ReMix:Metropolis Street Racer "Tail Chaser" 4:57

A legendary standout R&B/hip-hop vocal EXPLOSION with singing, rapping, and surplus style, this collab from Digi, UV Sir J, & J.ME the Sista' UV off of VROOM: Sega Racing has me loving Metropolis Street Racer more than I ever thought I'd love Metropolis Street Reacer; DiGi Valentine (Niyazi Sonmez) was project director for a bit, has been doing wonderful things with his "Who dat?" videos, and writes:

"After working with Sir J on "Time Traveller's Delight" for the Sonic CD: Temporal Duality project, to say I was incredibly impressed with his work was an understatement. I immediately approached J on the side to see if he'd be interested in working on some other things, one of which was a Metropolis Street Racer remix for VROOM. In my mind, I wanted to approach the remix by taking inspiration from two different sources. "You Can Love Me" was a personal favourite for having this powerful bassline, as well as some catchy melodies and a sing-a-long type chorus, but the subject matter from "Let's Get It On Tonight" was something I felt I could personally engage with more as rap vocalist, and my intention was to re-write the verses entirely to fit my own style but still keep the same hook-line to wrap up each verse.

As an example of how I wanted J to approach the ReMix, I referenced the harder hitting R&B styles of Adina Howard's 1995 single "Freak Like Me," a song from my childhood that I still adore to this day. I pay homage to her track by also using the "one to the two, to the two, to the three" hook-line during our own breakdown.

J came back with a beat that was beyond anything I could have expected, it literally stunned me and that was only the first WIP. Couple that funky soulful beat with the incredible vocals of J.ME and this remix was ticking all the right boxes.

Throughout production of this song, J has continually raised the bar in what I expected of him, and without a single ounce of doubt I can honestly say this has become one of my favourite collaborations I've had with the guy."

Absolutely classic; this is catchy as all get-out, marries on-point rapping with equally spot-on singing, applies just the right amounts of vocal processing to keep things interesting & moving, and tops that off with a beat that don't quit, bass that doesn't resign, and accompaniment that declines to capitulate. It's indefatigably funky & fresh and is something I'm gonna be looping. A lot. Ultimate director José the Bronx Rican writes:

"Richard Jacques' absurd volume and variety of authentic-sounding "radio" cuts for Metropolis Street Racer, in an era before bulk licensing of actual radio hits, made for obvious great listening away from the game's setting and context. Two of those tracks became the inspiration for an amalgamation: the creamy soul of TJ Davis (we're repping Sonic again!) from "You Can Love Me," combined with the rock-a-party raps of "Let's Get It On Tonight," which everyone swears is "Fresh Prince of Will Smith" homage, but stylistically recalls many mid-80's artists before the oldest of old-school started to fade. DiGi and J, with vocal assistance from fam, went back to work on a somewhat dormant work-in-progress instrumental - one I thought was irresistible even in its unfinished form - dug up their pre-recorded verses and came through with a polished hip-hop/R&B "hookup.""

In retrospect it WAS pretty crazy how the pseudo radio-hits for MSR were done; they definitely would have been licensed today, but the fact that they weren't made it feel like an alternate reality filled with great songs that were familiar but at the same time new. Jacques is an absolute legend and it's extremely dope to have this chapter in his career represented on OCR, and with undeniable swagger, style, & musicality. With Digi & J, you can't go wrong, and J.ME's addition seals the deal; a highlight of VROOM and no doubt of 2018 as well. Highly recommended, and then some!