The alias returns with the second instalment of his new project, the Bobby Digital Trilogy, which will serve as the soundtrack to an upcoming graphic novel.

The trilogy was kicked off during the summer by Saturday Afternoon Kung Fu Theatre. Arriving on the heels of this critically acclaimed first instalment, Bobby Digital and The Pit of Snakes was produced by DJ Scratch. Under this moniker, RZA finds a freedom to musically depict his love of comic books through rich orchestral soundscapes and playful beats. As always, however, he reminds listeners of the legend status he earned in the Wu- Tang Clan, through authoritative and bold lyricism.

A wide emotional journey, taking in a scenery of cyborgs and kangaroos in the lyrical narrative; RZA finds great freedom in the idea of character on Bobby Digital and the Pit of Snakes.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: RZA & Bobby Digital collude again for some more comic book-themed mischief and lyrical abstraction. It's a winning formula which I'm hoping they continue to exploit.

TRACK LISTING

Under The Sun
Cowards
Troubleshooting
Fight To Win
Something Goin On
Celebrate Your Life
We Push
Outro

Back in 1998, RZA had already cemented his status as Wu-Tang Clan's man behind the boards, producing the entirety of the group's respective solo albums - When it came to his own breakout moment, the producer opted to introduce the world to Bobby Digital, a cartoonish, hedonistic mad-rapping alter ego and grew so fond of the character that he released another album under the moniker before finally delivering 2003's “Birth of a Prince” as the RZA.

Now it seems Bobby Digital is back in the picture and potentially set to square up with his host.

The new album features the hard-hitting single, “Saturday Afternoon Kung Fu Theater”. According to a press release, DJ Scratch handles production on the album. ‘Giving Scratch the reins as a producer and me taking the reins as an MC, that's what frees me up creatively and lets me play more with lyrical gags and lyrical flows because I don't have to be focused on everything’, RZA explained in a statement.

It's as moody and visceral as you’d expect, laced with a kind of weird, dark humour and joint-inflated pomp and swagger as the two MCs attempt to out-do each other line on line. It’s brave, outlandish and riddled with attitude. The beats are tight, freewheeling and brimming with tension. 

TRACK LISTING

RZA Vs. Bobby Digital
Saturday Afternoon Kung Fu Theater
Pugilism
Never Love Again
Fate Of The World
Fisherman
Kaiju

Arrested Development deliver 'For the FKN Love', a true hip-hop tour de force, once again executively produced by charismatic veteran frontman Speech and British production maestro Configa. Significantly, it marks the first time that Arrested Development have worked with equally legendary collaborators, making this their biggest ever release. Big Daddy Kane, The Sugarhill Gang, Masta Ace, Freddie Foxxx, Monie Love, Kxng Crooked, G. Love, Tony Momrelle (Incognito), Dee-1 and Fatman Scoop all feature. Legends of this calibre rarely do features and yet have graced this album. Arrested Development have always been dedicated to supporting up-and-coming talent, and this trend continues with the likes of Twan Mack, Dell-P, Lish, Ke'Andra, 4ize, Twisted Royalty, Cleveland P. Jones, MRK SX and Jahah all adding weight to proceedings. When it comes to boom bap and classic rap, few artists come close to Arrested Development.

TRACK LISTING

Yes Always
Building From The Bottom
Never Had Your Back
Swing Um
Thank You
Bout It
UNI(TY)
I Don't Care
Do It Up
Where Lions Roam
We Are Not In Kansas
Be Refreshed
Grandma's Southern Ways
We Feeling It All
Vibe
I Want U 2 Make It
Have Your Moment

Two hip-hop legends that are both part of historic groups themselves, are forming a new group - Havoc, from the Queensbridge bred Mobb Deep (rest in power Prodigy) and Styles P of The Lox, straight out of Yonkers, are forming Wreckage Manner. Both Havoc and Styles P have collaborated with a number of artists in recent years. Havoc released joint albums with Alchemist, Flee Lord and Dark Lo. His last solo album was in 2014, the same year as the last Mobb Deep album. Styles has teamed up to release projects with Talib Kweli, Berner and Dave East in recent years. In addition to new music from The Lox, Styles P has released at least one new album every year since 2018.

On the album, Styles P raps over Havoc's gritty, piano-laced production. Havoc also gets busy on the mic and lets his opponents know that for all his success, he's still the same kid from 41st Side.

TRACK LISTING

Fuck Around
Move How We Wanna
Fiend For
Pay Me In Cash
21 Gun Salute
Y.O. 2
Havoc And The Ghost
Good As Gold
Hymn To Him
Nightmares 2 Dreams

Punk The Capital: Building A Sound Movement A Documentary Tracing The Birth Of Punk-rock In Washington D.C. (1976-1983) Featuring Bad Brains, Minor Threat, Void, Rites Of Spring And More, With Interviews From Henry Rollins, Ian MacKaye, H.R., Jello Biafra, Joe Keithley And Many Others. Includes 50+ Minutes Of Bonus Shorts With Scream, Void, The Cramps And The Slickee Boys.

When Punk Rock Erupted In Washington D.C., It Was A Mighty Convergence Of Powerful Music, Friendships And Clear Minds. This Film Is The First To Explore The Incredible Challenges That This Subculture Faced When It Took Root In The Nations Capital In The Late 1970s.

Punk The Capital Situates D.C. Punk Within The Larger Narratives Of Rock N Roll, Working As A Powerful Multi-layered Story For Both Fans And Non-fans Of Punk Rock. Featuring Musicians Such As Bad Brains, Henry Rollins, Ian MacKaye And Jello Biafra, This Film Dives Deep Into The Ideas And Sounds From This Transformative Music Scene Which Continues To Be Influential Culturally And Politically Around The World.

Created By James June Schneider (co-director, Editor), Paul Bishow (co-director) And Sam Lavine (associate Producer, Co-editor), Punk The Capital Was Theatrically Released In The US Last Month And Garnered Rave Reviews From The Press And Fans Alike. Many Of The Screenings Became Special Events, With Q&As With The Directors And Pete Stahl Of Scream, Chris Stover Of Void, Nicky Thomas Of Fire Party, Curator/publisher Roger Gastman And Hudley Flipside Of Flipside Fanzine, Just To Name A Few.

Schneider States: The Final Version Of Our Film That Were Releasing Now Is Just The Intense Tip Of The Iceberg Our First Cut Was 7 Hours Long. In The End, We Wound Up Focusing On The Untold And Improbable Story Of Punk Rocks Beginnings In Washington D.C., That Happened Concurrently With Cities Across The Western World. We Took A Lot Of Our Extra Material That Otherwise Might Never Have Been Seen And Edited It Together To Make Short Films That Will Be In The Bonus Section On The DVD. One Of The Shorts Focuses On The Band Scream And Their Family Connections To D.C.s Legendary 1960s Garage Band Scene.

As We Roll The Film Out, Weve Been Blown Away By The Positive Response Not Just From Fans Of Punk And D.C. Punk Who See And Hear A Lot Of Unseen Material. Weve Also Heard From A Lot Of People Even Up To 90 Years Old Who Didnt Really Like Punk But Nonetheless Love The Film. Were Glad To See That Punk The Capital Works On A Lot Of Levels And Are Hoping That It Will Reach A Broad Audience Since The DIY Ideas Highlighted In The Film About The D.C. Punk Scene Go Well Beyond The Music.

Punk The Capital Will Be Released On DVD In The US For Record Store Day On June 12 Via Passion River And In The UK For Record Store Day On July 26 Via Wienerworld. A Portion Of All DVDs Sold Through Dischord Records Will Go To The D.C. Charity We Are Family.

As An Added Bonus, The Discs Contain 50+ Minutes Of Short Films From The Archives Of Punk The Capital:

Scream Meets The Hangmen: Featuring All Of Scream Including Dave Grohl

Void And Friends: A Portrait Of The Cult Hardcore Band From The D.C. Suburbs

The Seminal WGTB Concert: The Legendary First Punk Concert For So Many D.C. Kids, The Cramps And Total Chaos

The Slickee Boys: Extra Material On The Band Who Got D.C. Punk Off The Ground Circa 1976