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The debut collaboration by Harlem, New York City raised, Ugandan born, award winning hip-hop creative Emma Lee M.C. and decorated German producer Roccwell is a potent offering of globally creative proportions. Merging her bold, flowful vocals and piercingly imaginary lyricism with his smooth, classic, world-renowned "boom bap" production over seven tracks, the two who met during a pandemic aimed to stifle their artistry have used the "new normals" as opportunity to create new energy, tell new stories and re-balance tastes in the culture.

On the lead single “Like It’s 93” featuring hip-hop legend Masta Ace, listeners are treated to a unique twist on nostalgia. Emma Lee personifies hip-hop by lyrically describing a dysfunctional but loving relationship using over 40 classic rap album titles all released in the year 1993, with Masta Ace responding metaphorically in a classic rebuttal. The track rolls in with a dreamy soundscape over Roccwell's signature snare drum spine, lifts and waves with Emma Lee's softly layered vocals in the hooks, and ends with a sonic collage of reflective cuts by DJ LP2 reminding us why we fell in love with hip-hop. As mentioned from "Digable Planets to Doggystyle," this track is a witness and poetic questioning of a pivotal time in music.

The follow-up single "Cravings & Withdrawals" with hip-hop legend Bahamadia holds its own as one of the smoothest rap duets put to wax in a long time. As Roccwell riffs the beat like a spacey and jazzy interlude, an elite skill level of emceeing is on display by two generational talents unapologetically pouring onto the track. The dream duo gives us an unbeatable breather during the hooks which are elevated by an adaptation of classic neo-soul R&B, asking whether listeners are "craving something real?" Clever cuts by DJ LP2 once again punctuate the odyssey and are sure to please most music heads.

“Chocolate Bars” by Emma Lee M.C. & Roccwell stays true to its rooted theme and includes a few musical twists, start to finish. From its concept, choice of instruments, variation, undeniable lyricism, sounds and messaging, it creates both curiosity and satisfaction, and leaves hip-hop lovers surely wanting more.

Limited to 300 copies worldwide, with 150 exclusively available to HHV customers.

Hip-hop has long had an obsession with the debut album as it marks an artist’s introduction to the world and often lives on as their definitive piece of work. Nas had Illmatic. Jay had Reasonable Doubt. Snoop had Doggystyle. Biggie had Ready to Die. On October 20th, 2009, the day came for Fashawn to make his own mark with, Boy Meets World. The result was an honest, heartfelt and witty album, the likes of which had seldom been heard from someone his age. Abound with captivating storytelling and magnificent production, the album would quickly receive critical praise. XXL gave it an ‘XL’ rating and called it an album that “resonates a lot more than the work of some rappers decades his senior.” HipHopDX called it “perhaps the most heir apparent to Nas’ ’94 classic.”

Meshing beautifully and exclusively over the soulful loops of producer Exile — who wowed listeners and critics with Below The Heavens, his 2007 collaboration with Blu — Fashawn's audio biography touches on his series of stepfathers ("I called them all daddy/even though they didn't have me") and even a friend's suicide. Yet he still finds time to play, swapping boasts with his producer on "Bo Jackson" and plotting his way out of the friend zone with "Lupita." On “The Ecology,” Fashawn articulates the inner struggles of a good kid from a bad place, over Exile’s dramatic string sample.

Fashawn may only have been 20 years old at the time of the album’s release, but he’s possessed the wisdom of a man well beyond his years. Abound with a nostalgic potency that makes the record just as relatable and fresh today as it was when it was first released, Dirty Science Records in partnership with Coalmine Reissues are honored to release this special edition reissue of this classic LP, just in time for the album’s 15th anniversary!