UK producer The Purist has already worked with some of Chicago’s best, he has recently collaborated with Mick Jenkins and Soul Trap originator & Trap Genius MC Tree. Today he drops Pyrex Scholar via Daupe!, stream before purchasing the vinyl. Pyrex Scholar is a 10 track outing that features Freddie Gibbs, Your Old Droog, Roc Marciano & Tree and a vinyl debut for Buffalo Rapper WestSideGunn. There are two Bandcamp only bonus tracks with verses by Maffew Ragazino and another from Roc Marciano.
The Purist explained that the title of this project and his blog with the same name come from a Ghostface lyric. “Yes, it’s from that Ghostface lyric… on that Ghostface song “Kilo” he says, “Pyrex scholars / Professors at war, killing partners for a million dollars.” I just liked the phrase of Pyrex Scholar in the way of describing someone who is an expert at making crack. In a way, it’s very similar to what I do. It’s not like I’m taking terrible records and making great records. I’m taking really good records, beautifully made pieces of music, and giving them a polish, that extra 10% and adding a rapper to that formula.” In a recent interview with Max Bell for PassionWeiss The Purist praises Chicago, “I think Chicago is just an absolute hub of talent right now. For me, hand on my heart, I would say Chicago is like New York in the ‘90s right now. It’s just pouring with talent.” Great proof of that is on Death & Taxes featuring Tree. Enjoy Pyrex Scholar.
