DJ Premier has been a go-to sound provider for some of the more vocally aggressive MCs in Hip-Hop. Names like M.O.P., Bumpy Knuckles, Just-Ice, Pitch Black, Ill Bill, and Big Shug have made gems alongside the Gang Starr producer and DJ.

In that style of Rap, especially within the five boroughs, Casanova 2X is making power moves among the new class. The Roc Nation-backed MC discovered by Memphis Bleek just released Commissary. The album is a menacing listen from a street-certified MC from Flatbush, Brooklyn. As he is on the mic, Cas’ is known for a confrontational industry presence, especially with peers. At a time when rappers carry themselves differently, Cas’ can be a callback to those mid-1990s.

DJ Premier Speaks About How Real Moment Of Truth Was For Hip-Hop & Gang Starr (Video)

It is the perfect union as DJ Premier and Casanova collide for “Wut U Said???” The song feels like a chin-check as it begins with a common sidewalk exchange over respect. That quickly escalates as the music builds. Preemo lays out the hard samples (including the sound of hammers cocking back) as Cas’ bark-like delivery gets right in his opponent’s face. This is hard-nosed East Coast Gangsta Rap as Casanova’s sometimes bellowing delivery flashes back to moments of Billy Danze or Sticky Fingaz. Moreover, the rapper finds the pocket of the beat as the song plays out. The scratches at the end let the opps know it’s for real.

This single is the second track in a four-part series Premier is doing with the revamped Payday Records. Last year, he made “Our Streets” with another contemporary Big Apple spitter, A$AP Ferg. Like that song, this will be coming out as a video soon—directed by iconic Gang Starr and Jeru The Damaja, album cover designer, Danny Hastings.

DJ Premier Explains Why He Broke Two Of His Cardinal Rules To Work With Drake

Photograph via Danny Hastings / Complex, who debuted the song earlier today. Both Casanova and Premier spoke there about what the collaboration means to them and Hip-Hop in 2018.

#BonusBeat: In March, DJ Premier spoke at length to Ambrosia For Heads in his studio about the 20th anniversary of Gang Starr’s Moment Of Truth: