Planet Asia Is Back For His Black Belt Theatre

After four years Planet Asia returns with his new solo album 'Black Belt Theatre'. He has been in the game for over 15 years and still going strong. He has worked with artists such as Rasco (one of his better work as Cali Agents), DJ Muggs, Evidence of Dilated Peoples, G-Force and others...

On his new album he goes back to the classic kung-fu flicks out the 80s to which Wu-Tang Clan got inspired as well. The concept of the album is intended to be enjoyed as a movie. Asia explains it by pointing to the many features it has. The guest artists (i.e., Raekwon, Talib Kweli, Strong Arm Steady and many others) feel like different characters. It seems that the songs include their own theme and intro creating a different flavor.

'Golden State', produced by Dirtydiggs, is being given away for free, download here. On this one he shows he has not lost his skills in his 15 year career. Tight beats by Dirtydiggs and a ditto flow will point you in the right direction.

Named after a 1980s Saturday-afternoon TV show and inspired by Planet Asia's favorite films, Black Belt Theatre combines the violent precision of classic kung-fu flicks with the calculated cool of classic blaxploitation movies.

Unlike on his albums with Evidence and DJ Muggs, Asia also got to determine the sonic direction on Black Belt Theatre, resulting in a soul-heavy, blaxploitation-influenced sound. "It was fun because I got to reach out to guys like Oh No and Khrysis for beats, find the best tracks and put together a masterpiece," explains Asia. "It's some esoteric gangster shit…a full plate for the listener."

Black Belt Theatre Tracklisting
1.) “Lost And Found” (produced by Khrysis)
2.) “Grown Folks Talkin’” f/ Talib Kweli (produced by Dirtydiggs)
3.) “Tell The World” (produced by Dirtydiggs)
4.) “All Mine” f/ Paul Wall (produced by Twiz The Beat Pro)
5.) “No Apologies” f/ Raekwon (produced by Oh No)
6.) “F*ck Rappers” f/ Fashawn & Willie The Kid (produced by Dirtydiggs)
7.) “Diamond Life” f/ Camp Lo (produced by Dirtydiggs)
8.) “Furniture” (produced by Dirtydiggs)
9.) “Mach One (produced by Dirtydiggs)
10.) “Daggers And Darts” f/ Rogue Venom & Tristate (produced by Dirtydiggs)
11.) “Bruce Lee” f/ Chace Infinite & Rasco (produced by Soulprofessa)
12.) “Golden State” (produced by Dirtydiggs)
13.) “Coons” f/ Killer Ben (produced by Dirtydiggs)
14.) “The Line Of Fire” f/ Krondon, Phil Da Agony & Picaso (produced by Brisk Oner)
15.) “Big Fish” (produced by Twiz The Beat Pro)
16.) “External Motives” f/ The Jacka & Mitchy Slick (produced by Twiz The Beat Pro)
17.) “Classical” f/ Ras Kass, Torae & Jasiri X (produced by Religion)
18.) “Stay Ready” f/ Mistah Fab, Dengee & Mo The Gift (produced by Oh No)
19.) “Whirlwind Patterns” (produced by Religion)
20.) “Dogon Outro” (produced by Dirtydiggs)

"Black Belt Theatre" by Planet Asia - release date: 02/28/12..