VISIONARIES x STICTLY CASSETTE x RICH ONE - SPECIAL LTD. CASSETTE RELEASE
The first Visionaries cassette release since their 2nd album "Sophomore Jinx (2000)," the Visionaries team up with Strictly Cassette to produce a special limited edition art piece in collaboration with the art director for this album, Rich One (NASA/ASIF), creator of the Visionaries logo, and cover art creator for "Galleres (1997)" and Jinx, as well as a plethora of classics, including the Key-Kool & Rhettmatic "Can U Hear It (1995)" inaugural single.
What the world needs?
On this 6th studio album, the Visionaries continue to bring forth their lyrical mastery, reflecting the love and values that have brought and kept this collective together, resonating togetherness, humility, and bonding in a world that seems increasingly divided. In these trying times, the Visionaries bring hope, reflection, maturity, along with the deep seated messaging and wordplay through their poetic expressions. Not for the simple minded, "The Last Shall Be First" is an album that the world needs, but only a few may be capable of hearing / seeing / overstanding.
Produced entirely by Key-Kool,
While many don't know, Key-Kool has been the production half of the Visionaries alongside his Kozmonaut partner DJ Rhettmatic. From producing classics such as "Love (Hip-Hop)" to "Say Where" and "LA Fresh", Rhettmatic told Key to produce this 6th Visionaries album in its entirety.
A true vision.
This release is as much a visual masterpiece as it is an auditory one. The album artwork showcases a massive custom production by Rich One (NASA Crew / ASIF) that carries a distinctly dystopian feel. Created through complex digital graphic design collage and expert imagery manipulation, this piece utilizes multiple mediums in a groundbreaking way that only Rich One could imagine.
Packed with strong imagery and raw messaging, the artwork directly echoes our current times: a society dealing with the rapid rise of technology and navigating extreme political and social fractures. Rich One flawlessly anchors this composition in a past, present, and future aesthetic, using layered digital textures and a surreal depth that reflects the heavy weight of modern life. Every inch of the sleeve serves as a powerful visual commentary, staying true to the conscious, elevated essence of the crew.
On this 6th studio album, the Visionaries continue to bring forth their lyrical mastery, reflecting the love and values that have brought and kept this collective together, resonating togetherness, humility, and bonding in a world that seems increasingly divided. In these trying times, the Visionaries bring hope, reflection, maturity, along with the deep seated messaging and wordplay through their poetic expressions. Not for the simple minded, "The Last Shall Be First" is an album that the world needs, but only a few may be capable of hearing / seeing / overstanding.
Produced entirely by Key-Kool,
While many don't know, Key-Kool has been the production half of the Visionaries alongside his Kozmonaut partner DJ Rhettmatic. From producing classics such as "Love (Hip-Hop)" to "Say Where" and "LA Fresh", Rhettmatic told Key to produce this 6th Visionaries album in its entirety.
A true vision.
This release is as much a visual masterpiece as it is an auditory one. The album artwork showcases a massive custom production by Rich One (NASA Crew / ASIF) that carries a distinctly dystopian feel. Created through complex digital graphic design collage and expert imagery manipulation, this piece utilizes multiple mediums in a groundbreaking way that only Rich One could imagine.
Packed with strong imagery and raw messaging, the artwork directly echoes our current times: a society dealing with the rapid rise of technology and navigating extreme political and social fractures. Rich One flawlessly anchors this composition in a past, present, and future aesthetic, using layered digital textures and a surreal depth that reflects the heavy weight of modern life. Every inch of the sleeve serves as a powerful visual commentary, staying true to the conscious, elevated essence of the crew.
credits
releases November 13, 2026
Lyrics by 2Mex, LMNO, Dannu, Lord Zen R.ēL.Z.M, & Key-Kool.
Scratches by DJ Rhettmatic
Lyrics by 2Mex, LMNO, Dannu, Lord Zen R.ēL.Z.M, & Key-Kool.
Scratches by DJ Rhettmatic