I built the beat for “Soldier” live in the studio with C-Bo guiding every sound. A year later it came back as a finished X-Raided track with a music video on Strange Music. This is how it actually happened.

The Day the Beat for “Soldier” Came to Life

It started like any other session in California — but this one would end up becoming something special. C-Bo was in the studio with me. No pre-made beat, no demo, no reference track. Just me behind the keys and him in the vocal booth, telling me exactly what he was feeling and what he needed sonically.

I kicked things off with the drums. A heavy, swinging 808 that had real weight and movement to it, paired with a crisp snare that snapped perfectly in the pocket. C-Bo nodded his head immediately and said, “Yeah, that’s it — add this.” So I layered in exactly what he was hearing. Then he’d write a line, jump in the booth to record a hook, and come right back with more direction: “Take that melody out… bring the guitar up a little… make the hi-hat breathe more.” We went back and forth like that for hours, building layer by layer in real time.

What made this session different was how organic and collaborative it felt. Every element was created while C-Bo was actively writing and recording his verse and hooks. There was no waiting for inspiration — the energy in the room was feeding the music, and the music was feeding the energy right back. It was raw, in-the-moment creativity at its best, and exactly how I believe real music should be made. No templates, no guessing, just pure chemistry between artist and producer.

LIVE BEAT BUILDING WITH C-BO

By the end of that session we had a complete beat that felt alive. It wasn’t just a track — it had character, swing, and most importantly, it felt like it belonged to C-Bo. That’s the magic that happens when you build with the artist in the room instead of sending over finished demos. The pre-session setup, the ritual of getting everything perfect before he even stepped in the booth, and the trust we had built allowed us to stay in flow state the entire time.

We Sat on It for Over a Year

After we wrapped the session and the beat was fully recorded, the track sat for more than a year. That’s just how the music industry goes sometimes. Life moves fast — new sessions, new artists, new deadlines, tours, and everything in between. The beat was strong, but timing is everything in this game.

Then one day my phone rang. It was C-Bo. “I sent it to X-Raided,” he told me. I felt that instant rush of excitement hit me. X-Raided is a true legend in hip hop, and the idea of him jumping on something we created together in the studio felt surreal. I knew the beat had potential, but hearing that it was headed to one of the greats made the wait feel worth it.

A few months later I got the finished version back. X-Raided had absolutely bodied the track. The mix was clean and powerful, the energy was undeniable, and they were already shooting the official music video directed by Big Court. It was dropping under Strange Music’s official channel — one of the biggest and most respected independent labels in the game.

When I finally clicked play on the finished record, I got chills running down my spine. Hearing my beat — which started as a blank canvas in the studio with C-Bo — now fully realized with X-Raided’s signature delivery and raw emotion on top of it… that was a full-circle moment I’ll never forget. It reminded me why I fell in love with this process in the first place.

FROM STUDIO TO STRANGE MUSIC

Watch the Official Music Video

If you haven’t seen it yet, check it out here: X-Raided x C-Bo – Soldier (Official Music Video) on Strange Music’s YouTube channel. The visuals match the energy of the record perfectly.

Listen to “Soldier” Now

Stream or buy the full track everywhere: Listen on all platforms

Or jump straight to the direct links:
• Spotify
• Apple Music

Why This Story Matters

This session taught me one of the most important lessons in my career: the best records are often built in real time with the artist in the room, not sent as finished demos. When you’re locked in together, you can feel the energy shift the second something special happens. That instant feedback loop is irreplaceable and is exactly why the pre-session ritual and setup I talk about so much actually matters.

It also showed me the power of patience and trust in the process. What felt like “just another session” sat for over a year before turning into a real release on a major independent label. That taught me to keep showing up with the same level of focus, intention, and professionalism every single time — because you never know when that one beat is going to connect at the highest level.

Every beat in my store is made with that exact same energy and attention to detail. No templates. No rushing. No guessing. Just real, placement-ready beats built for artists who are serious about taking their music to the next level — the same way C-Bo and I built “Soldier.”

If you’re looking for beats that hit like the one that became “Soldier,” go to my beatstore right now and check out the beats I have for sale.

The same process that took me from a small fishing town in England to building beats that land on Strange Music with legends like C-Bo and X-Raided is the exact same energy I put into every single beat available in the store right now. If you want that level of quality, intention, and real studio magic for your next record — go take a look and let’s make something special together.

From My Studio to Strange Music – The True Story Behind “Soldier” with C-Bo and X-Raided