No ID, 53, swivels toward us when hes amused, making animated faces and cracking mischievous smiles.
I never like to disrespect a genre, so, education, he says, toying with a Leica.
The photography class is a bit of a side quest.
Due out in January, its a refreshingly rich and cohesive testament to their individuality and the promise ofhip-hop.
No ID knew both of them well on the scene in Chicago, which is also his own hometown.
I just go, Hey, man, hop on the truck.
Well see some things, well talk, well take some photos.
I would always be like, Bro, just come on, man.
When I worked at labels, people viewed me totally different than who I am.
Its like, Im a warrior.
Im one of you.
Why is this conversation going like this?
Im Harriet Tubman!…
And its like, Nah, youre with them.
For years, they stayed in touch, getting to know each other more organically.
Saba calls one of his first studio sessions with No ID, in 2019, memorable as fuck.
He made 20 beats in one sitting, Saba says.
Im just doing what I love.
And I remember going, I wonder how hes going to take to this event.
As they revisit this memory together, Saba strokes his chin reflectively.
Still, Saba took it as another test: He just trusted me with 100-plus beats.
He gave me a shot.
Let me just get something done.
No ID had made those beats in about a month as a way of testing himself.
Theres producers, and theres beatmakers, he says.
When I ask him to differentiate the two, he points to Quincy Jones.
He just brought the team together.
That was his role as a producer: make decisions.
No, this key.
No, this writer.
No, that drummer, that engineer.
He didnt go, Ive got this instrumental, Mike.
I felt like, Man, I became too much of a producer.
I need to be a beatmaker again.
So he challenged himself to build an arsenal of beats that would have been good enough for Biggie.
Saba handled them expertly.
He was down to put them out as a mixtape but Saba thought they could go even harder.
What are we making, though?
Go ahead, Saba concedes.
Thank you, Confucius, No ID says, smirking.
Then theres Crash, a sweet serenade about the pop in of dates that turn to sleepovers.
Both Raphael Saadiq and Kelly Rowland heard the track in passing at the studio and asked to jump on.
Shes like, Yeah, I was waiting on you to ask, No ID recalls.
No ID turns to Saba.
Those are the songs that Im always most happy with.
Im a businessman by trade, an artist at heart.
Production Credits
Production byPATRICIA BILOTTIforPBNY PRODUCTIONS.
Photographic assistance byTAYLOR GALLOWAYandSPRUCE BOHEN
