C-Ray Walz 'Year of the Beast' album

As one of the original members of the infamous rap crew Stronghold, C-Rayz Walz has been a fixture in the New York hip-hop scene for years. He hosts tons of hip-hop shows and events, and has more charisma and energy than most rappers can dream of.

But that doesn’t mean he’s not serious: he’s battled and beaten the top battle emcees in the world (including freestyle legend Supernatural), dropped singles that consistently make noise on the Billboard charts, has had a video in rotation on BET and started his own label, Sun Cycle Records. Hand picked by Wu-Tang OG Raekwon to open for him on his last tour, this album finds C-Rayz coming full circle, burning all of his old rhyme books and creating his sophomore full length on Definitive Jux from scratch after months of seclusion. The Album entitled Year Of The Beast (out May 17th) include guest appearances by El-P, M-1 of dead prez, Jean Grae, Vordul Mega of Cannibal Ox, Aesop Rock, Rob Sonic; the evolution of the beast is now complete; here’s a quick glimpse on how it came about:

- Releases an unprecedented 20 singles thru various independent labels distributed by Fat Beats including “It’s A Wrap” (Sub Verse), which breaks the billboard top 100 R&B/Hip Hop Charts , debuting at #61.
- Recognized as the only three time EOW emcee challenge freestyle champion crushing the competition three years in a row challengers included Jin, Breeze (Stronghold member), Immortal Technique, etc.
- Banned from competing in the Blaze Battle for defeating all contestants in past battles.
- Releases three independent albums on his own Sun Cycle Records label:
1. “The Prelude”- C-Rayz first full length album with production by Plain Pat (Def Jam) and Emile (Ghostface).
2.“Singular Plurals”- a compilation of his greatest singles to date featuring Can Ox, Aesop Rock, The Molemen, Breeze Evahflowin, Akrobatik, etc.
3.“Limelight” his most underrated hard to find work to date featuring Academy Award Winner Adrian Brody dba A Ranger, Wordsworth, Ryan Perfect, M-1 from Dead Prez.
- Signs deal with producer and label owner EL-P’s Definitive Jux Records. Releases his first major worldwide distributed record entitled Ravipops 20,000+ sold & counting.
- Over 200 live shows since the release of Ravipops in the US , Europe and South America shared the stage with the likes of Raekwon the Chef, El-P, RJD2, Mos Def, Aesop Rock, The Pharcyde, People Under the Stairs, Atmosphere, Mr Cheeks, De La Soul, Perceptionists, Slick Rick, Doug E Fresh, Pete Rock, and even Insane Clown Posse.
- Finally in 2005 after a year and a half of seclusion and studying the art of war, C-Rayz burns his cherished collection of 20 rhyme books and listens to over 1000 beat submissions with only 15 making the cut; he puts together his follow up sophomore album on Definitive Jux entitled YEAR OF THE BEAST.
- U.S.Tour entitled- “The Best Damn Rap Tour” w/ special guest 4TH Pyramid, Vast Aire of Can Ox , J-Live, GZA from the Wu-Tang launches in May –July 2005.

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C-Ray Walz - Year of the Beast