Heads were gifted an outstanding collaborative album titled Retropolitan last Friday (September 20) by top-tier lyricist Skyzoo and legendary producer/DJ Pete Rock. The 12-track Mello Music Group LP (embedded below) celebrates Hip-Hop culture and the city that birthed it. As Sky’ puts it, the project is a love letter that salutes The Big Apple’s celebrated past with some heartfelt warning surrounding its rapidly gentrifying future. Elzhi, Westside Gunn, Conway The Machine, Benny The Butcher, Styles P, and Raheem Devaughn fill out an impressive guest list of close affiliates to both respected artists.

Interviewed on camera for AFH TV, Skyzoo and Pete Rock broke down everything about how the album came together. The 40-minute conversation uncovers some Easter Eggs within the LP surrounding some songs, unpacks its overarching themes, and features some exciting news on upcoming work from both men.

Skyzoo Is Gearing Up For 1 Of The Biggest Albums Of His Career & It’s All Good (Video)

Early on in the conversation, Sky’ reveals that the album title came from the front of a hoodie he had been given by upstart clothing label De Las Flores. When asked about the basketball theme throughout, he also elaborates on his love of the game and how the title “Penny Jerseys” perfectly illustrates a formative time and place for him. He goes on to expound on the lyric where he boasts about spending a day with Penny Hardaway. As Sky’ asserts, his lyrics are based on truth.

Pete Rock’s Video For His Instrumentals Album Speaks Much Louder Than Words

The New Yorkers discuss the creative process surrounding a collaboration album made together in the studio. Pete points to some of the beats that like video single “It’s All Good” that stem from vintage sessions with his SP1200 sampler. The creator also discusses how he catalogs his vault.

This AFH TV conversation features plenty of jewels from two trusted sources of great Hip-Hop. There are other Pete and Skyzoo interviews in the library. We are currently offering free 7-day trial subscriptions.