Adelaide rappers EAST AV3 (aka Nic Flare, Kane Trop3z and YOUR PAPASENSEI) recently hit the booth with Sydney MC Raj Mahal, and they've just dropped their collab Olympics, a track that will get the adrenaline pumping through your veins.
We spoke to the quartet about the vibe in the studio when they recorded the track, as well as which events they'd want to be part of at the Olympics. It's a hilarious chat, as well as a great insight into their writing processes.
Cool Accidents: At what moment during the recording session for Olympics did you realise that you had a great collab on our hands?
Sensei: When Raj started adlibbing before his verse you could tell by the tone of his voice he wasn’t here to fuck around. He left the booth like he hadn't just created magic, but our energies escalated for the rest of the session.
Raj Mahal: I realised it was going to be a dope track as soon as we started the beat-making process. I go into every track, especially collaborations, with the mindset of making it the best music I’ve made to date. It doesn’t always work out that way, but the energy in the room that night made it happen.
What were you expecting when you hit the studio together, and did it surprise you in any way?
Nic: There weren’t any crazy expectations going into the studio, which is the best way to do it I think. We just went with the flow. Raj’s energy was definitely crazy and it was sick to see him write a verse and deliver it so quickly.
RM: I definitely wasn’t expecting to release a single so soon with the boys, but I’m happy it turned out that way. We have different styles, so I was intrigued to see what was up.
What do your pre-show routines look like?
Sensei: This is our Olympic sport. When we arrive we stretch, meditate, drink green tea and shadow box until we are ready to go on.
RM: I don’t really have a routine before shows besides having a very straight edge day. I don’t eat or drink alcohol beforehand to prevent being sluggish on stage. I also go to the gym before so my body is in prime shape.
What did you think of each other’s music when you first heard it?
Sensei: We watched the Glimpse clip in the studio and thought it was hard AF. We ended up linking with Raj and Dante (Knows) the next time we were in Sydney.
RM: I didn’t really have much of an opinion because I didn’t want it to get in the way of what we can potentially make together. The boys are dope and I fuck with them.
If you had to enter an event at the Olympics, what would it be and why?
Nic: I would definitely be in the synchronised swimming event or the one where they get the horses to dance around and stuff. I feel like those would be the most fun.
RM: Definitely rifling because I’m a gun-loving American and it’s a handy skill to have outside of basic hand-to-hand combat.
2020 was a crazy year for pretty much every artist on the planet. What did you do to survive the year, and how do you think you’ve come out better for it in 2021?
Nic: We just knuckled down and wrote heaps of music. It was definitely the best way to get past everything going on and make use of the time in lockdown etc. That side of 2020 is a positive for us not because we’ve got some great songs we’re excited to show everyone!
RM: I dedicated that time addressing the good and bad of my entire being. I had a personal breakthrough and 2020 was a necessary evil that will be a catalyst for who I want to become 5, 10, 15 years from now.
What’s your craziest story from being in the studio with someone?
Trop3z: Probably when we set off the fire alarm after smoking a joint inside the studio recording booth. We were told the alarms weren’t working moments before. After what felt like hours of loud alarms and fire safety vents sucking away everything that was laying loose in the studio we finally punched in the code and silenced the uproar.
RM: This studio I recorded at back in the US got shot up once... Other than that, nothing outside of the typical stories that come with people drinking and smoking.
READ MORE: Get To Know Rap Trio EAST AV3 In 6 Essential Songs
What international artist would you love to collaborate with?
Trop3z: We'd love to work with Kanye. All three of us have been influenced and inspired by his music. I feel like it would be a dope collaboration.
RM: Definitely Gorillaz. I wish they got more recognition for what they bring to music in general. Plastic Beach and The Fall are such underrated albums of theirs.