Bekay - I Am

“I Am hip-hop,” is a lofty claim, but Bekay‘s clearly got the skills and the historical perspective to back it up. The up-and-comer’s Masta Ace-assisted Booth debut found him bridging the gap between Brooklyn’s past and present. On the newly-released lead single off his forthcoming full-length, he broadens his focus to encompass the entirety of hip-hop, name-dropping everyone and everything from Run-DMC and Cool Herc to Starter hats and gold chains over The Alchemist‘s glittering, brass-punctuated piano-loop. DJ Revolution complements Bekay’s stream of hip-hop signifiers with a sampled hook, working his magic on quotables from classic cuts by Das Efx, Stetsasonic, Common and Dead Prez. Those who were around to watch hip-hop develop into the cultural phenomenon it is today will undoubtedly appreciate the trip down Memory Lane, and the younger set may even learn a thing or two from Bekay’s whirlwind tour – what’s not to like? Those craving more can have their fill Nov. 11, when Hunger Pains hits online retailers and record stores everywhere.