BLACK BELT THEATRE WILL BE RELEASED ON FEBRUARY 28th, 2012 & WILL FEATURE APPEARANCES FROM TALIB KWELI, RAEKWON, PAUL WALL, FASHAWN, MISTAH FAB, CHACE INFINITE, CAMP LO, THE JACKA, KRONDON, TORAE & RASS KASS
Named after a 1980s Saturday-afternoon TV show and inspired by Planet Asia's favorite films, Black Belt Theatre combines the violent precision of classic kung-fu flicks with the calculated cool of classic blaxploitation movies. "I wanted to make the album like a movie, something you would see in a theater," says Asia. "That's why it has so many features. All the guests feel like different characters in the movie." These guests include veterans like Raekwon, Talib Kweli, Paul Wall, Ras Kass, Camp Lo, and Strong Arm Steady, as well as newcomers like Fashawn, Willie The Kid, Torae, and Nio Tha Gift. "They're basically just all people I thought were dope," says Asia. "Both young cats I'm feeling and veterans I've always admired." Unlike on his albums with Evidence and DJ Muggs, Asia also got to determine the sonic direction on Black Belt Theatre, resulting in a soul-heavy, blaxploitation-influenced sound. "It was fun because I got to reach out to guys like Oh No and Khrysis for beats, find the best tracks and put together a masterpiece," explains Asia. "It's some esoteric gangster shit…a full plate for the listener."
Tracklisting and credits for Planet Asia’s "Black Belt Theatre”
1.) "Lost And Found” (produced by Khrysis) 2.) "Grown Folks Talkin’” f/ Talib Kweli (produced by Dirtydiggs) 3.) "Tell The World” (produced by Dirtydiggs) 4.) "All Mine” f/ Paul Wall (produced by Twiz The Beat Pro) 5.) "No Apologies” f/ Raekwon (produced by Oh No) 6.) "F*ck Rappers” f/ Fashawn & Willie The Kid (produced by Dirtydiggs) 7.) "Diamond Life” f/ Camp Lo (produced by Dirtydiggs) 8.) "Furniture” (produced by Dirtydiggs) 9.) "Mach One (produced by Dirtydiggs) 10.) "Daggers And Darts” f/ Rogue Venom & Tristate (produced by Dirtydiggs) 11.) "Bruce Lee” f/ Chace Infinite & Rasco (produced by Soulprofessa) 12.) "Golden State” (produced by Dirtydiggs) 13.) "Coons” f/ Killer Ben (produced by Dirtydiggs) 14.) "The Line Of Fire” f/ Krondon, Phil Da Agony & Picaso (produced by Brisk Oner) 15.) "Big Fish” (produced by Twiz The Beat Pro) 16.) "External Motives” f/ The Jacka & Mitchy Slick (produced by Twiz The Beat Pro) 17.) "Classical” f/ Ras Kass, Torae & Jasiri X (produced by Religion) 18.) "Stay Ready” f/ Mistah Fab, Dengee & Mo The Gift (produced by Oh No) 19.) "Whirlwind Patterns” (produced by Religion) 20.) "Dogon Outro” (produced by Dirtydiggs)
FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS DJ Charlie Hustle and Intikana have been working on a new album which originally was going to be called "Master Cleanse." However, after many discussions and deep reasoning,they decided to title it "Limpia Limpia." Limpia means clean. It generally describes a type of cleanse or ceremony. The repeating of the word Limpia twice emphasizes the importance of cleaning and states it as a command. Limpia Limpia!!! We are asking listeners to clean. Clean minds, bodies, and spirits. Clean homes, streets, and communities. As artists, educators, and activists, we often find ourselves on the front lines and sometimes, the most revolutionary thing one can do is pick up a broom. We request this of the listener because it requires action and that is what the project is intended to inspire.LIMPIA LIMPIA [TRAILER] - Intikana & DJ Charlie Hustle/ARRIVING JUNE 20, 2012
Newark New Jersey's William Cooper teams up with the legendary Kool G Rap to release their Official Video for "American Gangsters". Cooper and G Rap knuckle up against injustice over this BP produced monster while Alain Alexander Mesa supplies the razor sharp animation which brings every bar to life leaving this anthems message permanently stamped on the viewers brain:
"The upside down U.S. Flag is an official signal for distress. It is not meant to be, and is not officially recognized as any type of disrespect when displayed for the right reasons."
Support William Cooper's debut solo LP "Beware of the Pale Horse" available on i-Tunes, Best Buy.com, Amazon, etc. Look out for much more from William Cooper and Gemstarr Regime Records in 2012.