Veteran Queensbridge, NY rapper Cormega has been a staple in the underground NY hip-hop scene for years. From the iconic shoutout by Nas on his debut album Illmatic, his numerous freestyles, and contract disputes to his now classic album The Realness. The man has been through it all and now he solidifies his status as an elder statesman with his new project The Realness II which marks the New York native’s return after a two-year hiatus from music.
The first single from the aforementioned album is “Essential” which comes with an accompanying video. Bolstered by producer Havoc’s trademark melancholic soundscapes made up of eerie strings and warm textures, Cormega proceeds to give listeners a laundry list of Dos and Do Nots when it comes to friendship, business, and life in general. Far from being condescending or preachy, the rapper lays it out in simple, relatable terms that leave listeners with more than a gem or two to live by.
The visual exudes the quintessential NY aesthetic blending different cut scenes of Cormega’s borough with moody and reflective performance shots.
Executive Produced by Cormega, The Realness II features verses from Nas, Havoc, and Lloyd Banks. Meanwhile, on production, Havoc, The Alchemist, Sha Money XL, and Big Ty, all of whom produced on The Realness, return for powerful tracks; as a collective of other producers also make dynamic contributions to the incredible energy of the project.
Stream “Essential” on SoundCloud, Apple Music, Spotify.
