The often elusive Aesop Rock has surfaced with a new video for “Hot Dogs,” which serves as the Portland, Oregon-based MC’s first vocal single since 2016’s The Impossible Kid. The song is being billed as a fundraiser for the charity organization Grind For Life.

Directed by Kurt Hayashi, the track’s visual features the skateboarding of Jake Gascoyne.

“‘Hot Dogs’ is a audio/video project celebrating the tangents of a delirious brain over the course of a late-night skate to the store,” Rock said in a press release.

It’s a welcome surprise to even have new music from the Rhymesayers artist. Over the summer, he canceled tours in both New Zealand and Australia due to “unforeseen circumstances,” something he explained in August with a heartfelt Instagram post.

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“The reasons for the cancellation are layered, and personal, and not stuff I care to share with anyone outside my immediate circle – hence the term “unforeseen circumstances,” he wrote. “It’s certainly not a decision I took lightly, but one that was very important to make. Love y’all, and sorry for the times I’ve let you down. I’m doing the best I can.

“I have other thoughts I want to express regarding my future in music, which I had hoped would all be neatly summarized in the sweetest paragraph of all time by now – but I can’t seem to find the right words, or even decide what I want to say,” he continued. “I guess I’ll speak on it if/when it feels natural.”

Apologies for all inconvenienced by the cancellation of September’s Australia tour. The reasons for the cancellation are layered, and personal, and not stuff I care to share with anyone outside my immediate circle – hence the term “unforeseen circumstances”. It’s certainly not a decision I took lightly, but one that was very important to make. Love y’all, and sorry for the times I’ve let you down. I’m doing the best I can. I have used a picture of Kirby to soften the blow, but all Australians can feel free to focus their "fuck you"s in the comments below, at which point I will get sad and delete this. Beyond all this – I have other thoughts I want to express regarding my future in music, which I had hoped would all be neatly summarized in the sweetest paragraph of all time by now – but I can’t seem to find the right words, or even decide what I want to say. I guess I’ll speak on it if/when it feels natural. Until then – peace and thank you. Beautiful day in Brooklyn. Gonna go for a walk. ✌️

A post shared by @aesoprockwins on

The digital version of “Hot Dogs” is available now. Additionally, pre-orders for a limited edition 7″ vinyl version featuring both the song and the instrumental are available via Fifth Element’s website. 

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All proceeds from “Hot Dogs'” digital sales and vinyl pre-orders now through November 23 will be donated to Grind For Life, a charity established by skateboarder Mike Rogers following his second battle with sarcoma cancer. The organization’s mission is to provide financial support to patients and families when traveling long distances to doctors and hospitals.

The 7″ vinyl is expected to arrive on November 24.

Check out the cover art below.