Producer Vanderslice is gearing up to drop his forthcoming project The Best Album Money Can Buy this winter and to gear up, he just released the first single off of the project featuring a posthumous verse from Prodigy on "Hardbody Karate" along with Conway and Mobb Deep affiliate, Big Twin.
"Hardbody Karate" is a street cut of of Vanderslice's upcoming project with up-and-comer Conway and Big Twin on it. It's filled with slick street talk bravado, sly threats and vivid imagery. It has an authentic 90's underground hip hop sound to it and with Prodigy kicking the song off, it emphasizes everything that we miss about him. Conway and Big Twin later come through with menacing bars that match the tone that P set for the two to follow up. The production has a flangy guitar sample sitting on top of a funky bass line. Meanwhile, the percussion is driven by its dusty and grungy sound. It's a solid posse cut that not only highlights Vanderslice's production but also, the lack of classic street hip hop that at one point was driving hip hop forward. While Big Twin was a close affiliate to Mobb Deep, Conway's one of the few artists of recent times that carry the energy and vibe of 90's street rap. He sounds great alongside Prodigy and Big Twin.
The release of the song falls on the same day as what would be Prodigy's 43rd birthday. Since his passing, many artists have dished out unheard verses from Prodigy on their projects. Most recently, the late Sean Price's posthumous album, The Imperial Rex also featured an unreleased verse from Prodigy on "The Lyrical P's," which included Styles P as the third "P" in the song's equation.
Quotable Lyrics
That's the only lyrics you could come up with, my guy?
That's the outfit you came out the house with? My God
May the fashion god damn you and curse your seed
May your jeweler charge too much and turn your neck green