There must be something in the water in Melbourne high school drinking fountains. First barely-pubescent beatsmith Lewis One gets a beat on the new GZA/Muggs remix album, and now jailbait producer Styalz Fuego has landed a track with Houston rap god Chamillionaire, no less.
Their collaborative effort, entitled ‘Not A Criminal’, features Cham declaring his innocence (‘Ridin’ Dirty’ anyone?) and his business acumen over a sparse-but-effective club banger. And who else should appear on the hook but Esco’s wifey (and one of my personal favourites) Kelis? Not bad for a dude barely out of his playclothes.
For those who came in late, Styalz featured heavily on former 1200 Techniques frontman N’fa’s debut album ‘Cause An Effect’ (released by Inertia Recordings in 2006) and has created beats for local artists including former Scribble Jam champ Justice, controversial duo Weapon X & Ken Hell and up-and-comer Boltz. He is loosely affiliated with Melbourne’s Battletown clique, who released a few heavily-Americanised albums back in the late ’90s but have since faded from popular vision. Regardless, it’s a mighty effort and will probably propel him into US mainstream rap’s consciousness. Congrats.
You can hear the track here.
January 16, 2007 at 6:15 pm
That’s a pretty schmick track. What’s it gonna appear on? Wikipedia reports that the album version (on the upcoming Ultimate Victory) of the joint is produced by everyone’s favourite Black Eyed Pea – will.i.am.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultimate_Victory
January 17, 2007 at 8:40 am
If you check back now, it looks like the tracklist has been pulled because it is of a ’speculative nature’. I heard a rumour this was potentially the lead single… that’s big paper for Styalz.
February 22, 2007 at 12:08 pm
[...] content with producing the lead single for a major mainstream US rap star’s upcoming album, Melbourne’s Styalz Fuego is [...]
March 29, 2007 at 1:50 pm
Styalz sold the beat and his publishing for $10, 000. He will never receive a cent from album sales, radio play, video play or otherwise.
And compared to his other beats, that joint is whack.