If you’re a fan of New York’s gritty approach to hip-hop music and culture, then you’ll probably be a fan of the new album Beloved by Yonkers rap veteran Styles P and Harlem’s new school spitter Dave East. The record chases the spirit of New York styled hip-hop with sharp bars, aggressive lyrics and heavy beats over the plights the two rappers face from street politics to money.
The Beloved project was released on Friday (Oct. 5) to online music platforms via Def Jam Recordings/Mass Appeal and named after East and Styles whose first names coincidentally is David which means beloved in Hebrew. The LP consists of 13 tracks featuring artists like Tisha Hyman, Jazzy, Dyce Payne and The LOX with whom Styles P is a member. Chase N. Cashe (Drake, Lil Wayne, Curren$y), Scram Jones (Remy Ma, Scarface), and Styles P’s son, Noah Styles (on “Rare Breed”) produced the album.
Although there hasn’t been an announcement of a tour, the two MCs will be performing at Irving Plaza Wednesday (Oct. 17). However, the album’s success has already taken off as it sits at No. 5 on the iTunes Hip-Hop albums charts and No. 20 on the regular iTunes charts.
The album marks the fourth time the Nas protege and the former Ruff Ryders artist have worked together. The two have done songs along with other artists: 2015’s “Welcome to NY” with Nino Man and Snype Lyfe; 2017’s “Pictures” with Berner and Joe Ski; and “Feels Good” with Kehlani.
Listen to Dave East and Styles P’s Beloved project below and tell us what you think.
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