I'll be real with you: I'm not entirely sure about what 11 11 is. Diddy called it a "connecting" album, and has touted this being more "underground," but we also get a feeling that the idea and spirit of Ibiza has resonated with Diddy. With the price of tickets to dance events in Ibiza skyrocketing, we're left with a sense of confusion about where this project sits in the present. That seems to be where Diddy's at; he has no problem writing checks for his rhymes, but also comes from the old(er) school, always wanting to make people dance. Balancing that old school mentality with his desire to be not just new, but future, can end up with weird, intriguing soundscapes.
Enter 11 11, his new project with Guy Gerber.
This project/album/free release feels like a late-night romp during the late summer. It's built seemingly from the time you awaken around 7PM to get ready for the night, and travels from a light dinner to proper turning up on the highways and byways (or back alleys) of a town like Ibiza. There's no real radio grabs on here, nor would you really want to consider one of these tunes as a real "single"–11 11 is built on darker tones that work better together than separately. Each sound might not hook you (it's hard to see a lot of these sounds working on their own, thrown together with tracks outside of Guy Gerber's material) immediately, but if you're lost in the moment of lust, life, and love (and spirituality, apparently), you could be taken somewhere magical.
Or something. I'm not sure. While this album was apparently supposed to drop yesterday, August 18, for free, there's nothing on the THUMP minisite about it being available. Diddy tweeted earlier that it'd be dropping for free tomorrow, and mentioned something about "dance spirituality sex drugs rock 'n roll and God" on Instagram. While we're no closer to knowing what the "11 11" means, we have a feeling THUMP's points about New Age beliefs might be the key. Whatever the case may be, stream the project below, and keep it locked for when it'll drop.
EDIT Beatport's giving away 11 11 for free. Download it from their site, and read this interview with Guy Gerber.
