Boston legends Slaine and Statik Selektah reunite for “A New State of Grace”, the highly anticipated follow-up to their 2011 collaborative album “A State of Grace”. Fourteen years later, the duo has returned with an 11-track record that captures the energy of the original while carrying the weight, wisdom, and scars of everything that’s happened since. “It feels like a homecoming as far as going back to where it started,” says Statik. “Me and Slaine got over 20 years of friendship and a lot of musical history.” Slaine echoes that sentiment, highlighting the trust and growth between them: “At this stage of the game, I really only work with my good friends musically. It’s a beautiful thing to do a project with Stat. My respect for him is top tier.” That chemistry is evident across the album. There’s no filler — just sharp lyricism and signature Statik production, from the opening title track to standout cuts like “Listen Up” and “World Don’t Stop,” where Slaine balances reflections on life and maturity with his trademark grit and bravado. The guest list is just as heavy: Ill Bill shows up on the brassy “Cancel Culture” before rejoining Slaine alongside Paul Wall on the funky “Coka Grillz.” O.C. and Masta Ace trade verses with him on “The Real Shit,” a headnodding anthem that cements the project’s pedigree. We also see features of note from Kxng Crooked, Millyz, Termanology, Rasheed Chappell and OT The Real. What ties it all together is the hunger running through “A New State of Grace”. It’s not just music—it’s urgency, energy, and a reminder of why this duo’s voice is needed right now.
