Joell Ortiz has been on a tear in the last nine months. He fed fans a beloved album alongside producer Apollo Brown in the form of late 2018’s Mona Lisa. The Brooklyn, New York veteran opened 2019 with a joint effort, Gorilla Glue, with Fred The Godson and longtime production affiliates, The Heatmakerz. Meanwhile, the Slaughterhouse co-founder followed with a Salaam Remi-produced project, BoxTalk. However, Joell is preparing a solo endeavor before summer’s end, August 30’s Monday.

Ortiz’ latest single “Captain” is not only proof that Ortiz still has it, but he himself reflects on his own career in music and reiterates that he’s still got a lot to say. “Y’all think I lost my step?” he raps over a powerful beat by The Heatmakerz, fresh off of some of their best work with Jim Jones on El Capo. “Was on the run, but had to stop and never caught my breath? / I’m drenched, I’m on the bench with like four more reps / In other words, I got sh*t left to get off my chest.”

Apollo Brown & Joell Ortiz Discuss The Making Of Their Joint Mona Lisa Album (AFH TV Video)

Joell also doesn’t hold his tongue when it comes to modern day mumble rappers. His critique on “Captain” is scorching: “Ni**as out here mumbling, B / Why be smart when ni**as on the charts dumber than me? / A bunch of bums with more money than me / So staying complex, yeah, that’s an ‘everyday struggle’ for me.” He raps about being a product of the days where music was valued differently by the labels and fans. The MC recalls being profiled in Cooper Projects despite his dedication to Rap, and plans to rival JAY-Z and Nas.

“Captain” is the second single from Joell Ortiz’s upcoming Monday. His previous single was “Learn You,” which features Big K.R.I.T. It will be released through Mello Music Group, who was also responsible for Mona Lisa.

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The Monday tracklisting is as follows:

1.) “Monday” (Produced by The Lasso)
2.) “Captain” (Produced by The Heatmakerz)
3.) “Sip Slow” (Produced by Apollo Brown)
4.) “Champion” (Produced by The Heatmakerz)
5.) “Anxiety” (Produced by Nottz)
6.) “Same Time” (Produced by Apollo Brown)
7.) “Learn You” f/ Big K.R.I.T. (Produced by Big K.R.I.T.)
8.) “Screens” (Produced by J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League)
9.) “Jamaican Food” (Produced by The Heatmakerz)
10.) “Before Hip Hop” (Produced by Hesami)
11.) “Momma” f/ Blakk Soul (Produced by Nottz)
12.) “Grammy” (Produced by J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League)

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Press photograph provided by Mello Music Group.

#BonusBeat: Joell Ortiz and Big K.R.I.T. have some lessons for their fans on Monday’s first single: