Erick the Architect’s Ode To Late ‘90s, Early Aughts NYC: “CA$HMERE TEAR$” 

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October 25, 2024 // Today, rapper and producer Erick the Architect (of Flatbush Zombies) releases his latest single “CA$HMERE TEAR$”, another standout track from his forthcoming deluxe edition of I’ve Never Been Here Before, set for release November 15. Following the recent single “Beverly Drive,” “CA$HMERE TEAR$”transports listeners back to New York City in the late 90s and early 2000s, capturing the rhythm and vibrancy of the city before its heavy gentrification. The track reflects on how that era and environment shaped Erick’s musical journey, leading to his success as both a rapper and producer.

Erick explains the personal connection to the track ––

“CA$HMERE TEAR$”is a song dear to me. It talks about New York City at a very specific time period during the late 90s and early 2000s. Way before my city was heavily gentrified, New York had a cadence and rhythm that really personified the city as one of the most influential places in the world. Growing up, I learned to rap because of my surroundings, which then led me to becoming a musician. New York City is entirely responsible for all of the success I’ve received over these years, and I couldn’t be more grateful."

Listen to “CA$HMERE TEAR$” here: https://idol-io.ffm.to/cahmeretear

The deluxe edition of I’ve Never Been Here Before will be released on November 15, 2024. It includes five new tracks and additional exclusive content, offering fans a deeper dive into Erick’s creative process. The original release of I’ve Never Been Here Before in February 2024 was met with critical acclaim, with Consequencecalling it “one of the strongest hip-hop albums of the early year” and HotNewHipHopasking, “is this one of the more impressive debuts in recent memory?” It also featured a remarkable lineup of collaborators, including Joey Bada$$, Westside Boogie, George Clinton, Channel Tres, Kimbra, Lalah Hathaway, RÜDE CÅT, Boy Boy, Pale Jay, and FARR, with four songs produced by James Blake. Erick spent years crafting the album in his Los Angeles home studio, resulting in a genre-bending body of work that blends hip-hop, soul, dub, and psych.

“Beverly Drive”, released in October was met with praise from XXL, HipHopDX, Vibe, Okayplayer, and Hypebeast, which described Erick as a “prolific instrumentalist, producer and rapper.” “Beverly Drive” reflects Erick’s upbringing in East Flatbush, Brooklyn, and his global perspective shaped by his experiences living in California and Jamaica. The track is a love letter to the streets that shaped him and a reflection of his journey navigating survival and personal growth. In a unique twist, “Beverly Drive” was initially unlocked through Erick’s just-released I’ve Never Been Here Beforevideo game. Styled after classic side-scrolling arcade games, the game features 8-bit versions of several tracks from the album. Try it out here: https://game.erickthearchitect.com/ 

Listen to “Beverly Drive” here: https://idol-io.ffm.to/beverlydrive

I’ve Never Been Here Before - Track List:

I Am Still

2-3 Zone (prod. James Blake)

Parkour (prod. James Blake)

Breaking Point ft. Baby Rose, RÜDE CÅT & Pale Jay

Mandevillain

Ezekiel's Wheel ft. George Clinton

Jammy Jam

Ambrosia ft. Channel Tres

Shook Up ft. Joey Bada$$ & FARR

Beef Patty ft. Boy Boy (prod. James Blake)

Colette

Instincts ft. Westside Boogie

Neue Muse

Leukemia / AM ft. Kimbra

Too Much Talkin (prod. James Blake)

Liberate ft. Lalah Hathaway

Deluxe Tracklist

Beverly Drive

CA$HMERE TEAR$

Denise’s Last Son ft. BLK ODYSSY

GRITS

Boxes In My Basement