Back in 2000, before deejay/entrepreneur Nigo’s clothing brands became arguably the most sought-after boutique street wear, he released an under the radar album called Shadow Of the Ape Sounds. Collaborating on records with Rakim, GZA and the Beatnuts, the album crossed language barriers at a time when international Hip Hop was still working toward stability.
Baltimore deejay and Milkcrate Records founder Aaron Lacrate [click to read], who was U.S. A&R for the project, recently reminisced about the album on his blog stating, “This project was great fun for me, linking some of my favorite NYC MC’s GZA, BIZ MARKIE, and The God RAKIM with what was just starting to blow up in JAPAN. It’s crazy to see how far NIGO and BAPE have grown.”
Realizing the innovation that Nigo had laid out, he added, “This was way back before Pharell and Kanye [West], no disrespect. Nigo has always been the man.”
In other news, Brooklyn emcee Bekay will be releasing his album Hunger Pains on November 10.
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Featuring production from Illmind, The Alchemist [click to read], and Bean One, among others, Bekay’s latest album will also include guest features from Saigon [click to read], R.A. The Rugged Man and Heltah Skeltah [click to read].
Hunger Pains has been in the process of being released since late 2007. However, because of other projects like The Horror Flick and the collaborative album The Foundation [click to read] from his label Coalmine Records, Bekay’s most prized effort has been held back until now.
Track listing is listed below:
1. Intro (prod. by The Returners)
2. I Am feat. DJ Revolution (prod. by The Alchemist)
3. Pipe Dreams feat. R.A. The Rugged Man (prod. by Marco Polo)
4. Bloodsport (prod. by Shuko)
5. Young (prod. by Shuko)
6. Rapstar [Hunger Pains] (prod. by Alkota)
7. Crazy feat. Heltah Skeltah (prod. by Illmind)
8. Brooklyn Bridge feat. Masta Ace (prod. by DJ Babu)
9. That’s Brooklyn (Skit)
10. Skemers feat. Wordsworth (prod. by Shuko)
11. Realest That Run It (prod. by Contagious)
12. Pops (prod. by Bean One)
13. The Raw feat. Saigon & Inspectah Deck (prod. by Street Orchestra)
14. Visions (prod. by J.R. Rotem)
15. I Am [Remix] feat. Dilated Peoples
