A World Only Gods Know is a collaborative project from Dallas-based producers Alpha Davis & Chris Wright (The Directors) and Philly-bred emcee Scorcese Shells AKA Alpha X Scorcese/God Knows, which was released this past March. At the time, I got a number of emails about the project and really dug it, but, unfortunately, for whatever reasons, was unable to cover A World Only Gods Know within the pages of The Witzard. I've since gotten to know Brooklyn-based producer Jason/Griff (@iamJasonGriff) who's worked with Zilla Rocca, My Man Shafe, PremRock, Curly Castro, Kid Sister, Mr. Lif, and Akrobatik. Lo and behold, Jason Griff is currently working on a project with Scorcese Shells called Dream Team: A Stokely Hathaway Joint in collaboration with independent wrestler and "1996 Source Awards winner" Stokley Hathaway slated to be released this December. I've since been in touch with both Jason Griff & Scorcese Shells and have heard a number of rough, unmastered, yet extremely promising cuts from Dream Team: A Stokely Hathaway Joint. I've learned that in addition to Griff X Scorcese's Dream Team project, Scorcese Shells is currently putting together a comprehensive A World Only Gods Know remix project, cleverly dubbed A Remix Only Gods Know.


It will consist of Sides A-B, much like a dusty old vinyl record or partly unwound cassette tape; with "Side A" containing 8 remixes using the original vocals from Alpha x Scorcese's A World Only Gods Know and "Side B" containing new remixes with entirely new vocals, guests, etc. A Remix Only Gods Know will feature original remixes hand-crafted by Camoflauge Monk, Disco Vietnam, Doe Pesci, Farma Beats, Jason/Griff, L'Orange, Tony Dark, and Zilla Rocca. Ahead of the project, Gods Know have bestowed "Untitled" (@ZillaRocca Remix) Feat. @KillerMike & @PastorTroyDSGB upon the terribly unsuspecting world of Hip-Hop; this is, actually, Zilla's second time remixing a Killer Mike-assisted composition, as he previous remixed "This Ecstatic Cult" Feat. Killer Mike, Kool A.D. & Gabriel Bryant from Lushlife's 2017 ACLU charity comp. MY IDOLS ARE DEAD + MY ENEMIES ARE IN POWER or simply "IDOLS + ENEMIES" for short. Below, you'll find artist statements on "Untitled" (Remix) from both Scorcese Shells & Zilla Rocca, as well as the original version of "Untitled" from Alpha x Scorcese's A World Only Gods Know for comparison. Griff x Scorcese's Dream Team: A Stokely Hathaway Joint, as well as Scorcese Shells' A Remix Only Gods Know are both expected to be released to the masses before year's end.

"For "Untitled," I wanted to pay homage to two of my favorite records ever: [Mobb Deep's] "Hell On Earth" and [Pastor Troy's] "Vica Versa." I approached the song as a broken man—someone who was willing to give in to his worst instincts—and, although, I'm not religious, I felt that the metaphor of "arguing with The Devil" was an easy way to convey that emotional track. Being able to get Killer Mike & Pastor Troy on the record was mostly luck, but their approach turned the record into something special.

I chose Zilla Rocca to remix this record because of [Career Crooks'] "Angel Dust" and "98 Avirex Flow." He infused a very, very dark record with the menace that reminded me so much of Goodie Mob & DJ Muggs' "Decisions, Decisions!" I really love all the elements of the record and Prodigy at the end just makes it a perfect introduction to A Remix Only Gods Know, which remixes some of my supporters' favorite records from my solo project, A World Only Gods Know."

- Scorcese Shells (@Zipsquad_JihaD)

"For the remix, I was going for an Alchemist meets UGK vibe. There's heavy imagery and symbolism to God and devils—plus, Killer Mike & Pastor Troy—so, I went with a burnt Southern Goth-type of bounce, too."

- Zilla Rocca (@ZillaRocca)