I had the honor of producing six tracks on Raekwon’s new album The Emperor’s New Clothes, released July 18, 2025 via Mass Appeal. To contribute to a project crafted by one of the greatest storytellers in hip-hop—a true architect of cinematic rap—was a milestone in my journey as a producer.
Below is a full breakdown of the tracks I produced, including three full songs and three skits, all intentionally crafted to support the album’s larger narrative and sonic atmosphere.
1. Open Doors (feat. Tommy Nova)
Produced by RoadsArt
This one hits heavy with emotion. The beat is built from scratch—Haunting Horn section with warm analog textures and dusty/Modern drums. It’s grounded in introspection but still knocks with weight. I wanted the mood to feel like a rainy-day reflection: heavy, honest, and cinematic.
Tommy Nova delivers a powerful hook that complements Raekwon’s verses perfectly—both of them bringing a sense of maturity and survival to the record. It’s stripped down in the right ways, with room to breathe and connect.
2. The Guy That Plans It
Produced by RoadsArt
This track is built around a loop from “I’ll Never Stop Loving You” by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell (1968). I didn’t manipulate the sample much—I kept the tempo and tone as-is to preserve the natural emotion. It was all about selecting the right moment in the record that carried a certain tension and looping it to let the story unfold over it.
The drums are sparse and deliberate. I added ambient textures—street sounds, low-end hums, and subtle cinematic noise—to create a sense of space and unease. The result feels like a slow burn, like the calm before a storm or a surveillance scene in a crime film. It’s not a song—it’s a moment.
3. Mac & Lobster (feat. Ghostface Killah)
Produced by RoadsArt & Frank G.
Classic Rae and Ghost. This one was designed to sound raw, gritty, and luxurious all at once. The beat has that vintage soul feel paired with hard hitting drums that punch through.
Frank G. and I approached this as a high-stakes final moment in the album—two legends going bar for bar over a beat that felt like it came out of a high-end, smoke-filled backroom.
4. Barber Shop Bullies (Skit)
Produced by RoadsArt & STLNDRMS
This skit opens with instant energy and texture. I played the kets on the Mellotron and Juno 106 and live drums from co producer "STLNDRMS." We captured the real feel of a barbershop—layering in conversation, laughter, clippers, heads dropping wisdom. Underneath it, I added subtle tonal textures to give it weight and transition smoothly into the album’s following track "Open Doors:. It sets the tone and places the listener right in the heart of the real world.
5. Officer Full Beard (Skit)
Produced by RoadsArt
This skit plays out like an audio movie. Minimalist in design, it’s filled with quiet tension—filtered voices, ambient noise, and low-end rumble that never resolves. It’s uncomfortable by design, meant to capture that feeling of being pulled over by the police. This beat was also composed on the Mellotron keyboard.
6. The Sober Dose Gift (Skit)
Produced by RoadsArt
A reflective and haunting moment. This skit slows the pace, giving the listener space to breathe and take in what’s been said so far. It’s laced with melancholy—just a simple instrumental bed built to carry the weight of the dialogue. It feels like inner thoughts spoken aloud, or the quiet moment before making a major decision. Minimalist, emotional, and intentional.
💬 Final Thoughts
Working on The Emperor’s New Clothes wasn’t just another placement—it was personal. Every track I touched was approached with purpose, detail, and deep respect for Raekwon’s legacy and vision. From the full songs to the skits, I aimed to help tell a story that felt timeless, raw, and cinematic.
This album reminded me why I do what I do: to create music that moves people, paints pictures, and leaves a mark. Big thank you to Raekwon and the entire team for trusting me with the sound, and to everyone out there listening and supporting.
More to come. Always.
And be sure to check me out on Ghostface Killah’s upcoming album Supreme Clientele 2 — dropping August 22nd via Mass Appeal. Another legendary moment in the making.
— RoadsArt
