1stKlase unpacks the art of blending soca, dancehall & R&B in his latest remix with Machel Montano & Ne-Yo on Ayetian's 'Balance,' while balancing production and his journey as an artist
Producer and artsite Klase "1stKlase" Gonzales
Multi-platinum producer 1stKlase has been leaving his mark in Trinidad for years, collaborating with global music stars like Sean Paul, Becky G, Dua Lipa and more. His work continues to elevate Caribbean music on the international stage.
Recently, he brought together Trinidadian soca icon Machel Montano and R&B star Ne-Yo for a remix of rising Trinidadian dancehall sensation Ayetian’s single "Balance". The revamped track, titled "Truth & Balance", is now featured on DJ Mac’s Down juggling.
"A friend of Machel’s introduced him to the song, and he immediately said to me, 'What do you think about mixing it with my song 'The Truth 'to create a super remix?'" 1stKlase recalled. "Being the innovative musicians we are, we got to work and produced it together."
Blending influences from soca, dancehall, and R&B, they crafted a dynamic fusion that brings a fresh energy to the remix. "Using that over the drum balance was key—adjusting the bass in certain parts to ensure everything flowed perfectly," 1stKlase explained. "The chords in the remix were essential, while the soca and dancehall elements remained rooted in the original drums."
"Machel’s introduced him to the song, and he immediately said to me, 'What do you think about mixing it with my song 'The Truth 'to create a super remix?"
Machel loved it, recognizing that the song conveyed the same message as The Truth but with a modern dancehall twist. Wanting to add even more depth, he had an idea. “Machel, being the mad scientist that he is, suggested that Ne-Yo would be the perfect fit because of the lifestyle he lives in real life,” 1stKlase recalled. “He made the call, and it happened—Ne-Yo didn’t hesitate at all. We had his vocals within days, even while he was on tour. He wrote his verse himself, and the rest was history.”
While Ayetian's Balance went viral, amassing nearly 9 million views on YouTube, the remix has the potential to take the crossover appeal to another level. “The remix has every element necessary for a modern Caribbean bounce, both dancehall and soca, with Ne-Yo bringing the perfect R&B vibe. Mix those together, and we’ve created a truly international Caribbean sound,” 1stKlase stated.
As anticipation builds for the remix, 1stKlase, whose given name is Klase Gonzales, is gearing up for the release of his new album, "Trapikal Gawd 3", set to drop on April 20. The project will feature an impressive lcast of Jamaican and Trinidadian artistes with the likes of dancehall star Ding Dong Ravers, top producer Rvssian, Yung Bredda, Coutain, Mo Dubb, Rheon Elborne, and more.
With nearly two decades of experience in remixes and production, the multi-platinum producer is also focusing on his journey as an artist while remaining confident in his craft. “I’m still producing, yes, but I also want to make sure I push myself as an artist,” he said. “I’ve been doing this for over 19 years—this is what I do. If you want top-tier production, you hit 1stKlase.”
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