The Story Behind We Rise Together (#LOCA100)

Back in August, I came up with the idea of doing a massive collaboration to bring together a ton of producers to work on a single track. On September 1st, 2019, Peter, who owned the label at the time, pointed out that the 100th release of Loca Recordings was coming up soon. I felt this was the perfect opportunity to try an accomplish my dream collab so after a bit of back and forth between Peter and myself, he became convinced this was the best way to celebrate our 100th release. So I messaged some of the producers I had in mind on Facebook to see if they'd be down and we all made a Facebook messenger group to start planning out the track. 

Considering the scale of the project, I knew only one person or group could work on the track at a time. OUTRAGE got the first swing at it and they came back with the melody & plucks you hear in the first breakdown. After the group approved, the project got sent over to WYKO where he whipped up the incredible second drop for the track. Next, TBR took the project and began work on the second breakdown with his signature leads - working off of OUTRAGE's initial break melody. 

Looking at where the track stood with WYKO's massive drop and the two existing breakdowns, I felt that a big room trance drop would be better suited as the first drop because it would be nearly impossible to top the energy WYKO had put into his part. Enter EMKR & DRIIIFT who came together to make the bomb that started off the track. 

At this point, the arrangement was a bit wonky with the breakdowns unevenly split up. So I brought in Trictonez to help with the arrangement and smooth out the transitions between the sections we currently had. He came up with the idea for the insane snare buildup to the first drop and did some edits on EMKR & DRIIIFT's portion. Trictonez was essential in pulling this track together and getting it ready for release. 

The Italian trio, Marnage, recently came on board as A&R for Loca Recordings, so it seemed fitting to have their help in mixing and mastering the final track. With years of production experience, they brought out the best of what everyone had made up until this point while adding a bit of their own flavor into the mix. Their touch helped glue the track together to feel like a cohesive product and ready to rock speakers around the world. 

After his work on "Face To Face" with Kevin Brand and given his intense involvement in the label ever since its revival, I felt it only fitting that ALEJANDRO be brought in to sing a few bars and give the song its message, "We Rise Together." In a performance that gave us all goosebumps, ALEJANDRO provided the original vocals and pre-drop acapella you hear in the track with Marnage being the ones to smoothly integrate it with the instrumentals. 

There you have it: the three month story of how "We Rise Together" came into existence. Outside of the ones who are credited, there are a few other people I would like to thank for their help. Lazca Design created the magnificent cover are and banners which we will cherish forever. He put everything he had into this project and it clearly shows in the jaw-dropping result. I also want to thank Lucas and Peter for giving me this chance to run Loca Recordings and giving me the freedom to pursue business in the way I felt best. 

"We Rise Together" is about family and the power in supporting each other in our collective endeavors. In 2020, we will be dedicated to putting our artists first and supporting the next wave of producers with tutorials and sample packs. We look forward to connecting with you all throughout the year! #LOCA100 #WeRiseTogether