The Raw

Fourteen years after dropping the single as their first-ever release, Coalmine Records celebrates Record Store Day 2019 with a limited vinyl rerelease of “The Raw” featuring hard-hitting verses from Saigon, Inspectah Deck, and Bekay. Back on April 12, 2005, the single’s initial release marked the beginning of a storied run of no-nonsense Hip-Hop from the Brooklyn-based label. In addition to boasting razor sharp verses from the three NY spitters, “The Raw” also boasts ill piano-laced production supplied by Philly’s Street Orchestra, complimented with the slick turntable work of DJ Dutchmaster. And that’s just on the A-side. The single’s B-side reimagines the track with a synth-forward, sci-fi vibe, courtesy of a then-freshman beatsmith, !llmind, who’s gone onto become one of Hip-Hop’s most influential producers. For this very special rerelease, Coalmine Records is paying homage to the pioneering indie label, Delicious Vinyl, in remembrance of their co-founder, Matt Dike, who sadly passed in March 2018. The single’s label artwork includes a clever flip of their iconic logo, while the record itself is pressed on blood-red vinyl to play off the track title. This limited edition rerelease is manufactured exclusively for Record Store Day 2019, where it will be available through various participating record shops.