In the midst of his promo run for his latest album “Radical Departure”, Brooklyn based MC/songwriter CONQUEST stumbled upon an early leak of popular mainstream Harlem rapper A$AP ROCKY’S debut album “Long Live A$AP”. Being an avid music researcher, CONQUEST discovered amongst the tracklisting “1 Train”, a posse cut featuring rising hip hop stars such as Kendrick Lamar, Joey Bada$$, Yelawolf, Danny Brown, Action Bronson & BIG K.R.I.T. Upon hearing that particular track, not only did it bring back the feeling of classic posse cuts from the ‘90‘s, it also sparked an idea. Even though CONQUEST has manipulated secular songs into brand new creations in the past, he much prefers creating complete originals. In fact, After 2011‘s “RENEGADE SUMMER”, he didn’t see himself making another mixtape that included secular re-interpretations for a long time, if ever again. Still, “1 Train” became increasingly irresistible, it had a NYC vibe, it hadn’t been over-remixed by other rappers ( See Drake’s “Started From The Bottom”) & most importantly, a subtle message could be achieved depending on the 6 other emcees who joined him on it. CONQUEST immediately knew who the additional six could be due to their styles, availability & relationships since he had little tolerance for asking anyone who would give him the ‘run around’. The six other emcees ended up being Holycore Records’ Righteouz Knight, Young Paul & Swinn Da Example, along with the duo known as Freestyle Fam & close associate Rkitect. All seven rappers quickly agreed to doing the song & within a month or so, a name of the ‘partnership’ was chosen (thanks to Rkitect), cover art was designed (courtesy of Righteouz Knight) & once all the verses were recorded & turned in, the song was mixed & mastered by Freestyle Fam’s Quest The Wordsmith. The end result became “DA OVERGROUND (1 TRAIN FREESTYLE)” from TRI-STATE SYNDICATE, a track that not only displays the lyricism of each artist in unison, but also the example of how three different camps can come together musically & in fellowship to glorify God together under the purest of agendas. It’s a ‘chapter full of an experience’ they pray more artists in NYC & beyond can take a ‘page out of’ in the future. Hear it unfold on 3.12.13.
