Lil Uzi Vert - "Chop Suey"

In this first part of the session, Grammy-winning mixer Leslie Brathwaite takes on a project far outside his usual zone: Lil Uzi Vert’s rock remake of System of a Down’s “Chop Suey.” With drums by Travis Barker and production by Don Cannon, Leslie shares how he approached this unexpected challenge with an open mind and hip hop sensibility.

Follow Leslie as he:

- Recounts how the project came together and why he deliberately avoided listening to the original System of a Down mix to keep his ears unbiased.

- Breaks down his early conversations with Uzi and Cannon to understand their vision and define creative boundaries (“Do your thing”).

- Begins building the mix from the ground up, shaping drums, bass, and guitars with instinct, energy, and respect for the rock genre.

- Demonstrates how to blend Fairchild compression, Pultec EQ, and transient shaping to make drums bang while maintaining live dynamics.

- Crafts aggressive, “obnoxious” guitars that feel authentic yet punchy, showing how to manage midrange grit without overwhelming the track.

Throughout, Leslie emphasizes the importance of speed, instinct, and feel, proving that successful mixing starts in the mind, not the plugins.