Late producer/turntablist DJ Devastate’s new single, “Crime After Crime”, is more than a grimy collaboration with Brooklyn rap stalwart Illa Ghee. It’s a testament to the life and talents of the Swedish artist who long wanted to work with the talented wordsmith.
The track centers on the equally funky and gritty production from Devastate, who also blessed the hook with a stellar fusion of classic Notorious B.I.G. lines from “Suicidal Thoughts” and “Sky’s The Limit”. And you can just tell that Illa knew exactly what he had to do once he heard it: deliver quotable bars with reckless abandon.
The BK rapper’s verses are brimming with memorable lines that are as intimidating as they are imaginative. That goes for when he spits something more simple like, “Imagine Illa as the bear inside a dog fight”, to the multi-line threat of “Ladies and gentlemen / Steppin’ on the enemy’s throat with both Timberlands / Unfazed and menacin’”. There’s a lot to love here, and it’s just a sampling of what you’ll hear on the forthcoming In Recollection: A Dual Label Anthology that pays tribute to our late friend.
“Crime After Crime” is available now through all digital retailers and streaming platforms, and can be purchased for instant grat off the iTunes pre-order for, In Recollection. The ten-track LP which includes guest features from Chuck D, C.L. Smooth, Skyzoo, El Da Sensei, J57 and more, is set to drop through all DSPs this Friday, where 300 copies will be available on special edition purple/mustard swirled vinyl at participating Black Friday record stores throughout the country. Vinyl can be pre-ordered now via Fat Beats and Bandcamp.