Courtesy of Mass Appeal Records

A lot of today’s rap hits are not grounded in soul and funk, but several artists still believe in preserving this part of the genre’s history, including Fashawn.

You can hear those elements on the rapper’s new single “Something to Believe in,” premiered here on The Juice. Check it out below:

“Something to Believe In” — featuring Nas and Aloe Blacc — is a percolating funk track produced by DJ Khalil, who has worked with heavy-hitters like Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, and Big K.R.I.T. The song resembles releases from New York soul groups like the Dap-Kings or the Menahan Street Band. Fashawn and Nas rap over a powerful organ and a tightly-coordinated horn section. Blacc — whose pleading vocals are firmly grounded in ’60s R&B — sounds right at home next to two MCs.

The Ecology comes out next week on Feb. 24; you can preorder a copy here. The album features production from the Alchemist and Exile. In addition to Nas and Blacc (who appears on two tracks), BJ the Chicago Kid and Dom Kennedy also show up on a song apiece.

Fashawn is hitting the road in March to promote The Ecology. Check out the album’s track list and those tour dates below.

The Ecology track list:
1. Guess Who’s Back (prod. by Beewirks)
2. Confess (prod. by Exile)
3. Something to Believe In ft Nas & Aloe Blacc (prod. by DJ Khalil)
4. Higher (prod. by Exile)
5. To Be Young ft BJ the Chicago Kid (prod. by Exile)
6. Golden State of Mind ft Dom Kennedy (prod. by Exile)
7. Letter F (prod. by The Alchemist)
8. Place to Go (prod. by Exile)
9. Man of the House (prod. by Quincey Tones & Jo Caleb)
10. Out The Trunk (prod. by Exile)
11. It’s A Good Thing ft Aloe Blacc & Choosey (prod. by Exile)
12. Mother (prod. by Exile)
13. F.T.W (prod. by Exile)

Tour dates
2/26 – Los Angeles, CA – Echoplex 
3/3 – Vancouver, BC – Alexander
3/4 – Seattle, WA – Crocodile
3/5 – Portland, OR – Peter’s Room
3/6 – Eugene, OR – Wow Hall
3/7 – Oakland, CA – Leo’s
3/8 – Sacramento, CA – Harlows
3/10 – Boston, MA – Middle East – downstairs
3/11 – New York, NY – SOB’s 
3/12 – Philadelphia, PA – The Barbary
3/13 – Toronto, ON – The Drake Hotel 
3/14 – Pittsburgh, PA – Club Café
3/15 – Chicago, IL – Reggie’s
3/16 – Grand Rapids, MI – Stache
3/18 – Kansas City, MO – The Riot Room
3/19 – Austin, TX – SXSW 
3/20 – Austin, TX – SXSW 
3/21 – Austin, TX – SXSW 
3/22 – Jacksonville, FL – Jack Rabbits
3/24 – Atlanta, GA – Masquerade – Purgatory 
3/25 – New Orleans, LA – Parrish Room @ HOB
3/26 – Houston, TX – Studio @ Warehouse Live
3/27 – San Antonio, TX – ACMC
3/28 – Dallas, TX – The Loft
3/30 – Denver, CO – Cervantes (Other Side)
3/31 – Albuquerque, NM – Launchpad 
4/1 – Phoenix, AZ – The Press Room
4/2 – Orange County, CA – Constellation Room