Starita & Otis McDonald | “The Wake Up Re-Call“ feat. Illa J, Zay Bcuz, NicX (Official Music Video)

“The Wake Up Re-Call” first took the form of a slow and solitary instrumental from Starita and Trent Park released in 2021, fittingly titled “The Wake Up Call.” The track was transformed by Starita’s friend and collaborator, Otis McDonald, earlier this year. McDonald, a producer and multi-instrumentalist, recharged the record by infusing swing and breaks, making it into a soulful hip-hop instrumental track. The recording then went to Rasta Root, who invited a trio of rappers to the studio to add verses: Zay, NicX, and Illa J, the Detroit singer, producer, rapper and younger brother of J Dilla. “It is unbelievable what Otis did with the record,” Starita said. “I never could have imagined it would evolve into this.” But Starita added that he doesn’t refer to the new recording as a remix because he said the process “turned into something so collaborative and different.” The verses each contribute specific angles and meaningful prose from the featured rappers, who flowed effortlessly McDonald’s warm and soulful approach. Zay Bcuz brings his focus and flexibility to the second verse, while the tight, dexterity of NicX elevates the track’s final verse. The collaboration for “The Wake Up Re-Call” grew from seeds planted over the last decade, which took root in the same recording sessions that immortalized Phife Dawg’s final lyrics. The music video, fittingly, came to life in a packed club in Atlanta at a listening party for Phife Dawg’s posthumous solo album, Forever, released in March. Rasta Root granted permission for the artists to film “The Wake Up Re-Call” music video at the LP’s listening party. It was a fitting tribute to the cycle of hip hop: It doesn’t die; it’s continually reborn. Read more on Noisey here: VIDEO CREDITS Director - DJ Rasta Root Cinematography - Tam Starita, Tony Reames, Maria Jara Editor - Tony Reames SONG CREDITS Producer - Otis McDonald Mix Engineer - Joe Bagale Mastering Engineer - Joe Bagale Engineers - Joe Bagale, Dion Liverpool, Michael Starita, Ryan Dieudonne, Alex Reid, Xarius Hampton Songwriters - John Yancey, Xarius Hampton, Byron Nichols, Jr., Joe Bagale, Michael Starita, Joshua Redden Vocals - Illa J, Zay Bcuz, NicX Vocal Sample - Trent Park Guitar Sample - Robin Applewood ARTIST LINKS @Starita Music Official Subscribe to Starita: Spotify: Instagram: Facebook: Website: @Otis McDonald Subscribe to Otis: Spotify: Instagram: Facebook: Website: @IllaJ Subscribe to Illa J: Instagram: Facebook: Website: @Zay Bcuz Subscribe to Zay Bcuz: Instagram: Facebook: @NicX Subscribe to NicX: Instagram: Facebook: @DJ Rasta Root Facebook: Instagram: Youtube: TikTok: @djrastaroot Website: Subscribe to Noisey on YouTube to stay updated on our daily releases: Videos, daily editorial and more: Like Noisey on Facebook: Follow Noisey on Twitter: Read our tumblr: Check out our Instagram: More videos from the VICE network: #HipHop #Noisey #Vice