Fatal Lucciauno’s sophomore album, Respect, will be released February 21st, but first, the Seattle emcee is excited to release his collaborative EP with distinguished producer and fellow Seattleite Jake One. Fatal and Jake are offering the EP, titled The Message, to fans free of charge.

For Fatal, The Message EP serves as his most personal work to date, showcasing a collection of stories that show listeners a deeper side of Fatal. “I poured my soul onto the songs,” explains Fatal. “The have-nots, the hustlers – we have real stories that transcend pain and beauty, and this music is a bridge to the new me.” In keeping with the personal nature of the EP, Fatal chose to keep features to a minimum. “If the person I had on the song wasn’t emotionally capable of reaching into their soul,” notes Fatal, “they aren’t on the EP.”

Jake One handles production for the EP, and the chemistry that the two developed while working on “Amazing (the lead single from Respect), is on full display throughout. “Working with Jake is the best; he don’t require shit, just that I be creative and honest in my music,” explains Fatal. “The Message couldn’t be illustrated without Jake One’s help.” And that message, says Fatal, is, “We are here – and we ain’t going nowhere.” But there’s more to the message than that, remarks Fatal, “and if you listen, you’ll hear it.”

Fatal Lucciauno is excited to announce the release of his new album, Respect. A follow-up to his 2007 project, The Only Forgotten Son, Respect will be released on February 21st via Sportn’ Life Records. Born in Chicago and raised in Seattle’s Central District (a rough neighborhood nicknamed the Crime District), Fatal Lucciauno brings the perspective of his urban northwest upbringing to listeners, a unique style that weaves street tales while striving to remain spiritually honest. “With this record I wanted to show the musical integrity that drives me to be the best at what I do,” says Fatal. “The music is a safe haven for my thoughts and fears. I finally feel free, spiritually, so my creative drive is scary. This album is a jump-start to a new frontier in ‘gangsta rap.’ I truly believe it will bring an uprising to my northwest hip-hop community.”

Elsewhere, the album’s first single, “Amazing,” continues to show off Fatal’s diversity as an artist. Produced by Jake One and featuring a chorus from rapper J. Pinder, also both Seattleites, “Amazing” contains a filtered and chopped sample with airy keys and echoing, soulful vocals throughout. For Lucciauno, the song’s inspiration came from the undying love bred by nostalgia. “I have love for my community, no matter what I’ve seen,” he notes of his beloved Central District neighborhood. “It’s cool to want nice things – that’s what the struggle was for – but don’t forget where you come from.”

New track from Seattle rapper Fatal Lucciauno and production from his hometown colleague Jake One. Check it out and download below.

Fatal Lucciauno + Jake One – “Cry Fir Help” (MP3)