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Ric Wilson, Chromeo, & A-Trak are thrilled to share their debut collaborative single, “Pay It No Mind” and its accompanying video, directed by Bob. Featuring Wilson’s trademark buoyancy shining with some new attitude, the type of weight one carries with more of the world in their rearview, “Pay It No Mind” begins on a spacy beat before exploding with Wilson’s signature energy and thought-provoking bars, proving yet again why he’s “everyone’s favorite Chicago-based music artist, organizer, and activist” (Essence). Produced by Chromeo and A-Trak, along with Pomo, the three lend their signatures to keep Wilson weaving and glistening like the Californian condition it was made under.
Watch Video for “Pay it No Mind” by Ric Wilson, Chromeo, & A-Trak
The Chicago-made Ric Wilson was on a hell of a ride before the world shut down. The rapper, performer, and activist spent 2019 on a festival tear through Treefort, Rolling Loud, Governors Ball, and a hometown Pitchfork set. He also supported the likes of Cory Henry and Big Freedia; Wilson began 2020 opening for Drama on their North American tour, but lockdown canceled the rest of the run. As (almost) everyone forcibly sat with themselves, Wilson weathered the early pandemic days at his parents’ house. And with no outside, Wilson still jumped back into organizing in Chicago, releasing his acclaimed They Call Me Disco EP with Terrace Martin, and a breakout single called “Fight Like Ida B & Marsha P.”
As the world sits open with turbulence in motion, Wilson manages to continue going up no matter what the world may bring. Just last year, Wilson was featured in a Rolling Stone x Bacardi cover for Talent Knows No Borders, and “COCO BADASS” – his song with Kiéla Adera – was named a Top 10 Song of the Summer in TIME.
Written and recorded in California in the midst of the pandemic, “Pay It No Mind” came to fruition after world-renowned DJ, producer, and Fool’s Gold founder, A-Trak, was introduced to Wilson’s music via Wilson’s own manager, which led to A-Trak sharing with his brother Dave 1 of the Canadian funk group Chromeo. The first of many inspired sessions also found the crew discussing everything from socialism and communism to peoples movements and career oral histories. “Pay It No Mind” effortlessly fuses funk and Chicago soul into hip-hop. It’s for the cookout, the kickback, and your grandma’s Caprice on her Sunday errands. The nostalgic tint lights the way, calling upon funk and soul lineages for an update that aims between timely and timeless.
