Rapper Chino XL
is in the recording studio and working on his latest album, Chino XL Is Poison
Pen.
The album was supposed
to be released in February of 2003. Chino explained the delay, saying he wanted
to re-record the album, because the first version of the album was "too
dark."
"It’s a completely
different album," Chino told AllHipHop.com. "This album is my actual
expression about how much hip-hop really means to me. You might only get into
this mode once in your lifetime, so I figured let me just do it."
Chino said that
the album is being created in a four month span and during the time he is recording,
he has scaled back his budding acting career to focus on the music.
Chino will also
make a guest appearance on one of the most anticipated collaborations albums,
between four of the most gifted rappers in hip-hop.
Despite Canibus
being in the Army and Ras Kass being locked down, The Four Horsemen album, which
also includes Killah Priest and Kurupt, will be finally see the light of day.
"It was an
inevitable thing," Chino said. "Priest is featured on my album, me
and Canibus have wanted to rock together for awhile and I got a crazy respect
for him and you know me and Ras go way back. I am going to be on two songs so
far."
With Ras being
locked down and Canibus in the Army, the obstacle of getting the rappers recorded
is currently being worked out.
"I would love
for us to all get in the same room. You can send tracks back and forth and have
correspondence and communication, but when you get artists in the room who have
love and admiration for each other and the art, the cohesion between the artists
and what they right becomes something, even if they don’t talk to each other.
I would like to record some of the songs in the studio together."
Recording is slated
to start at the end of the month, when Canibus finishes his Army duties.
There is no release
date for the Four Horsemen project. The group is currently negotiating a deal.
Chino XL’s Poison
Pen hit’s stores next year on Activate Records.