Always bringing interesting stuff to the table, Ayatollah is about to release of a brand new solo album called "The Avant Garde". The first single, "Nothing But The Funk", bangs a long just right and should get you preparing for the LP which is out March 5 through Elementality Productions.
As Coalmine Records gets closer to the 2nd Quarter release of their long awaited compilation, Unearthed, the Brooklyn indie drops the project's next single, "Naturally Born," which features Q-Borough mic veterans Big Noyd, Large Professor and Kool G Rap. Produced by the legendary Queens-based beatsmith Ayatollah, the soundscape is rooted in a Golden Era motif that boasts a scratch chorus courtesy of DJ Dutchmaster, who blends quotables from other Queens County icons such as Run-D.M.C., Nas, N.O.R.E., Royal Flush and Prodigy.
Stay tuned for more leaks off 'Unearthed,' which includes appearances from Pharoahe Monch, Blu, Sean Price, The Artifacts, Apathy, Rah Digga, Fashawn, Billy Danze (of M.O.P.), Torae and more. Producers tapped include Nottz, M-Phazes, !llmind, Khrysis, Young Cee, Ayatollah, G-Squared and BeanOne, among others.
Moka Only is one of Canada's most celebrated hip-hop exports, a former member of Canadian rap royalty Swollen Members who has released dozens of solo projects since he broke through in the mid-90s. Ayatollah is one of the most respected producers in the American underground hip-hop scene, having crafted classics like Mos Def's "Ms. Fat Booty" and Talib Kweli's "The Proud," plus tracks for Styles P, Pharoahe Monch, Masta Ace, Cormega, Inspectah Deck, and many more. Now, these two talents have come together for a full-length collaboration straight out of hip-hop dreamland. All rhymes by Moka Only (as his alter-ego Ron Contour) and all beats by Ayatollah.
Moka Only is one of Canada's most celebrated rappers, a former member of Platinum-selling Canadian collective Swollen Members. Ayatollah is one of top producers on the independent hiphop scene in the US, having worked with the likes of Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Masta Ace, Ghostface, and more. Now they're coming together for the new album Bridges, with Tollah on the boards and Moka on the mic. With Moka assuming his alter-ego Ron Contour and Tollah's funky creations providing the backdrop, it's an unexpected but surprisingly effective combination straight out of hip-hop fans' fantasies.
