British-American rapper and producer IDK has entered into a partnership with Eminem's Shady Records and Interscope records. The rapper announced the news today, November 13, alongside the midnight release of "WELCOME," a new single with Eminem and produced by J Dilla. In addition to the partnership and single, IDK has also put out a mini documentary about his journey thus far.
“When I first started making music, it was supposed to be a hobby. I had no idea that something that was supposed to be a thing I did in my spare time would become the very thing that I fell in love with,” IDK wrote over email in an exclusive statement to The FADER. “Of course, to get to the point where I have a partnership with the most legendary hip-hop label and the biggest rapper of all time it's not only surreal but feels like what my calling has always led towards. This next chapter not only allows me to soak in the expertise of literal legends, but it also allows me to bring a new flavor to the Shady Records and Interscope.”
The music video for “WELCOME” was shot in black and white in Detroit, and shows IDK riding in a 2004 Cadillac Escalade in the video, the same car Dilla used to own. Directed by Vuhlandes, the visual is filled with hip-hop easter eggs like Nasaan, rapper Proof's son, driving the car.
Earlier this year IDK dropped “Beyond the Brilliant Haze,” a collaboration with Peter Gabriel and Everything Is Recorded. In January he released the mixtape, E.T.D.S. (“even the devil smiles”), which featured the first posthumous DMX collaboration approved by his estate.
Watch IDK's new mini-documentary, which traces his early years growing up in the DMV, below, and see photos from the "WELCOME" music video shoot.
