- Dustin Taylor/Sideways Media
When local emcee Knowledge Nick released his debut album, The Enlightenment, in 2009 he sought to help restore the essence of hip-hop. Five years since the 10-track effort dropped, Nick has decided to re-release the album, which played a significant role in bringing more attention to what the city’s underground hip-hop scene has to offer.
“I think that it’s an extreme blessing that people still remember this album, considering we live in a time frame now where after six months, you’re pretty much done or people don’t remember,” Nick said. “I think people hear the authenticity in [the album]. They hear the sincerity in it. The genuineness in it.”
Nick re-released The Enlightenment on Artists Tree Entertainment, a distribution label ran by rapper/producer MaxPtah. A digital copy of the album can be purchased on Amazon.com.
Nick is also prepping the release of his latest EP, The New Memphis, this June. Over the course of seven songs, Nick seeks to change people’s perception of Memphis with the project. He said the EP would boast a “progressive sound” that he assures won’t disappoint listeners.
“The EP looks at Memphis in a lighter way as opposed to, ‘South Memphis! North Memphis! The home of the First 48,’” Nick said. “It’s another sound of Memphis that people need to be exposed to. It’s a balance out here.'”
The New Memphis will feature appearances from the Iron Mic Coalition’s Mighty Quinn, C’Beyohn, and Bartholomew Jones. MaxPtah, Paragon, Genesis 7, and EMPEE are among the cats providing production to the project. There will be an official release party for the EP at Newby’s on June 14th. The EP’s scheduled release date is June 17th.
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