Erick the Architect Releases Music Video for Latest Single "Beverly Drive"

Today, Erick the Architect, celebrated rapper, producer, and one-third of the legendary Flatbush Zombies, unveils the music video for his latest single “Beverly Drive,” offering a visual representation of the song’s reflective narrative. The track, which dropped last week, explores Erick’s journey growing up in East Flatbush, Brooklyn, and his global perspective from California to Jamaica. 

“Beverly Drive” is part of Erick's recently announced deluxe edition of I’ve Never Been Here Before, set for release on November 15, which will feature additional tracks and exclusive content.

Praise for “Beverly Drive”

“prolific instrumentalist, producer and rapper” 

– Hypebeast

“a contemplative, mid-tempo gem… unapologetically earnest about where he came from and where he feels he’s destined to be” 

– Consequence

“among rap's best-kept secrets… one of his most thoughtful solo tracks to date”

 – HotNewHipHop

“shaping the sound of hip-hop… Erick’s storytelling ability shines on this track, painting vivid pictures of his life experiences and reflecting on how far he’s come”

–– StupidDope

Erick the Architect Announces Deluxe Version of Debut Solo Album I’ve Never Been Here Before (Out November 15)

Shares “Beverly Drive” Inspired By His Formative Years In Flatbush, Brooklyn | Listen Here: https://idol-io.ffm.to/beverlydrive

Play 8-Bit I’ve Never Been Here Before Arcade-Style Video Game Here: https://game.erickthearchitect.com/

“One of the strongest hip-hop albums of the early year”

- Consequence

“Is this one of the more impressive debuts in recent memory?”

- HotNewHipHop

Erick the Architect, celebrated rapper, producer, and one-third of the legendary Flatbush Zombies, has announced the deluxe edition of his acclaimed debut solo album I’ve Never Been Here Before. The expanded set will feature 5 new songs and will be released on November 15. Alongside this announcement, Erick has dropped new single “Beverly Drive”, a deeply personal track that reflects his journey from East Flatbush, Brooklyn, to his current life in California and Jamaica, where the song first took shape.

“Beverly Drive” reflects Erick’s deep connection to the places that have shaped him. He says: "Beverly Road is the specific neighborhood I was raised in, Beverly Drive is also located in California (where I live now), and I started writing this song in Beverly Drive, Jamaica. I was always faced with balancing survival with my instinctual knowledge, always observing my surroundings and making the right decisions to escape from danger. Through this track, I hope to take listeners back to my hood and shine a light on the city I love so much.”

Produced by Erick, “Beverly Drive” brings listeners into a soundscape that gives thought to the challenges, observations, and experiences that have defined his life. 

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

In a unique twist, “Beverly Drive” was initially unlocked through Erick’s just-released I’ve Never Been Here Before video game. Styled after classic side-scrolling arcade games, the game features 8-bit versions of several tracks from the album. Players who completed the game were rewarded with an early listen of “Beverly Drive”. The game, which debuted at Erick’s 2024 tour, is still available to play online for free and sold as a limited edition cartridge compatible with Gameboy Color, Gameboy Advance, Gameboy SP, and Analogue Pocket. It was created by Alex Constante.  https://game.erickthearchitect.com/ 

I’ve Never Been Here Before, has garnered widespread acclaim since its February 2024 release.  With glowing reviews from Rolling Stone —“a winding, perilous, and deeply personal body of work” —and Billboard, which called it “a stunner of an album,” the LP has solidified Erick’s status as a dynamic solo artist.  He spent most of the year touring the album internationally, and has made several appearances as well at major festivals and headlining shows with JUNGLE (to perform the song “Candle Flame” that he’s featured on), as well as L’Imperatrice. 

I’ve Never Been Here Before is a deeply personal exploration of fearlessness, Black resilience, and beauty in darkness, themes that Erick masterfully weaves into a genre-defying mix of hip-hop, soul, dub, and psych. Created over several years in his Los Angeles home studio, the album features an impressive roster of collaborators, including Joey Bada$$, Westside Boogie, George Clinton, Channel Tres, Kimbra, Lalah Hathaway, RÜDE CÅT, Boy Boy, Pale Jay, and FARR, with production from James Blake, Linden Jay, and T Minus. The upcoming deluxe edition will expand on this powerful work with additional tracks, offering fans an even deeper dive into Erick’s artistic world.

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

Praise for I’ve Never Been Here Before: 

"A winding, perilous, and deeply personal body of work that celebrates [Erick's] mastery as both a storyteller and conductor of his own authentic sound" 

- Rolling Stone

“One of the strongest hip-hop albums of the early year” 

- Consequence

“Is this one of the more impressive debuts in recent memory?” 

- HotNewHipHop 

"A stunner of an album" 

- Billboard

“Dynamic, thoughtful and flat out incredible…it’s a hip hop album, but it’s so much more” 

- This Song Is Sick

“For a debut, the Zombie turned solo artist has skillfully weaved himself a coat of many colors; it’s Brooklyn-by-way-of-L.A., Flatbush grit meets sunny psychedelia” 

- Bandcamp, Essential Releases

Erick the Architect Online

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