Album Notes

For Will Villainova, hip-hop is a way of life. Growing up in NYC, hip-hop culture was everywhere. Will grew to appreciate hip-hop's core elements. Since then, he’s been mastering his craft as an emcee - doing everything necessary to build his skills, whether it’s battling other hungry emcees in project staircases, or showcasing his lyrical skills on local mixtapes. Also known as the “Foul Priest” in the hood, he has a potent style reminiscent of Rakim, Nas, and Big Pun. With these influences, combined with his lyrical ability and the influences of his Dominican background, Will is bringing something new and different to the game - his name rings bells in Uptown Manhattan where he is known as the best emcee in ‘The Heights.’

Will pursues his craft for the love of it. His sound is filled with straight up, hard-hitting beats providing the right edge to compliment his deep lyrics. True to NYC form, Will brings a gritty, rough and rugged sound that’s definitely East Coast, but with some strong Washington Heights flavor. Another thing Will brings to the game is a gift for seeing what’s happening in the streets, and bringing the sometimes emotional and powerful events into his lyrics. This was evident in his first release on DPI Music entitled, “Devils in a Blue Dress,” a single released back in March 2000. It was a powerful song inspired by the police brutality cases in New York. It was received with strong accolades from both critics and listening audiences. The song's controversial subject drew attention from radio and press in the New York area, and garnered international attention via The New York Times, Esquire Japan, Stress Magazine, and many others. Will was able to parlay the success of “Devils in a Blue Dress” into some major shows, including a big concert at Madison Square Garden. He also performed at a crazy show at Hunter College in New York, where he was on the line-up with Dead Prez and Mos Def.

The success of Will's first single led to the recording of “The Arrival,” his debut album with 16 bangin’ tracks. With the release of The Arrival, Will built on the solid reputation as a master lyricist. The album is a composite of varied images from the streets, mixed with some socially conscious tracks that are still on point. The Arrival was a great debut. Today, Will is dropping some of the best material he has ever recorded. In his first single to be released in a while is a powerful song called "Same Year Different Number.” This single will definitely raise some eyebrows, and is a preview of his upcoming album “Hear Me Out,” scheduled to be released in mid-2006. Will Villainova will be droppin’ some incredible music in 2006, and will be on the road performing and supporting the releases. With a strong promotional campaign in the works, the buzz is already being felt beyond Uptown Manhattan. “Same Year Different Number” picks up where “Devils in a Blue Dress” left off. Check it out - it's powerful! With the first single from his upcoming album finally hitting the street, Will is ready. The time is now......