In addition to being an amazing show, the Epix series “Godfather of Harlem” continues to be a source for some of the best songs that have come to light this year. Late last month, listeners got to check out the official soundtrack for the crime drama’s second season, which boasts a slew of contributions from DMX, French Montana, Buddy, Freddie Gibbs, Giggs, YG, Rowdy Rebel, Fabolous, Westside Gunn, and Swizz Beatz — the last of whom is featured prominently thanks to his role as executive music producer. In an interview with Billboard, the legendary beatsmith revealed that a heads up from hip hop peer Pharrell Williams led to a phone call with Forest Whitaker’s management, subsequently scoring him the position.
Today (Sept. 8), Swizz liberates a new visual from said compilation for “If I Should Die Tonight,” a collaboration with the iconic Ronald Isley that he co-produced alongside Avenue Beatz. Borrowing a sample of what sounds like Bobby Glenn’s “Sounds Like a Love Song” (which JAY-Z previously used for “Song Cry”), “If I Should Die Tonight” sees the artists lamenting over their past accomplishments, along with the various obstacles they’ve endured throughout:
“I’ve been up, I’ve been down, I’ve been in between, I done seen things, I’ve been living dreams, hit the bells that I could in my life, with the cards that I was given, push it to the limit, and so I, know I can let my life, speak for me, speak for me … if I should die tonight … I just wanna say, I love you…”
Fans can press play on Swizz Beatz and Ronald Isley’s “If I Should Die Tonight” video below, which comes courtesy of Sam Lecca. Also included for those who missed it — a full stream of Godfather of Harlem: Season 2 (Original Series Soundtrack).