Stay Sane by Plato III & Bei Bei

FYC: Best Rap Song

Plato III is a boundary-pushing rapper, songwriter, and producer who made history as the first hip-hop artist signed to the Grammy-nominated independent label Polyvinyl Records. Blending sharp lyricism with eclectic production, his work draws on influences from Southern rap, indie rock, and soul, carving out a sound that is both personal and genre-defying.

Bei Bei is an internationally acclaimed guzheng virtuoso whose artistry spans film, stage, and studio recordings. Her playing has been featured on Disney’s Mulan and Pixar’s Turning Red, and her discography includes celebrated projects like Quiet Your Mind and Listen and Wei Wu Wei with Shawn Lee. Known for her technical mastery and expressive style, Bei Bei bridges tradition and innovation, bringing the 21-string Chinese zither into contemporary music and global culture.

The Song

I first met Bei Bei in the most unexpected of places: a shopping mall. I didn’t have the song in mind yet, but looking back, it feels fitting. In the center of mass consumption, I heard something pure, the timeless sound of the guzheng. I knew nothing of the instrument before, but the moment I heard Bei Bei play, I was overwhelmed by its beauty. It felt ancient, yet otherworldly. Untouched by the pollution of modern life, as if it had predated it entirely or existed in a world never touched by the West.

At the time, my headspace was consumed by thoughts of late-stage capitalism and the way it seems to press on every aspect of our lives. I had been watching Adam Curtis’ Can’t Get You Out of My Head, realizing this wasn’t just an American problem but a global one. A system so big that it’s impossible to escape. Bei Bei’s guzheng felt like the antidote. Its voice carried me somewhere simpler, more spiritual, where peace still seemed possible. She became the perfect collaborator to help me speak to the overwhelming systems designed to control us.

At first, I thought about sampling her performance, but then I figured: why not create something original together? I was honored when she agreed. We recorded in my producer Phillip Odom’s backyard studio, and the track came together in a single day. Phillip replaced my MIDI bass with real bass guitar and added layers of guitar that gave the song its atmosphere. The guzheng wove through it all, transporting the listener to a place beyond the noise.

Liner Notes:

Written by Ryan Silva & Bei Bei Monter

Produced by Phillip Odom

Bei Bei Monter - Guzheng

Phillip Odom - Bass Guitar, Drum Programming

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A post shared by Ryan Silva (Plato III) (@platothethird)