Killah Priest became a household Hip Hop name decades ago as a Wu-Tang Clan associate. Eleven albums later, including last year’s under-the-radar Planet of the Gods, he’s back with For The Future of Hip Hop.
His most ambitious project to date, the album links him with experimental Chicago-based producer Bryan Ford. According to Ford, the initial connection between the two was purely organic.
“We felt connected through our friends and associates in Chicago,” he says. “I had a beat and we were going to see what would happen. As it turns out, Priest had a line that said For The Future of Hip Hop and that turned into the album.
Less of the more boom bap many associate Killah Priest with, For The Future of Hip Hop is a hodgepodge of different sounds, from electronica, jazz, soul and live instrumentation. Of course, it’s all rooted in Hip Hop.
For Priest, he was up to the challenge in sound. “When you work with someone who knows what they’re doing, that’s first,” says the Iron Sheik from the Middle East during an exclusive interview with HipHopDX. “It’s more live and more humans with you instead of a machine. It’s also important that we never lost the boom-bap feel.”
Bryan Ford was aware of that and, although he grew up listening to The Pharcyde and A Tribe Called Quest, this is his first bonafide Hip Hop album. Released by label Revolutionary Music, other guests on the project are Windy City emcees Pugs Atomz and Awdazcate.
Dropping May 6, For The Future of Hip Hop won’t be the last one hears from the two. Ford says that two or three songs were cut, but more could be made for another project.
“You can’t get it all, some stuff is exclusive,” explains Priest. “All of the beats I’ve heard are dope and we went through a lot of instrumentals.”
“Priest will come up with a verse on the spot,” Ford adds, “and blow your mind on some inspirational shit.”
Fuck yeah!! I wonder if Priest is still doing Planet of the Gods sequels?
I’ve always loved Priest. But I’ve always hated live instrument hip-hop. It’s just wack. I love all types of music, and I grew up in a family of musicians, so it’s not like I don’t understand it. It just doesn’t work. There’s still no better backdrop for rap lyrics that an MPC.
Album has produced MPC vibe. Some songs adapted for shows though. I’ve seen people really get off on it when they see it live so something’s working
Love Killah Priest but this doesn’t sound right. Just ask RZA, 4th Disiciple and Bronze Nazateth for some beats and you have a bangin’ album……or Da Beatminerz that would be dope…..
Priest brings the heat on this one nice joint!! Big ups to Pugs Atomz and Awdazcate
Dope!!!!!!
Saw the love from Funkmaster Flex on this joint respect!