12AM breaks down his Afterparty EP & discusses finally being able to open up in his music

Toronto, ON – Earlier this month Toronto recording artist 12AM released his eight-track EP titled Afterparty.

Afterparty is a dark, emotive EP about the after-hours and the night-time party scene. 12AM uses this project to show both the good and bad aspects of the Afterparty.

It seems like everyone is trying to glorify the turn-up right now; and 12AM definitely does that. But he also takes the time to show us the comedown, the female problems, and the after-effects and longer term consequences of the afterparties. The EP has a signature dark, feelings-driven vibe. It’s that feeling of being surrounded by people, yet still being completely alone in your thoughts.

For this project, 12AM used in-house production and co-production from his team, along with a handful of guest appearances from LA hip-hop artist Jez Dior. The production ranges from straight up trap to pop-R&B, EDM, and a lot of cinematic PBR&B.

Take in the EP below via SoundCloud, go stream it on Spotify, and scope our in-depth Q&A and EP breakdown with 12AM after the jump.

Q&A: 12AM

“People love to glorify getting f**ked up but it really effects people afterwards. So I really wanted to bring both sides out on this project.”
– 12AM

HipHopCanada: Start off by telling me about the significance of this project to you on a personal level.

12AM: I think what makes this project special is that it was done almost 100 % right here in my basement; the recording, mixing, and mastering. So it’s amazing to see my project on some streaming sites next to major label studio albums when we had a $200 dollar mic and a Macbook. This generation is amazing for that.

HipHopCanada: This is a very interesting EP in that is explores both sides of the after-hours. I think the after-hours get glorified a lot lately. And as much as the turn up is exciting, the come down is just as emotionally intense… and often goes hand-in-hand with substance abuse, depression, impulsivity, etc. And that tends to hit people pretty hard.

12AM: 100 % agree! I think what’s not talked about a lot is exactly what you were saying – the comedown of everything, the drugs, partying, relationships… the negative side of it. People love to glorify getting f**ked up but it really effects people afterwards. So I really wanted to bring both sides out on this project.

HipHopCanada: Talk to me about the production for this project. Which producer (or producers) did you work with, and how this those collaborations come about?

12AM: It was almost all in-house. My dudes SMILES, Fabian, Bryan (from La Bouquet) and Dan (from LA) helped out a lot and I would co-produce with them as well. Also a dude from Toronto did the record called “White Winter” which has an EDM vibe. DJ-Shaw-T killed that record. But other than that it was just this small group we got.

HipHopCanada: Tell me about the female (or females) who inspired the more female-focused songs on this project.

12AM: Ah man… thats a tricky one… Next question!? Hahahaha.

HipHopCanada: The only features on this project were in collaboration with Jez Dior. Tell me the story behind how the two of you initially met, and what prompted you guys to work together on this project?

12AM: We met at a soccer tournament, actually. He was the only dude with a goatee and braids. I was tripping! Anyways… we finished, my team actually knocked his team out of the semi-finals. But after it we got some drinks and we both found out we made music. And then from there just got in the studio.

HipHopCanada: What is the significance of the cover art?

12AM: I think it just captured the vibe perfectly. 416Shooter shot the pic and AvisDesigns edited it. And it just worked; the grunge with the girls taking photos is an afterparty.

Afterparty: The track-by-track breakdown

1. Afterparty

“AFTERPARTY” is an intro. It just lets the listener into what’s about to happen on this EP; the struggles, the night life, the love… everything kinda wrapped up into a quick intro. It’s one of my personal favourites too ’cause something so open and simple about it makes it really shine.

2. Couple Pills

“Couple Pills” was the first track I put out. This one will always be with me since it was so well-received. It has a theatrical feel and a real big sound to it. Def a personal favorite for fans and a sound I’m gonna keep with me as it’s become the vibe people are really digging.

3. White Winter

“White Winter” is honestly one of my favorite records to perform. It goes wild in the clubs.

4. Save Me

“Save Me” is more of a personal track; really letting people know some of the problems going on without getting way way personal. A trap&B kinda sound to it… defs pure vibes.

5. Die 4 This

“Die 4 This” is just some pure trap shit. Just letting people know I’d “Die 4 This” shit honestly… this is all I want.

6. The Comedown

“The Comedown” is one of the more pop sounding records. But it’s still got that dark tone. It’s about self worth in relationships and knowing when it’s right to leave even though you still want it.

7. Girls Like U

“Girls Like U” is the only real upbeat song on the album, but def not the last one I put out. I got some upbeat tracks like this for the summer; just some feel good vibe music that’s about trust issues with girls who are too fine.

8. No Good 4 U

“No Good 4 U” is me finally opening up. I remember being in LA and these guys I was working with – Jez, Bryan and Ben – said “Okay. People know you can make a catchy song. But no one knows anything about you. You gotta open up and tell a story that’s really about you!” So it just came out so quick. It’s real hard to open up like that and worry what people who actually know you will think. But it really comes out in the music when you do it. My favorite song I’ve ever written.