Have You Heard The New DOOM/STARKS Single? - DOOM/STARKS is the, long-in-the-works collaboration between rappers MF DOOM and Ghostface Killah and "Victory Laps" is the first single released from their upcoming TBA album on the Nature Sounds label.

DOOM/STARKS is the long-in-the-works collaboration between rappers MF DOOM and Ghostface Killah and “Victory Laps” is the first single released from their upcoming TBA album on the Nature Sounds label.

The single has recently been released via limited-edition red cassette, which some have compared to Raekwon’s Purple Tape, but I choose to reserve that claim until the actual mythical DOOM/STARKS LP makes itself known. We’ve seen collaborations from these two before. DOOM has done production for Ghostface and Ghost has spit on a few DOOM tracks such as Angels and The Mask.

The copy I received was the limited-edition red cassette, which contained the Madlib-produced “Madvillianz Remix.” The production by Madlib is excellent as always and gives off a real celebratory-vibe that DOOM takes out of the gate and runs with, passing the baton to Ghostface, whose rapid-fire delivery and quick wit rarely falter. While I enjoyed this as a stand-alone track, I must admit, the “album” version (listen) has more bite to it and will be interesting to hear how it plays into the grander mix of the album when (if?) it comes out.

But what gives this single credence is the push by everyone involved to make this single an event. Nature Sounds isn’t just dropping a morsel, they’re selling a limited picture-disc vinyl with remixes and instrumentals (as well as they were previously selling the limited edition cassette). The only question remains: are they dumb-enough to hype this release and not have the LP ready to go in the near-future or smart-enough to be starting the celebration early in anticipation for what they’ve got on their hands?