From Loyalty Digital: “Sadat X has spent the last two years preparing an album a whole generation of Hip-Hop fans have been waiting for. On January 20, 2015 Sadat will deliver “Never Left”, a project that celebrates his illustrious career and serves as a testament to New York City’s continued ability to fit in today’s musical landscape.

Sadat conceptualized the project with Fokis after the two had worked together on several projects under Fokis’ Loyalty Digital Corp. imprint. The idea was simple, “a lot of people have the perception that at some point you’re supposed to just turn it off like a switch,” explains the Brand Nubian co-founder.”I still love Hip-Hop every day, I’m still Hip-Hop every day. It’s my lifestyle, it’s what I grew up on. So I just tried to transcribe that through music and let people in my generation know that it’s okay to still love rap. You don’t have to be trapped by what’s played on the radio or the mainstream. There’s something out there for you.””

Music video for Reflection performed by Cormega, from the album Mega Philosophy. Acapella performed for maximum impact.

Extended posse cut remix with an all new beat of Cormega’s “Industry,” from the Mega Philosophy LP.

From the album, Mega Philosophy, available now.

Classic QB posse cut from producer Hazardis Soundz, in preparation for the upcoming CNN records. Ain’t mad at for Capone for making a Pharcyde reference…

20 years ago, Nas mentioned his friend Cormega on a song called “One Love,” which was composed as a letter to someone in prison: “Night time is more trife than ever / What up with Cormega? Did you see him? Are y’all together? / If so then hold the fort down, represent to the fullest / Say what’s up to Herb, Ice and Bullet.” Those four bars inked Cormega’s street credibility and forever tied him, for better and worse, to the crown prince of hip-hop. He spoke to Microphone Check cohosts Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Frannie Kelley about the career and life he’s made beyond them.

Members of the legendary Juice Crew weigh in on Cormega’s outspoken track from Mega Philosophy, “Industry”. Produced by The Large Professor.

Queensbridge legend and one time member of The Firm, Cormega, returns with his first new album in several years, Mega Philosophy. Under the watchful eye of The Large Professor, whom produces the entire thing, Cormega’s latest is less about the struggle, and more about life lessons he’s learned throughout his time in the rap game.

There’s a fair amount of complaining from Mega on this release, as songs like the opening track, “A New Day Begins” and the brutally honest “Industry” examine how the music industry exploits the poor. Mega makes poignant observations on the latter, that will have you nodding and verbally agreeing with him like the most on point preacher’s sunday sermon.

“This is business, they don’t care about your lyrics / The better you sell, the better future for their children / Controversy sells so they support conflict / Makes more progress means more profit / And artists get killed they say they so sorry / Meanwhile they tell you the date of his next project / What a life, death made it more profit / Record companies get paid for your drama…”

These are the kind of lyrics record companies don’t want you to hear, and the kind that artists signed to them are too afraid to speak.

Mega definitely has some standout moments here in terms of collaborations, such as on “MARS (Dream Team)”, where “M.A.R.S.” is obviously an acronym for ‘Mega, AZ, Redman, and Styles P. It’s a random ass collection of rap legends crammed into one cut, but damn if they don’t sound fresh over Extra P’s production. Later on “Honorable”, Raekwon pops up, while “D.U. (Divine Unity)” finds Mega and Nature putting their past Firm-related beefs aside in a surprising, revealing collaboration.

But while Mega Philosophy has its strong points, it’s not without its weaknesses either. Both “Rise” and “More” suffer from paltry R&B hooks. Meanwhile, the production is more or less solid, but not compared to the mind-blowing, genre-defining tracks of Large Pro’s past.

Its nice to see Cormega back doing his thing, especially under the supervision of Large Professor. While by no means a classic, the perspective of artists like these is still much needed in this slowly dying art form.

Directed By Chris Krook, from the Mega Philosophy LP, produced entirely by Large Pro, available now.

Produced by Large Professor, from Cormega’s Mega Philosophy LP, available today.

From the forthcoming LP, Carry On Tradition from Chicago-based producer, A-Villa. Carry On Tradition will be released 9/23 via Closed Sessions and features appearances by: Big K.R.I.T., Action Bronson, Kool G Rap, Joell Ortiz, Freeway, Michael Christmas, Roc Marciano, N.O.R.E., Macie Stewart, AZ, Havoc, Freddie Gibbs, Tree, and many more.

Last week, legendary emcee and lyrical genius, Cormega (Mega), premiered “Rap Basquiat” the third song released from his long anticipated LP, Mega Philosophy. The disc produced entirely by Large Professor (Main Source) is a must-have for any fan of east coast hip-hop boasting emcee collaborations with heavyweights such as Raekwon, AZ, Nature, Black Rob, Styles P and Redman.

“It’s hard to believe that July 22nd will be almost 13 years to date since I dropped my first album. So much has changed in my life. I’ve become a parent, traveled the world and seen beauty and devastation co-exist. I’ve seen people suffering yet smiling and what’s real to me has changed from 13 years ago. After all I’ve experienced, I refuse to be a grown man rapping about money, clothes, and jewelry. Mega Philosophy is another type of realness. This music comes after years of soul-searching, traveling, living, and represents for a way of life that has been diluted and infiltrated. It’s about more than just dropping an album; it’s about creating a legacy. Something that our children’s children will remember as Real Hip-Hop. Through Mega Philosophy, I hope to elevate and inspire those willing to reclaim our culture and legacy. Live It Fully or stay in your place and let the originators continue to originate.”- Cormega

Check out the cover art for the July 22nd release below.

1. A New Day Begins
2. MARS (Dream Team) (feat. AZ, Redman, Styles P)
3. Industry
4. More (feat. Chantelle Nandi)
5. Reflection
6. D.U. (Divine Unity) (feat. Nature)
7. Honorable (feat. Raekwon)
8. Rap Basquiat
9. Rise (feat. Maya Azucena)
10. Home (feat. Black Rob)
11. Valuable Lessons (feat. Jarell Perry)

All tracks produced by The Large Professor.

From the upcoming Mega Philosophy LP.

“Industry” the first official single off the Mega Philosophy album! Production by Large Professor. Artwork by Ibrahim Sincere. Mixed and Mastered by Hazardis Soundz. Limited edition red vinyl of the release can be purchased from here.

J-Love grabs Tony Starks and Mega Montana on this track from his Not Designed To Quit mixtape, today released for free download.