Creating a great rap song isn’t just about writing dope lyrics or finding a fire beat — it’s about developing the song from idea to execution with intention. In this article, I’m taking you behind the scenes of how I helped one of my students, Rich Vysion, transform his raw demo into a polished, emotionally impactful track called I Don’t Keep It to Myself. This is a full breakdown of our process, from writing and vocal coaching to production, recording, vocal comping, and final mix.
Meet the Artist: Rich Vysion
Rich is a rapper from the Bronx, New York, who uses his music as a powerful outlet to share his struggles and triumphs with mental health. For him, making music is more than creative expression — it’s therapeutic. And by sharing his truth, he creates a meaningful connection with others facing similar challenges.
Step 1: The Polish Session
Every artist I work with has their own style and process. In Rich’s case, we start with what I call a Polish Session. He typically comes in with a rough version of the song written and demoed out.
At this stage, my role is to help refine the lyrics, improve the flow and rhyme schemes, and brainstorm ideas for hooks, intros, and transitions. It’s all about elevating what’s already there while staying true to the emotion and message of the track.
Step 2: Custom Beat Production
Initially, Rich was writing over a YouTube beat he liked. But he wanted something custom, so he asked me to produce a beat from scratch that captured the same vibe but with more emotion and texture.
I recreated that dreamy, emotional feel by layering:
- Soft melodic synths
- Vocal sample textures
- Music box sounds
- Reverse swells for transitions
- Subtle ambient elements for intimacy
This resulted in a beat that felt deeply personal and enhanced the storytelling of his lyrics.
Step 3: Remote Studio Recording
Here’s something unique about our workflow: even though Rich is in New York and I’m in Atlanta, I still handle all of his studio recording remotely. I guide him through the entire tracking session via internet connection in real time — coaching delivery, timing, and tone just like I would in-person.
One of my favorite vocal production techniques is to record in small 4-bar sections. I let the artist get into the zone, and then step in with suggestions only when needed.
When working this way I highly recommend artists to bring their own audio interface to the studio. This prevents you from wasting time with having to install software and drivers or running into an issue where the studio’s audio interface isn’t compatible with your laptop.
And audio interfaces are very affordable these days! For Rich’s studio session we used his Focusrite Scarlett Solo.
Step 4: Vocal Comping – Choosing the Best Takes
After tracking, I go through the vocal takes and comp together the best parts from each recording.
This process, called vocal comping, is where the performance really gets shaped. I’m listening not just for timing or pitch, but for emotion — those little moments that give the song life.
Even slightly imperfect takes sometimes carry more soul and character than the “technically perfect” ones. That’s where the magic happens.
Step 5: Mixing and Adding Finishing Touches
Once the vocal comp is finalized, I move into the mixing and mastering stage. For this song, I added:
- Delay throws for emphasis on key phrases
- A telephonic filter to tie into his “dialing 98” lyric
- Reverse vocal swells to smooth out transitions
- Additional sound effects for extra emotional depth
These details add space, dynamics, and character — turning a solid performance into a complete, immersive experience.
Final Result: A Finished Song with Real Impact
What started as a rough concept became a polished track ready to be shared with the world! LISTEN TO: Rich Vysion I Don’t Keep It To Myself
Want to Take Your Music to the Next Level?
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