Project to Watch: Ryu Black – Perfect Heaven (Album Leak: “Metsu Ansatsuken”)

We want you to be on the lookout for something. A certain journeyman in underground hip hop for some time (cough*RAVAGE-aka-MeccaGodZilla*cough) is re-emerging under the moniker Ryu Black, and is set to release Perfect Heaven on January 11, 2011, and we think the project is worth keeping an eye on.

Ryu Black, as RAVAGE, has seen his influence reach worldwide proportion, as the Long Island native has established a considerable fan base here, as well as in Japan, securing sponsorships with Japanese companies and spending time touring the island nation. A former member of the since-disbanded Monster Island Czars, RAVAGE has spent the last few solo years touring and building his brand, leading up to a new incarnation in the form of Ryu Black and the Perfect 天 (Perfect Heaven) project.

A planned 15-track “musical,” Perfect Heaven is described as the “story of a world warrior’s journey to meet friends, pursue happiness and deal with the opposing forces to genuine happiness,” with Ryu Black recruiting talent from various earthly locales to accompany him on this sonic journey.

Interesting to me is that as Manny Faces the producer/remixer, I was acquainted with RAVAGE for many years online, never realizing that I was also very acquainted with his sister in “real life,” (no, not like THAT), only putting two and two together this past year. Also this year, I finally met RAVAGE in “real life,” attending his performance at LiKWUiD’s album release party for Gummy Bears & Champagne at Wealthy Hostage in Brooklyn, a performance that was a thoroughly enjoyable of American hip hop with a touch of Japanese flavor. In any event, I have always admired his creativity and personally look forward to his new material.

To help the new project along, Ryu Black has a Kickstarter fund going to help finance the effort. Kickstarter is a website that organizes donations to fund projects, where pledges are made and only actually donated if the project reaches its pre-established goal. While readers of this site will know that we rarely advocate funding or voting for any artists (journalistic integrity and all), I will point out that his project has become funded, indicating a high level of support in and out of the artistic community. As of post-time, there are still two days to go, should anyone still wish to donate to this project.

All that being said, here is an advance leak from the project, “Metsu Ansatsuken (Murderous Assassin’s Fist),” a neck-snap worthy introduction to the vibe Ryu Black is bringing to the musical table.

For more information on Ryu Black and the Perfect Heaven project, check out Ryu Black’s Kickstarter page.

Purchase RAVAGE the MeccaGodZilla – ERROARS album here.

Ryu Black – Metsu Ansatsuken (Murderous Assassin’s Fist)