That Realness Is Now Closed!!!

Only Built For Cuban Linx II in stores August 11th.

Mask-wearing hip-hop maverick DOOM (previously MF Doom) unveils his imminent new album, BORN LIKE THIS – a tour de force of thrillingly intricate and diabolically original songwriting. The enclosed sampler has been personally compiled by DOOM And showcases his most accomplished, definitive record yet and first full-length solo offering for over four years.

As well as head-spinningly complex, reference-rich rhymes, DOOM also provides the majority of the peerless production himself with just 2 tracks here featuring the studio skills of others. Credit for crafting the bounciest of beats on short yet sweet BALLSKIN goes to Washington’s Jake One, whilst the much-missed J Dilla’s magical psychedelic jamboree illuminates LIGHTWORKS. Guest vocalists include founding Wu Tang Clan members Ghostface and Raekwon, with the former appropriately appearing in his cartoon-inspired Tony Starks guise. BORN LIKE THIS takes its title from Charles Bukowski’s dystopian poem, ‘Dinosauria, We’, read by its author and re-scored by DOOM on CELLZ. Sharp-eared followers of the interesting end of hip-hop may recognize some of the album’s lineage – the instrumental of LIGHTWORKS is a highlight of J Dilla’s Donuts and an early demo of ANGELZ has circulated in cyberspace – however, the rest of the newborn record’s 16 tracks are 100% fresh and, until now, unheard.

DOOM’s previous solo adventures and escapades include output as alternative alter egos ‘King Geedorah’– a three-headed monster from outer-space – and ‘Viktor Vaughan’ – a DOOM spin-off who exists in a technologically advanced parallel dimension – as well as collaborative albums with Madlib (as ‘Madvillian’), Danger Mouse (‘DangerDOOM’), and a cameo on Gorillaz Demon Days opus.

01. SUPERVILLAIN INTRO
02. GAZZILLION EAR
03. BALLSKIN
04. YESSIR! feat. Raekwon
05. ABSOLUTELY
06. RAP AMBUSH
07. LIGHTWORKS
08. BATTY BOYZ
09. ANGELZ feat. Tony Starks (aka Ghostface)
10. CELLZ
11. STILL DOPE feat. Empress Sharhh
12. MICROWAVE MAYO
13. MORE RHYMIN’
14. THAT’S THAT
15. SUPERVILLAINZ feat. Kurious, Mobonix & Slug
16. BUMPY’S MESSAGE
17. THANK YAH

For the last few years, Wu-Tang Clan member Cappadonna has been busy touring, as well as making numerous guest appearances, but his latest appearance of note was on the Wu-Tang Clan's noteable reuinion, "8 Diagrams". Known for his clever wordplay and lyrical dexterity, Cap now returns with his first full-length album in years, "Slang Prostitution". Featured on this soon-to-be classic are none other than his Wu-Tang compadres Raekwon the Chef (Lex Diamonds Story/Only Built for Cuban Links) and Masta Killa (No Said Date/Made In Brooklyn). Also featured are King Just (Mystic of the God), Jojo Pellegrino, Lounge Lo and others.

HOT TRACK: Somebody's Got To Go feat. Lounge Lo & Ghetto Philharmonic

01. You Can't Keep A Good Man Down (Part 1)
02. Savage Life (Produced By: Digem Trax)
03. Three Knives feat. 3rd Diglah, Lounge Lo (Produced By: 3rd Diglah)
04. Walk With Me feat. Joey Lee (aka Skinslaya) (Produced By: 3rd Diglah; G-Clef Da Mad Komposa)
05. Do You Remember? (Produced By: Q-Dini)
06. That Staten Island Shit (Produced By: Digem Trax)
07. Stories feat. JoJo Pellegrino, 3rd Diglah (Produced By: Digem Trax)
08. Life's A Gamble feat. Raekwon (of Wu-Tang Clan), Ratchet (Produced By: Rush)
09. Hustle And Flow (Produced By: B.T.)
10. You Can't Keep A Good Man Down (Part 2)
11. Pistachio feat. Loung Lo, King Just, Lugar (Produced By: Soul Professa)
12. Grungy feat. G-Clef Da Mad Komposa (Produced By: Q-Dini)
13. What's Really Up? (Produced By: 3rd Diglah)
14. Da Vorzon feat. Lounge Lo (Produced By: Blastah Beats)
15. Somebody's Got To Go feat. Lounge Lo, Ghetto Philharmonic (Produced By: G-Clef Da Mad Komposa)
16. Fire feat. Masta Killa (of Wu-Tang Clan) (Produced By: Chicargo)
17. Speed Knotz feat. Percise (Produced By: N.E.S.)
18. Stay Shining (Produced By: Digem Trax)
19. You Can't Keep A Good Man Down (Part 3)

They are rap's first great duo, one that excelled as rappers and producers. They are among the most-sampled rap acts of all time, their tunes having been mined by Jay-Z, DMX, 2Pac and Tha Alkaholiks, among many others. They introduced funk-styled production to rap, paving the way for Dr. Dre's The Chronic. And even though their own rap skill was immense, they are also the best talent scouts in rap history, introducing the likes of Redman, Das EFX and Keith Murray. Then they broke up and reunited to rave reviews. The group is EPMD, undisputed legends in the rap game.

Now, after more than 20 years in the game, EPMD returns with We Mean Business, their first album on their own EP Records and their seventh overall. The new collection is a testament to their Business plan.

"All of our albums have Business in the title," Smith explains. "Now that we're in a new era and the game is changed, we realize that it's different from when we handed in a CD to our first label to being at Def Jam. Erick and I created our own vehicle to be able to drop this album. That's how we came with the title We Mean Business, because we do."

EPMD updates its classic sound and sentiment on "Listen Up," a funk-drenched song complete with a talk box and featuring the one and only Mr. Teddy Riley. Recognizing EPMD's status as pioneers, Sermon acknowledges how important his lyrics are: "Can't talk ignorant/I got some intelligent folks that's digging it."

Those same folks will be digging We Mean Business song "Roc Da Spot," a throwback of sorts to "You Gots To Chill," one of 1988's most acclaimed rap singles. "The beat had that EPMD sound, as far as the claps," Sermon says. "It had a familiarity to it because of the sound and, 20 years later, we've still got that funk coming."

"It's very important for us to stay us," Smith adds. "People want to hear and see EPMD." That's because We Mean Business isn't just an album title for EPMD. It's a mindstate.

1. Puttin’ Work In (Feat. Raekwon the Chef)
2. What You Talkin’ (Feat. Havoc)
3. Roc-Da-Spot
4. Blow
5. Run It (Feat. KRS-One)
6. Yo (Feat. Redman)
7. Listen Up (Feat. Teddy Riley)
8. Never Defeat ‘Em (Feat. Method Man)
9. Jane
10. Left 4 Dead (Feat. Skyzoo)
11. They Tell Me (Feat. Keith Murray)
12. Actin’ Up (Feat. Vic D. Tre)