This track was produced by a native Iowan that I’ve been a fan of for many years. The first time I heard of him was when I saw him performing at the very first Hip Hop show I ever went to in my life. It was a local showcase at Gabe’s Oasis in Iowa City featuring Arcee, Babel Section, Josiah & A-Wonder, and I believe Psychosomatic was on the bill too. This was a life changing night for me because I was already making music at the time, but I had never been to a show and this one was all locals that were pretty good. It was very inspiring and influential. At the end of the night a guy from Des Moines called Know1 grabbed the mic and asked the crowd if they liked what they heard. When the crowd responded positively I specifically remember him yelling: “then why do I still have CD’s?” as he held up a handful of CDR’s in slim cases. I ended up getting one of those from him for free that night and I still have it to this day. It was a copy of Babel Section – “Fostering Epoch”, which was his project at the time with fellow Des Moines, IA emcee; Gaiden. I always looked up to Know1 and Gaiden back then, as well as all the other locals that were on the bill that night. I remember when I would see them at shows I’d be on some fanboy shit, bumping my friends like “yo, that’s Gaiden and Know1.” I always felt like I needed to gain their recognition and/or respect for some reason. Amazingly, throughout my travels as a musician I did gain the recognition, respect, and/or friendship of almost every single emcee that was on the bill on that night; including the producer of this beat: Aeon Grey, formerly Know1 of Babel Section. I chose this beat to write on from a few he sent me in 2012. The song is kind of personal, almost like I’m talking to myself. It was written at a time when I was wasting a lot of daylight watching random documentaries on Netflix so it makes sense. Also, I tried some different vocalizations on this track that are a bit out of my regular comfort zone. As I wrote the song it just sort of happened so I just went with it….
*Note
-this song has a message.
-BIG SHOUT to: Aeon Grey, Gadema, Animosity, Johnny Sixx, Josiah, Felix, J8 and the rest of the performers from that night in Iowa City that changed my life. RESPECT!