Detroit producer Apollo Brown has made a name for himself as one of Hip-Hop’s most legendary new producers; while maintaining a golden era sound. His production credits are a who’s who of Hip-hop greats from Danny Brown, Skyzoo to Ghostface Killah, Ras Kass to Westside Gunn. Even Chance the Rapper used a pair of Apollo beats on his debut mixtapes. Known for bringing the best out of musicians, Apollo has a knack for making timeless classics.
Brooklyn’s Joell Ortiz started on none other than Dr. Dre’s Aftermath label and built a huge buzz in the industry. He’s worked with legends like Just Blaze among others. He then signed to Shady Records as ¼ of the supergroup Slaughterhouse. He’s worked with Hip-Hop titans Eminem, Busta Rhymes, Jadakiss, Akon, and Big Daddy Kane.
Now the pair of Hip-hop luminaries have their first collaborative album on Mello Music Group—and it’s nothing short of a masterpiece: Mona Lisa. After premiering the album announcement and lead-single, “Decisions,” with Billboard, today they unveil the project’s second single, “Timberlan’d Up” featuring Joell’s Slaughterhouse brethren Royce Da 5’9.”
“Timbalan’d Up is the only song on Mona Lisa with a rap feature. I called on my brother Royce Da 5’9’ to do what he does best” Joell commented to Complex. “The track title is self-explanatory. Don’t get stomped on! We give beatings on or off beat.”
“Timberlan’d Up” started with the hook; it guided me to make the beat. It needed to be simple, really simple, and it was a must that it complimented the threat of consequences being stated” said Apollo Brown. “Of course, Joell did his thing and the fact that we enlisted Royce to bless the track was both inevitable, and incredible. Listen close to what they say. Both emcees did what they do best, and I wouldn’t be Apollo Brown if I didn’t have one of these joints on Mona Lisa. Bang your head!”
© 2018, Seth "Digital Crates" Barmash. All rights reserved.
