Two years ago today, Cee and Dr. MaD released their debut collaborative EP 'Steps To The Peak'. Alaiz x The Movement Fam. This was the first proper EP either artist had dropped; Cee had given us a bunch of mixtapes and some loosies as a solo artist in the past few years, while MaD had dropped a ton of singles and digital-only EPs.
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Steps To The Peak
On September 13th 2013, Cee teamed up with Montreal based producer/DJ Dr. MaD to release their debut collaborative EP (and the first official EP either artist had dropped), 'Steps To The Peak' - an 8 track love letter to the 514. Seeing as we're about to celebrate the first birthday of the project, we figured there's no better time to launch the Deluxe Edition.
Now although a song and video like this is big enough news in itself, what truly makes this special is that Phil and Cee have created a super limited edition merch collab which will be available via the BrewHeads website for preorder* starting today, Thursday August 14th! The black and gold box set contains a gorgeous BrewHeads Bière Sommelier Glass with 22 carat gold print; a custom 100% made in the USA snapback, complete with hop print under the brim and gold-stitched barley on the flip side; and, of course, a digital download of the track (the first 10 preorders come with a physical copy of Cee's album "This Is All I Know", while the second 10 come with Cee & Dr. MaD's "Steps To The Peak" Deluxe Edition EP).
The first visual - and first single - from Cee's debut album 'This Is All I Know' is a dedication to the sustenance from the sky - 'Rainy Days'. The feelings of despair when the clouds turn grey can be overwhelming, but the fresh start given via the heavenly earth wash is what truly drives and inspires us. Produced by Sydney, Australia native P.R (Bone, Thugs N Harmony, Evidence, Blu, Onyx - and Notion's single 'Young & Crazy'), the tune features Montreal pioneer D-Shade (Shades Of Culture), and the chemistry between the two MCs is evident as they effortlessly trade verses across the soulful soundscape like they've known each other for years.
This project is an eight track love letter to the city of Montreal. It was entirely written, produced, recorded, shot and designed in the 514, with the exception of Notion's mixing and mastering in Toronto (he's part of The Movement Fam so it's cool). Dr. MaD's production is enveloped in the art of sampling, with old Soul and Jazz tunes brought to life by his deft chops, dipping them in Hip Hop on the way out. Cee used this sonic landscape to tell real life stories about his experiences in Canada - leaving his home country of Australia to pursue a dream in the great wide north, the tumultuous move to Montreal, dealings with immigration, and his regular battles with fear, doubt and negative energy. Ultimately, it's a story of two artists connecting through the love of music in order to express their 'amour' for the city, the country and the culture of Hip Hop.