Getting his start back in 1998 with Mhz (with Rjd2, Camu Tao, Jakki, Tage), Pete Nelson, bka Copywrite immediately turned heads with some of the game’s finest punchlines. When Mhz disbanded for solo careers, Copy joined to fledging Eastern Conference Records, then home to Cage and High & Mighty. As Copy’s stock began to rise on the indy scene because lines like “trying to sound like Pete Nelson but you can’t even copy right,” Copy’s solo debut came and went with little fanfare. While on dimensional (topics rarely strayed from shit talking, weed smoking or female fucking), the album was quite good and deserved much more recognition. But if nobody knows its out, than no one can recognize. Realizing EC wasn’t gonna support his career the way he needed, Copy took his career into his own hands. In 2003 he destroyed the competition at Jay & 50’s Roc the Mic Tour freestyle battle. After getting props from Jay, Just Blaze and others, the rumors of Copy signing with the Roc began.
Now managed by Jay’s cousin Bee High, Copy has yet to commit to a label, and as he continues to prep his sophomore opus “Cruise Control Vol.1” is here to fill the void. More than your typical low budget mixtape, Copy comes correct with original production from Jay Dee, Jake One and J-Zone. More importantly, Copy shows tremendous improvement and growth as an emcee; both lyrically technically. Just check his verbal gymnastics over Jake One’s heat on “I’m Back (Just For A Second)” or on the J-Zone blessed “Happy Hour.” Aside from the usual mixtape verses over other’s beats (“Twist It,” “Kick Down The Door,” “Midnight Run” and “Thieves World”), Copy catches wreck on three Jay Dee bangers (“That’s A Wrap” and the vintage Dilla “Clap!” and “Alright”). Copy shows more growth and picks up where June left off on “Size 12’s.”
Hey its just a mixtape so don’t expect anything too crazy here, but “Cruise Control Vol.1” is still a great indication of where Copy has been and where he is going. The sky is the limit.
