Edo G and Shabaam Sahdeeq are back at it folks! But this time around they have a collaborative EP for their fans. The duo just dropped their 9-track EP, Recognize Your Power, and it’s definitely worth the listen.

The EP has features from Planet Asia, Craig G, Torae and more. Plus, it was produced entirely by Fokis–who has produced for Torae, Planet Asia and many more. Take a listen to the EP below and tell us what you think! If you’re feeling it, you can purchase Recognize Your Power here.

Keep up with Edo G, Shabaam Sahdeeq and Fokis on Twitter.

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Premiered via Mass Appeal, “Play to Win” is the world’s first listen at what’s to come on October 14th with Shabaam Sahdeeq, Edo. G and producer Fokis’ collaborative Recognize Your Power EP. This is basically text book definition of contemporary boom-bap. It almost feels wrong to use the word contemporary, as the single embodies every spec of the traditional recipe from the yesteryears that we love dearly, but it’s here in 2016 and it sounds glorious. Do you mind if we take a moment and cherish hip-hop royalty? Good, because we are anyway. Two heavyweight, seasoned microphone chemists coming together at a time when the questionable is questioned. At a time when your average 30-something year old has turned their attention off to the current state of hip-hop. A time when we need collaborations like this the most. Aesthetics aside, the mere fact of a collaborative effort from any veteran emcees is applaudable and saluted to a high degree.

The single invites Coney Island’s finest Torae for a brolic guest appearance, reminding listeners that he will body a good portion of rappers pound for pound. For assurance, visit his recent ‘Entitled’ LP and report back – it’s up there in hip-hop releases this year. The tip of the four minute iceberg is Dj Eclipse lacing the cuts/hook. Does he ever upset? Nah. The four of them on record makes perfect sense. Aside from the artists here, the EP welcomes the likes of Oh No, Ras Kass, Planet Asia and more. It’s a heavy list.

Boston’s Edo. G needs no introduction. However, if you’re young or were never properly introduced, I’d recommend starting at Edo G & the Bulldogs’ Life of a Kid in the Ghetto and their 1993 Roxbury 02119 record for an early brush up. Fast forwarding to the current, Edo. has been busy. Him and Paris’ production duo Street Wyze (Dj Tren & G.G.) released their Afterwords full length last summer – a sure shot that your collection needs if you haven’t. Also a generous amount of invited guest verses, Reks’ “Plane Gang” being the latest that I caught.

The two humbly remain grounded and quite simply just do what they know best. In the eyes of people who matter they’re giants. Shabaam Sahdeeq actually doesn’t stop creating. Aside from rhyming and staying planted in music, it’s no secret that he’s a progressive fine artist. Maybe it is a secret if you didn’t know before reading this. His artwork ranges in subject matter, size and medium. It’s bold. Complementary to his music career, his pieces have landed on display throughout different states as well as continue to sell. I’ve had a good relationship with Shabaam through music for the past few years, but since building on the visual art side of the fence my respect for him has grown ever further. He’s a true polymath, remaining teachable and not limited to one craft. It’s something that is lacking in today’s overall rap scene.

We wanted to have some fun with the feature of the single and include a special conversation with Shabaam, mixing in some talk surrounding the EP and studio artwork. We hope you enjoy! Peace and love.

Always good to catch up with you. So the new single and the announced EP with Edo. G. Tell us how the collaboration came to life and how the layers unfolded. It’s a hell of a surprise that we’re excited for.

I’ve known Edo for a while. We always talked about doing a song together, but Fokis really put it together and made it a reality. I did the first 3 songs and left the open verses and Edo laid verses on those. Then Edo laid verses on the next 3 and I followed his lead. For the one where we go back and forth he laid parts and I filled in the blanks. Then the hooks we did after all the verses were laid.

I don’t know much about producer Fokis other than a single or two. His keys are ridiculous and his drums are thick. How did you and Edo end up deciding on his work to canvas the entire release?

Fokis really put this together. He’s known for working with Sadat X, Skyzoo and Torae, amongst other things – engineering, producing and rapping. We didn’t pick him, he picked us actually and made it come together right before I went to Europe on tour. By the time I came back most of the mixes were done.

Hip-Hop needs a collaboration to this degree right now more than ever – two seasoned emcees who’ve quite honestly seen it all. It’s good to see you two in good spirits, healthy and creating music together.

Indeed. Edo is on Tour now after the project is completed and ready to drop and I was on tour before it was finished and was still in the creative stages . So its safe to say we are all working.

Let’s talk art. You’re a machine. We’re convinced you don’t sleep (laughing). How long have you been creating studio art and how long have you been taking studio art seriously?

The post Edo. G & Shabaam Sahdeeq’s Collaborative EP Is Around The Corner (interview) appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.