KILLY Hits Warp Speed in New “W2MS” Video
The Toronto rapper trims a five-minute epic down to its most explosive core — then takes it worldwide.
by Ben Boddez
- Published on
KILLY just continues to get bigger and bigger – and a huge component of that is likely due to his frenzied release pace, which doesn’t show any signs of slowing down anytime soon. Already gearing up for a new era after dropping his album LIFE I CHOSE last September, the Toronto rapper says that it’s going to be his “most ambitious chapter yet.” Lead single “W2MS” certainly exemplifies that: not only does it find KILLY injecting his catchy flows with some bars about fallen friends and the problems that he can’t seem to shake, but even the way the track was created was a different experience for him.
Originally five minutes in length and morphing through a couple different sections, KILLY ultimately decided to simply give his listeners the hard-hitting beats he’s known for off the jump and simply release the two-minute, party-starting segment. The official video finds KILLY emphasizing his global influence and living a rockstar lifestyle, whether surveying his domain from the top of a skyscraper, performing at festivals or hanging out the side of a rickshaw while hurtling through Mumbai.
We caught up with KILLY below to talk about rickshaw rides, the future of KILLY and how the new version of the song came to be.
Why did you feel like this song was the best way to kick off your new era?
Originally this song was supposed to drop months ago but because of delays it got pushed back to now.
What was the writing process and studio sessions like for this one?
Emrld30 sent a beat I liked and me, Prod, and Player One flipped it and created a whole new beat with some of the sounds that were in the OG. As soon as I heard the melody, I had the chorus.
You look like you’re having the time of your life in the video – which of these moments was the most fun to shoot?
Probably riding through Mumbai on a rickshaw—definitely a different experience.
It’s interesting that this song was originally five minutes long – what was the original version like and how did it morph into what it is today?
Originally I envisioned it as two different songs on the same track. The similarity between both of them is they use the same sample. The original first half of the song was more personal to me and slower, whereas the second half was more turnt and fun. I included a small part of the original at the end of the final release.
What have you been listening to lately?
Headie One and 2hollis.
If there was a real window to your soul, what would we see?
I don’t want to think about that.
What can we expect from any upcoming larger projects? Why would you say it’s your “most ambitious chapter yet?”
I think just getting back to a place where music has been fun to make is moving back up on the priority list within my life. That can only lead to exciting things.
What’s next for KILLY? Anything else you’d like us to know?
I want to tour Asia and release more content outside of music.
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