From the Private Collection of Saba & No ID

Summary

Podcast Summary: "From the Private Collection of Saba & No ID"

Podcast: All Of It
Host: Alison Stewart
Episode Release Date: April 1, 2025
Guests: Saba and No ID
Episode Focus: Collaboration between Chicago hip-hop artist Saba and legendary producer No ID on their joint album, From the Private Collection of Saba & No ID.

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Introduction to the Collaboration

Alison Stewart opens the episode by highlighting Saba's rising prominence in Chicago's new hip-hop scene and his collaboration with veteran producer No ID, affectionately dubbed the "Godfather of Chicago Hip Hop." She introduces their latest joint project, From the Private Collection of Saba & No ID, noting its exploration of diverse themes such as religion, family, fame, and personal identity.

[00:37] Alison Stewart: "Saba has become a major figure in the new generation of Chicago hip hop. On his latest project, he teamed up with a legend of a previous generation, the producer no id."

Genesis of the Collaboration

Saba delves into the origins of his partnership with No ID, tracing it back to 2018 when No ID, then working at a label, showed interest in signing him. This interest was intertwined with Saba's familial ties to music, as his father was also a musician collaborating with No ID in the 90s. However, initial negotiations were met with skepticism from Saba, who was cautious about relinquishing creative control and navigating the complexities of label agreements.

[02:35] Saba: "In 2018, before releasing my second album, he was working at a label and he was interested in signing me... it's been a cool full circle for not just me, but also my family."

Transition to Collaboration

The collaboration officially kicked off in 2022 after Saba's album Few Good Things and a series of tours where he and No ID reconnected. No ID sent Saba a substantial collection of beats—reportedly 100—which served as the foundation for their joint creative endeavors. Despite initial uncertainties, Saba embraced the opportunity, leading to a deeper, in-studio partnership throughout 2022 and into 2023.

[03:37] Saba: "He sent me a 100 of them. I didn't expect him to actually do it, but... that's kind of when the collaboration officially started."

The Alchemy of In-Studio Collaboration

A significant portion of the discussion centers on the transformative experience of working together in the studio. Saba describes the studio as a "sacred space" where genuine collaboration and creative magic occur, contrasting it with remote or fragmented creative processes.

[05:03] Saba: "The actual magic... like it's room for magic when y'all are together in the studio."

Alison aptly summarizes this sentiment by echoing Saba's use of the term "alchemy" to describe their creative synergy.

[06:09] Alison Stewart: "I think the word alchemy was exactly right."

Evolution of Their Relationship

Saba reflects on the evolution of his relationship with No ID, emphasizing the shift from initial label negotiations to a more organic, mentorship-based partnership. As No ID departed from the label scene, their collaboration became more focused on mutual artistic growth rather than business constraints.

[10:25] Saba: "We kind of reconnected and reintroduced the conversation, and he was no longer at the company, and that's where the relationship was really able to evolve."

Impact on Songwriting and Production Skills

The partnership has significantly influenced Saba's approach to both songwriting and production. He credits No ID's openness and willingness to share knowledge as pivotal in enhancing his craft. Saba appreciates the practical lessons gleaned from studio sessions, which often involve discussions on what constitutes a good song and the intricacies of music-making.

[12:45] Alison Stewart: "Saba described how No ID's openness has enriched his songwriting and production techniques."

Saba also explores his identity as a producer, likening it to tastemaking and emphasizing the importance of continuous practice and creative exploration.

[14:22] Saba: "Producing is almost like, to me, it's like tastemaking. It's like being a good curator or like a good interior designer."

Insights into Specific Tracks

Alison and Saba delve into specific tracks from the album, offering listeners a glimpse into the creative process behind them.

"Head"
Saba shares the inspiration behind "Head," which stemmed from a conversation about hairstyles and personal identity within his friend group.

[15:54] Saba: "I was in a studio with a few of my friends... it kind of inspired... I could just tell this story on the song."

"Back in Office"
This track features Madison McFerrin, OG, and Jordan Ward. Saba explains how sampling Madison McFerrin's work and collaborating with OG and Jordan Ward naturally fell into place, epitomizing the "alchemy" of their collective creativity.

[17:25] Saba: "It's like no Brainers, almost like no ID Was playing them some music, and that's how they ended up on it."

Personal Anecdotes and Light Moments

Towards the end of the episode, Saba shares a personal anecdote about receiving an unexpected win—a defective couch that he got to keep along with his money back. This light-hearted moment underscores the show's commitment to showcasing both the professional and personal facets of its guests.

[20:02] Saba: "Yesterday, I ordered a really expensive couch and it got to my house and it was defective... So I got to keep the couch and the money."

Conclusion

Alison wraps up the episode by expressing gratitude for Saba's participation and hinting at the continued evolution of his artistic journey post the release of From the Private Collection of Saba & No ID. The collaboration stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of Chicago hip-hop and the fruitful partnerships that can emerge from mutual respect and creative synergy.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Saba on Alchemy in the Studio:
  "[06:28] Saba: ...it's alchemy, you know?"

• Alison on the Essence of Collaboration:
  "[05:03] Alison Stewart: ...it's room for magic when y'all are together in the studio."

• Saba Reflecting on Skepticism:
  "[08:20] Saba: I didn't want to relinquish the keys to the driver's seat..."

• On the Evolution of Their Relationship:
  "[10:25] Saba: ...the relationship was really able to evolve because it had no stipulation on it."

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Final Thoughts

This episode of All Of It provides an intimate look into the collaborative dynamics between an emerging artist and a seasoned producer. Through engaging conversations and candid reflections, listeners gain insights into the creative processes, challenges, and triumphs that shape the making of a culturally resonant hip-hop album. The inclusion of original tracks and behind-the-scenes stories enriches the listening experience, making it valuable for both fans and aspiring musicians.

Transcript

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[Saba]

Listener Supported WNYC Studios.

[Alison Stewart]

This is all of it on wnyc. I'm Alison Stewart Saba has become a major figure in the new generation of Chicago hip hop. On his latest project, he teamed up with a legend of a previous generation, the producer no id. He's been nicknamed the Godfather of Chicago Hip Hop and has mentored groundbreaking musicians like Common and Kanye. Their new album is titled from the Private Collection of Saba and no id. It touches on all sorts of subjects religion, family, fame, even hair. Here's a clip of the track Head.

[No ID]

Wrap Rinse the relaxers out of nappy afros and breaking plastics from scratching scalps with raccoons curl patterns that fight back and that grow so wild that you can't put a cap on mama scratching my dandruff we back home still tender headed boy you were not that grown them neck braids help you build backbone everybody float blamed your ass you either laughed or just hope one day the style catch on shorty my goals is more than what you can brag on when it add up Won't be a app on that phone need guap like a cheese head bread far oh you seen a weed head got dreadlocks oh you seen a couple savages too Couple of babies who done start their journey and knew I'm rooting for you we could start at the root I'm who they told you I was, it's all.

[Alison Stewart]

True from the Private Collection of Saba and no Id had been in the works for years, starting as a mixtape and then morphing into a full album. When Saba joined us in January to preview it, he still didn't actually know when it would be released. Well, the good news is it's finally out. It dropped on March 18 and it has gotten rave reviews. Pitchfork called it a master class in melodic rap. Saba will be at the blue note on April 11th, 12th and the 13th. Here's my conversation with Saba. How did you and no Id first get introduced to each other?

[Saba]

Man, it's a long story made short. Okay, in 2018, before releasing my second album, he was working at a label and he was interested in signing me. And why I say there's a longer version of it. My Father's also a musician from Chicago, and they worked on music in the 90s. So it's kind of one of those stories where, you know, it's some separation, years and years go by, and then we're kind of all reintroduced as with, you know, a new generation of artists, you know, so it's been a cool full circle for not just me, but also my family.

[Alison Stewart]

When did the collaboration get started in entirety? Whose idea was it?

[Saba]

2022 is when we started it. After releasing my last album, Few Good Things, I was heading on tour and meet him with no id. He was just making beats. Making beats. Every time I. I would see him, and he had like, 100 beats.

[Alison Stewart]

And he sent you 100 beats?

[Saba]

He sent me a 100 of them. He sent me a 100 of them. I didn't expect him to actually do it, but, you know, I had to shoot the shot. He was like, how many should I send? And I was like, send them all, send them all. And he actually did it. So that's kind of when the collaboration officially started. But that was me touring, so it was mostly a mixtape. And then coming home from that tour, it was like, all right, let's. Let's actually do this thing now. Like, we show what we can do, just, you know, me being on the road, working in the background kind of. But it's been actually a really, really incredible process, like just working on a craft with someone who has dedicated their life to the craft in that way. Like, being able to learn from and pick up on a lot of things, you know, sitting and just soaking up information.

[Alison Stewart]

So y'all were. So you're on tour and you're getting the beats. When did you actually come to work with him in a studio? Did you?

[Saba]

Yeah, we worked still 2022, maybe. Summer 2022 is when we actually started to get in the studio, and we spent a lot of 2023 together in sessions in the studio.

[Alison Stewart]

You know, what's it like when you're in studio with somebody and you're working with somebody? You can do stuff on beach. You can back and forth over the computer, but when you're actually physically with someone.

[Saba]

So for me, I would say being in the studio is really where there's room for the alchemy to happen. That's where, like, the. The actual magic, when you look at the tour documentaries on, you know, on streaming and things like that, or like, studio sessions, it's like, that's where you see people's face glow up. You see the ideas come from the Abyss. People just, you know, it's like real collaboration, like, doing things on the road and, you know, separate or email or anything like that. Like, you can also make great music that way. I'm not saying you can't, but I think in terms of it being collaborative, the studio, it's like a sacred space, you know? And it's a lot of conversation that happens that influences what wears you right down, what snares you use, what. Like, every decision is kind of made based off of wherever the energy is in that room. And it might be someone who just walks in the room. You know, there's no telling, really, with the studio sessions, but it's like it's room for magic when y'all are together in the studio. Always.

[Alison Stewart]

I think the word alchemy was exactly right.

[Saba]

Yeah. I can't take credit. I got that from him.

[Alison Stewart]

Okay.

[Saba]

I got that from him.

[Alison Stewart]

It's magic.

[Saba]

Yeah. Yeah. But it's. It's something that I just absolutely agree with. So I've been, you know, I've been, you know, reintroducing that into my vocabulary. Cause that's what it feel like. It feel like alchemy, you know?

[Alison Stewart]

Let's listen to a track. This one is called Back in Office from Saba and Noedi.

[No ID]

Young Sebastian back in office Slipped out of the back in a flying salsa Cristella, where we at? Declining office I hear rapping can make salsa Tomato, tomato, it's all sauceless this feel like Drano to y'all faucets superhero this my negro solstice flow they hear my and then adopt it like a foster home My granny working hard the main person I call upon Gold shoe chain hang from my collarbone I was the same guy in her college dorm and I ain't never had a college dorm Body like a bottle in a skin tone Terracotta I'm from Chicago, we invented mobsters Some call me Saba others call me Saba as long as it's love, it's not a problem A filet avoya like I'm Oscar de La Hoya Is y'all looking at hot potato oil I can fry the game of boil they like Is y'all cooking crack? Got asking is it jazz or is it ra? I'm a bit imaginative I'm where the ribbon at in the sky I can write like Jack Kerouac I can say anything it don't even have to match I can wear anything Asha De La.

[Alison Stewart]

Hoya and Jack Kerouac. Come on now. My guest is Saba. We're talking about his forthcoming album in collaboration with the legendary Chicago producer no id. Tell me if this is true because you believe, you know, the Internet, whether to believe or not, that when you saba, when, when no ID wanted to sign you, he was with a major label and you were a little bit skeptical. Is that true?

[Saba]

Yeah, I think that's an oversimplification, but that's essentially what were we skeptical of in bullet points? That's what happened.

[Alison Stewart]

Yeah. What were you skeptical of?

[Saba]

I guess I had done things a certain way in my career thus far and not, you know, that was 2018, so I was still pretty young in terms of where I was at a album two albums in. But I, I, I kind of always had this, like, I guess, attitude where I want, like, I feel like I just take responsibility for what happens in my. In my journey. And I didn't want to relinquish the keys to the driver's seat and also paperwork and lawyers and all type of stuff that's beyond my pay grade. You know, I'm just like, what we do here is pretty simple. We make great music and we put it out. And the people who like it are usually the people who help us spread and grow the message or the music. And I don't know, I think it just became complicated. And this was a much easier version of it to just collab and make music together as opposed to doing whatever, you know. I don't know. I think with more conversations, maybe we would have gotten it to where we both felt fairly treated, you know, like. But I, you know, a lot of those things is not enough conversation that happens. It's like, it's real quick. It's like everybody wants to get done quickly. And I don't know. I think part of it, being from Chicago, I'm a little protected. And also knowing how much it means to me, it's like, it's hard to give that away. It's hard to trust strangers with it, you know, So I think, you know, I'm appreciative. I'm really grateful for the way that the journey went, but that was definitely something that kept me up for many, many night.

[Alison Stewart]

How does your relationship evolve?

[Saba]

Man, it went a lot of different places in that, in that few years span, from dropping my second album to being where I'm at now. I think at some point in that time, we kind of reconnected and reintroduced the conversation, and he was no longer at the company, and that's where the relationship was really able to evolve because it had no stipulation on it. It can be anything that we decide to make it at that point. And, yeah, I went into it not necessarily expecting to make music with him, surprisingly, I guess, to some people. But, yeah, it was way more like of a, I guess, mentorship kind of role. He was helping me on the business side. And when he started offering the music, I'm like, that's like. That's like extra credit. That's like, you know, that's like extra credit. And it's been cool. I've been like, I really have been enjoying the process of just being able to learn around them and making music with them. It's been like, really. It's been really cool. I felt like, challenged in a lot of ways where I wanted to grow. I wanted to show up. I wanted to show, you know, like, working with somebody who's already considered a legend, like, it's like, you know, I want to show that I belong here. I could stand next to this and. And live up to it and do my part as a. As the artist and also as a producer. I was going in and he was. He was letting me produce some of his ideas and things like that. So it was a lot of trust that built in that relationship. But, yeah, it's. It's refreshing to me, like, to just make music the way. The way I know how and it be, you know, it'd be cool. Even if you're working alongside somebody who's Is respected as, you know, a no ID from the city, you know, how.

[Alison Stewart]

Did working with no ID make you a better songwriter? And then how did it make you a better producer?

[Saba]

Okay, so to try and describe what some of these sessions are like, I usually start my sessions around 2pm I get to the studio, and sometimes it's just no ID and Rafael Siddiq just in a room talking.

[Alison Stewart]

That's pretty good talk.

[Saba]

It's a great time. Like, man, they could charge. They could charge for this panel. And I would be one of the people who, you know, bought a ticket to attend the panel. So I'm just hearing the information that they're saying, and that's what they're talking about. Like, it'll be like Raphael and him talking about what makes a good song to them, you know, what. What they witness. And they. And, you know, they've been in this for generations. Like, they just talking about what they've observed, what they witnessed. And I'm like, wow, I get to hear all of this information and then I get to write a song after hearing it. Like, I get to use some of the tools. I get to use some of the. Some of the things that they're actually mentioning. So I think that's the biggest thing. He's very open with information. Like, he's not. Like, some people are really protected. They learned all of these tips and tricks to make music, and they hoard it. He's the opposite. Like, you know, if you in a room and. And he's. He's there, he's usually, like, really open with. This is how I did this. This is how you should do this. You should try this. Like, you know, it's not gatekeeping at all. At all. So that's a. That's a big part. And then I would say, as a producer, he's one of the people that always is. You know, I think I get caught in my. In my rapper role a lot of times because that's what most people know me for. So as a producer, I usually produce some of my own music, and then I'll just usually, like, play the background. As far as being a producer, like, I don't go out and produce for a lot of people besides, like, my friends and stuff. And he's one of the people who usually be on, like, on me. Like, hey, like, where the beats at? Like, are you. Are you making beats right now? Like, to kind of stay in practice? So I would say just having. Having someone even just like, as a producer, part of that is just craft. It's just practice. It's just like, you have to be in practice. Are you. Are you making. Are you. Are you doing the job? Yeah. Yeah. And I think just having having him be on it that way is like. It's a reminder to myself sometimes. Because sometimes I forget, like, literally, like, that's just. It's like an unfortunate truth. But it's like sometimes I forget, like, it's like, oh, yeah, you have. You have other talents, you have other gifts, you have. It's like producing is almost like, to me, it's like. It's kind of like tastemaking. It's like being a good curator or like a good interior designer. Like, you know, you put this sound with this sound, and somebody else might not have done that. But those ideas come straight from your experience and your brain. So it's like only you can make it sound like that. So it's like you gotta do. You know, you gotta do your due diligence and get it done. So it's cool to just have somebody, you know, checking in, making sure that that's also something that is growing and just as much time is being put into that as well.

[Alison Stewart]

Let's listen to a couple of songs from the album. This is Head Wrap. We paid a little bit at the beginning. It's been released as a single. Tell me about where the song came from.

[Saba]

I was in a studio with a few of my friends, and somehow the conversation became just stories. Like, we looked around the room. The engineer had locks. One of my other friends had locks. I had mine. And it was like, everybody that was in there had, like, decent, like, kind of long locks. And we was just talking about it and what it meant for us, how we started them, how we. You know what I'm saying? Like, it's like, so many stories behind it. And I got to explaining to my friends. I'm like, yeah, what actually happened for me is one of my friends got. They got arrested, and they went in with a full. You know what I'm saying? Like, a full head of locks. And by maybe the second or third court date, they had waves. And I'm like, whoa. Where did. Like, you know what I'm saying? It's like, you don't even recognize this person. And I was growing my hair at the time, and it just made me want to. I'm like, I'll try. I never, like, did it on purpose. Like, it was, like, kind of accident. But I stumbled into it, and just seeing the room and what it meant, it kind of inspired. Like, I'm like, I could just tell this story on the song, you know, and that's kind of where. Where it came from.

[Alison Stewart]

And the song has Madison McFerrin.

[Saba]

Madison McFerrin on this show.

[Alison Stewart]

Love her. OG and Jordan Ward. How'd that group come together, man?

[Saba]

Okay, so Madison McFerrin was sampled. Okay, so no ID had, like. That was one of the hundred beats. That. One of the 100 beats was this Madison McFerrin sample. And OG and Jordan Ward both also work with no ID so it's kind of like there. It's like no Brainers, almost like no ID Was playing them some music, and that's how they ended up on it. Like, I called Jordan maybe, like, right before he was going on tour, and him getting like, man, I don't know. Like, everybody's just so talented. Like, it's like. It's really. It's really awesome when it's like. Like, that's the alchemy that I was talking about. Like, where it's like everything just falls into the right place and people say the right things. Like, Jordan energy was, like, perfect for Og writing the chord, it was like. It was just a lot of things that went perfect for me in terms of getting this song to the finish line. So it was like, really? I don't know. It was one of them for me.

[Alison Stewart]

Let's listen. This is saba.

[Saba]

This is the county.

[No ID]

We all find See my homie cut his dreads this time I was growing my hair but I never considered trying locking it up, you know, turn the root to divine soft freeform slim kid far side for the first time in the running video I thought what I look like in an alternate night Getting off into detail this is all about my lock journey took the bus on diversity hoping that I don't die the days bright and early she looked at me like she let a nappy boy fro Pressed down like a tabloid searching for an avenue ways to reflect my current attitude views of the world I'm a leak to my grandma who used to braid my hair But I had to cut him at the school and it was black ran I'm just a black man looking for a good day good state lap dance I play the game but I won't tap dance now you might see me out in a head wrap fitted but I didn't get it on Fairfax I'll show you where I'm at like airtags I deserve a subtle flex and a red brag cause I'm the one who put the dreads in a carrot hat Cut em immediately glue my hair back that's when they started letting me fly.

[Alison Stewart]

You're listening to Sava, my guest. You know, last time you were on the show, it was for a few good things. And we ended the interview. I said I wanted to know about something good that happened in your life, and this is what you said.

[Saba]

Yesterday, I ordered a really expensive couch and it got to my house and it was defective. So I called to return it and they were like, all right, we'll send you all of your money back. We don't want the couch back. So I got to keep the couch and the money. So that was, you know, that's a win. That's a win.

[Alison Stewart]

That's a win.

[Saba]

Huge win.

[Alison Stewart]

Do you still have the couch?

[Saba]

Hell, yeah. Yeah, I still got that couch. A free couch. Yeah, I still got that.

[Alison Stewart]

My guest has been. Saba, thanks for being with us.

[Saba]

Thank you for having me.

[Ira Flatow]

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