Paying respect to their fellow Bay Area artists, production duo The Mekanix are sharing “I’m Still Here,” an emotional, intimate song that features late rapper The Jacka and legend C-Bo. The Mekanix, made up of 4 rAx and Kenny Tweed, are gearing up for the release of their next album, Under The Hood, dropping June 3rd via EMPIRE. On “I’m Still Here,” which debuted via Mass Appeal, The Jacka raps about how hot The Bay became while C-Bo, who signed The Jacka’s group Tha Mob Figaz back in 1999, raps about their tender relationship and promises they made to each other over the years.
“We lost our brother Jacka and we still had some verses from him so we felt it was only right to put him on this project. And we couldn’t just put anyone on the song with him – it was only right that we get the actual person who made him noticeable to the world, C-Bo. It was very personal verse, where he’s speaking on Jacka, when they met, and it’s an incredible record,” 4 rAx explains, adding, “Over the years artists would just come through the studio, drop verses, and leave. Stalin, Yukmouth, Pretty Black, Mac Dre, Keak the Sneak – everyone would be up in the studio, hanging, socializing or just smoking weed. We had the freedom to do whatever with their verses and likewise, whenever they needed beats, we would give them some for free. It’s the barter system for our inner circle.”
Last month, The Mekanix shared the first offering from Under The Hood with their “On My Hustle“ visual featuring IAMSU!, J. Stalin and Keak Da Sneak, as well as a hook from 4 rAx himself. As two of the Bay Area’s foremost sound architects, 4 rAx and Kenny Tweed have produced thousands of tracks since the early ’90s for a long line of Bay rappers and were instrumental in the rise of J. Stalin, Philthy Rich, Beeda Weeda, the Hittaz on the Payroll & Shady Nate. The Mekanix have long been inspired by automobiles and deeply understand the importance of the car to Bay Area Hip-Hop. Says 4 rAx, “I come from a long line of auto mechanics – my father, grandfather, great-grandfather, my uncle they were all mechanics. I feel like we are carrying on their legacy with our production; fixing up people’s music, making it run smoothly. Our beats are the engine for Bay Area Hip-Hop”
Stay tuned for Under The Hood, which follows 2012’s Chop Shop and 2014’s Chop Shop 2. The project will feature guest appearances from E-40, Too Short, Richie Rich, The Jacka, C-Bo, J-Stalin, Mistah FAB, Clyde Carson, The Hoodstarz, Beeda Weeda, Trae the Truth, Rass Kass, Nio the Gift, Erk the Jerk, Kool John, Lil Debbie, Lil Blood, The Delinquents, Iamsu, Mozzy, Keak the Sneak, The The Luniz, Shady Nate, Dru Down, B-Legit, Turf Talk, and San Quinn.
Listen to “I’m Still Here” ft. The Jacka & C-Bo: https://soundcloud.com/themekanix/im-still-here-feat-the-jacka-c-bo/
Check out the Mass Appeal premiere: http://massappeal.com/
Pre-order Under The Hood: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/under-the-hood/id1104044886&app=itunes
Please contact Michelle or Rory if interested in talking with The Mekanix.
For more than 15 years, duo The Mekanix have served as the Bay Area’s one-stop for production, replays with live instrumentation, mixing, and mastering. 4rAx and Kenny Tweed’s The Garage Studios has become a meeting place for West Coast veterans and new sensations alike, and their vaults are a marketplace for a culture driven by collaboration and cosigns. The Mekanix have more than 1,000 placements ranging from E-40 and Mac Dre to J.Stalin and Tha Jacka. Arriving in June, their Under The Hood album presents this pair’s sonic craftsmanship, and their keystone regional role. From Dru Down to Lil Debbie, Iamsu to C-Bo, The Mekanix bridge the cities, the generations, and the styles of Northern California, one creation at a time.
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Pre-order Under The Hood: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/under-the-hood/id1104044886&app=itunes
“I’m Still Here” ft. The Jacka & C-Bo: https://soundcloud.com/themekanix/im-still-here-feat-the-jacka-c-bo/
“On My Hustle”: https://youtu.be/BEPYM2DkSX0