Kurupt and Daz Dillinger are releasing a new collaborative album called God Body, featuring Rakim and Masta Killa. For Kurupt, the project represents something far more personal than a career milestone. It is the fulfillment of a lifelong dream built around one of his greatest musical idols.
The album brings together a heavyweight lineup. In addition to Rakim and Masta Killa, the project features Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, and Mac Sean, with Rakim handling production alongside Nick Whiz.
Eminem and Jay-Z also appear on an interlude, each speaking about Rakim. For Kurupt, who grew up idolizing the legendary MC, the collaboration carries a weight that goes beyond music.
“My idol was Rakim,” Kurupt said. “That’s why this album is so incredible for me because it’s a dream come true.”
The project came together organically. Kurupt and Masta Killa had been trying to record together for years, but conflicting schedules kept getting in the way.
The turning point came when Kurupt worked on a record for Rakim’s own album. After that session, Rakim agreed to produce a full project for Kurupt and Masta Killa, then decided to turn it into a three-way collaboration.
“He said, ‘You know, no, this is going to be us,'” Kurupt recalled.
From there, Rakim gave both artists complete creative freedom.
“He just wanted us to be who we are, period,” Kurupt said.
Daz described the concept simply.
“Lyricism,” he said, “and style and just legends coming together, smoking, having a good time.”
Kurupt framed it in broader terms, calling the album essentially Rakim’s chronicle, built around “the god and his two assassins.”
The two also looked back at their Death Row years, sharing how Dog Food, their debut album as Tha Dogg Pound, came together out of necessity.
Early on, the label’s focus was elsewhere.
“They wasn’t even thinking about making no album for us,” Daz said.
Rather than wait, Daz began producing, and the pair quietly accumulated material.
“We’ll tuck a couple of songs for us,” Daz explained. “Get them to work. Get us a couple of studio time. Tuck a couple songs. We cut. So, we got a whole album.”
Kurupt credited Snoop Dogg with shaping him as an artist beyond just rapping.
“Dog is a teacher,” he said. “He teaches, he educates. Taught me how to make songs cuz I ain’t know nothing about that.”
He also pointed to Dr. Dre as a key influence, noting that Dre showed him how a hook could live inside a verse. Death Row, he said, functioned like an education.
“Music college, record college.”
The conversation also turned to Kurupt’s health. He opened up about being hospitalized and falling into a coma, a period that Daz described with quiet emotion.
Daz said he walked into the room, called out Kurupt’s name, and Kurupt woke up and said, “D.”
Kurupt has been recovering since, and he was candid about where he stands.
“It’s all a struggle. It’s a day-by-day thing,” he said. “The urges and all of that. So, you know, I’m riding it out.”
He noted that Eminem and Dr. Dre had previously stepped in to help him access a treatment facility, a gesture he spoke about with genuine gratitude.
Through all of it, the bond between Kurupt and Daz has remained constant. The two have known each other since their mid-teens and described their relationship as a lifelong partnership.
“We don’t have no worries when we around each other,” Kurupt said. “We take care of each other.”
God Body is out now.
Masta Killa is the Wu member featured on the album, not Method Man. Sloppy, man.
You’re right, that was my mistake. Masta Killa is the Wu-Tang member featured on “God Body”, not Method Man. I’ve corrected the headline, lead, album lineup, and all other references to Method Man throughout the article. Thanks for catching that.