On Friday, rapper AKTHESAVIOR and lo-fi producer sagun released their collaborative album u r not alone, the culmination of several years of work between the two artists.
While it's a collaboration between the two, it also features a number of cameos from the likes of Mick Jenkins, Pink Siifu, Erick The Architect, A$AP Twelvyy and Jaws of Love. (Kelcey Ayer of Local Natives). But the strength of the project is certainly seen in how well AK and sagun flow together.
What might have just been a chance connection turned out to be a gift of sorts, as the two shared the same management, who introduced them to each other. According to sagun, his manager first flagged AK and insisted they should meet.
"Jordan says, 'I have this guy who raps.' And at that time, I had kind of been wanting to make a rap album," recalls sagun, speaking with Variance ahead of the album's release. "He brings in AK and I sent him some beats. So then he sent back some fire verses, and I was, 'Let's do this!' And that's just how it started."
As sagun explains, part of the reason the collaboration stuck was because it felt organic. "It didn't feel like this forceful thing. I didn't even have to think too much to write these bars. The words were just coming."
While the partnership itself seemed to be a rather flawless endeavor, the music speaks to something more nuanced, as reflected in the title, u r not alone, which is a nod to embracing flaws and reminding listeners it's OK not to be OK.
Speaking about the song "Issues" and the album on a broader level, AK notes, "It's showing people, I'm not perfect, so don't judge me as perfect. I'm a human being just like you, and I'm trying to be the best version of myself."
AK goes on to say the album is an example of the importance of connection, as many of the songs are somewhat of journal entries from his own experiences and struggles.
"Every human goes through their trials and tribulations and everyone has their own way of getting through it and getting past it," he says, adding: "This is me saying, 'Here's my version of how I got past it. Maybe it can help you.'"
It's those messages which are woven throughout the newly released project, which encourages self-reflection and community—even down to the guest features, most of whom were longtime friends not just random artists selected for a verse or two, such as Jenkins' appearance on "Tetsuo's Ways."
"For me, it was about, who do I really hear on this song and who can make this song better or take it to another level," recalls AK about the Jenkins verse. "On 'Tetsuo's Ways,' tsu way, the darkness and like grittiness of it, it made me think of him."
On "Mind Body Soul," Kelcey Ayer's contribution was the realization of AK's longheld desire to work with the Local Natives member, having admired the band for years.
"He's one of my favorites and that's one of my favorite bands—Local Natives," says AK. "That track means a lot to me and it's great to say he's my friend now, too."■