Hip-hop icons Jermaine Dupri and Curren$y have teamed up for a highly anticipated EP, For Motivational Use Only. In anticipation of its release, they have dropped the lead single, “Essence Fest.” The single was produced by Dupri, who introduces strong 808s at the top of the beat, allowing Curren$y to showcase his signature flow.
In a recent interview, Dupri revealed that “Essence Fest” was inspired by the longstanding rivalry between the Atlanta Falcons and the New Orleans Saints, as well as the shared love between the two cities. “People from Atlanta love New Orleans; we all go there for the Essence Fest and a host of other things. People from New Orleans also love Atlanta, so I was looking for this song or trying to find something that connected the two states, musically. That’s how the title came about.”
For Motivational Use Only is set to be the first of three projects that Dupri will produce, and will have a Southern tone that can compete sonically and lyrically with the best hip-hop of today. The Grammy® Award-winning producer describes it as a new rap era that takes listeners straight into the trap house.
Dupri and Curren$y are two iconic figures in the hip-hop world. Dupri is known for producing some of the most influential hip-hop albums of all time, including Mariah Carey’s “Daydream” and Usher’s “Confessions,” while Curren$y has made a name for himself with his unique blend of New Orleans bounce and laid-back flow.
With “Essence Fest” and the forthcoming EP, fans are eager to see what these two legendary artists have in store.