@AugustAlsina & @ItsKiddKidd Break Down Their Collaboration 'Downtown'

Via HotNewHipHop

Giving you the direct perspective from August Alsina and his producers Knucklehead and Carlos Cahee, "Track Breakdown" is an HNHH series that highlights a specific cut by speaking to both the artist and producer about the song's creation.

For this week's Track Breakdown, we called upon rising singer August Alsina. August already has a deal locked in with Def Jam, through none other than r'n'b singer and hit-maker, The-Dream. With mentoring from Terius Nash, there is no doubt that August will go far with his music. The 20-year-old singer recently released his second mixtape, The Product 2, and the response has been very positive. As the rapper continues to grind and define himself with his music, we spoke to him about one song in particular off The Product 2, "Downtown," and how it represents him.

The Product 2 proved to be full of slow bangers, that are not necessarily meant to be enjoyed in a romantic setting with your girl. August reveals to us that he hates to be boxed into the "typical r'n'b" that encompasses girl-related content. Instead, the NO native takes a cue from his fellow rappers, who talk about any and everything they want too.

One such example of this on The Product 2 is August's "Downtown." "Downtown" tells a story about the every day life in New Orleans, where August grew up. August shares a true story of losing someone because of street life going-ons, making for an emotional track to match the instrumental, which was the result of collaborative work between producer Knucklehead and guitarist Carlos Cahee.

August enlisted Kidd Kidd for "Downtown," an appropriate feature given they both grew up in New Orleans. Although the two had never collaborated previously, they work well together, with Kidd Kidd's verse breaking up the song nicely. We also spoke to Kidd Kidd on his feature, and he explains how the song really touched home with him, in a similar way to August.

August on how the song concept for "Downtown" came about:

When people think New Orleans they automatically think Uptown, Magnolia, Calliope, the East, etc. All of the neighborhoods made famous by the NO legends. So I wanted to make a record that represented where I’m from, Downtown (and Kenner City). Me and my team, The Exclusives and Knucklehead, were in the studio vibin'. Knuck and Los laid a track and we started to just tell the story of how I grew up and what you witness being from Downtown.

On if the story in "Downtown" was a real-life experience for August:

Everything in that song is 100% real life. Growing up wasn’t easy, but you gotta play the hand you’re dealt. Those experiences, bad and good, made me who I am today. It’s easier to put it in music than it is to talk about it.

On how August decided on Kidd Kidd for the feature:

We’ve never worked together before but I’ve always been a fan. He’s from Downtown, and he’s been one of the only n*ggas really reppin Downtown so it only seemed right. We sent it to him and got it back to us the next day. Killed his verse.