An emcee/producer from Brownsville, Brooklyn, with a knack for contemplative verses and low-key, sample-driven beats, KA has been around for a while now. He got his start in the early '90s as a member of the much-loved NYC underground crew Natural Elements, and he was also half of Nightbreed, best known for the 12-inch "2 Roads Out the Ghetto." After disappearing into the shadows for years, he re-emerged in 2008 with the well-received self-released solo album Iron Works. Four years later, KA returns with Grief Pedigree, arguably his best work to date. Here he drops vividly lyrical descriptions of everyday life in BK, set to dusty, classic-style tracks that wouldn't sound out of place on an early Mobb Deep record. Dark and grimy yet undeniably soulful and compelling, this is ideal for anybody who longs for the days when New York rappers had no use for club jams, Auto-Tune, or techno beats. Check out "Summer," "Up Against Goliath," and "Born King N.Y."