Radio icon Peter Rosenberg is trying his hand at hip-hop producing. Peter Rosenberg is known for his love and affection for the hip-hop culture. He hasn’t been shy while neck-deep in hip hop knowledge. Rosenberg just founded his own record label Real Late Records and looks to dive headfirst into the rap game with his debut album, Real Late. While Peter Rosenberg is no stranger to rap music, producing a compilation album does seem to be a little left-field for him. His last piece of music came in 2013 with The New York Renaissance mixtape. Think DJ Khaled but more polished and well versed in the hip hop culture.
Right off the bat, Real Late might be in the running for album of the year. The album is almost a direct callback to the late 90s New York-style rap. With his credibility in the culture, Peter Rosenberg is able to scramble an all-star lineup with Styles P, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killa, and many more. Hip Hop’s underground artists also make appearances on the project. Eto, Vel The Wonder, CRIMEAPPLE, and Smoke DZA all take their slice of the pie on this project.
Let’s set the record straight though. This album is a love letter to the rising of underground hip hop. With many of hip hop’s greatest icons lending a helping hand, the bulk of the work comes from the artist holding it down in the underground. The project is sure to delight fans of real hip hop with something that speaks to the past. Peter Rosenberg does a great job of balancing the various flows and lyricism.
The title Real Late sets the tone for the project without even playing a track. The cover art speaks volumes as a project you will soon find yourself lost in. A bird’s eye view of New York City allows you to transport yourself into a midnight scene of an off-shoot jazz/rap party. Throughout the whole project, Peter Rosenberg manages the overall flow and tone. From Manhattan to the low projects of Brooklyn, Rosenberg does the New York flow with great justice. It’s hard now to find a project with no skips between the track, an ever-flowing well of music greatness.
One of the best standout tracks comes in just 3rd on the project. On “S.R.D,” Peter Rosenberg mixes Styles P, Smoke DZA, and Ransom for a low-fi gritty track. Their witty wordplay shines against a jazzy beat and production. Later in the album, “Snake Eyes” grabs the attention of listeners. Putting Ghostface Killa and Jim Jones is just asking for trouble. These two icons carry the bulk of the track with CRIMEAPPLE bringing up the rear. The 2nd Generation Wu change vicious punchlines on “Wu Generation.” Channeling the energy of the icon hip hop group, Wu-Tang, and bring the raw and youthful spirit. The groups live up to the hype and their namesake.
All in all, Real Late was what the rap game needed. Peter Rosenberg makes sure this album doesn’t fall to the wayside among the clutter of today’s music. It speaks to a generation that feels the current state of hip hop has trashed the legacy of the greats. Rosenberg has long since been known for his love of the underground rap scene. He brings attention and shines a light on many who outperform on the project. With his vast hip-hop knowledge and stellar connections, Peter Rosenberg crafts a perfect love letter to real hip hop.
