Mega Ran Explains How His Song "Tractor Beam" Got Included On The Soundtrack for Kevin Smith's Clerks III (The Witzard Interview)
We've been steadily covering, listening to, and enjoying Mega Ran's music since first hearing Forever Famicom with K-Murdock back in 2010. As his overall sound, style, and delivery has gradually evolved over the course of the past 12 years, Mega Ran (also known as Random & RandomBeats) has always remained unabashedly nerdy fully embracing the Nerdcore/Chiptune Rap genre tag(s). Mega Ran has recorded and released centered or loosely themed around his love and admiration for Star Wars, Final Fantasy, Mega Man, Sonic The Hedgehog, professional wrestling, Dragon Ball Z, Stranger Things, BTS, The Mandalorian, The Dewey Decibel System, Macross/Robotech, Metal Gear Solid, Encanto, and much, much more. Ran's latest effort and 11th solo full-length, Live '95, has been described as an intersection between "Hip-Hop, basketball, and the inner-city cultures that have allowed each to thrive."
It boasts assists and guest appearances throughout from the likes of DJ DN³, Schaffer The Darklord, Fresh Kils, The Outlawz, Mickey Factz, Esoteric of CZARFACE, Del The Funky Homosapien, and Rob Kovacs AKA 88-bit. We recently heard Live '95 stand-out "Tractor Beam" had recieved placement within Kevin Smith's latest cinematic effort, Clerks III, and reach out to Mega Ran directly to get the low-down on how these two worlds collided. Check out our new interview with Mega Ran, which has been lightly edietd for general clarity, down below the break. Live '95 is now available on RandomBeats and Clerks III is screening in a city near you for a limited time only from September 13-18th. Kevin Smith and his gang will be taking Clerks III on the road through select cities this fall as part of Clerks III: The Convenience Tour.
I. What were some of your primary sources of inspiration and influence behind "Tractor Beam" from Live '95?
Mega Ran: Man, I wrote this song on the way to the studio. Not recommended, but the idea came to me and I had to break out my voice recorder and get the melody and words down before they left me. It felt special and I just knew this would be different than anything I’d made. I'd been listening to a ton of Earth Wind & Fire and thought, "what would a nerd who couldn't sing [do] if he had these feelings?" And, then boom, it happened.
II. Why did you decide to go about the delivery of this song in a whole different style than what we usually expect from you?
Ran: I don't know! It just came to me that way. That's what scared me, honestly. It was so different, but Hip-Hop has always been about pushing boundaries and I'm such a big fan of André 3000, Cee-Lo Green, and so many more that have been unafraid to show their influences in their work from Funk to Jazz to Gospel and Soul. This was just an extension of that.
III. How in the world did you end up getting "Tractor Beam" placed within Kevin Smith's Clerks III?
Ran: Funny story: I saw Kevin Tweet that he wanted music for the movie and kind of ignored it... like, "I never get picked for this kind of stuff." But I had two other friends see it and encourage me to send this song to him. I Responded in the Thread with a link to the YouTube video and kept it moving. A few days later, I got a DM (always leave your DM's open, guys) from Kevin's assistant asking for more info on the song. I didn't believe he was who he said he was at all. Then, another week later, I got an email from Team View Askew telling me that Kevin personally heard and loved the song. Boom!
IV. When and where did you first meet Kevin Smith?
Ran: That was at San Diego Comic-Con this past year. I had a mission to meet Kevin, but I had no clue how or if it'd happen. I was out there with my homies, DJ DN³, Teek Hall, and my dude, Troy. Troy got us a pass from Mattel to attend the Masters of The Universe Panel in Hall H, which Kevin was hosting. After it ended, he left pretty abruptly to prep for another panel. I DM'ed his assistant, who hooked up the song placement and asked him if I could organize five minutes to say, "hi." He obliged and told me to come to the Mooby's Pop-up that evening. I did and once it ended, I was escorted to the green room and Kevin literally greeted me singing the song. It was pretty surreal.
V. What was your experience like being at the Clerks III premiere?
Ran: I'm always about extending the moment for as long as possible. A great time is fun, but what if every day can be a great time? I asked the team if we could get a pass to the premiere in Hollywood and they did. I got dressed up and really felt like a part of The Hollywood A-List. For a low-key dude like me, it definitely felt a little out of place, but it was awesome. The movie was great and the after-party was super-lit. Open bar, celebrities, bodega [snacks]... I mean, what else could you ask for?
VI. What can you tell us about the specific scene "Tractor Beam" soundtracks within the movie?
Ran: I don't really think I should go into specifics, but it definitely occurs early into the movie and the song beds a very significant moment in the movie and within Clerks lore, I think. I was so excited about the song being there I didn't listen to a lot of the dialogue, if I can be honest. I was trying not to scream my head off.
VII. How exactly did you find out "Tractor Beam" would be featured across the soundtrack for Clerks III?
Ran: Well, nothing happens without my permission since I wrote, produced, and released it and I submitted it for use. So, when the confirmation email came in, I could've done a backflip. In addition, I was paid quite well for it, so there's no feeling like getting paid for something you already created and love a bunch, rather than being tasked to make something new. If he'd said, "make me a track like "Tractor Beam,'" I don't know if I could have done it.
VIII. What would you say is your favorite Kevin Smith-starring, written, or directed film?
Ran: I really like Clerks II. I think the additional characters, layers, and story elements bring so much to the movie universe that I didn't expect and [gives] Clerks III so many places to go that weren't there before.
IX. Can you briefly describe to us your personal favorite scene from Clerks, Clerks II, or Clerks III and explain why?
Ran: Word! Okay, so, my favorite [scenes] in each are probably the in-depth Star Wars/Lord of The Rings arguments. They're so detailed that you know the writer knows the lore so well, which makes the arguments so well put-together and hilariously spot-on. Close second is probably Wanda Sykes & Earthquake's cameos in Clerks II.
X. In addition to Clerks III, what can you (legally) tell us about your recent involvement with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, WWE & View Askewniverse?
Ran: I'd say, "stay tuned, kids!" There may be other franchises that you'll see The Ran appearing in really soon. Always expect the unexpected from a guy who named himself Random.