London-based artist Shaka Amazulu The 7th joins forces with New York emcee Rubbabandz for Circle of Rust : Iron Shiek – The Black Devil, a powerful new track released through Black Stone of Mecca and now available on iTunes, Spotify, and all major streaming platforms. The release arrives alongside a striking animated paper cut music video, now live on YouTube.
The single is a direct aim at Iron Shiek, the producer and MC from Queensbridge, accused within the lyrics of dishonest conduct and failing to live up to the values he publicly claims as a 5 Percenter. Both Shaka and Rubbabandz pull no punches, calling out hypocrisy and betrayal with sharp lyricism and raw delivery. Their verses embody the essence of underground hip-hop — unfiltered expression rooted in truth, accountability, and street ethics.
The paper cut animation enhances the song’s confrontational tone, transforming it into a visual story of moral decay and self-reflection. Each hand-drawn frame adds to the underground, collage-style aesthetic that has become part of Shaka Amazulu The 7th’s creative signature. The video’s jagged motion and layered symbolism mirror the track’s intensity, making it both a lyrical and visual diss record.
The song’s recurring hook —
“Black devils trying to get out of hell.
Only the gods are in heaven and live well.
Only the righteous will prevail.
You the type to do a crime and tell.”
— serves as a central message on authenticity and righteousness. It’s a callout rooted not just in rivalry, but in philosophy — a rejection of falsehood within circles that claim divine truth.
The collaboration showcases the chemistry between Shaka Amazulu The 7th and Rubbabandz, two artists cut from the same cloth: unapologetic, lyrically disciplined, and grounded in hip-hop tradition. The result is a raw, unfiltered piece of art that brings back the spirit of direct confrontation and integrity in the rap game.
Watch & Connect:
🎥 Animated Video: YouTube – R.U.S.T.
🎧 Listen: Available now on iTunes and Spotify
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