First Word Records is proud to bring you 'The Essance' - the classic debut album by Essa (formerly known as Yungun), originally released in 2004, now released on vinyl & digital for the first time, 20 years on!
A lyricist, lawyer and a Londoner, legendary MC Essa has earned praise over the years from artists such as Nas and Mark Ronson, as well as performing and recording with legends like De La Soul, Wu-Tang Clan, Guru, Slum Village and Pharoahe Monch.This 15-track album is considered one of the greats to emerge during UK Hip Hop's "golden era"; a vibrant time for the genre when artists such as Ty, Jehst, Roots Manuva, Klashnekoff, Skinnyman, Task Force, Doc Brown and Foreign Beggars were garnering huge fanbases, and an eco-system of shops like Deal Real, club nights like Kung Fu, labels like Lowlife, and stations like Itch FM were prevalent, while BBC 1Xtra was a mere infant.

1.In
2.The Big Idea (ft Lewis Parker)
3.Push
4.The Art Of Celebration
5.Tea Break
6.Chef YG
7.Gringo Lingo (ft Red & Nico Suavé)
8.I.C.
9.What Eye See Part 2 (ft Devise)
10.City Breaks
11.Liquid Love
12.Everything Is Alright
13.Dancing Shoes (ft Mr Thing)
14.Spit Fire (ft Kyza Smirnoff)
15.Out
16.What Eye See Part 1
17.Dancing Shoes Remix (ft Devise, Doc Brown & Mr Thing)
18.The Code (ft LIQ)