Whether it be releasing albums on labels including Definitive Jux, XL, or now his own label, RJ’s Electrical Connections, producing music by Diverse, Acelayone, and Dice Raw, remixing artists including Massive Attack, Mos Def, Fallout Boy, Cannibal Ox, Booker T, Polyphonic Spree, or releasing albums as Soul Position, RJD2 has been remarkably inventive and productive in creating music throughout his ten year career. And this doesn’t include the work RJ has done for various television shows, including “CSI,” and “Mad Men” (for which he won his first award, ASCAP’s Best TV Theme), films, including Wimbledon and Freedomland, and commercials for brands including Saturn, ESPN, Lion’s Gate, Levi’s, Nike, and more. Throughout this constant influx of studio work, RJ has toured the world and traversed the continental US yearly. No matter the outlet throughout this decade, the goal for RJD2 has always been the same – to make a piece of music that is going to hopefully rearrange one’s brain, or at least provide some relief from real life for a moment or two.

The Colossus is RJD2’s fourth album, and first he’ll release on his own label. This new label marks a huge step for RJ as being completely independent and working on his own terms, artistically and business-wise. As RJ’s last album, The Third Hand, was his first truly solo album, with no guest performances and very little sampling, RJ decided to move in the opposite direction on The Colossus and create an album that is as collaborative as possible. It is essentially an “overview” of all the different types of working approaches RJ has used over the years. Some songs are strictly sample-based; some are live; some songs are completely instrumental while others are vocal songs, some featuring guest vocalists, with RJ taking on the duty in others; he brought a few rappers on board, as well. The Colossus features Phonte Coleman (Little Brother, Foreign Exchange), Kenna (Star Trak, VA Beach), Aaron Livingston (The Roots’ Guns Are Drawn), Columbus MC’s The Catalyst, Illogic, NP, and a slew of instrumentalists. Additionally, it marks RJ’s debut behind the drum kit. Its RJD2’s most sonically lush and varied record he’s ever created, and its a kaleidoscopic look forward, as well as back.

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