Album Bio and Track Listing If you would have told me when I first rocked the mic in 1992 at age 10, that one day I would produce a song about Unity featuring Kool G Rap, Craig G, and Schoolly D, I wouldn’t have believed you. If you had told me that with the help of Eric B, I would reunite The Fat Boys for the first time in 20 years, I wouldn’t have believed you. If you said I would ride to a show with Kurtis Blow, spit a verse backstage for Big Daddy Kane, then leave in a stretch limo with Eric B, I wouldn’t have believed you. Yet here I am, from freestyling in the basement to working with some of hip-hops greatest legends and pioneers. My first clear memory of hip-hop was the poster of Rakim on my brother’s bedroom wall, and a VHS tape of a music video with DJ Cash Money. My oldest brother, MC Vinom, was in a break-dancing crew from the neighborhood, and had a beat machine set-up in the basement where everyone used to freestyle. They formed a rap group, self produced an album, and went on to have local success in the early nineties. They opened for old school legends such as Gang Starr, Chubb Rock, and Rob Bass, and used to freestyle in some of the notorious ciphers/battles on South Street alongside the likes of Black Thought from The Roots. It was around this time that my brother taught me how to freestyle in the basement. I was also listening heavily to Treach, Nas, Rakim, Redman and Kool G Rap. Way before I wrote my first rhyme, I had the ability to memorize lyrics and rap along with my favorite songs. My first time rapping on stage was in 1992 at 10 years old at a school talent show. The song I performed was called “Rough Original” written by my brother MC Vinom and produced by DJ MIZ. Over time I was able to gain the confidence to go from freestyling in the basement, to ciphers at parties, to writing verses, performing at open mics, and eventually recording original songs in the studio. While still in high school, my other brother, Zame, and his graffiti crew used to throw big warehouse parties at the Fakehouse where I would go looking to start up ciphers with other MC’s. I also used to perform on the open mic at Bobbito’s Footwork hosted by DJ Rich Medina. Many of the night’s performers would mingle before the shows, so I was able to cipher with local talent coming up including Jedi Mind Tricks, and Chief Kamachi. One night out I even got advice once from a then unknown Eminem after he got booed heavily when opening for the Roots at The Electric Factory. I was one of the few fans he had in the building, so I approached him after the show as he mingled with the crowd. His advice was to keep going no matter what life throws at you. Then in my senior year of high school, I signed a deal with a local independent label originally from Jamaica called Wildfire Records Inc. I spent a year after graduation writing, coproducing, and recording a solo EP for the label, but they proved to be ineffective and underhanded. After parting ways, I joined forces with fellow ex-labelmate, Biggup, to form our own independent companies, B & E Records Inc., 3P’s Productions, and Big Leed Publishing. So in the spirit of Krush Groove, we built a home studio, produced our own songs, and shot the music video for our first single, "United We Stand." We got all the promotions together and independently released our music, which was well received. Some notable highlights include reaching the Top 20 on national college radio chart “Rap Network” and the FOX 10’O Clock News Philadelphia heavily promoting and airing a 3-minute segment the same week as the 2004 Presidential Election. Also, the video was in rotation on HBO Zone, with special screenings during the 2004 CMJ/CVC Conference, and the 2005 Sundance Film Festival. The single has touched people of all races, ages, and creeds, while giving hope that hip-hop music can still be used as a powerful positive force in people’s lives. In putting together the album, we got an idea to produce a remix to the United We Stand song, and started reaching out to some of our favorite MC’s to see if they wanted to get involved. We got some new material from Chino XL, Kool G Rap, Craig G, Schoolly D, The Fat Boys, and KRS-One. We also got some video footage from a few of them and put together a new music video. The process of putting the song and video together came with a lot of memorable moments. We shot the footage for Kool Rock Ski at Eric B’s studio with the help of Uncle Louie, and then met Craig G to shoot footage on the streets of NY that same night. Schoolly D’s footage was shot in our own studio as I recorded his vocals. We spent all night listening to him talk hip-hop history, hip-hop future, and just plain bugging out having fun in the lab. KRS-One gave me his own footage, but also included an extra interview with some encouragement and knowledge. Kool G Rap talked with me about life and death on the night of my pop’s funeral, and showed me that he was much more than just a hip-hop legend and lyrical pioneer, but also a deep thinker and philosopher. Another situation that came about in putting this song and video together is that I got linked up with legendary LA radio/tv producer John “J-Love” Halterman to produce my debut solo album. J is currently working with DJ Skee as the President of Operations of Dash Radio, and Music Supervisor of Skee TV on Fuse. J began his radio career over 20 years ago, working with artists such as Michael Sembello, Gerardo, and "Marky" Mark Wahlberg. J also did a wide range of mixing projects for Interscope Records and Disney, in addition to working as Executive Producer with the Baka Boyz at L.A.'s Power 106, which led to national syndication with the Baka Boyz Hip Hop Master Mix and All Star Hit Mix. He also produced DJ Laz's #1 rated morning show at Florida's Power 96, acted as Program Director for Spanish Broadcasting System, composed for Comedy Central's "Mind of Mencia" and "Hollywood House," and produced for multi-platinum artists including Dr. Dre and Busta Rhymes. With the debut album, Late Night Writing, finally in hand, here we are ready to push the music to the people once again. Along the way we’ve lost family and we’ve gained family. Through music, we’ve experienced some of our greatest joys and achievements in life. We’ve also been through many trials, being taken advantage of, humiliated, disrespected, and underestimated. Throughout all the highs and lows, listening to and creating music has always been there to steady our minds and open our hearts. We hope that everyone who listens to the album will gain the same comforts. Always remember, we’re better together, UNITE! 01 - Intro – Let the Journey Begin Written by Elijah Produced by Jubear and Elijah Recorded, Mixed and Mastered by Elijah at 3p’s Productions Sample credit Thomas Spiritoso Cuts by DJ Mike James 02 – The Beginning Written by Elijah Produced by Elijah and Kwe Cooper Recorded, Mixed and Mastered by Elijah at 3p’s Productions 03 – E.L.I.J.A.H. Written by Elijah Produced by Jubear, Elijah, and Tim Day Recorded and Mixed by Elijah at 3p’s Productions Mastered by Pete Humphries at Masterworks 04 – Drifting Away Written by Elijah Produced by John “J-Love” Halterman and Elijah Recorded, Mixed and Mastered by Elijah at 3p’s Productions 05 - Success Written by Elijah Produced by John “J-Love” Halterman and Elijah Recorded, Mixed and Mastered by Elijah at 3p’s Productions 06 – One More Day Written by Elijah Produced by John “J-Love” Halterman and Elijah Recorded, Mixed and Mastered by Elijah at 3p’s Productions 07 – Remember Your Dreams Written by Elijah Produced by John “J-Love” Halterman and Elijah Recorded, Mixed and Mastered by Elijah at 3p’s Productions 08 – Hero ft. Yak Diggler Written by Elijah Produced by John “J-Love” Halterman and Elijah Recorded, Mixed and Mastered by Elijah at 3p’s Productions 09 – Salute Written by Elijah Produced by John “J-Love” Halterman and Elijah Recorded, Mixed and Mastered by Elijah at 3p’s Productions 10 – The Program Written by Elijah Produced by John “J-Love” Halterman and Elijah Recorded, Mixed and Mastered by Elijah at 3p’s Productions 11 – Nightmare on Main St. Written by Elijah Produced by John “J-Love” Halterman and Elijah Recorded, Mixed and Mastered by Elijah at 3p’s Productions Sample credit Gerald Celente 12 – Live and Learn Written by Elijah Produced by Jubear, Elijah, and Tim Day Mixed by Franklin Grant at Quad Studio’s NYC Mastered by Herb Powers Jr. at PM Entertainment 13 – Grow It Written by Elijah Produced by John “J-Love” Halterman and Elijah Recorded, Mixed and Mastered by Elijah at 3p’s Productions 14 – Late Night Writing Written by Elijah Produced by Elijah Recorded, Mixed and Mastered by Elijah at 3p’s Productions 15 – United We Stand ft. Biggup Written by Biggup & Elijah Produced by Elijah Co-produced by Biggup Recorded, Mixed and Mastered by Elijah at 3p’s Productions 16 – United We Stand – Legends Remix ft. Chino XL, Kool G Rap, Craig G, Schoolly D, The Fat Boys and Krs-One Written by Elijah, Chino XL, Kool G Rap, Craig G, Schoolly D, The Fat Boys and Krs-One Produced, Mixed and Mastered by Elijah at 3p’s Productions Cuts by DJ Mike James Sample credit Gerald Celente