A Tell All Interview With Vetted Artist/CEO City The Great

Seasoned Hip Hop artist/CEO of Certified Nation Entertainment chops it up about his new single "Day One", his forthcoming album 'The Wordsmith', making power moves with Hip Hop legend Special Ed, and more. 

Listen to "Day One" from the forthcoming 'The Wordsmith' Album

MJ: Before we jump into "Day One" let everyone know who you are and where you're from.

City the Great: Thanks for having me. I am City the Great from East NY, Brooklyn. 

MJ: You're an artist under Hip Hop legend Special Ed. How did that come to fruition? Are there any challenges regarding age and mindset? Or is this a step towards bridging the generational gap in Hip Hop?

City the Great: Actually, my homeboy is Ed's 1st cousin and he told me for the longest that he would connect us. Of course, at the time I didn't believe he was Ed's cousin. One day he came to the studio with me and took the song I wrote and recorded that day and said he was going to play it for Ed while at Funkmaster Flex's birthday bash at BB Kings in Manhattan. Long story short he did and gave me Ed's number…he wanted to speak with me, and the rest is history. There are really no challenges in age and mindset in working with Ed. He’s been a great mentor and I have learned a lot about the game from him. He stays up to date on the business and the culture. He also has great faith in my grind and creations. I would say without a doubt, we are in the works of bridging the generational gap in Hip Hop.

MJ: Let's get to "Day One" which is taken from your upcoming album 'The Wordsmith.' The track has a cinematic anthem vibe with a hook catchy enough for the clubs and streets. It’s evident you have a knack for drawing audiences in. Talk about "Day One" from the motivation behind it to your expectation of the track.

City The Great: The story about the creation of this one is an interesting one…I was sitting on this beat for a while by Molly The Kid. I was conversating with my Certified Nation Entertainment comrade Itsonlywrite just talking about all the people that we worked with and knew throughout this journey that were kind of in and out. We laughed about how funny it is that when things weren't going upward, they split or didn't support, and now that we are moving, they all want to claim they're day ones. That sparked my mind on expressing that on wax. I think what really made the song pop was my engineer King Bash jumping in and harmonizing on the hook. My expectation for Day One is to appeal to all audiences giving them that commercial feel yet true to the cultural vibe.

MJ: What can you tell us about your upcoming album and what can listeners anticipate from it?

City The Great: People are going to get a rollercoaster ride. I have been working on this project for the past 2 years piece by piece to ensure I capture the best feel in my testimony of being a wordsmith. This project will be very balanced with the right number of features and it's going to display something for everyone that will be nostalgic.

MJ: Besides having the backing, support, and genius of Special Ed, what is your signature move, if you will, that differentiates you from other artists in the industry?

City The Great: I think what differentiates me and other artists in the industry is the soul that I pour into my craft which identifies my true being…A person being themself is the perfect form of originality. There’s a certain energy I give listeners and audiences and I have my own sound where you know it's me and that element is never lost no matter what type of song it is that I am on. Not only that but I keep that element alive with versatility, you just never know which angle I am going to come on a track but you will always know it's me.

MJ: Aside from the new album release prep, what other endeavors are you working on?

City The Great: I am currently working on growing my company Certified Nation Entertainment, educating, and assisting artists with their careers. I’m also working on multiple collaborative projects including a mixtape coming soon with my DJ, DJ Bad Tha Problem (proceeding the album release). I am working on a Certified Nation Entertainment collab project with the team of artists Jae Law aka Hindrix, Pengame Classic, Chambs Taylor, Jacqui Grace, and of course Itsonlywrite. There’s also a collaborative project with Chambs Taylor titled ‘CD’ (Collateral Damage). You can catch freestyle videos I will be releasing weekly as well as working with my management team Samantha Leavell of Certified Nation and legendary Kool Rock Ski on an event, For The Culture By The Culture. I can’t leave out 2022’s Annual Hip Hop & R&B Cookout in East BK…The list goes on and on.

MJ: Wrapping up, let everyone know how they can connect with you.

City The Great: Thank you I can be found on any platform as City the Great but one of the easiest ways to link with me all in one place is on my website CertifiedNationEntertainment.com.

Connect with City The Great

Instagram: www.instagram.com/citythegreat

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therealCityTheGreat

Twitter: www.twitter.com/citythegreat_

Youtube: https://youtube.com/c/CityTheGreatmusic

Views: 51

Facebook

Comment

You need to be a member of True Skool Network to add comments!

Join True Skool Network

Best guide to hip hop, soul, reggae concerts & events in San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles & New York City + music, videos, radio and more

Connect

Subscribe to E-Blast

WIN TICKETS

Earth, Wind & Fire
Friday, June 27 @ Greek Theatre, Berkeley

Macy Gray
Saturday, July 12 @ Palace of Fine Arts, SF

Thievery Corporation
Saturday, Sept 6 @ Fox Theater, Oakland

Yung Lean
Saturday, Oct 11 @ Fox Theater, Oakland

Members

Photos

  • Add Photos
  • View All

Latest Activity

Tampa Mystic posted a blog post

Locked In and On the Rise: PartyBoi & Kristy Love Deliver Feel-Good Anthem with Twin Luv

Milwaukee-bred and Atlanta-based artist PartyBoi is turning up the love and energy with his latest single Twin Luv featuring Kristy Love. Released under PartyBoi Entertainment and produced by DubOnThaTrack, the record celebrates connection, loyalty, and hustle, all wrapped in a catchy hook that shouts: “Go twin, go twin, dats…See More
3 hours ago
Editor's Pick posted discussions
7 hours ago
realmuzik posted a discussion

TAVE Returns With New Hit Single “BLOCK” ft. IDK

“BLOCK” is a powerful new single from Grammy nominated R&B sensation TAVE, featuring none other than acclaimed British-American rapper IDK and 13-time Grammy-nominated icon, Musiq Soulchild.“BLOCK” is a soul-drenched collision of hip-hop and R&B - a warm, nostalgic soundscape pulsing with honesty and intention.  The track challenges surface-level assumptions and…See More
8 hours ago
Editor's Pick posted discussions
yesterday
Editor's Pick posted discussions
Saturday
Editor's Pick updated an event
Thumbnail

Phutura featuring Egyptian Lover, DJ Babu (Beat Junkies), Double Peas, 45 Sessions crew at Public Works, SF

July 26, 2025 at 9:30pm to July 27, 2025 at 2am
SATURDAY, JULY 26 Public Works & Platurn Productions bring youPhuturaFeaturing Egyptian Lover DJ Babu (Beat Junkies) + Double Peas (Las Vegas) headlining with support from The 45 Sessions crewGold Digger Records vinyl mart & Roll Up Gallery art show (starts at 4pm)@ Public Works, 161 Erie St., San Francisco 9:30pm -…See More
Saturday
realmuzik posted a discussion

Lil Mike Drops Highly Anticipated Single “Weight Up”

Michael Jones, who goes by the family given name Lil Mike, is a hip hop artist born and raised in Anderson, Indiana. Making his debut as an up and coming artist, the Indiana native quickly took a strong passion to music at the age of 11 or 12. He soon surfaced his unique and experimental sound with hip hop. With influences like 50 Cent, Lil Wayne, Andre 3000, Tupac,…See More
Saturday
Tampa Mystic posted a blog post

Money Stacks Drops Gritty New Single “Cold Dayz” from Upcoming Album ‘Back To Da Streets 7’

Harlem’s own Money Stacks returns with powerful storytelling and raw lyricism in his latest single “Cold Dayz,” released on March 7, 2025. Produced by Alfastarbeats and engineered by Dan.Akill, the track dives deep into the harsh realities and emotional weight of past struggles, the kind of memories that shaped the artist’s path. With the opening bar setting the tone, “Cold Dayz” captures the pain and truth poured from pen to pad. It’s a reflective piece, not just music but art carved from…See More
Saturday
Editor's Pick posted discussions
Friday
Olivia Perry posted blog posts
Friday
Editor's Pick posted discussions
Thursday
Editor's Pick posted discussions
Jul 16

© 2025   Created by Ren the Vinyl Archaeologist.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service