“Wow, this guy [Diamond D] is one of the all time greats,” Chris Rock professes on the opening track of the Diggin’ In The Crates Crew founding father’s new album The Rear View. That statement isn’t so much of a stretch when considering a legacy that helped architect a sound, bridge regions in Hip-Hop, and launch the careers of other all time greats like Fat Joe and Big L. And when you call yourself the “best producer on the mic” uncontested for years on end, that reputation is all but solidified. Released today (8/19/2022) on all digital streaming platforms via Dymond Mine Records/EMPIRE, The Rear View is Diamond D’s ode to both his own legacy and resilience.
.”Whatever you did in the past, honor and respect it, but always move forward. I don’t want to [harp on] what I did twenty years ago. It doesn’t mean I don’t respect or acknowledge it, because it’s all made me who I am today. The title of the album ‘The Rear View’ means to always look back, but focus on where you’re going… Whats in the rear view should stay there. Going into recording this album, I wanted to show why I’m considered one of the best producers on the mic who rhymes with his own pen. I also want listeners to appreciate my growth as a producer and artist who came on the scene in the early ’90s, and is still here consistently producing and putting out new music today.” – Diamond D
“You guys would have never heard of me. You guys wouldn’t have heard of Big Pun… You guys wouldn’t have heard of DJ Khaled…. You guys wouldn’t have heard of all these people if it wasn’t for Diamond D” – Fat Joe
Arriving a month short of the 30th anniversary of Diamond D’s 1992 classic debut Stunts, Blunts and Hip Hop, The Rear View serves as Diamond D’s sixth full-length solo album and follows his 2021 collaborative album Gotham with Talib Kweli. Guest features include De La Soul‘s Posdnuos, Westside Gunn, among others, while heavyweights such as Nottz, Aftermath’s Focus…, and more assist with the album’s production. Singles include “Faithful” , “The Rear View”, and “Inertia”.
© 2022, Seth "Digital Crates" Barmash. All rights reserved.
