Zeke Tha Freak On the Making Of “Better With You”
What was the initial spark or idea that led to the creation of "Better With You?"
I had been stuck on Neo-Soul/Lofi beats all week and came across a particular guitar riff that instantly sparked vibes of intimacy and summer romance. After playing the riff endlessly on repeat for a few hours, the concept of “Better With You” came to me, and I knew I had something to write about. I wanted to capture the nostalgia of young love and the timeless feeling of being with your favorite person. We all have memories that start playing in our heads when we think of love in our lives, and the idea was to revive that feeling for the listener when they hear the song.
Were there any memorable or standout moments during the recording sessions for this song?
After writing the lyrics, I sent the original demo over to Producer/Artist Iain Mahanty who is based out of London. We went back and forth on some more drafts, and we settled on the idea that this track would have a “conversational” structure and chose to go with a warm, dreamy sound; with an almost cinematic feel to it. Iain really helped craft the blended sound of Hip-Hop/R&B with Trap/Soul that you hear behind the lyrics.
One memorable moment was sending my final vocals to Iain along with the featured vocals from Phoebe Carter. After hearing our parts together for the first time he called and shouted “Yes!! This match is going to be Perfect!” It had been our first time working together and my first international collaboration, which made the feeling of getting to the finish line on the song that much sweeter.
Have you noticed any particular interpretations or connections that listeners have made with "Better With You?"
Falling in love, young love, and especially first love is such a powerful and memorable feeling that we can all relate to. For the most part, it seems like people are connecting with their own past memories of intimacy more than a specific message, which I love, but there have been a few one-liner interpretations that I thought were uniquely interesting.
One reviewer said “Better With You” was “the musical equivalent of finding an old hoodie that still smells like the person you used to love and realizing it doesn’t hurt anymore. But it kind of does. But in a good way..” I thought this take was great, it made me smile, and expressed the vulnerability of the track in a relatable way.
Can you tell us more about you as an artist?
My lifelong musical journey has evolved from playing horns, guitars, and drums into a fan-focused project with infectious energy and a variety of moods to match the complexities of our everyday lives. My music aims to speak to the journey of Life, self-discovery, emotional healing, and spiritual insight, with some feel-good anthems and party bangers added in for good measure! Whether you're cruising, reflecting, or vibing out with friends, I strive to create timeless grooves just for you. Although the style for this project is rooted in Golden Era Hip-Hop/R&B, I love blending modern elements of Pop, Trap, and Soul in to create unique modern sounds, and push Conscious Hip-Hop forward.
Do you aim to convey any specific themes or messages through your music?
On one hand, my music is all about offering a soundtrack for people’s everyday lives and moments. The variety of moods, vibes, and blended styles that you hear in my catalog reflects the Rollercoaster of experiences we have throughout our lives.
But if I had to boil the music down to a single theme, it would be CONNECTION. Anyone seeking connection.. With themselves, with others, or with something greater, has a place in my musical community. Whether you’re growing up, growing old, or somewhere in-between, you have a place with us. I’m honored to be connected to your life’s journey through this music.
