Featuring production work from some serious heavy hitters including Pharrell Williams and Jermaine Dupri among others, the album released via Star Trak and marks only the 3rd ever Japanese album to drop internationally without any language and content changes. During the production of the album, many questioned NIGO (R) regarding the assumed spendings that were going into the production of the album, claiming it was largely a waste of money. However the true reality was, NIGO (R) “gave them a couple pairs of sneakers and they gave him beats…. They’re just exchanging freshness (sneakers) for freshness (beats).”
When pressed about the issue of selling albums in foreign languages, VERBAL brings an interesting argument to the table. Likening the unanimous love of catchy tunes such as La Bamba, as an example, a good beat and rhythm can overcome any language barrier. As a kid, Run DMC’s “It’s Christmas Time in Hollis, Queens…” meant little in terms of context yet the beat was something that resonated deeply with VERBAL. Perhaps an even more relevant example is the TERIYAKI BOYZ (R) track for The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift which is nearing the one million hit mark. With Hip-Hop’s traditional stylings going under the microscope consistently, thanks to Kanye West and his ever diverse approach to fashion, VERBAL himself has seen his eclectic styles as the center of attention. Back in 2004, he began a small up-scale jewelry line. Garnering much attention, this eventually developed into creating pieces for fellow artists and celebrities as well as the birth of another jewelery line entitled Ambush. A sort of experimental jewelery playground which has come to be marked by his signature POW! Rings, a lot of the brand’s success does have to do with the aforementioned superstar in Kanye West. Upon wearing a piece of Ambush’s jewelery, it immediately ignited a wave of interest. At the end of the day, Ambush is still something that reflects the tastes of VERBAL which is undoubtedly transcended his music onto the fashion scene.
