Freddie Gibbs, Apollo Brown & Verbal Kent Team With Aggression (Audio)

In an upcoming release through the Mello Music Group imprint, Chicago, Illinois MC Verbal Kent will be showcasing his skills on Anesthesia, a new solo album featuring contributions from Skyzoo, Torae, Red Pill, Marco Polo, and others. As a founding member of the Ugly Heroes with Red Pill and Apollo Brown, Verbal Kent has long since flexed his masterful lyricism as both a one-man show and a member of groups. Beginning as a drummer in a live Hip-Hop band, he eventually landed in the booth, releasing his full-length solo debut, What Box, in 2004.

Earlier today (July 28), he released the first single from his forthcoming LP, an Apollo Brown-produced heater featuring a guest verse from Freddie Gibbs. Together, the three have combined their respective talents into “Suitcase Switch,” a hard-driving lyrical beast that seems to suggest Anesthesia will be a must-listen for fans of gritty lyrics set against a backdrop of soulfully sampled production. Verbal Kent’s devotion to his craft is impressive, not only because of his skill level but because in 2003, he was the victim of an assault that left his throat slashed and nearly destroyed. That didn’t stop his drive, and this latest single is another in a long line of aggressive, rapid-fire performances.

Anesthesia drops on September 11.

Related: Oddisee, Apollo Brown & More Show Off Their Persona On New Compilation (Album Stream)