“Murderas” is the hypnotizing, gripping new single from Massachusetts producer Tonio Sagan (grandson of the late, great Carl Sagan), who blends bass-fueled Hip-Hop and smoky atmospherics alongside the slick rhymes of battle-rap icon iLLmacuLate (of Ill & Only, Sandpeople).

The Portland-hailing rapper kills it lyrically and vocally, spitting tack-sharp wordplay throughout verses that shift from one flow to the next. His ambidextrous delivery is key here, as Sagan builds his instrumental beneath his collaborator’s rhymes. It makes for a track that’s equal parts hyphy and Old West, with a touch of the producer’s affinity for dub.

DJ N.E.B. (of Political Animals) deserves ample credit for that, as he deftly scratches in vocals from Sagan’s previous single with Warrior King, “Frenemies,” on the hook. That sample is boosted by Gambia-based singer Shanti Starr, whose vocals add a slightly haunting layer, and the smooth guitar work of Hugh Currier. Altogether, “Murderas” proves that you damn well better be following Sagan’s career; dude’s only getting better with each track he drops.

“Murderas” which features vividly illustrated artwork courtesy of Sp(Lit), is now available for streaming.

STREAM/DOWNLOAD: "Murderas" - SoundCloud • AudioMack • Hive

Help support this campaign, please copy, paste, tweet:

RT battle rap icon @illmatculate joins @toniosagan on #Murderas *Stream/download here: http://bit.ly/1WAf46D #FreeDownload

Press Quotes:

• "Tonio Sagan – grandson of the one Carl Sagan – has been digging deep into the soundscapes as of late..." -LargeUp

• "Tonio Sagan is doing nothing short of making a bold statement in his breakout performance." -The Untz

• "Tonio Sagan's (formerly Cheatcode) new EP is called 'Phantasmagoria,' and, just like the word’s dictionary definition it constantly changes and mutuates, confounding your expectations and surprising you with each twist and turn." -Pigeons & Planes

• "Massachusetts beat smith Tonio Sagan (formerly Cheatcode) dropped a free full length album last Friday and we thought it was worth your time to listen and grab." -Complex

• "What I dig about Tonio Sagan (formerly Cheatcode) is that he's not about fitting into the norms of what's going on in the scene." -Earmilk

• "Tonio Sagan (formerly CHEATCODE) effortlessly blends Nas and Pink Floyd in this fun mash-up." -HotNewHipHop

• "Mixing quality sampling chops with big, boisterous bass, slamming boom-bap and some impressive turntable techniques, Tonio Sagan (formerly Cheatcode) offers a refreshing take on a classic sound." -The Smoking Section

• "Tonio Sagan (formerly Cheatcode) constructs an adrenaline-pumping hybrid of hip-hop, reggae, rock trap and dubstep." -DJBooth

• "Blending Brooklyn duo Dead Prez with English rockers Pink Floyd, Tonio Sagan (formerly Cheatcode) does it again, blending two tracks effortlessly." -HipHopDX

©2016 Diamond Media 360, Inc. | 648 Broadway, Suite 302 | New York, NY | 10012