As a producer for this album, as well as the main mixer on this project, I am proud of this review and it just goes to show that hard work pays off sometimes.
Shouts to Amir Sa'id for the Article:
Nico The Beast's album, The Beast Within, opens with a question: "Are you a talker or a doer?" Fortunately for fans of non-watered down hip hop/rap music, Nico's an aggressive "doer." In fact, the entire offering plays out like the journal of a hard-nose man who's lived it, and more poignantly, lived thru it.
On the track, "You Mean Everything" (beat by Rhythm J), an incredibly emotional and painful track, Nico uses a hushed delivery (something that works here, but shouldn't be repeated) to drop a wrenching recounting of the loss of his infant song. And Nico's vocals are made whole by Rhythm J's haunting instrumental, which taps the essence of the doo wop era, with searing touch and mastery. This song embodies musical artistry, and presents Nico in its finest moment. It also gives notice that the rest of the album is worthy of a close listen.
One of the most talked about and anticipated releases on June 22nd isn't just Em's Recovery Album, but Nico the Beast's The Beast Within which is slated to drop on what should otherwise be called "real lyrics Tuesday"
For the first time since 2005, Nico the Beast slowed the assembly line of punishing, technically flawless lines released on a consistent basis to his growing fanbase. A near fatal car crash in April of 2009, which resulted in the loss of a dear friend, put Nico in a temporary holding pattern. Nonetheless, five days after the accident and not even two days home from the hospital, he was back on stage with one good leg supporting him, wowing the Philadelphia hip hop community through sheer will.
The message was clear: not even a brief visit with death would stop him from his passion.
Barely a month after the accident, he was performing in Miami with The Rap Pack and flew home just in time to witness the birth of his third child and first son Domenic Zarrella Jr. Though the physical and psychological toll of the trauma hadn’t worn off from the crash, a new child appeared to bring light to a rebuilding man.
Sadly, Domenic Zarrella Jr. passed away without warning, not even 8 weeks old, from SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). We all stopped everything. Suddenly, music meant nothing. It still has been hard to stay motivated because all our hearts and prayers are with the entire Zarrella family almost five months later.
But the Beast survives and endures. Though he’s been relatively quiet to the public, he has been laboring away in the studio as always, for therapeutic purposes, sure, but also to prove something: he is never satisfied. Even recently, before Christmas, another close friend of his passed away prematurely from a rare heart disease (RIP Jamal Thomas). Death keeps calling, but Nico keeps walking. He has no other choice but to shine for himself, his family, and his close friends who have held him down for years.
These few tracks give you an idea of what happened recently, and is what happening next to South Philly’s finest rhymer - all records mixed by Rhythm J
Never Stop (prod by Korn Swagger) : A call to arms, a future showstopper, dare we say “anthem” produced by iStandard Producer finalist Korn Swagger of North Philadelphia.
Make Believe ft. Vixion (prod by Vanderslice) : An introspective converstaion with God on the past year, the aftermath of tragedy still in his sights, with an accent of Vixion on the hook. Produced by industry vet Vanderslice.
Wake The Beast (prod by Vanderslice) : Right for the jugular. No bones about it — just vicious “come see me” ish. Don’t wake a sleeping giant, nor a beast.
Golden ft. Vixion (prod by Stupid Genius) : An uptempo potential crossover song warning current rappers to stay honest rather than exaggerate to get on. Produced by iStandard Producer vet Stupid Genius of Miami, who also handled “It’s Your Choice” from No Beast So Fierce.
We at Beat Garden THANK YOU for all the well wishes, prayers, and donations made to the Zarrella family and for your continued support of Nico the Beast’s music. Make sure you follow Nico on Twitter and check out his Reverb Nation page for more new music!
Rhythm J WILL be in the building for his first trip out to the producer Philly scene...
This is a WAY overdue homecoming for me... Even though I admittedly now FROM there - I seem to get much more love and recognition from there than from my NYC people! I can partially thank the likes of 2ew Gunn Ciz, Nico the Beast, and the rest of the Rap Pack for this respect by association! Good lookin out fellas.
Here go some shout outs, pics and BATTLE FOOTAGE ! I def show love to the ones who contributed! I don't usually partake in events like "beat battles" but I had to get it out of my system!
Dinner is Served is still available as a free download at ClapCowards.com and features appearances by Reef the Lost Cauze, Planetary of Outerspace, Kre Forch, Ethel Cee, 2ew Gunn Ciz, MAGr, and a more and beats from Stress The White Boy, Rhythm J, Tecknowledgy, Nachural and more.
"Dinner is Served offers gritty wordplay, impeccable flows..and an overall air that is unmistakeably Philadelphia"--33jones.com
Big shout out to DJ Ace of Spades for placing not ONE, but TWO Rhythm J productions on March Madness Vol. 3 (yes I know this is the cover for vol. 2 smartasses... there is no vol. 3 artwork yet...)
I am one of the last of a dying breed who actually show DJs love when they place my music on something - so DJs get at me I return the same exposure you give.
1. DJ ACE OF SPADES INTRO 2. THE LEAGUE - DROP YOUR PANTIES 3. FRED THE GODSON - COMPUTA LOVE 4. SINSAY - DO IT BIG 5. FRICTION - YOU ALREADY KNOW 6. NICO THE BEAST - BEAST IS COMIN’ 7. MO TY FEAT CALI-BUDD & LADY LAWLESS - TAKIN’ IT TO THE STREETS 8. CYPH LOW - IT IS WHAT IT IS 9. BIGTIME CEO - BUTTAFACE 10. NAZA - NOBODY 11. REBEL STARR - GIMME SUGA 12. STAXX CORDERO - WHAT’S GOOD 13. J-DIDDA - TOP OF HAT HARL EM 14. PHYSHA P - DO WHAT YOU DO 15. RAHSAAN - SNEAKER STORE TERRORIST 16. VAIN - MY NAME IS VAIN 17. HEATHEN - MUFFIN TOP 18. TRUE SUN ALI - LET THE BEAT PLAY 19. DRAWZILLA FEAT NINA B & PRISCILYA MARIE - IT’S YOU 20. MISS NANA FEAT PRISCILYA MARIE - THINK TWICE 21. Q-LOGIC - UNTIL THE SKY FALLS 22. NIGHTINGALE - IS YOU IS 23. MAHASIN - DANGEROUS 24. TANYA AKA T6 - SWAG BOY
Check http://www.dopemixtapes.com/ for the entire March Madness Series Ace of Spades is one of the hardest working DJs/Industry Figures in the underground scene ... SO RESPECT HIS CHAMPNESS
1. Razor Tooth F*ck Intro f/ Davey Za, Tourguide Chuck 2. When the Guns Come Out Freestyle 3. Beast is Coming (prod. by Rhythm J) 4. Underground Kings (prod. by Alex Wood) f/ Reef the Lost Cauze, Nex Millen 5. Nights on Broad St (prod by Noochman) 6. Changes Made (prod by Brizzo) 7. My Piano Freestyle f/ Zilla Rocca 8. Pimp Vs. Rock Star (prod by Zilla Rocca) f/ 2ew Gunn Ciz, M.O.G. 9. I Ain’t Lying Freestyle f/ Al Mighty, 2ew Gunn Ciz 10. Life in a Bottle (prod by Noochman) f/ Ethel Cee, Zilla Rocca 11. Fight to Survive (prod by Rhythm J) 12. We Don’t Play Dat (prod by A.Q.) f/ Kre Forch 13. Can’t Fight the Feeling Freestyle f/ Zilla Rocca 14. Nowhere in a Hurry (prod by Zilla Rocca) f/ Side Effect, Zilla Rocca 15. Bigger Than Your Life (prod by Tecknowledgy) 16. World Win (prod by Tecknowledgy) f/ Kane 17. Watch Out (prod by Rhythm J) 18. Sinister (prod by Noochman) f/ Planetary of Outerspace 19. Knock Em Dead (prod by Nachural) f/ 2ew Gunn Ciz 20. Duck My .45 (prod by Stress) 21. My Man Streets (prod by Noochman) 22. Promised Land (prod by Tecknowledgy) 23. Requiem of a Beast (prod by Noochman) f/ Nex Millen
Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Industry Insider. I am a music enthusiast with manners! Plus I smile in pictures...usually...lol Coming from up the Hudson a little ways and currently residing in Queens NY, I have worked on records with several artists and producers such as 2ew Gunn Ciz, Sha Stimuli, Jimi Kendrix, Rebel Starr, Nico the Beast, Drawzilla, Reef the Lost Cauze, plus more to come... I'm am also the ASCAP encyclopedia - don't believe me? Ask around... you just might get a check. Stone Temple Pilots EP produced by yours truly comin soon!
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