Crimson Chanel: Simya and LQQPMASTER on Trust, NYC, and the Art of the Unfiltered [Interview]

Great music often feels less like a product and more like a conversation- one born from mutual respect, shared geography, and a willingness to be vulnerable. That effortless chemistry is precisely what powers Crimson Chanel, a project that blends cinematic production with raw, reflective songwriting to paint a vivid portrait of New York underground hip-hop. Built on a foundation of open collaboration between producer LQQPMASTER and artist Simya, the album balances gritty realism with introspective soul. We sat down with them to talk about their origins, the influence of their hometown, and the trust required to bring out each other’s finest work.

For anyone discovering your music through Crimson Chanel, how would you each describe your role in the project, and what do you think defines your creative partnership?

SIMYA: Honestly, I just tried to put my own spin on LQQPMASTER’s beats. He laid out the framework and I did whatever felt right to make it develop into a cohesive project.

LQQPMASTER: I feel like my role was basically to help Simya’s vision come true, which is usually the case when producing for artists.

How did you first connect, and at what point did you realize you wanted to make a full-length project together instead of just collaborating on individual tracks?

SIMYA: I had seen LQQPMASTER perform with his group DOAC and I loved their sound. We spoke about collaborating when we saw each other, and one day we decided to plan it out and make it happen. I have loved the way he produces since the first time I heard his work. He told me he was interested in working on a full project, and I thought it would be great to step out of my comfort zone and record somewhere other than my own house.

LQQPMASTER: I think after the first tracks we ever made together—which was actually “Newport Breath” (it had a different name at the time)—I knew from that moment that Simya was one of them ones. To be fair, I knew of him way before because I had heard his project with DJ Noonsomewhere, Where’s My Flowers?, which was a hard act to follow.

One of the album’s biggest strengths is the chemistry between the production and the writing. What did your creative process look like, and how did you build off each other’s ideas throughout the project?

SIMYA: Throughout creating the whole project, we heavily respected each other’s craft and way of working. As time went on, we matched our respective energies and worked together super collaboratively. I’m super particular in how I want to structure songs with both the production and how I lay down my vocals. I appreciate how open and patient he was with me when I wanted to add certain layers, re-record verses, or add anything to the beat. We had a lot of fun with it, even during the times we’d be sitting quietly working on the production and writing. I felt no pressure to act a certain way or change my creative process the way I have with other producers. I made sure to give him the space to do the same, and that definitely made the journey of creating this a fun one.

LQQPMASTER: The creative process was pretty back-and-forth. Simya gave me room to produce the way I’m accustomed to, and I respected his vision to speak his truth through the lyrics he curated for this project. There were times when we both gave insight into each other’s crafts—taking out a sound or saying a bar differently. But overall, we were able to be ourselves, which is what I appreciate most about working with him; he didn’t treat me as a robot making beats, but more as a partner helping him reach his goal.

The album feels deeply rooted in New York’s underground hip-hop scene while still sounding fresh and cinematic. How has New York influenced both of your approaches to making music?

SIMYA: I’ve been going to NYC art and music events since I was young—my parents are both artists, so the NYC art scene is something I grew up with. The project stays true to the classic NY hip-hop sound with our own unique spin on things. I’ve been influenced by NYC rappers my whole life, so I definitely tried to keep this project close to home.

LQQPMASTER: I was born and raised in Queens, so the sound of NYC lives in me. NYC is gritty, and even though these songs were centered around romance, the choppy but smooth delivery from Simya and the sometimes jazzy melodies from the samples showcased just that: guys from NYC.

A lot of Crimson Chanel feels personal, touching on themes like addiction, family, and self-discovery. How important is it for both of you to create work that’s emotionally honest and vulnerable?

SIMYA: I’ve always liked to have that balance of vulnerability and fun in my music. Writing is how I express myself and process my emotions and whatever I’m going through in life. Even songs I make that I assume are more “accessible” aren’t going to lose that level of vulnerability in my eyes, even if the message is portrayed subtly.

LQQPMASTER: In today’s climate, it’s critical to stay vulnerable within music. It’s good to get lit to the hype shit sometimes, but we can’t forget to recenter on the truth that’s in our hearts and put that on “wax.”

Looking back on the project now, is there one track that best represents the heart of Crimson Chanel for each of you, and what makes that song stand out?

SIMYA: That keeps changing for me. Right now, I wanna say it’s either “Slyther” or “Conjunction.” “Slyther” has the word “Chanel” in it the most times, and “Conjunction” is right in the middle, so it feels like the peak to me. They both capture the essence of our respective sounds in my opinion.

LQQPMASTER: I think “Newport Breath” represents how I feel about the project. It’s the first song Simya and I ever made together, and it ended up on the album. The transition from the calmness of the first half of the song to the abrasive second half represents the way thoughts in our minds can go from one thing to the next.

After creating such a cohesive body of work together, what’s next on the horizon in music for you?

SIMYA: I want to make some music videos from the album and do some more promotion. I got super busy right after the drop, so I gotta lock in and make sure people are still listening. LQQPMASTER and I gotta make more songs too and maybe come out with a deluxe version. There’s much more music coming from us; I can’t wait to get back in my creative bag!

LQQPMASTER: That’s easy—a second project with Simya in 2027.

Listen to Simya and LQQPMASTER‘s recent project Crimson Chanel here:

Connect with Simya HERE.

Connect with LQQPMASTER HERE.