With his statement, “I’m not a businessman, I’m a business, man,” Jay Z inspired a generation of hybrids acts who were fed up with being a cog in the music industry’s grand machine. While not directly connected to Hov, PKnuckle seems to carry those same values. Born in Queens, but raised in Van Nuys, CA, education and the hustle have always been the cornerstone of P’s master plan. That very hustle that has allowed him to work with the likes of Xzibit, and Ras Kass, has transitioned into his latest project, Epic.
Clocking in at 13 tracks, EPIC is an accurate portrayal of the Armenian rhymer and everything he’s been through. While the album lacks a lot of features besides some hot verses from Sticky Fingaz and RMean, we’re able to place the focus on Pknuckle, and begin to perceive his world view. While those unaware of the West Coast sound will far too often typecast it as flashy and without substance, PKnuckle puts on for his city by sticking to the facts, and highlighting his hoods top spots. EPIC features a handful of freestyles over some of the biggest tracks of the last few years, as well as some potent bars over Kavinsky’s “Nightcall.” The 13 track project is now available for free download, courtesy of AudioMack.