The Song:
On the second track from his new series of songs, Headphone Classics, iCON the Mic King describes how he learned the hard facts of life. Making another guest appearance is Awar, a fellow emcee recently signed to iCON's label, Master Works Unlimited, who returns to back up iCON. The grandiose 80's-style synth licks that bump throughout are held together by a bass-heavy, low-end drumbeat, courtesy of up-and-coming producer Vanderslice. The result is a huge sound that reflects the big picture iCON is trying to relate in the hook: the emotions of struggle and the effect and change they can have on a person. iCON raps, "I put my best in, gave it all it takes / And at the end of the day met a fall from grace." Though the track is in-your-face hip-hop, the lyrics tell an intricate and dark story of betrayal and reality.
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iCON Background:
Hailing from Philadelphia, iCON the Mic King has had a long career and first gained notoriety on the battle circuit. Winner of several rap battle competitions around the globe, iCON proved his ability to create lyrics on the spot, and achieved success in this arena until 2001, when he officially retired from battling to pursue composition and recording as a solo artist. iCON had been making music before he gained fame as a battle rapper and decided to focus on his studio chops. In 2002, he released Music for Bootleggas, which he sold in person and via his website. In 2004, he released his first studio album Intricate Spectrum, and has since released Mike and the Fatman and Rent Money Music II: C-Notes for the Car Note. iCON has the utmost pride for his work, and has decided that for his latest project, Headphone Classics, he will change up the distribution process. Rather than releasing an album or mixtape, Headphone Classics is a series of songs that will be accompanied with visual and video images, and iCON plans to release each in sequence. iCON's Headphone Classics series is the first set of releases on his new label, Mater Works Unlimited.
Awar Background:
Awar is a native New Yorker who resides in Albany. In 2005 he released his critically acclaimed solo album, Glory Days, which slipped below most hip-hop listeners radar due to limited distribution. He has been immersed in the NYC indie hip-hop culture for years, and has been a convincing factor in putting his Upstate New York area on the map. He is currently in the lab working with some of the best artists & producers in the game for his up-coming solo effort, The Laws of Nature. He is also the lead emcee of a live band orchestrated by DeeJay Tone, and one half of a duo known as Popular Strangers, which also includes his friend and long-time collaborator, iCON the Mic King.
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