The title of Phat Kat’s latest album, The S.O.S. Project (the “S.O.S.” stands for “So Ol’ School”) certainly holds a lot of weight for the legendary Detroit rapper, who jump-started his rap career as part of the short-lived duo known as 1st Down, alongside the late, great J Dilla (most fans will be familiar with their A Day Wit The Homiez EP, released in 1995).
Since then, Phat Kat’s veteran status was further cemented following appearances on both Slum Village’s 2005 self-titled album and Detroit Deli, as well as Dilla’s classic Welcome 2 Detroit. Now, fresh off collaborating with Hieroglyphics’ Casual as Ron Jon Bovi, Phat Kat has merged his talents with Berlin-based producer DJ Dister (Masta Ace, KRS-One, Jeru Da Damaja) for The S.O.S. Project.
Led by a visual for the album’s title-track, the So Ol’ School can be heard below.
Speaking on how they linked up Dister said “we initially recorded a track called “Rappin Ass Rapper’s” on my album Consistent Knockouts (2015). The vibe was so dope that we decided to do a whole project together.”
The first evidence of this chemistry is in the single “Revolt For Change” a scathing social commentary as Kat says is “about police brutality excessive force and how our citizens are being treated like animals and the current situation our country and community is in.” Other tracks salute The “D” (as his home city is known) and retrace his personal Hip-Hop history (“The Monument” feat DJ Dez) or relate tales from the crime side (“Shots”, “Storm”).
