Connected Album Celebrates 20th Anniversary

The 20th anniversary of Foreign Exchange's debut album, Connected, highlights the groundbreaking collaboration between Dutch producer Nicolay and Phonte of Little Brother. Released in 2002, the album is recognized as a pioneering work that blends genres and features an MC who both sings and raps, setting a precedent for future artists. Tracks like 'Be Alright,' 'Sincere,' and 'Happiness' exemplify this genre-bending approach, showcasing the emotional depth of romance. Initially intended as a Little Brother project, the album's evolution included contributions from artists like YahZarah and Darien Brockington, leading to six subsequent Foreign Exchange albums. The creators reflected on their experiences, including the challenges of file sharing before high-speed internet and the eventual meeting that felt 'anticlimactic.' Nicolay noted that he had almost given up on his musical aspirations before this collaboration ignited his career.