Tabula Rasa by Produced by Nef | The Album Built on Brotherhood
In an era of algorithmic fame and clickbait rap, Produced by Nef delivers something refreshingly rare—an album not built on hype, but on humility, history, and hard-earned respect.
Tabula Rasa isn’t a rollout. It’s a rebirth.
The Spark Behind Tabula Rasa: From a Casual Ask to a Career Milestone
The story doesn’t start in a studio. It starts outside a Q-Tip party in NYC.
That’s where Lil Fame of M.O.P. saw Nef and asked him a question that would change everything:
“Yo, what are you working on? I want in.”
Caught off guard, Nef made a bold move.
“I told him I already started an album. I hadn’t. But I went home and started it that night.”
That single moment lit the fuse. The result is Tabula Rasa—a sonic reset and a strategic statement piece. An album built entirely from the deep relationships he spent nearly a decade forging in New York City’s underground circuit.
Built on Brotherhood, Not Buzz
Tabula Rasa isn’t a flex-tape. It’s a trust exercise.
Every voice on this record—from legends like Ras Kass, Rome Streetz, and Nems, to longtime collaborators like Dirty Sanchez and Ren Thomas—represents a bond that was earned. Not bought.
“People didn’t jump on this project because of buzz. They did it because of what I’ve built. Because they’ve seen the work.”
The Intro: Two Mentors. One Mission.
The opening track, “Intro (Set the Stage)”, sets the tone with two of Nef’s earliest mentors: Termanology and Statik Selektah.
These aren’t just co-signs—they’re foundational pillars in his story. The two artists who saw his potential, pushed him, tested him, and helped sharpen the producer we now know as Produced by Nef.
This isn’t a warm-up. It’s a passing of the torch.
🎶 Full Tracklist – Tabula Rasa
Intro (Set The Stage) — feat. Termanology & Statik Selektah
Tell Me — feat. Ren Thomas
Sold It — feat. Skrewtape
Roses Now — feat. Ras Kass
Montauk — feat. Bobby J From Rockaway & Michael Fiya
Incan Gold — feat. Madhattan, FastLife & Ghetto MC
Glory, Pt. 2 — feat. Rome Streetz & TEK
Lord Knows — feat. Wais P
Gorilla's Interlude — feat. Nems
Move Different — feat. Lil Fame, Termanology & Azure Lauryn
7th Round KO — feat. Sincere, Mr. Bristal, G4 Jag, Fla$h & TEK
Forever Told — feat. Dirty Sanchez 47
Give You — feat. Raw Wattage
Raid On The Spot — feat. Mooch, Rigz & UFO FEV
Take Mine — feat. Ea$y Money, Wais P, Fabeyon & Mia Jae
Seasons — feat. Bugout
No Rush — feat. ISO Indies
Sonic Intent: Strategy Over Speed
The sound of Tabula Rasa is deliberate.
Boom-bap drums. Jazzed-out loops. Grit. Groove. Grace.
This isn’t background music for scrolling. It’s headphone art. Built to be listened to, not just consumed.
Every mix is engineered with elite precision. Every hook comes from a room you can’t buy your way into. Every verse is anchored in legacy.
Stream Tabula Rasa now:
Media Coverage on Tabula Rasa:
Nef’s Tabula Rasa album continues to make waves in the hip-hop community, earning praise from prominent platforms. SpitFire Hip Hop dives into the album's unique sound and standout collaborations, while The Real Hip-Hop explores its impact and the deep lyricism behind each track. Check out both articles for more on how Tabula Rasa is shaping the conversation in hip-hop:
Final Word: This Is What Earned Sounds Like
Tabula Rasa isn’t just a beat tape.
It’s a decade of groundwork distilled into 17 tracks.
It’s what happens when someone commits not just to craft—but to character.
Nef didn’t “go viral.” He went silent for a year to listen.
He didn’t chase placements. He built relationships.
He didn’t buy followers. He earned respect.
And now?
The rooms he once dreamed of are calling him.
The artists he once studied are sharing his mixes.
And the industry he once quietly entered is starting to realize:
“By Nef” means something.
