie One floats over the beat and Fred manipulates his vocals, which adds to the track’s sense of urgency. “Know Me” exemplifies the brilliant convergence between the styles of Headie One and Fred again.. on GANG.
Terrace Martin just tapped Channel Tres for a funky and lush new single, “Chucks.” The two Los Angeles natives walk in pretty different musical lanes, but their link-up sparks fireworks. Moreover, Tres’ understated and almost sensual vocals pair with his deep house-inspired production. Also, there’s the undercurrent of soul and funk that runs throughout a lot of his work in the bassline and trumpets. However, Martin pops in the track with wailing saxophone and riffs effortlessly over the peppy jam. Even if you haven’t heard of these artists before, this track is a must on your weekly feel-good jams.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 02: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Terrace Martin attends 2023 Recording Academy Honors presented by The Black Music Collective at Hollywood Palladium on February 02, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)
Furthermore, the acclaimed saxophonist is nominated for a Grammy this year for Best Progressive R&B Album for DRONES. Also, he’s got a few upcoming shows as part of his Dinner Party supergroup with Kamasi Washington, 9th Wonder, and Robert Glasper. They include a Terminal 5 set in New York and even a spot at Coachella this year. On the other hand, Channel Tres steadily released singles, featured on projects, and even dropped a couple of his own. If you’ve listened to either in any capacity, you know the curious potential of a track like this. While we’re not used to hearing Martin over electronic production, Channel Tres makes him feel right at home.
In fact, Channel’s quite good at adapting his style and production habits to varying genres and moods. Even Danny Brown’s wild delivery and zany bars sounded effortlessly cool on their collab with Baauer, “READY TO GO.” Still, what did you think of Terrace Martin’s latest track “Chucks” featuring Channel Tres? Whatever the case, let us know in the comments and peep some standout lines from the song down below. Also, if you haven’t heard it yet, you can find the single on your preferred streaming service. As always, check back in with HNHH for the latest great music releases each week.
Quotable Lyrics I wake up in the morning with my Chucks on How did I get in my bed? It’s 1 AM and I’m ’bout to just get my drink on Don’t spare me with your bulls**t
Electronic artist Dawn Richard is one of those creators who seems to never rest. A former member of Danity Kane, the last decade saw Dawn drop four celebrated albums, appear in several films, guest on other artists’ albums, become a curator at Adult Swim, and open up her own successful vegan food truck in New Orleans, Papa Ted’s. When we entered a new decade, no one would’ve blamed the woman for resting on her laurels.
But we all knew that wasn’t happening, right? This year brought Richard’s latest — and greatest — album to date, Second Line, which rightfully debuted at #1 on the iTunes Electronic charts when it released a few months back. The nocturnal, pulsing rhythms throughout the whole run of Second Line harken back to the early days of techno, house, and the electronic genres that Black producers pioneered in the late ’70s and early ’80s, genres that would go on to define the sound and feel of modern music. In that sense, Second Line is both nostalgic and contemporary, with hints of futurism via the album’s imagery and production that point to where music might be in another five to ten years.
As the pandemic continues to wane, we hit up Dawn for a travel guide. We told her she could pick anyplace to focus on that she wanted and she hit us back with a guide to her five favorite Black-owned art spaces in Los Angeles. Before you jump into the guide, be sure to give Second Line a spin and watch the animated video for “Voodoo (Intermission)” below.
The inspiration I get walking into this place moves me. When I want to sketch, I always go there to get inspired. There is so much history in this place; it’s one of the popular Black Museums in Los Angeles. This was the first museum I visited when I moved to LA… I was just blown away.
Another fun visual is the interior design of the museum; I love the way the museum is designed and mapped. The flow feels good. I know most people wouldn’t look at that but I do, lol!
As soon as you walk into this Gallery you can feel its pulse. It’s small, boutique even. And that’s part of its charm. I’m someone who prefers light crowds and I feel like I can admire the art in such a better way at a gallery like this. Los Angeles can be massive, so finding a small gem that feels like it’s all for you is perfection.
I recommend all creatives check this slice of heaven out.
I love the outreach that this museum does for artists in the community. Coming from New Orleans, community outreach was crucial for artists like me who had limited resources. I think the appeal of this museum for me is at any given time you can find local artists being supported or highlighted.
Not many museums showcase local talent like this space.
A lot of incredible artists can be found here! I try to go on Wednesdays because I find new intriguing artists every time. I like that it was founded by a collective of creatives, which makes it a haven for people like me. You get a sense of local support and community. When I was recording my album Goldenheart, I would come to the Mart for artistic stimulation.
I love this space because they celebrate and showcase Haitian, Cuban, and contemporary ethnic art. Fabius, who was born in Port-au-Prince, came to the US when she was eight years old and runs the space along with her partner, Giacomini, a French American sculptor and artist. Being of Haitian decent it was something that felt close to home. Six years ago, I discovered my Haitian culture and have been learning and delving into my heritage ever since.
This modern space shows the best of Haitian art and its artists. I learn new visual stories every time I visit, and feel closer to Haiti artistically when I visit. I grab a cup of coffee and just experience the beauty!
