88-Keys is a rapper, singer, producer, but most of all, a best friend to his fallen companion, Adam. To commemorate his life, Keys created the critically acclaimed album “The Death of Adam”. His first album, executive produced by Kanye West details Adam's wild ride from typical nice guy to playa to, finally, murder victim. To show love for their fallen soldier, Redman, Bilal, Kid Cudi, Little Brother's Phonte, J Davey, Shitake Monkey and Kanye West on hit single “ Stay Up(Viagra)” all contribute by making appearances on the album. URB Magazine commented “88-Keys is the future, co-signed by the present, ready to rip apart the past” adding an onslaught of critics to co-sign from USA Today to Interview Magazine to the NY Times.
Adam's story runs throughout The Death of Adam, starting with his luck—or lack thereof—as a "nice guy" and ending with his heartbreaking demise. The end result is a 14-track cautionary tale on the pleasures and pitfalls of romantic conquests. As a teenager, 88-Keys used to intern and engineer at The Music Palace, a studio in his hometown of West Hempstead, Long Island, eventually connecting him to big names like Pete Rock and Q-Tip.
Since then, he has collaborated with Mos Def and Talib Kweli, as well as producing for everyone from Joe Budden and Beanie Sigel to Macy Gray and Musiq Souldchild. Keys reflects his love of hip-hop throughout his premiere, while incorporating just as much sunny pop, psychedelic rock and smoothed-out soul to express his various sides and honor Adam's legacy in this release. While this album was really a decade in the making, Adam's death lit a spark in 88-Keys to revolve his debut around him and his memory.

Website: www.eightyocho.com
Favorite Grey Goose Cocktail: Beach Bum
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