Buffalo-born, now Atlanta-based multi-hyphenate, Che Noir has spent the last several years building one of the most quietly formidable catalogs in independent hip-hop — project by project, feature by feature, bar by bar. On October 23, 2026, she adds the next chapter with It Takes A Village, her most personal and fully realized project to date.
Now, she has released the album’s first single, Urban Essence,” which is produced by Mobb Deep’s Havoc. “Urban Essence” Feat The Uce is now available on all digital streaming platforms (DSP).
“Urban Essence” is a special record for me because it brings together two generations of that raw New York sound I grew up on. Having Havoc on the production and The Uce on the hook, made it feel like a full-circle moment,” Che Noir states.
Che Noir’s latest single, Urban Essence, is now available on all digital streaming platforms; Courtesy of MAC Media
“With It Takes A Village, I am in a different place in my life now. There is a lot more perspective that comes with parenthood, growth, and the things you need to build along the way. I’m so excited to let everyone hear where I’m at creatively and personally right now.”
True to form, Che assembled a village of collaborators to match the album’s title and its ambition. It Takes A Village features guest appearances from Black Thought, Havoc, Ransom and Bruiser Wolf, with production from Conductor Williams, Mathematics, Chuck Strangers and Nottz — a lineup that reflects the deep respect Che commands from across generations of hip-hop’s most respected names.
Stream Che Noir ft The Uce “Urban Essence” (Produced by Havoc):
Fans can now Purchase, Stream, Add and Favorite “Urban Essence at their preferred DSP: https://sparta.ffm.to/urbanessence
For more information, follow Che Noir on X and Instagram @che_noir, and on Facebook at CheNoir94. Follow Havoc on X and Instagram @mobbdeephavoc, and on Facebook at HavocOfMobbDeep.
