Pharoahe Monch, Apathy & Pete Rock Keep On Repping Boom Bap Hip-Hop (Audio)

Ambrosia For Heads

In the name of balance, Apathy took a more traditional Hip-Hop approach on “I Keep On,” the second single off his forthcoming LP, The Widow’s Son (March 2). Keeping in line with the precedent he set with the first single, “Alien Weaponry,” Ap’ called on another legendary producer, Pete Rock, to map out this wildly nostalgic track.

Beyond tapping Pete Rock for a song that evokes times past, a sound that the producer helped define, Ap’ raps side by side with another sharp-tongued MC, Pharoahe Monch. The pair trade clever bars, pacing each other in both wit and cadence. Both lyricists are known for their extra-terrestrial wordplay and other-worldly curiosity, making for a match that makes sense on multiple planes. This is their story told through slick rhyme patterns. Meanwhile, Pete takes on the chorus, and provides the signature background vocals.

Ambrosia For Heads Presents: G.O.A.T. Producers – The Pete Rock Edition (Playlist)

Monch and Rock have worked together in the past, namely on the 2004 release, “Just Do It,” from Rock’s 2004 Soul Survivor II LP. But the way their careers ran parallel in the ‘90s via Organized Konfusion and Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth, their signature sounds simply make sense together.

Apathy’s sixth solo release, The Widow’s Son involves DJ Premier, Buckwild, M.O.P., Celph Titled and more. The tracklist is below:

01. The Spellbook (prod. by Apathy)

02. Chaos (prod. by Stu Bangas)

03. Never Fall Off (feat. A.G. & DJ Mekalek) [prod. by Apathy]

04. The Widow’s Son (feat. Ryu) [prod. by Chumzilla] *Additional drums by J-Zone

05. The Order (prod. by DJ Premier)

06. Alien Weaponry (prod. by Nottz)

07. Hypnosis (feat. Brevi) [prod. by Messiah Musik] *Keys by Vertygo

08. I Keep On (feat. Pharoahe Monch) [prod. by Pete Rock]

09. A View of Hell (Hell Of A View) (feat. DJ Eloheem) [prod. by Buckwild]

10. Fist of the North Star (feat. Diabolic & DJ Eloheem) [prod. by Stu Bangas]

11. Stomp Rappers (feat. M.O.P., Celph Titled & Chumzilla) [prod. by Apathy]