Yes, that is indeed Grandmaster Flash in the headline and no, the 51-year-old has not embarked on a new career path in construction. The Bridge is in fact the title of Flash’s forthcoming new studio album, his first high-profile release in over 20 years.
Due for release on March 20th via Strut Records, the 20-track effort is described as a culmination of the Bronx native’s legendary music career: “As a DJ, I’ve been blessed to see many different people, places and styles. The album title represents all the bridges I’ve crossed worldwide…The bridges of time, cultures and 
colour, the bridges of hip hop, funk, pop, rock, jazz, punk, disco and R&B,” explained Flash, who recorded the album in New York over the last two years.
To create what the musician born Joseph Saddler calls a representation of the “global language of hip hop,” he tapped a number of the genre’s high-profile names to serve as special guests, including Busta Rhymes, A Tribe Called Quest’s Q-Tip, and Snoop Dogg. Kel Spencer, best known for his work with Will Smith, Jumz, Red Cafe, and Lyn Carter are among the other notable names lending their talents on the record.
Of course, The Bridge also brings with it a bit of sentimental value as well. As mentioned, the record will not only serve as the long-awaited followup to 1987’s On the Strength, but will also mark his first new release since his induction into the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame in 2007.
The Bridge Tracklist:
01. Intro
02. Shine All Day (feat. Q-Tip, Jumz, & Kel Spencer)
03. We Speak Hip Hop (feat. KRS-One, Afasi, Kase-O, Maccho, Abass)
04. Here Comes My DJ (feat. DJ Kool & DJ Demo)
05. Bounce Back (feat. Busta Rhymes)
06. Swagger (feat. Red Café, Snoop Dogg & Lynn Carter)
07. What If (feat. KRS-One)
08. Interlude
09. Tribute To The Breakdancer (feat. MC Supernatural)
10. Can I Take You Higher (feat. Mr. Cheeks, Granmaster Caz & Tito)
11. Grown & Sexy (feat. Lordikim Allah)
12. When I Get There (feat. Big Daddy Kane & Hedonis Da Amazon)
13. Interlude
14. I Got Sumthin’ To Say (feat. Lordikim, J-Flo & Almighty Thor)
15. Unpredictable (feat. Syndee & Big Daddy Kane)
16. Those Chix (feat. Byata, Princess Superstar & Hedonis Da Amazon)
17. Bronx Bombers (feat. Lordikim, Almighty Thor & Mann Child)
18. Outro
19. Oh Man (Intro)
20. Oh Man (feat. Syndee & Natacha Atlas)
