Kanye West is ensconced in his Diamond Head, Hawaii home and recording studio, putting the final touches on his forthcoming album with guest rappers like Q-Tip, RZA and Pete Rock, numerous reports have confirmed. A source close to the project — which is tentatively titled “Good Ass Job” according to G.O.O.D. Music artist Big Sean — says it will be released in June.
Q-Tip confirmed he’s working with Kanye in an interview with Brooklyn Bodega. “I just try to work with people who I admire or whom I think has got it,” he told the website. “So right now I’m working on Nas’ shit, about to work with Kanye on his shit.”
According to a report on Roc4Life.com, both RZA and Pete Rock were in Hawaii recently recording with Kanye. RZA appeared onstage at a Nas concert in Honolulu on March 19 and a tweet from former Senior VP of A&R at LOUD Records Schott Free suggests that Pete Rock was in Hawaii with Kanye as well. On March 9, Free told Pete Rock,
“Enjoy Hawaii, I’m sure you and Kanye’ are killing it” and then wrote “@QtipTheAbstract on his weezy! Hot.”
Pete Rock took to Twitter to deny the allegations that he was working with Kanye and claimed his trip was
“just a vacation,” though he did allude to a secret project in response to Free, writing “Pls dont mention that on here scott,its all goody but i gotta keep a closed lid on it. “In the past, artists who’ve joined Kanye in the studio have been sworn to secrecy, according to producer No I.D., who has been confirmed as one of West’s collaborators.
Q-Tip, RZA, and Pete Rock are three producers credited with pioneering New York hip-hop, so their appearances would suggest the album has a traditional East Coast sound. Common told Music Mix that Kanye and No I.D. are following a similar direction with his upcoming album, “The Believer,” which Common described as “raw hip-hop.”.