If you break bread with the likes of Washington D.C. super-producer/lyricist Oddisee, you’re no mean MC, and this is definitely true in the case of Topeka, Kansas native Stik Figa. He might not be the toast of the radio or Billboard, but those who know their underground rap will be familiar with Stik Figa, and not just for his collaborative EP with Oddisee. Back in October 2013, he dropped the critically acclaimed joint LP with producer L’Orange ‘The City Under The City‘. It was a hefty drop built from gritty, chewy rhymes; stuff you couldn’t relate to if you’re into ready-to-eat mainstream trap. This was the latest from a steady stream of releases that started with the 2007 release on INnatesounds ‘Looking Good‘. Sandwiched somewhere in that respectable discography is yet another collaborative album with yet another underground heavyweight, Leonard Dstroy.
On January 27 next year Stik will add to his catalog with his newest full-length release. ‘Central Standard Time‘ features nine typically witty cuts, gently, yet unforgivingly, broken down. To usher us into his time, Stik Figa has thrown open the gates with ‘The Ends & Out’, a track produced by yet another respected figure in underground hip hop, Black Milk. The song is an intro in the true sense of the word- Stik uses the one and a half minutes to describe himself in detail while giving his so-called competitors a tongue-lashing.
“Did I announce that I am, out and out the best around, out of this world, the rest of y’all ain’t been out of town…”
Here’s what inspired this jam in the rapper’s own words: “This cut…is a bit of nostalgia for me, I’ve always wanted to get on a track like that and do the lyrical exercise thing. When I heard the Black Milk beat, I was immediately drawn to the percussive elements first, and how it’s not something you hear much anymore. I was inspired by Outkast “Wailin” just a cut with dope beats and rhymes that’s fun to listen to, and rewind to make sure you caught everything.”
Miami Based, Internationally Known
