Album Notes

For over two decades, Jerald Fitzpatrick has been coming up with intelligent, thought provoking rhymes. Most recently, performing as a guest on 3da Hard Way’s album “Black Chicago.” Jerald's underground debut, under the pseudonym Da Las Poet, was released in 1998, garnering critical acclaim for its lyrical depth and vocal delivery, although mundane production left something to be desired. Nevertheless, Jerald spent two years touring and promoting, gaining fans and respect with every performance. After a brief hiatus to focus on filmmaking, he returned to write what would eventually become “The Way Of The Mic.” In late 2002, while hosting "Friday Night Blues" on 89.5 WNIJ, Jerald was introduced to Benjamin Sampson, who had recently come off of the regionally successful electronic fusion trio, Sōlfantom. The two forged an immediate rapport, and agreed to team up on the basis that this album would contain real music, as opposed to the majority of sample-laden hip-hop. Initial rhythm tracks were written soon thereafter, and the instruments, almost entirely overdubbed by Ben, were meticulously recorded over the course of a week. Always encouraging the music to progress beyond current expectations, Ben and Jerald made it a mission with “The Way Of The Mic,” to expand musical boundaries and demonstrate the versatility of hip-hop through the melding of man and machine. Real instruments and original music combined with contemplative lyrics and expert delivery brings forth Jerald Fitzpatrick’s “The Way of the Mic."