Sean Rasul, theChicago-born, United Kingdom-based recording artist will release his third progressive underground hip-hop album entitled "Prodigal Son" on July 16 via Live Root Records on CD and digitally across the globe.
The new album follows Rasul’s 2005 debut "The Showcase" and his 2008 release "Ghetto Child" and is produced entirely by multi-platinum producer Chill aka Yung Chill who is also responsible for the success of Miss Mykie of 106 & Park fame.
In 2005, SeanRasul teamed up with Grammy Award-winning producer Madukwu Chinwah, who also produced hits for artists such as Erykah Badu and N’Dambi, to record and release his debut album which gained the attention of several major label A&R representatives. Shortly following the release of Rasul’s second album, his popular song "Champion" featured on season one of MTV’s "Taking the Stage" reality series. "Prodigal Son" is expected to be Rasul’s best work yet with solid music production, oracular hip-hop lyrics, and features from fresh and exciting hip-hop talents.
The album’s name is derived from the Biblical story of the Prodigal Son who leaves home only to return later more humble and at the mercy of his father. The opening track "Blocks We Hustle" highlights life on inner-city streets similar to the one Rasul grew up on in Chicago’s West Side. Gun shots can be heard as the second track "This is What it Sounds Like" begins. The song paints a picture where children enjoying a day playing in a neighborhood park are tragically interrupted by gang-related violence. The album also feature slighter songs such as "Hip-Hop Love" which is an ode to the genre’s Golden Age, and "Free" which is a song about living life to the fullest and working to make dreams reality. The project also features politically and inspiring songs such as "Higher" and "How I Feel" while the title track sums up Rasul’s journey as he sets out on a musical path but returns home later to find himself, which he believes is a parallel to the Biblical story. Rasul’s protégé Jaehross appears on the track "All My Life" which is a song about hustling to succeed in spite of life’s obstacles, and the final track on the album "The Future" features lyrics from Big Sid & Yung Chill set to a slowed Marvin Gaye sample. The song poses the questions, “Where are we going? What’s the future showing?” Rasul’s verse ends as he maintains that he may not know what his future holds, but he thinks he’s found his voice. A radio campaign is being planned as well as a late 2013 US and UK tour.
"Prodigal Son" is currently available at iTunes and other online retailers.