premiere: q-tip producer erik rico remixes rapper mh the verb’s funky track “traffic”

New York rapper MH The Verb’s forthcoming collaborative album Afronaut is eagerly awaited by new and old school hip-hop fans alike. With his nostalgic sound and slick rhymes, MH has already proven his place in Hip-Hop, as an MC, DJ and a producer.

Produced by fellow Philadelphia-based collective ArtHouse95 member Buscrates 16 Bit Ensemble, “Traffic” serves as the lead single from the album. “The song addresses the American obsession with commercialism and money using traffic as a metaphor for how many people feel in our capitalist society,” explains MH The Verb. The music video was released earlier this month:

For the afro-beat infused “Traffic” Rough Ragga Remix, MH brought aboard Erik Rico, famed for writing and producing for Q-Tip, Jasmine Guy and Tre’ (of The Pharcyde), among others.

“Erik Rico has been a mentor to me since we first met after one of his shows at the legendary Shadow Lounge in Pittsburgh,” MH the Verb told us. “Over the years, he’s schooled me to the game as an artist and entrepreneur, always being a positive example of how you can find balance as a black creative in the music business. A true king… soulful and genuine best describe his spirit – and this remix.”

“[When creating the remix] I was just thinking in terms of it coming on at a party where EVERYTHING played is hitting the 2/4 and then BOOM… You’re on the company of “Bam Bam” and “Lost Ones”, not to mention it’s such a departure from the original,” says Erik Rico. “It’s a more dance-able version, influenced by dance-hall and afro-beat vibes. So I went into it thinking… ‘Ok, the original already has a straight 2/4 Dilla type of vibe’… so I took cues.”

Check out the funky track below!

• Written & Performed by: MH the Verb
• Produced, Mixed, and Mastered by: Erik Rico for LifeNotes
• Art Photography by: MB Nealy
• Art Editing by: MH the Verb (balloonUP LLC)
• Recorded by: Dave Humes (Dave Humes Studio)

MH The Verb and ArtHouse95 kick off their East Coast tour tomorrow in Philly (more info here). They perform at the Knitting Factory in Brooklyn on Sunday, September 3rd (info and tickets here).