Intrinsically engaging in being in trance and getting into it. I am skilled at creating the context where I might then experience that flow.
This is how rapper Ben Hartman (stage name: ReaZun), known for his work with Kyteman’s Hiphop Orchestra and The Kyteman’s Orchestra, among others, describes his feelings. As part of these energetic, critically acclaimed musical formations, ReaZun found himself in a stupor – was this flow?
Flow is a mental state in which a person is completely absorbed in activity, with a motivated and energetic focus. In a moment of flow, our thoughts, desires and feelings are in harmony. A soccer player is then in the game and a musician is in the rhythm of the music. Do you recognize this?
This description, according to ReaZun, does fit the feeling within Kyteman’s Hiphop Orchestra.
As you describe it, we certainly experienced it. Both within the group and externally. There was a clear progression in it, also because we knew it was a temporary project; we do it now, stop it and then move on to the next project. Now, a year later (interview took place after Kyteman’s Hiphop Orkest ended and before the start of The Kyteman’s Orchestra), we’re pulling together again and turning out to be more of a band than we said we were.
Could that be a yearning for connection, possibly linked to the shared experience of flow?
I certainly experienced that myself, absolutely man. Being one with each other with the activity you are doing at that moment. This feeling is so strong with me that I was unconsciously kept away from other things, for example, my law studies. I was intrinsically engaged in getting and being in trance, in making music and everything that comes with it. I am skilled at creating the context where I might be able to experience that flow. I managed that, better than the time before. And that’s a thing in itself, that context is not always there.
What does this context consist of?
It is a confluence of variables; it has to do with the people in the group. Openness within the group, spontaneity of yourself and groupmates and simplicity of the moment are important. Of course, it also requires something. It requires a certain quality, to not be too anxious, and to dare to have a certain surrender to the moment. That is very important to constantly enforce that context in which things arise.
ReaZun writes his lyrics on the spot, at the time the music is created.
You’re actually describing the moment at that point. One guy starts making the beat, then another starts writing and then of course I can’t stay behind, haha. At such a moment you create the feeling in everyone that you have to be at the capture of the moment. If by a domino effect this feeling has reached everyone, you can also continue until five o’clock in the night. Whatever happened. This kind of experience triggers the feeling again, that this will happen more often, because everyone has again realized the power of such a moment. Living this way is a prerequisite for making beautiful things.
According to ReaZun, Ural and Lowlands have been the most ultimate performances with Kyteman’s HipHop Orchestra. Earlier at Noorderslag, they were still running after themselves too much. After Lowlands, ReaZun was shaking with adrenaline. The realization that this was truly ultimate came later. At the big festivals, it’s like standing in front of a wall. The self-confidence came already after Pinkpop, where for the first time it was really fully with the balls on the block for the members, but at Oerol it was more the awareness of each other’s elevation and that you experience that with the audience together.
The audience provides the feeling, to go the extra mile for your own willingness.
With Reazun, this manifests itself in the form of Freestyle. For him, this is the most direct surrender to that form of flow. This gives him the conviction that this is the right path, it was very good that he had guys around him who could surrender and who lived for the music.
That was very confronting and then you finally come to yourself and know what you want. I can create the context needed to get into the flow myself, because it doesn’t take much. That we have “the best studio in the country” is important, but to make inspired music, more is needed:
- How you live with each other
- What comes out of that
- The moments you use next
- The consequence of this; when you do something together
- Who you allow in there
That there is a musical culture in Utrecht that allows them to be involved in this gives the opportunity to experience the flow. The jam sessions they had here were reflected in the show.
Feedback is the most important thing according to Reazun.
If you experience that you are learning, that is very nice. If someone can then show you that, it’s totally nice. As long as there is an atmosphere where mistakes are allowed, no one will shut down. This is a condition for not having fear of failure; wanting and daring to sing something out loud. You have to have the confidence in feedback, that’s how a bond develops on which you can build, also with the producers. And sometimes with certain people it comes naturally.
The moment flow is achieved, action and awareness come together; you act spontaneously. ReaZun literally sees in flow the “rap flow” reflected as the interpretation of the beat and placement of the syllable. He can also lay out this structure live, after 6 years of experience it almost comes naturally, but it takes a lot of mutual trust. This structure consists of focus and control.
Time disappears in a flow moment: Uri Geller bends spoons, I bend time. Between the line and the track of the moment, that’s exactly what we do. Time is relative so people don’t have to be late.
You are a team when you work together toward a higher goal, with goals and associated approaches for which you hold each other accountable. Could this also apply to a band? This is certainly something Reazun can relate to.
The willingness to take the group to the next level should always be more important than individual progress. Kyte (Colin Benders) as a person may be put on a pedestal to the outside world, in the group it is clear what the relationships are like. Of course there are egos within the band, but they are handled bizarrely well. The whole is more important than the individual in the group. This allows you to grow as an individual. In the band everyone had this feeling, the different energy of all the members caused things to emerge in them that they had never achieved before.
The downside of flow is that you can lose ultimate control, leaving you with no choice. This, according to ReaZun, is exactly why a wall has been built around Kyte.
This leaves him only to create shit and to try out his crazy ideas, without journalists around him.
Teamflow creates a state of complete absorption in the joint activity; the synergy culminates in an upward spiral. This is unique and calls for more. Where!
Yes exactly that! In 3 sentences described how the years have followed on and where we are now. After all the dust of Kyteman’s Hiphop Orchestra had settled, everyone realized how unique it was. And that everyone also wanted more. It’s about an inner conviction that you can do it, fate perhaps. So that you know you’re supposed to be there. It feels like we should experience this together and the experience approves the desire afterwards.
Written by JEF VAN DEN HOUT
