9. Kardinal Offishall – “Belly Dancer” (2003)
Kardinal Offishall was one of the many oft-collaborators of the Neptunes during the nascency of their (and his) career. Having made a breakout appearance on the “Grindin” Selector Remix, his lasting impression with energy and dexterity, rapping in patois was a scene stealer. In ’03, “Belly Dancer” was chosen as a single for his second album, Firestarter Vol. 2: The F-Word Theory on MCA. It was pressed up on 12″ vinyl, and there’s word that a video was slated for production. That same year, MCA folded and the album was never released. Had “Belly Dancer” had an opportunity to reach the mainstream, it would have joined other popular records channeling Bhangra music, like R. Kelly’s “Snake,” Punjabi MC & Jay-Z’s “Beware of the Boys” and Truth Hurts “Addictive”
The beat for “Belly Dancer” wouldn’t go unnoticed by DJs though, especially Cipha Sounds and Max Glazer, who got Super Cat to voice the track. When Star Trak started filling out its roster of talent beyond Clipse, Cipha, their A&R at the time, signed Super Cat. Although Super Cat’s Star Trak debut never happened, this footnote of Cat’s career produced a promo mix featuring his “Weed Man” Remix over the “Belly Dancer” beat.