C-B7ACK - 4 9 Uptown (Single) + 10 Questions

Newark MC C-B7ACK is kicking off 2026 with intent. Fresh off the viral momentum of his “B7ESSINGS” performance visual, he’s back with “4 9 Uptown” a hard hitting new single that blends classic East Coast grit with modern trap energy.

Built around booming drums, rumbling bass, and a relentless pace, “4 9 Uptown” feels designed for late night speakers, workouts, and packed out functions alike. C-B7ACK’s punchy cadence cuts through the production with confidence, delivering sharp bars that balance raw energy with lyrical precision.

What makes the track stand out is how naturally it bridges eras. There’s a clear nod to golden era New York hip hop in the structure and delivery, but the production keeps things firmly rooted in today’s sound. It’s a strong statement from an artist who’s clearly refining his identity while expanding his reach.

The buzz around the record has already been building online after preview clips sparked strong reactions across social media, further cementing C-B7ACK as one of the more exciting emerging voices coming out of Newark right now.

With “4 9 Uptown,” C-B7ACK sets the tone for what looks like a major year ahead, one built on hunger, growth, and staying true to the foundations of real hip hop.

C-B7ACK is performing live at the Delancey in NYC on May 30th, cop tickets here.

C-B7ACK sat down with Wordplay Magazine to answer our infamous 10 Questions:

1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?

Well, not to take y’all too far back, but this music journey began at the age of 10, as an adolescent moving in and out of group homes. During that time, I used to take hip hop records from the local music store, such as Dogg Pound, Tupac, Nas, Mobb Deep, and Big Pun. I would listen to and study those albums and artists.

As time went on, I found myself really intrigued by the music and started writing my own lyrics in my downtime, which quickly evolved into something that became a part of my identity.

2. Which artists have most shaped your sound, and in what ways have they influenced your creative process?

I would say, first and foremost, “2Pac” has shaped my sound and influence in the sense of being able to be versatile, but also consciously aware of my impact as an artist through my lyrics. Let me see… I would also say Nas, Mos Def, J. Cole, MF DOOM, Queen Latifah, and Naughty By Nature. Collectively, these artists have influenced my creative process by creating a blueprint to follow and building a lane for my type of sound.

I believe they opened the door for artists such as myself to be confident in making music that’s real to the soul, not only for myself, but for the world.

3. Tell us about your latest release, “4-9 Uptown.” What inspired it, and what sets this track apart from the rest of your catalog?

It’s funny because “4-9 Uptown” has many layers of inspiration behind it, but to zero in on the main inspiration behind the record, I would say it comes from the two years I dated a woman who lived in Uptown NYC (East Harlem), as well as the many times I traveled there from Jersey, catching the vibes and energy of that New York City atmosphere.

Obviously, that relationship had its toxic moments, hence the lyrics in the hook: “She tried to kick me when I was down, well I’m up now!” But as any true artist does, we tend to turn both good and bad experiences into art.

It’s cool because I feel what sets “4-9 Uptown” apart from the rest of my catalog is the showmanship of my range and versatility, as well as my ability to create a current sound without fully compromising my integrity as an artist.

4. Your sound blends a strong mix of old and new school hip-hop textures. Would you agree? For the record, how would you define your style?

Oh, for sure! You’re 200% right! My style is a blend of ’90s boom bap, soulful elements, with a side of grit.

5. At your upcoming NYC show at The Delancey on 5/30, what do you want fans to take away from your music and the overall performance?

I would love for the fans to leave The Delancey that night feeling supremely inspired and recognising how hard work, consistency, and never giving up on yourself, even as time and the world change, play a major role in our lives as human beings.

6. Beyond recording and performing, what are your thoughts on the current indie hip-hop scene?

The indie hip hop scene, I believe, is flourishing and still trending upward. I believe the times we are in show us that artists don’t need to seek out major record deals or companies to be successful. Don’t get me wrong, though, this independent grind is not for the faint of heart.

7. With your new release, upcoming show, and consistent presence on Instagram, you’ve clearly been putting in work. What else can fans look forward to from you this year?

So, currently, I’m finishing up my first EP in 10 years, titled Not Made 4 Most, produced by 4Most. Crazy, right?! I haven’t released a full body of work since 2016, but I’m excited for this one. I also have some dope songs in the vault as well, but we’ll keep that on the hush, LOL!

8. What sets hip-hop apart from other genres, and how do you keep yourself inspired to write?

Man, hip hop is a forever evolving genre, in my opinion. With rock, pop, country, etc., artists can come in with a sound, stick with it, build a core audience, and succeed no matter how much the market changes. With hip hop, I feel that if an artist comes in with a certain type of style and then tries to adapt and conform to what is trending in the current times, it could, and this is just my opinion, be a recipe for disaster.

This is why I always use life as my inspiration when I write: the past, present, and future; the good, the bad, and the ugly.

9. What do you like to do when you're not making music?

I love reading, coaching, spending time with my son, and being with my family.

10. Name three things you can't live without when in the studio?

My engineer, Rick, lol, alkaline water, good vibes!