Neek the Exotic and Large Professor – Still On The Hustle

Fat Beats Records/Distrolord Inc. Will Release Album May 17, Large Pro-Produced Title Track To Be First Single

DOWNLOAD: Neek the Exotic and Large Professor – Still On The Hustle

Hip-hop veterans Large Professor and Neek the Exotic are excited to announce the release of their first true full-length collaboration, Still On The Hustle. The album, which will also feature production from Lord Finesse, Marco Polo, and Carnage, as well as guest appearances from Joell Ortiz and Satchel Page, will be released May 17th via Fat Beats Records/Distrolord Inc.

While the new album is just now being announced, the official alliance of Neek and Large Pro has been long overdue. The Queens natives and childhood friends have been sporadically working together since 1992, when they both worked on “Fakin’ The Funk” for the classic film White Men Can’t Jump, and consequently became names to watch in the hip-hop world. But their path to becoming two of hip-hop’s biggest names wasn’t paved with gold, which inspired the title Still On The Hustle. “We chose the title because we’ve been on the hustle since day one,” says Neek. “For me, it’s really been a hustle because I never got a [record] deal, so it was hard for me to come out and make noise like I wanted to.”

On the other end, Large Pro is balancing his hustle with raising a family and being a father, and his sentiment is shown in his more recent work. “Songwriting is different for me now,” explains the producer/emcee. “I ain’t this young kid running around out here buggin now. I got my daughter and my family, so I just want to make sure I’m progressing with time and my songwriting is progressing with time, too.” Keeping in theme with family, Neek and Pro wanted to keep the project “close knit,” so they limited guest features and producers, working only with Lord Finesse, Joell Ortiz, Marco Polo, Carnage, and long-time friend Satchal Page. “I wanted the world to focus on what we are doing and I didn’t want to get a lot of features just because be can,” explains Neek.

The album’s first single and title track, “Still On The Hustle,” is a reflection of how their never ending grind, and how it’s just matured as the two have grown. “My progression from previous work is up like a million percent,” says Neek. “I didn’t really express myself like I knew I could, so this time I made sure people will know I’ve grown.” Large Pro’s soulful piano-sprinkled beat gets a good dose of scratches and screeching samples, and they both lace the track with smart and nostalgic lyrics.

Neek the Exotic and Large Professor’s Still On The Hustle will be available on May 17th.