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Buffalo-born, Atlanta-based emcee and producer Che Noir has released “Urban Essence,” the first single from her forthcoming album, It Takes A Village, due October 23, 2026.
Produced by Mobb Deep legend Havoc and featuring The Uce, “Urban Essence” connects generations of the gritty New York sound that helped shape Che Noir’s musical foundation.
“‘Urban Essence’ is a special record for me because it brings together two generations of that raw New York sound I grew up on,” Che Noir said. “Having Havoc on the production and The Uce on the hook made it feel like a full-circle moment.”
Che says It Takes A Village represents a new chapter both creatively and personally, shaped by parenthood, growth and a broader perspective on life.
The album brings together an impressive roster of collaborators, including Black Thought, Havoc, Ransom and Bruiser Wolf, with production from Conductor Williams, Mathematics, Chuck Strangers and Nottz.
Over the past several years, Che Noir has steadily built one of independent Hip-Hop’s most respected catalogs, and It Takes A Village looks to continue that progression with some of the culture’s most acclaimed lyricists and producers alongside her.
“Urban Essence” featuring The Uce is available now on all major streaming platforms.
