“Rank,” an exciting new single from JAK in collaboration with Dust Breaks, has just hit the music scene. This captivating song takes you on a journey into the world of modern dating with lyrics that perfectly capture the essence of hooking up and the emotional gambling that comes with it. It reflects the realities of dating today and is a must-listen for anyone who has ever been on a date.
Adding a touch of drama and depth to the song is a sample from the movie Baazigar. Combining the sample and JAK’s lyrics makes for a seamless and fluid track that came together quickly. The beat-making process for “Rank” was one of the quickest and smoothest Dust Breaks has ever experienced. He used JAK’s original song as a reference and created a short section that he looped to create a blank canvas for JAK to write on.
In a recent interview, JAK and Dust Breaks opened up about the creative process that led to the production of their hit single “Rank.” They offered insights into the broader cultural influences shaping the dating world today.
The two artists shared their experiences and inspirations, delving into the creative journey that brought “Rank” to life. They discussed their creative process, how they collaborated as a team and the challenges they faced. From writing and recording to final touches, JAK and Dust Breaks offered an exclusive look behind the scenes of making “Rank.”
Furthermore, the interview offered a unique opportunity to gain insight into the creative processes of two talented artists and their take on the evolving landscape of modern dating. It sheds light on the challenges and opportunities of creating music in the digital age and how the changing cultural climate shapes the artistic process.
Let’s start by getting to know each other better. Can you tell us a bit about yourself? What’s your name, age, and where are you from? Don’t worry; share as much or as little as you can.
JAK: Im Jatin, but I go by JAK. I am 28, and I’m from the Bay Area. I’ve been a rapper for almost three years now.
DUST BREAKS: I’m Vijay, and go by the alias Dust Breaks. I’m a music producer based in the Bay Area. I have been producing music since 2008, and while my primary genre is electronic music, I occasionally venture into the worlds of hip-hop and pop music.
I’m curious, how did the idea for “Rank” come about? What was the creative process like for this collaboration?
JAK: The lyrics stem from what I think dating is like. It’s just variations on hooking up with people; there’s no natural substance to finding people out there. Many of my lyrics capture different accounts and stories I have heard in my circles about my friends going after certain types of people. It was harrowing to see how they gambled with it, and that’s why I chose the sample from the movie Baazigar, which is about a man who gambles his life with two women to exact revenge. So in a sense, it brings it back to how dating is seen from both perspectives—how everyone gambles with one another on every date they go on.
DUST BREAKS: This song was one of the quickest and smoothest beat-making processes. The instant JAK sent me the original song (from the movie) as a reference, I devised a short section and looped it, creating a blank canvas for him to write on. As soon as the verses were written, we developed a structure for the track that incorporated short hooks between each verse. The entire process was fluid, and the track came together rather quickly.
Can you describe your unique contributions to the song and how they blended to create the final product?
JAK: I was the rapper and the guy behind the lyrics. Dust Breaks gave me the beat, and I sat on it for a while. There were a couple of revisions and ideas, but the idea of dating stemmed from real-world scenarios that I had witnessed, and it would be great to capture that in a song.
DUST BREAKS: I produced the beat and did all the mixing/mastering on the track. The beat began with a simple 3-pronged approach: the sample, the bass, and the break. On Rank, the repetition of the early drafts of the beat allowed JAK to have free reign with his writing; once I got a feel for how long each of his verses was, I was able to figure out how long to extend each hook to keep the pace of the song more interesting.
I’m sure there were some challenges along the way. What was the most difficult aspect of working together on this project? And how did you overcome it?
JAK: For me, it was trying to keep up with the fantastic craftsmanship of this beat. I needed to write something as impactful as this beat’s production and sound.
DUST BREAKS: From the production side, the most challenging element on this track was keeping the original sample vaguely recognizable without chopping up each portion too heavily. Sampling is a delicate balancing act when it comes to this.
I’m intrigued by the message of “Rank.” What do you hope listeners will take away from the song, and what do you want to convey through the lyrics and music?
JAK: I feel the message at the end of the day would be to think when you gamble. Going out with people and entering into a relationship is precious. The way you deal with it and the mindset with which you go into it make it unique. If you are like the Baazigar and do it for malicious reasons, then don’t be surprised when it comes back to get you.
Are any particular artists or musical influences that inspired your work on “Rank”?
JAK: I draw heavily from a lot of artists. Particularly Kendrick Lamar, Tupac, and Biggie, to name a few. This particular song drew inspiration from Nas; he is a fantastic storyteller and truly personifies the message every time he makes a song.
DUST BREAKS: For this beat, I returned to the sounds of Public Enemy and, in general, the early formative years of hip-hop. There’s something so hypnotic about the simple break loop combined with a chopped sample and driving bassline. When you present those elements modernly, you get a sound that pairs beautifully with JAK’s aggressive and confident flow.
What’s next for both of you after this collaboration, and when can we expect to hear more music from your respective projects?
JAK: We have two more singles that will be dropping, and then we are releasing an entire album. So stay tuned for that.
I’m dying to know: what’s been the most memorable moment or experience in making “Rank”? Any fun behind-the-scenes details or juicy facts you can share?
JAK: At first, I was messing around with this track. I didn’t think too hard about it, but it slowly evolved into something extraordinary.
DUST BREAKS: This was one of several tracks on the album where JAK did not record his final vocal takes with me present in the studio. He recorded them with a mutual collaborator in a different studio and surprised me with the brand-new, aggressive flow. I won’t forget how blown away I was by the ferocity in JAK’s voice and how perfectly it paired with the beat.
Lastly, what advice would you give to other artists looking to collaborate with someone new?
JAK: Take that chance. Music is so much more fun when you work on it with the people that you love working with.