The Northern California artist blends melodic pop and West Coast hip-hop on a groove-driven new release recorded at Chico’s Nova Production Studio.
Rising West Coast artist Reese Weil is carving out his lane with a sound that blends hip hop, rap, and alternative influences into something both smooth and unpredictable. His latest single, “Chaos,” featuring Nef The Pharaoh and Derek King, captures the energy of late nights, modern connection, and living fully in the moment. With its hypnotic production and West Coast edge, the track marks another step forward in Reese’s evolving artistry.
We caught up with Reese to talk about the inspiration behind “Chaos,” working with standout collaborators, and why embracing imperfection is at the core of his creative vision.
First off, care to introduce yourself to our readers?
I’m Reese Weil, an artist and producer out of California. I come from a background of blending genres, so my sound lives somewhere between pop, alternative, and West Coast hip hop. I’m big on creating records that feel cinematic but still hit in real life, whether that’s in a car, a club, or a late night drive.
“Chaos” blends melodic pop with West Coast hip hop in a really seamless way, how did you approach finding that balance sonically?
For me it starts with feel. I don’t go in thinking this needs to be pop or this needs to be hip hop. I build something that feels emotional and melodic first, then bring in rhythm and bounce that gives it that West Coast energy. “Chaos” really came from letting both sides exist without overthinking it. The melodies carry the emotion, and the drums keep it grounded.
The track has this hypnotic, late night energy, what was the vibe in the studio when you were creating it at Nova Production Studio?
It was exactly that, late nights, low lights, just locked in. At Nova, we keep it really focused but creative. No distractions, just building the record piece by piece. “Chaos” came together in that zone where you’re not forcing anything, it just flows. Those are always the best sessions.
What made Nef The Pharaoh and Derek King the right collaborators for this track?
They both bring something different but equally important. Derek is honestly one of the most melodic artists I’ve ever worked with, his sense of melody is just natural and it adds a whole emotional layer to the record. Nef is one of the most creative when it comes to delivery and wordplay. He’ll say things that have multiple meanings, and a lot of it can go over the average listener at first, but that’s what makes it hit deeper over time. “Chaos” needed both of those elements, it wouldn’t be the same record without them.
The video was filmed at The Breakbeat, a pretty innovative venue, how did that setting enhance the visual storytelling?
Breakbeat has its own identity, and a lot of that comes from the vision of its owner, Azeriah Reynolds. The venue is truly one of a kind, with an audio and lighting setup that’s second to none in the US. It’s raw but still modern, which matched the track perfectly. We didn’t want something overly polished. “Chaos” is about energy and unpredictability, so having a space that already feels alive visually made everything more natural. It let us capture the vibe instead of forcing it.
What can fans expect next, more collaborations, a full project, or live shows?
All of it. I’m building toward a full project right now, and there are definitely more collaborations coming, especially with artists that bring unique sounds. At the same time, we’re lining up more live moments. The goal is to keep expanding the sound but also bring it to real world stages.
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