Currently hard at work on his fifth solo album, Wu-Tang Clan alumni U-God is set to re-release his 2014 offering The Keynote Speaker, which features guest appearances from fellow members GZA, Method Man and Inspectah Deck in addition to verses from Styles P, Elzhi and Keith. The project features executive production by RZA who also produced on the album; those copping physical copies will be treated to a newly illustrated fold-out of the album’s cover which features a futuristic boom box inspired by U-God and Wu-Tang terminology and slang. A full-size poster of the new album artwork is also available for purchase.
A Brooklyn native, U-God moved to Staten Island as a youth where he would grow up on the Island in Park Hill not far from his cousin Method Man, Inspectah Deck and Raekwon who were all childhood friends. He would later go on to become friends with Cappadonna, then RZA and Ghostface, eventually turning to music after he began rhyming under the alias Golden Arms, based on the Kung-Fu movie The Kid with The Golden Arms. Later on, his incarceration prevented him from featuring heavily on the group’s debut album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), although he helped finance some of the Clan’s early recording sessions, his input on the seminal LP consisting of only a short bridge on the group’s debut single “Protect Ya Neck” as well as the now famous opening verse of “Da Mystery of Chessboxin'”. Nevertheless, he quickly became known to fans for his rugged flow and bass-like voice on future Wu tracks “Winter Warz”, “Knuckleheadz”, “Investigative Reports”, and “Black Jesus”.
Speaking exclusively to AllHipHop U-God explains, “Keynote Speaker is such a special album. My team has worked closely with Babygrande to give the album a fresh look and to continue to promote it around the world. ‘Heads Up’ is a classic Wu-Tang style video that brings everything back to the essence.”
Having resigned to GZA’s record label Babygrande Records, the two have teamed up for a new track titled “Heads Up.” Also featuring Jacksopot Scotty Wotty, the single showcases the distinct uniqueness of each emcee as lyricist and director Don Tyler captures the tone of the track using black and white visuals appropriately shot in New York. The Keynote Speaker is set to drop on February 17th and will be available via iTunes as well.