Final week Bun B and Statik Selektah launched ‘TrillStatik 2.’
Considered one of my literal properties away from house is Sweet Chick. The unique location, within the Decrease East Aspect of Manhattan, is most undoubtedly someplace I’m going so usually that I’ve eaten every thing on that menu a number of instances over. My terribly cool and artistic colleagues, a New York Metropolis-based collective referred to as The Good Life (led by photographer Craig Wetherby), have been doing their legendary household dinner and domino night time each Tuesday for what appeared like perpetually. Pre-legalization, this night time and site was clutch for New York Metropolis stoners in-the-know, because the kitchen workers would fake to not see teams of the homies stroll previous them and open the again door to blaze it up in our personal smoking part.
At present in New York Metropolis, the hashish legal guidelines are progressive. We are able to smoke the loud wherever cigarette smoke is allowed, which makes this restaurant (owned by John Seymour, Kyle Martin, and hip-hop royalty Nas) the proper spot for the artistic vibes to circulation. With that being mentioned, it was no shock to see that the beloved Candy Chick LES location ended up being the official hub for a stay streaming of the creation of TrillStatik 2— a whole album produced by Statik Selektah starring Bun B (of UGK) with particular friends. The total mission was recorded, blended, and mastered in 24 hours and has been accessible on all platforms since Friday, December 9. Satirically, it has taken me longer to put in writing about this album than it did for them to create it.
Photographs courtesy of Erick Sasso.
Statik Selektah occurs to be one among my oldest mates. In his early years, I personally witnessed him rise inside the hip hop ranks whereas making the pilgrimage to New York Metropolis from Boston as regularly as he may. Finally, when DJ Drama and Don Cannon’s workplaces have been raided and the mixtape recreation was declared formally over and accomplished, Statik began dropping industrial albums with himself on the helm doing 100% of the manufacturing.
The catalog speaks for itself, with quickly to be 10 studio albums below his belt, that includes some spectacular hard-hitting performances from the likes of Wiz Khalifa, Motion Bronson, and Griselda. He has made particular moments occur over time together with his musical collaborations, such because the time he linked hip hop fallen troopers Sean Value and Mac Miller on the identical observe, dropping a tune with 2Chainz then making a whole album collectively (launch TBD), after which in fact there may be the TrillStatik collection with the legendary Bun B.
I used to be planning to go to this occasion as a result of I’ve been an enormous fan of UGK. I used to be tremendous impressed with the primary TrillStatik, and have an total respect for Bun B as an unbelievable artist, activist, and pothead. Nonetheless, I bought much more when my man Matt from The Astor Club hit me with a, “You’re going proper?” textual content. Because it seems, Candy Chick’s workplaces have been changed into a pop-up recording studio, full with an artist lounge with the form of hospitality value writing about. To begin with, Astor Membership had one among their most interesting rollers on web site, rolling VIP friends blunts or doobies of their alternative.
The Astor Membership donated a half pound of some fireplace RS-11. However that’s not all, there was a Puffco giveaway which had Proxy’s and Professional’s on deck, as we dabbed out complementary globs from Trichadelics and Pressure Labz. Vibes papers was additionally a sponsor, which got here in useful later within the night once I was launched to The TENCo crew who allowed me to pattern a few of that Pink Zushi, which is definitely now a brand new favourite. Additionally large shoutout to Matt from High Mart, Johnny Nunez (who has all the photographs based on Nas), plus a hashish model Lizm, who has partnered up with hip hop legend Jadakiss.
At a sure level on this beautiful night, I’m completely highed up. I imply, I really feel wonderful, and I’m able to do some journalism. Nonetheless, that is the place my story turns into a cautionary story. I’m simply going to maintain it a buck right here—I made the terrible mistake of interrupting Bun B whereas he was writing a rhyme. 
Statik, Dave East, Paul Wall focus on the Music
Figuring I wore out my welcome within the studio area, I hit the artist lounge to conduct interviews and had the good Sasso readily available to seize some tune breakdowns:
“We Stay” that includes Dave East & Jinell
Excessive Occasions: Guys, are you prepared for this album to come back out tonight?
Dave East: Statik?! When is that this popping out?
Statik: It’s popping out tonight.
East: No, that’s too quick, who’s mixing your music?
Statik: I’m. I combine every thing I do.
Inform us about this document you simply made.
East: The observe I simply did with Bun is unbelievable. This was the primary time that I started working with him, due to Statik Selektah. Statik simply has my sound. There are just a few producers that I can lock in with that embody my sound. Working with Statik is a layup. I heard the beat and was like, “Let’s go!” I seemed again to see who the engineer was, and it was Stat recording me!
Statik: You need one thing accomplished proper, you gotta do it your self.
Mr. East, what are you smoking on?
East: Eastco all day child. Eastlatto and Eastpop coming quickly, ‘bout to hit y’all with the brand new, new.
“Ain’t No Tellin” that includes 38 Spesh, Grafh & Haile Supreme
Spesh, what are you able to inform us about your document on this mission?
38 Spesh: Ah man, the document we simply did was actual fireplace. I walked in, heard the beat, and it was my sort of vibe. I had no clue of what they was doing. Once I walked in, it was a tempo I used to be usually used to, and it was like a pattern that I’d have chopped up personally, so once I heard it I used to be like “Rattling, they made this for me! Bun is somebody who supported me from early on and I actually respect that. He’s really one of many real ones that I’ve met on this journey.
“Each Hour” that includes Nems & Papoose
Nems, what are you able to inform us about your contribution to this mission?
Nems: Bun advised me, “I don’t need to offend you, however are you able to please hold it as CONEY ISLAND as potential? Be vulgar. Be disrespectful.” Statik despatched me the beat to my telephone. I don’t like to put in writing with mad individuals round, I wish to be within the zone. So, I went to my truck with 2 dangerous bitches and wrote the verse in 20 minutes. Bun bought on that ignorant shit as properly, Papoose got here in an hour later and made that shit the whole package deal. BING BONG!
“Constructing Bridges” that includes Paul Wall & Termanology
Paul Wall, how was this expertise for you?
Paul Wall: This was a dope expertise. Bun B was the primary particular person to ever come to the studio to assist us determine issues after we thought we have been doing one thing. He got here in there and taught us be skilled at it, so he’s all the time been the massive bro and mentor. We’ve been following the chief with him for a very long time—he’s a pacesetter. I really missed the primary one, and ended up getting on the deluxe version. So, once I noticed they have been doing this, I used to be like, “I’ve gotta be there.”
What are you smoking on?
Paul Wall: I’ve been smoking these Astor Membership pre-rolls all night time, and somebody simply gave me a 911 pack: half bitter diesel, half haze—actual New York shit.
In conclusion, Bun B is a superb artist who ought to all the time be celebrated, however by no means be interrupted. Message to Bun: I apologize for interrupting when you have been creating. I by no means bought a Trill burger, and I received’t relaxation until we smoke out large time. To be continued…? Trillstatik 2 is out on all platforms now.
