Cormega Signs With Viper Records: Nas, Alchemist and More to be on Forthcoming Album
Iconic emcee, poet, and entrepreneur CORMEGA has inked a partnership with NYC-based label VIPER RECORDS as announced today. CORMEGA releases his first single “Essential” today produced by multi-platinum producer Havoc of Mobb Deep, which is now available on all digital platforms worldwide.
This powerful track will appear on his forthcoming new album THE Realness II, slated for release at the end of summer via the CORMEGA/VIPER RECORDS partnership. The project is a sequel to his classic studio album The Realness (released on July 23, 2001) and will feature a variety of formidable production from the likes of Havoc, Sha Money XL, The Alchemist and Big Ty, all contributors to the first album, with more to be announced soon.
With regard to the partnership, VIPER RECORDS General Manager Mike Banat shared, “We’re thrilled to be partnered with Cormega for this highly anticipated sequel to his classic debut, for a number of reasons - The legacy he brings, the features and producers involved, and the stories he’s bringing full circle from the past, all line up to create this really special musical moment that bridges gaps in eras, but also very much plant CORMEGA firmly in the current landscape, showcasing the skills and messages that attracted his audience in the first place.”
CORMEGA on his decision to partner with VIPER RECORDS for THE REALNESS II: "I was going to put out the album myself, but my friend Dove Clark, the Project Manager at Viper, spoke with me about the possibility of merging to help the album reach its fullest potential. I'm thankful for the opportunity, this partnership, and the value Viper brings. It's awesome to have a team helping elevate THE REALNESS II to higher heights."
“I met ‘Mega via phone when I interviewed him for Elemental Magazine about The Realness," says VIPER RECORDS Project Manager Dove Clark. Two decades of friendship later, it felt so organic to bring him into the good work we have been doing at Viper, a label that has a strong legacy of its own. Some might say it's full circle, but this is more of a life path that continues to evolve"
THE REALNESS II marks CORMEGA's return after a two-year hiatus from music, during which he's written two books, partnered with visual artist Amar Stewart for various exhibits, and curated several fashion capsules with Privilege NYC.
Executive produced by CORMEGA, the album features longtime friends Nas and Havoc, with more to be announced alongside real musicians and live instrumentation. "I originally wanted to put out the album sooner, but it took patience and luck to get producers and artists back who appeared on the first Realness album on this one. Although it took time, it was well worth it" says CORMEGA.
Four original producers from The Realness are on THE REALNESS II, including Havoc ("Killaz Theme II," ft Mobb Deep, "Thun & Kicko" ft Prodigy), The Alchemist ("Fallen Soldiers Remix"), Sha Money XL ("Get Out My Way") and Big Ty ("The Saga"). CORMEGA selected "Essential" produced by Havoc for the album's first single. "Havoc and I have known each other for years, and our chemistry is something I appreciate as an artist. He's been on more CORMEGA albums than any artist, so I appreciate the extra effort he put into producing 'Essential'."
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When asked what he learned as one of the first artists on the East Coast to leave the major labels and release his music independently, CORMEGA shares, "I've learned since that freedom and being an independent artist isn't free. It's hard work and sweat equity, but there's also the joy of controlling your destiny. I give all the credit to my fans for my longevity!"
LYRICS:
Cormega "Essential"
Producer: Havoc
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I drop jewels so I'm giving you golden wisdom
You'll know detention if your co-defendant knows your business
Keep it very discreet, don't you risk it
Or show commitment to any friend who shows resentment
Show em distance, don't speak or roll with snitches
Or let emotion deceive you
Don't be beefing over women
Who queens never put kings in those positions
They know commitments a privilege, so they show persistence
Can only strengthen what weak minds won't envision
I respect a foe more than a phony friend with rouge intentions
If we the same team, no contention
If we on the same page, you know the sentence
Some people only call when they're broke or bidding
Other than that they don't remember your existence
No love lost, I find myself no longer caring
Under these circumstances I'm overstanding
It's essential to question who's really with you
Unconditionally, not only when beneficial
The devil was an angel, his intentions
Got him removed from paradise, views conflicted
It's essential to question who's really with you
Unconditionally, not only when beneficial
The devil was an angel, his intentions
Got him removed from paradise, views conflicted
I can give you jewels to survive
But you would rather wear jewels to shine
A chain is bondage to foolish minds
Consume lies, they can't handle the truth is bittersweet
Beef is something I don't pursue
Simple and plain, please don't get it confused
If it's survive or die, I will eat your food
I'm a different cloth from he who is getting consumed
Should've been more informed, now he in the news
When you do well and people you assumed are cool ain't enthused
Those the ones you need to remove
Anybody with animosity is not to be trusted
Handle it properly, when the grass get greener
Watch the weeds of deception grow into plots and schemes
Stay up, it's the opposite of rocked to sleep
Make your own bed don't let nobody stop your dream
Especially when you know you got mouths to feed
It's essential to question who's really with you
Unconditionally, not only when beneficial
The devil was an angel, his intentions
Got him removed from paradise, views conflicted
It's essential to question who's really with you
Unconditionally, not only when beneficial
The devil was an angel, his intentions
Got him removed from paradise, views conflicted
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