San Tan Valley Teen Collaborates with Swifty McVay

The collaboration between San Tan Valley resident, Alex Montano, an up-and-coming artist, and Swifty McVay, a seasoned hip-hop veteran, resulted in a powerful and emotional song that sends a message of self-belief and self-reliance. The collaboration came about in early January when Montano saved up some money and decided to work with someone who had inspired him. He chose to work with D12's Swifty McVay because he had been a fan of the group's emotional energy and the way their music helped him through difficult times in his childhood.

The creative process for producing and writing the song was a personal journey for Montano. He had no clear vision or musical background when he started, but he was determined to complete a beat that he could be proud of. He poured his heart and soul into the beat, using his emotions and personal experiences to create a one-of-a-kind, emotional piece.

Montano approached the creation of the sound with a focus on emotion, hoping to complement Swifty McVay's style and D12's legacy. The beat he created was designed to change the message of the lyrics from calm and stoic to a more hitting rock bottom, but still having self-belief. The song's overall message was about self-reliance and self-belief, with McVay's closing line providing a fitting end to the song: "I never complained about the tough times, because after the rain comes the sunshine."

Working with Swifty McVay to bring his vision for the song to life was a collaborative effort. Montano asked for a clean verse that sent a message of picking oneself up and moving on. McVay delivered with a verse that impressed Montano, who then changed the beat to complement the emotional potential of the verse. The piano was added to make the verse seem like McVay was pursuing his goal even though things were tough.

Like any creative endeavor, Montano encountered challenges during the production and writing of the song. The biggest challenge came when he was writing the third verse. He struggled to make it relatable, but in the end, the process of going through that struggle was what made the verse relatable.

The song fits in more with the Pop/Rap side of music and stands out because of the detail in the hook and the use of a verse as a hook at the end of the song. Montano's use of a free program called Soundtrap to create the beat also impressed Salt Mine engineer Hunter Nurse.

The unique techniques used in the production of the song were subtle but effective. The inclusion of basketball dribbles paid homage to the person who had helped Montano through difficult times, while the sound of children laughing and having fun added a sense of innocence to the song.

The collaboration between Montano and Swifty McVay resulted in a powerful and emotional song that sends a message of self-belief and self-reliance. The personal journey that Montano went through in creating the beat and writing the lyrics shines through in the finished product, which stands out in the current hip-hop landscape for its attention to detail and emotional energy.

Listen to "For You" on Spotify below.