Sam Lachow and Raz have just come out with their first collaborative effort, 5 Good Reasons, available for free here. The emotive and often nostalgic honest-rap is finding its place, particularly in Seattle, where they’ll be playing Neumos on October 5th.
How did the 5 Good Reasons project get started?
5 Good Reasons got started when I randomly ran into Raz in Times square in NYC. We are both from Seattle and we sort of knew each other before this, but until then we had never worked together. Since then we made a few tracks here and there and decided we like the sound we produced together and decided to make a full EP.
Can you describe the process of working together?
Maggie and I would work together on making a beat. I would then take the beat and see how Raz feels about it and if any concepts pop up for him. Sometimes we would write together in the same room and help each other out, and sometimes we would do our writing separately on our own time. All of our studio sessions were booked from 2AM to 8AM which was real crazy but a lot of fun. Grind till 8AM, go get breakfast on broadway, and pass the fuck out.
There’s a good amount of contrast in your styles, how is this project different from your respective solo material?
Raz is a much more lyrical rapper than I am. I always have focused on the production and the flow. Working with Raz has really pushed me to focus more on the lyrical content of my verses which is a big step forward for me. I think we both grew a lot from working on this project.
Can you talk about the upcoming release show in October, and what you have coming next personally?
This upcoming show at Neumos in Seattle on Oct 5th is gonna be crazzzyyyyy. I can’t fuckin wait. First time performing these songs after they have been released. My next project I think is gonna be my next full length solo album since Brand New Bike. Exciting stuff.
Peep the release show with Stezie Nasa and Gift Uh Gab