When you’re all fired up about something, it can be totally helpful and cathartic to just “go off” about it. That’s the story behind singer Karina Rae‘s latest track, which is appropriately called “Go Off.” For the track, the rising star was inspired to write about a breakup experience, and it resulted in one of her most personal and revealing songs to date. Celeb Secrets got the story behind the track and its accompanying music video in our latest interview, which you can check out below!
Celeb Secrets: Can you tell us about how you first came up with the idea for “Go Off,” and what the writing and recording process was like?
Karina Rae: The idea for “Go Off” happened when I was talking to a friend after a bad breakup. I told them I wanted to write a song explaining how I felt about everything and they told me “just go off on him!”… and that was it. The song immediately came to me and I wrote it in a few days. I wrote it to just an acoustic guitar loop and eventually took it to a local studio and directed exactly how I wanted it to sound. I wanted it to be an angry, let go type of song.
Celeb Secrets: How do you think this song represents your voice, sound, and direction you want to go in?
Karina Rae: I talk a lot. I have a lot to say and I’m very expressive when I speak. In the song, I do a lot of speak/singing in the verses and just say it exactly as I’d say it within a conversation. The song has bits and pieces of a few different genres I enjoy. Pop, r&b and electronic aspects are all combined in this song. I’m still evolving with everything I put out, but so far this is the most “me” a song has ever felt.
https://youtu.be/Zvi9bbKqJiw
Celeb Secrets: How do you hope listeners will get to know you through this song?
Karina Rae: It almost feels as if I put all my bitterness and anger toward this person into this song, and was able to let it go afterwards. I’d want those listening to be able to feel the same relief I did after performing this song. It’s okay to be mad, it’s okay to “go off.” Do it tastefully and then move on!
Celeb Secrets: What are some of the biggest musical goals you have for yourself?
Karina Rae: I’d like to eventually release a full length album. I want to headline my own tour, and perform at big festivals like Coachella. An award I really want to win would be a VMA for a video that I direct myself.
Celeb Secrets: What was your initial idea for this music video, and how did it all come together?
Karina Rae: I initially came up with the idea of the video being lighthearted, fun, and in a clear studio set. I wanted the sets to be very animated with fun lighting and colors. I’d say my personality is almost opposite of the song, I’m a very upbeat and humorous person, so I wanted the video to represent that side of me too. It’s almost like the song and video together represent two different sides of Karina.
Celeb Secrets: What are the top 3 most played songs on your playlist right now?
Karina Rae: I’m big into Kehlani’s new album at the moment. My top songs on that album are “Nunya,” “Morning Glory,” and “Nights Like This.”
Celeb Secrets: Would you be able to share a fun fact, or unknown secret about the making of your music video?
Karina Rae:The video took a ton of going back and fourth with outlines and ideas while I was working with the producer (Dawn Kingston) and director (Lexie Alley). I have about 5 different cuts of the video being slowly finished.
Oh, also Tate (actor in video) had a really funny dancing scene that was cut from the final video.
Make sure to check out Karina Rae’s music video for “Go Off” above, and leave us all of your reactions below.
