How Isaiah Rashad Made ‘The House Is Burning’ With Producer Kal Banx | The Formula S2E2

Isaiah Rashad and producer Kal Banx's relationship reveals how the best artist-producer collaborations work lot like life - with friends to distract us from, and soundtrack us through, all our drama.
Rodney Carmichael | November 5, 2021
When Isaiah Rashad and producer Kal Banx get homesick for the crib, as the only two Southern bruhs signed to West Coast powerhouse TDE are bound to sometimes, they find themselves bonding over the simplest pleasures. Like going half on a store-bought rotisserie chicken. "With mashed potatoes and cornbread," Kal adds.
"On God," Isaiah chimes in.
If Top Dawg thought there'd be fringe benefits to linking the Tennessee and Texas natives, he was right. They became fast homies before making even a lick of music together. That foundation was crucial. Cause when the music finally did come it needed to cut through everything blocking Isaiah Rashad's blessings.
Released last July, "The House Is Burning" could be interpreted as a metaphor for planet Earth's hot mess and Isaiah's own inner demons. To survive it all, Isaiah had to battle through rehab, writer's block and three months of refuge spent on Kal Banx's couch while his pockets were on E.
Maybe by necessity, Kal became more than a star beatmaker. Studio sessions commenced only after he led Isaiah on silly diversions down the weirdest rabbit holes of KZbin. Laughing became existential. It helped Isaiah get out of his head, and get everything in his head committed to tape. On "Hey Mista," one of several songs Banx produced or co-produced on the album, he cut and pasted bars freestyled by Zay into two verses and a bridge. And he took additional music cues from Isaiah to make beats that tapped into Zay's old soul.
Together, in the funniest sit-down of the new season of The Formula, they walk us through the making of the song that lit the spark for the album. In the process, they reveal how the best artist-producer collaborations work a lot like life - with real friends to distract us from, and soundtrack us through, all our drama.
CREDITS
Host/Series Producer: Rodney Carmichael; Producers: Tsering Bista, Nickolai Hammar; Editor: Annabel Edwards; Art Director/Animator: CJ Riculan; Animators: Jackie Lay, Alicia Zheng; Director of Photography: Nickolai Hammar; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Jack Corbett, Nickolai Hammar, Alicia Zheng; Production Assistant: Amna Ijaz; Project Coordinator: Erin Register; Legal Adviser: Kimberly Sullivan; Consulting Editors: Jacob Ganz, Sidney Madden; Supervising Producer, Nick Michael; Senior Producer: Abby O'Neill; Managing Editor: Becky Lettenberger; Executive Producers: Anya Grundmann, Keith Jenkins; Special Thanks: Hardpink Studio and Staff
MUSIC
"Hey Mista," Isaiah Rashad, The House Is Burning (2021); "Rose Water" by DJ Face
#isaiahrashad #kalbanx #theformula #nprmusic

[@thishthard9610]

We need an Isaiah Rashad Tiny Desk!!!!

[@nicolasubi]

Yes!!!

[@justcallhimmax1262]

It’s coming! He already recorded it, confirmed it on the Discord.

[@thishthard9610]

@@justcallhimmax1262 Dope!

[@Allucards]

Yes please

[@dominickcaleb]

W

[@olebogengmogodiseng8584]

"i do a future flow on a J Dilla beat." perfect description!!!!!

[@amourlashai]

Yesss

[@abdullahwarsame3295]

They got great chemistry and you can hear that thru the music

[@steadyrotation2290]

I need a mixtape from em

[@IsaacPurpleguy]

like crazy good chemistry

[@steadyrotation2290]

@@IsaacPurpleguy must be that southern blood

[@djb9229]

@@steadyrotation2290 chill bro that's what the album was for lml

[@amourlashai]

So good!

[@5kodds]

My tears just sell better than my laughs do …. Hey mista 💯🙌🏾

[@steadyrotation2290]

Lowkey hurt

[@StillRicky]

Badlandschugs is sooooo goated looool, zay needs the feature for the next album

[@YourSpeckledFace]

from Dallas and I watch his videos too 😭

[@crazycool3031]

He knew what he was doing with the winky face😂

[@oama2009]

After that video came out, he knew ! 😂😂😂

[@TGCid01]

Exactly lol. Good cover up story though.

[@anthonymason7652]

That "Hey Mista" is forever a bop

[@njper123]

“My tears be selling better than my laughs do” - Isaiah Rashad

[@hebrewsfl]

"I don't know what a compressor do...none of that" FELT!

[@fxhole7854]

😂😂 so real

[@jazzeclectikk]

Facts! So glad someone isn’t afraid to admit it 💯

[@Kev_-qm1je]

In 2021 we still need a Zay & Mick Jenkins collaboration

[@YourSpeckledFace]

Yessssss

[@capitalproductions98]

I thought they didn’t like each other

[@Kev_-qm1je]

@@capitalproductions98 it's not really a beef, Mick jus doesn't think Zay all that good to him

[@josechamu240]

@@Kev_-qm1je not even that, he just thought he was overrated which isnt a bad thing

[@Stormstout1]

Could also be fire with Zay and Future....

[@bdid]

He knew exactly who he was texting 😂

[@TheAlamzy]

Who is here after the sextape??

[@kingklouis3563]

😂

[@khaliq5301]

For Reals. The way He said it “..I thought it was some girl”

[@slackstarfish8133]

😂ong

[@luisalonso5817]

My man said 'idk what a compressor do'. That's wild. 😂

[@avalonbeats]

same tho

[@sekanoms]

Man tbh i know when to use it but not rly what it does entirely Im pretty sure is smushes all of the dynamics down and so u can boost it without distorting but idk

[@mo.fede_]

zay (along with kal) is bringing a dope jazzy+soulful+nostalgic spin on modern southern hip hop and it’s just what we need

[@steadyrotation2290]

TDE stay ahead

[@thelotheory]

“What’s good BRO!” Lol 😂

[@joeri7130]

''Still got your Playstation'' Yooooooooooooooooo

[@musanjor]

XDDDD

[@mattmat74]

In light of recent events, the intro to this vid is CRAZZZYYYY ……..🤷🏾‍♂️ oh well, ima still bump THIB

[@BR78973]

He knew what he was doing 💀

[@unclehotpocket6241]

That’s what I’m thinking bruh

[@MikeDexClusive]

Definitely didn’t age well

[@JXRD1E]

😂

[@moballardful]

Love Zay but with the controversy and him coincidentally texting Kal with winky faces and whatnot is just... interesting. 😂

[@hegeliandianetik2009]

Now we know Zay really knew he was texting homie, he just thought Kal was sweet 🤣

[@sedi2066]

🤣

[@tastefreezzmedia5099]

Bruh 😂 he ratted on himself

[@tahir2443]

the outro in HB2U is one of the most beautiful things I've ever heard

[@Art-su1lw]

We need Freddie Gibbs and Alchemist😩 this was fire

[@kiprs]

hahahh u asked for it!!!

[@steadyrotation2290]

Guess whut

[@ranaz66]

Good call g

[@ViewtifulJones954]

Insane ༼;´༎ຶ ۝ ༎ຶ༽

[@christopherthreadgill6195]

0:14 this hit different now……

[@OgFarrow]

“A future flow on a j dilla beat” that’s probably why I like this dude lol

[@djnamebrand6361]

I’m glad he explained this song. Because this blew my mind when I first heard it.

[@Mel-jy3kq]

holy the start of the interview with the texting 👀

[@kingklouis3563]

😂

[@keshaunbates2586]

SO GLAD THEY CHOOSE THIS SONG

[@steadyrotation2290]

FACTSSSSS

[@hankleepixain4283]

Only God knows how bad i waited for this album. This video brought tears in my eyes. Thank u, NPR 🖤

[@steadyrotation2290]

My tears sell better than my laughs

[@lilhillzzz9261]

fire series, can’t wait for the rest of the episodes

[@MrCTruck]

That part with kal and zay laughing is low key one of my favorite parts of the album, it’s so genuine and wholesome

[@marvdog33]

This song was a 10/10 for me but after this interview it’s a 11/10

[@kdaevon245]

Love the southern connection

[@josem7402]

Isaiah is finally getting the attention he deserves man dude is a legend

[@Arkai.]

such a perfect combo of artist an producer.

[@a.j.jackson3937]

OMFGGGGGGGG THANK YOU FOR THIS…. THIS ONE OF MY FAVORITE SONGS IN HIS ENTIRE CATALOG 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@OptionedOut]

@4:00 Kal the simplistic Genius

[@vm487]

He knew exactly who he was texting 👀

[@iletaMarchita]

fr fr

[@pevce47]

Best song on the album and my favorite, I called it from day 1~

[@steadyrotation2290]

👀

[@sonicx1298]

I remember I didn't like this song but one time I listened to but I was playing the album back 2 back heavy (still do) and I heard that bounce, beat and flow and then he went back to rapping and I was Ayo this song is tight! It's now one of my favorite songs on the album like top 10

[@ministryod]

It’s crazy to see kal like this and hear what he did for this album. It’s amazing. I know kal from mackwop vlogs

[@natcece8066]

The beginning of this interview very interesting knowing what I know now ... Sheesh .. blessings

[@iletaMarchita]

he knew he was texting dude

[@OGAdriana]

30 seconds in and I'm smiling so big.

[@steadyrotation2290]

Zay smiles are infectious

[@thegoat-sg5hg]

This album one of the best this year. Wat u sed one of the best songs I heard in a min

[@Ifllc]

Just solidified why Hey Mista made me have an eargasm

[@Kweschunn]

Hey mista my fav song on the album and doesn't get mention enough as best tracks on the LP, that boy Zay was snappin n the cadence of the flow was insane

[@harcock1241]

idk bout that winky face story now

[@iamjshep3]

Bro for real though. Shii wild but I’m glad he ain’t letting it stop him from making music.

[@mihlaligiba]

😂😂😂 Zay knew what he was doing

[@JM-js7nq]

Thanks for this

[@donnytheflow]

"AND I AM... I AM* felt alladat. But on the really their chemistry is gonna propel em both to some high places. I'm excited for their future work

[@scottlee3284]

"my tears sell better than my laughs do"

[@amohammed5]

One of my favorite records on THIB.

[@gmastergaming7543]

This channel is forever goated

[@matthewblack986]

that intro, he knew what he was doing!

[@morgancarvalho4408]

Favourite song from the album

[@amourlashai]

What a vibe.

[@tommyali1787]

this the most underrated hiphop album of 2021

[@Melchior_31]

What a man ! a Soulman

[@steadyrotation2290]

Heavenly Father

[@kempesnnadi921]

“What’s good brooo”😂😂

[@mikeydrumz1]

this is gold

[@JM-js7nq]

Just amazing

[@chelseaquach8352]

Their chemistry is so cute AHHHH

[@tobyflockin7868]

Zay really got the best energy

[@abuccafu]

This is gold.

[@real1muzik]

so much reply value

[@chochoproductions5720]

this duo is epic

[@steadyrotation2290]

U checked out Kal’s mixtape ?

[@sidebar4018]

He just said “ the words don’t matter” wow !!!

[@superiormeh]

"Still got yo playstation"🤣🤣🤣

[@ViewtifulJones954]

I was done after that 😭😭

[@IanHawksford]

These episodes need to be longer!!!

[@steadyrotation2290]

I wanna see the behind the scene

[@dongloid]

I love Kal after that badlands chugs plug

[@eqfs9455]

if you ain’t talkin about hurtin or misogynin…whatchoo doin on it?

[@markflores95]

What does misogynin mean?

[@AndySalinger33]

@@markflores95 👊

[@joeri7130]

He's just being silly and made misogyny a verb. Definition of misogyny : hatred of, aversion to, or prejudice against women.

[@AndySalinger33]

@@joeri7130 we all understand he’s making up words. It’s not an art.

[@joeri7130]

@@AndySalinger33 Just responding to Mark Flores in case he was serious.

[@clonetrooperchris]

Album of the year imo

[@jbill7808]

Dope album!

[@ayonickyy]

kal is the man! simple is better!

[@steadyrotation2290]

Kal’s alien sounds and drum patterns just hit different

[@melvinjonesjr1091]

Album of the year...in my opinion

[@gavbark6598]

y’all with badlands booker banter is great

[@tshepolabane8903]

i really hope that tiny desk is in the works 🙏🏾🕯

[@nicolassullivan7746]

I'd do a future flow over a dilla beat. That way 🔥

[@Alfred_English]

these are great

[@steadyrotation2290]

TDE making moves

[@dylanle8239]

Two geniuses

[@phokar5255]

Man, Kal and Isaiah give me Phife and Q Tip energy. I don't know how to explain it.

[@cobra2611dcm]

KAL IS THE TRUTH

[@Kaje05]

Respect! 🙏

[@macklemore2842]

need a badlands chugs, zay collab. make it happen

[@DionLynch]

“Still got your PlayStation nicca” 🤣🐐

[@weddiedon]

yessss badlands chugs is the MAN!!!

[@thepercyvlogs]

"My tears do better than my laughs do"

[@marvdog33]

YESSSS!!! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@johngarcia8818]

this is one of my favorites of THIB. wish he would've played it on tour :/ I would've been WILDIN.

[@josem7402]

Dawg the amount of times I reminded Hey Mista is ridiculous

[@Philysupahgangstah]

I swear a session with Sai would be the chillest studio session ever

[@olwethumkhize2438]

Who tf is Sai??

[@Philysupahgangstah]

@@olwethumkhize2438 iSAIah

[@unkleyungblood]

This was cool but they Shoulda talked about RIP Young. Best produced song of 2021 imo

[@preppiecactus48]

🔥🔥🔥

[@flimzy321]

I want to see this for the entirety of thib 😩😩😩😩

[@steadyrotation2290]

Get top on the phone

[@olwethumkhize2438]

@@steadyrotation2290 said it won't be long

[@rangerxviper6069]

Goat!!!

[@douglassmith4890]

😂😂😂 wit a winkie note!!

[@douglassmith4890]

Seriously, there is a lot of fire out right now, but there is not enough being said about how masterful this album is.

[@steadyrotation2290]

@@douglassmith4890 what’s your top 3

[@douglassmith4890]

@@steadyrotation2290 Forgive the late reply: Easily, Headshots and Herb Only, but True Story makes me want to learn how to play the Bass! I had to edit this a few times b/c I like each of the records for different reasons and seasons. No way I could really pick a top 3. FE, Wat U Sed brings me back to my roots in a way non of the other songs do, even if it don't mean nothing else to most people. Don't Shoot makes arguably the most poignant statement of the album. Really hard to pick.

[@thecunninlynguist]

dope. the upcoming ones sound fire too! Gibbs/ALC!!

[@steadyrotation2290]

Anything Uncle Al touches is flame

[@Normalcognitivedave]

We just need zay and tyler laughing for an entire song

[@aaronic_r]

No way he answered my question , u always wondered why he say I'll leave bro

[@dancer2106]

2:01 “That is projection” HAHAHAAAAAA fuccckim ded

[@steadyrotation2290]

Who here also thinks Hey Mista is the standout track ?

[@nnzenirasibendele5988]

Chad bro 🌊🌊🌊🌊

[@steadyrotation2290]

Chad do go hardddd

[@omari484]

Wow he got caught again lol

[@TaylorBlack420]

My tears sound better than my laughs