What Eye See, Pt. 2 (feat. Devise)

First Word Records is proud to bring you a classic UK Hip Hop cut from Essa, formerly known as Yungun, released on digital for the first time, 'What Eye See (Part 2)'.

Whilst First Word celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, it also sees the 20th anniversary of Essa's debut album 'The Essance' (which was released under his previous artist name, Yungun). We'll have more news on this very soon, but for now here's a classic one-track loosey from 2004, produced by the legendary DJ Harry Love and featuring Devise on vocals.

In Essa's words "Devise and I learned how to rhyme together. I have always marvelled at his skill. His verse on this record has a cult following – I lose count of the talented lyricists who have rightly told me it's one of the best verses in UK Hip Hop. Harry's beat is also a masterpiece. I have vague but fond memories of us creating the original version of the track at his house, in the early hours. I wrote while he made the beat. He was about to delete it and move on to another, when I stopped him just in time. The unusual timing of the hook is due to me hearing "the one" in a different place to him – so we made the verses have my timing and the hooks have his. The original version of this came out on a Low Life compilation album and really helped put me on the map. I have performed this track all over the world, for many years, and it still hits the mark."