After taking approximately two years away from the microphone, Ekkomc is returning to music with renewed purpose.<\/p>\n
His release \u201cCali 4 Life\u201d arrives as both a celebration of California culture and an introduction to the next stage of a career shaped by hip-hop scenes on multiple continents.<\/p>\n
The break from recording wasn\u2019t about losing passion for music.<\/p>\n
Ekkomc had something more important demanding his attention: his twin boys.<\/p>\n
Now 6 years old, his sons became his priority as he concentrated on helping establish a positive foundation for their lives. That responsibility continues, but Ekkomc says the hunger to create music has returned stronger than ever.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s nothing to it but to do it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
His return is already taking shape, with Mac Lucci\u2014one of Snoop Dogg\u2019s early prot\u00e9g\u00e9s\u2014producing an EP for Ekkomc. The artist also says new collaborations are coming and describes himself as extremely excited about what lies ahead.<\/p>\n
\u201cCali 4 Life\u201d provides an ideal bridge into that new chapter.<\/p>\n
The song is a celebration of the California culture that fascinated Ekkomc while growing up in Australia. The sunshine, streets, women, beats and West Coast lifestyle became part of a culture that influenced young hip-hop fans around the world.<\/p>\n
For Ekkomc and his friends, artists including Too $hort, Ant Banks, Spice 1, N.W.A, Ice-T, 7A3, DJ Quik, 2nd II None, Above the Law, Snoop Dogg, E-40 and Tha Dogg Pound were part of everyday life.<\/p>\n
They would spend time at the beach listening not only to West Coast artists but acts including Geto Boys and 5th Ward Boyz. Movies such as \u201cColors\u201d added another dimension to the imagery surrounding California street culture.<\/p>\n
But Ekkomc\u2019s musical education didn\u2019t stop on the West Coast.<\/p>\n
After moving to New York in his early 20s, he spent approximately five years immersed in a completely different hip-hop environment.<\/p>\n
He became increasingly interested in conscious rap, boom bap production and lyric-heavy East Coast records. Wu-Tang Clan, Immortal Technique, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Demoz, R.A. the Rugged Man, Celph Titled, Flipmode Squad, Kool G Rap, Nas and Mobb Deep were among the artists who influenced his development.<\/p>\n
Ekkomc believes his time in New York was instrumental in helping him become a true lyricist.<\/p>\n
And he didn\u2019t experience the culture from a distance.<\/p>\n
He remembers attending legendary locations including Lyricist Lounge, Nuyorican Poets Cafe, Baby Jupiter, Wetlands and The Tunnel.<\/p>\n
During one particularly memorable night at Wetlands, he was watching The Roots and Mos Def when Baba, an MC associated with the Australian group MetaBass\u2019n\u2019Breath, recognized him from Sydney\u2019s music scene.<\/p>\n
Baba invited him onto the stage.<\/p>\n
Ekkomc accepted.<\/p>\n
Suddenly the Australian MC was spitting alongside The Roots, Mos Def and Baba during a period before several of those artists had reached the global stature they enjoy today.<\/p>\n
It was exactly the type of moment that reflected the go-getter mentality Ekkomc says he has carried throughout his life.<\/p>\n
All of those experiences eventually fed into the artist heard on \u201cCali 4 Life.\u201d<\/p>\n
The song started with a beat Ekkomc created for a mixtape. Its thumping West Coast feel immediately stood out.<\/p>\n
He then developed a loose concept.<\/p>\n
Next came the bars.<\/p>\n
But one thing became clear before the song was complete: OG Cuicide belonged on the record.<\/p>\n
Ekkomc had already been a fan of Cuicide while living in Australia. After developing relationships with Mac Lucci and the Hustle Boyz\/DPG circle, he was positioned to connect with artists from Los Angeles. He recalls that either Lucci or Big Doty helped facilitate the connection.<\/p>\n
Ekkomc sent the instrumental and concept ideas to Cuicide.<\/p>\n
The response surpassed a simple guest verse.<\/p>\n
Cuicide sent back his complete verse along with a hook. Ekkomc recorded his own verse and helped finish the hook, completing what he immediately recognized as a powerful collaboration.<\/p>\n
Ekkomc says working with OG Cuicide was an honor, particularly because his respect for him existed before their friendship. Hearing the final pieces fit together confirmed his original instinct that Cuicide belonged on the track.<\/p>\n
The two artists have since shared stages at various functions throughout Los Angeles and Long Beach, including events Cuicide organized himself. Their mutual respect helped strengthen the chemistry behind the record.<\/p>\n
Musically, \u201cCali 4 Life\u201d also gave Ekkomc a chance to step away from the heavier themes that often dominate his writing.<\/p>\n
His lyrics frequently explore politics, conspiracies and his frustration with what he views as darkness and confusion in the world.<\/p>\n
This record was different.<\/p>\n
Ekkomc wanted a positive celebration of California life. The song carries gangster elements, but its overall energy is lighthearted and suited for summer.<\/p>\n
Still, he refuses to romanticize the streets.<\/p>\n
His message is to enjoy life while understanding the seriousness of the environment. Have fun, but show respect and stay aware of what\u2019s happening around you.<\/p>\n
That balance between celebration and reality defines \u201cCali 4 Life.\u201d<\/p>\n
And for an artist whose path has traveled from Australia\u2019s hip-hop community to New York\u2019s legendary venues and eventually into relationships within Los Angeles\u2019 rap scene, the title has significance beyond geography.<\/p>\n
\u201cCali 4 Life\u201d represents an influence Ekkomc carried with him long before he ever had the opportunity to make records with the artists who helped bring that culture to life.<\/p>\n
Now, with his family priorities firmly in focus, his passion for recording renewed and a Mac Lucci-produced EP on the way, Ekkomc is preparing to write the next part of that story.<\/p>\n
Listen to \u201cCali 4 Life\u201d on Spotify:
\n\u00a0<\/span>Cali 4 Life \u2014 Ekko Mc on Spotify\u2060<\/p>\n