Excluding the ever-enigmatic RiFF RAFF, for most rappers, representing their city/town/region of origin is imperative. These songs are typically heartfelt and very important for the artists themselves and the communities they highlight, but for people outside of those communities, such songs can be too personal and subsequently alienating. Thus, when artists record such songs, they have to be careful to keep in mind the audience outside of the places they’re honoring. On Fat Tony‘s new remix to “BKNY,” this is the case.

Rapping over an ambient, nearly tropical instrumental courtesy of Tom Cruz, who also closes the track out with some peaceful singing, Mr. MFN eXquire, Melo-X and Fat Tony rip the track to sheds. The track is truly masterful because  the listeners familiar with Brooklyn get all the geographical and cultural references (and even some history, via Fat Tony) and the listeners beyond the Tri-State area get four riveting and complementary performances (also known as good ass music). What’s really interesting about the track is that Fat Tony is actually from Houston. When you can respectfully honor a place that you’re not even from, you’ve got talent. Listen below.

The post New Music: Fat Tony feat. Mr. MFN eXquire, Melo-X & Tom Cruz – “BKNY” (Remix) appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.