Artist Spotlight: Bekay

Coalmine Records’ recording artist Bekay is set to release his much anticipated full length album, Hungar Pains, today. The Brooklyn-bred emcee spent many long hours crafting this project with Coalmine CEO Matt Diamond (aka DJ Dutchmaster). With the list of guest appearances and production credits, this album is sure to give hip hop heads what they’ve been craving.

We had the chance to catch up with Bekay a couple of weeks ago to get more insight on him as an artist, as well as the LP. Hit the jump to see what went down…

Where You Reppin:

Brooklyn NY, top of the food chain.

Introduce Yourself:

Bekay, that’s B-E-K-AY. Brooklyn is in the place to be with my dude Kevin Nottingham. I’m the Emcee who defines how to get “fucked over” by the hip-hop industry. I’m a voice for the people and I won’t stop till I’m dead, how are you?!

Current projects we should be looking out for:

My long awaited masterpiece Hunger Pains. Dutchmaster & myself worked tirelessly, sculpting what we believe to be a classic LP. The time and pain put into this is uncanny. I believe that something is missing in hip-hop and I’ll bring that back on Nov. 10th, with Hunger Pains. The LP features production from The Alchemist, J.R. Rotem, Illmind, Marco Polo, DJ Babu, Contagious, Bean One, and more. The guest features include Heltah Skeltah, Masta Ace, Wordsworth, Saigon, Inspectah Deck, R.A. the Ruggedman and more. If you want some cute, candy-cut horseshit, then keep it movin. This is for the real people out there like us, not for the people who live in a fantasy world where the Cristal flows out of water taps, and you’re judged on how cool your car is. If you live in that fantasy world please jump off the roof of your nearest building.

Previous work that we should know about:

The Foundation (Coalmine Records) – Mixed compilation produced entirely by Shuko.= I’m featured on “Do This” feat. Canibus & Chino XL and “Ohh Well” which is the iTunes bonus track.

The Horror Flick LP (Coalmine/Rawkus) – My last full length LP, and it’s fuckin bangin!

The Horror Flick Remix EP (Coalmine Records) – Includes three remixes taken from The Horror Flick LP, includes production from Domingo & M-Phazes.

On Deck (hosted by Dj Kay Slay) – My last mixtape filled with raw bangers, previously unreleased material and remixes.

“Where Brooklyn At” feat. Old Dirty Bastard (prod. by Konman Productions) B/W “Young” (prod. by Shuko) *R.I.P. Ol’ Dirty!

“The Raw” feat. Saigon, and Inspectah Deck (prod. by Street Orchestra) (12” vinyl)

The Future of Hip Hop is Now – My 1st official LP. Sculpted in my living room back in 2001.

Phuck U…Sign Me – My 1st full-length mixtape, raw lyrics and bars for days.

Main musical inspirations:

Rakim, RUN DMC, Beastie Boys, Biggie, Big L, Big Pun, Wu-Tang, old Mobb Deep, Kool G Rap.

If you had to pick one song that defines your career to date, what song would that be?

On “Hunger Pains” the song called “Rap Star (Hunger Pains)”. That’s my journey LITERALLY. Go see for yourself!

Why should the readers and fans give you a shot and listen to your music from here on out?

Because I’m a voice for the people. I AM YOU. I’m not trying to glorify the things we all may think are “cool”. I am just a regular person like you and I, and my words are real. Things we should all be able to relate to at one point or another. I’d love to “make it rain” and drive a truck with “65 inch” rims on it, but that’s not reality, that’s play land. That’s a place called “pussyville” and we don’t live there, we live on EARTH together. My music sets the tone for REAL people and real life. I make music so other people can relate to it, and maybe it will help them get through the day a little bit easier- Just as my favorite artists do for me. When you’re feeling like shit, and there’s nowhere to turn, you can put on my LP and fly away, feel me?

What’s next for you?

World domination. A porno career and multiple baby mama’s who all hate me and themselves. lol.

If you could only take one record on a deserted island with you, what album would that be?

Illmatic. Nas = G.O.A.T.

Any shout outs or last words?

I love hip-hop culture and without it I’d be nothing. Thank you Kool Herc. Thank you RUN DMC. If you think Drake is “real hip hop” then go fuck yourself in the face. If you’re a die hard fan of what’s been going on in hip-hop then you should be slaughtered. If you ‘re a rapper and don’t like me for whatever reason you don’t have to “shoot” me. If you’re so called “gangsta” I would be more then happy to put my hands up and beat you on video camera for the world to see. And people please be yourself..the only people who should be riding dicks are chicks during sex. (there’s a random 12 seconds into my mind) Thank you and goodnight!