In Conversation: Arz and El Londo On Forming Creative Partnerships
After taking some time out to focus on his next step, London rapper Arz returned to the scene with the aptly titled, 'Long Time No See'.
The single is a result of a collaboration with El Londo, a producer and songwriter who is no stranger to a musical link-up. In fact, on his 2023 album 'THANKSLONDO,' no less than 16 separate artists featured on the tracklist, including Arz himself.
Written in the midst of a lot of change, 'Long Time No See' showcases Arz embracing his vulnerability over an infectious beat from his trusted collaborator El Londo.
“When Londo played me the original sample in the booth I immediately thought it was DUMB. The melody allowed me to easily talk about how I felt. This is the first track from the fresh set of music I’ve got coming and I’m more than gassed to say the least," Arz said about the track.
To celebrate the release of 'Long Time No See,' the pair got together to ask each other questions about their creative process.
Arz: What makes an artist interesting to you bro?
El Londo: To me the most interesting artists are the ones that aren’t afraid to escape their comfort zone.
Arz: What kind of artist do you not like working with?
El Londo: I don’t like working with rude people, it puts me off.
Arz: Have you ever cancelled a session?
El Londo: Only if I really have to. For example, if the studio double booked or I’m too sick to move.
Arz: Who’s your favourite artist producer duo?
El Londo: Madlib and Freddie Gibbs.
Arz: If you could open a studio anywhere in the world where would it be?
El Londo: Thailand for inspiration. New York for convenience.
El Londo: Do you prefer to go to the studio with an idea in mind, or is it easier to go with the flow?
Arz: It’s definitely easier to go into the studio with no direction. I like collaborating properly, and being open minded allows me to do that. Very rarely I’ll have a specific way I wanna take it.
El Londo: Is there a style that you want to make that you haven’t made before?
Arz: I feel like I’ve basically dabbled into everything at this point [laughs]. Not necessarily a style but I definitely wanna try singing more and learn how to use auto tune correctly with my voice, that could be fun.
El Londo: If you get writer's block, what do you do in the meantime?
Arz: Just step away from music for a little while. Go to new places, watch new things. Research new music, have insightful conversations; writers block will become more common the more music you make. In my eyes you need a routine where you make living just as important as the work, otherwise there isn’t a point.
El Londo: Do you enjoy shooting music videos?
Arz: Yes and no. They’re superrrrr fun but they can get just as tiring on the longer whole day shoots.
El Londo: Do you prefer making music or performing it?
Arz: I most definitely prefer making it. That’s by far the best part of all of this. Where it starts.
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