The second installment of the “Battle Axe Warriors” series is now in stores. With the recent blowing up of the Swollen Members, I would guess a lot more people will be checking for this, that would be in your best interest. The album features some incredible tracks, none finer than “War Paint” by Mr. Brady and Buc Fifty. The beat, which is supplied by Rob The Viking is in-fucking-sane and Rob continues to pump out ill beat after ill beat.
Nas’ boy, AZ has completed his next LP which is called “Aziatic.” There is a duet with Nas on there called “The Essence,” I wonder if it is a reworked version of “Back To The Essence” which was left of Stillmatic. Look for this album in the early summer and don’t forget that Nas and AZ are working on an album together as well.
One of hip hop heroes, Copywrite, has a set release date for his debut album. “The High Exalted” will drop on June 11th on Eastern Conference Records. Look for beats by RJD2, Mighty Mi, Intalect and Copywrite. Speaking of sharp-tongued white emcees with albums in June, wouldn’t y’all kill to see Eminem and Copywrite battle it out. For those that don’t know Copywrite, he is that good.
El-P will release his long awaited solo debut, “Fantastic Damage,” on May 14th. While El-Producto handles the boards on every track, there are guest spots from Aesop Rock, Vast Aire, C Rayz Walz, Mr Lif, Cage, Ill Bill, DJ Abilities, Camu Tao, Rob Sonic, Nasa, and Steven Segal. Look for the singles “Deep Sapce 9mm” and “Tuned Mass Damper.”
In other El-P news, straight from the mouths of the Def Jux camp, El-P is handling production duties on former Rage Against The Machine frontman Zach De La Rocha’s solo debut. No word on a release date though.
Be sure to check for “Duck Season,” DJ Babu’s album that dropped this week. The lead single has The Beatnuts (the reunited Beatnuts) on the A-side with the title track and Jurassic 5 on the B-side with “Ducky.”
Lastly, word is that M.O.P. has not officially signed to Roc-A-Fella yet but is merely a formality at this point. Peace.
