While he was enrolled in 9th Wonder’s hip-hop course at North Carolina Central University, King Draft released his first album alongside his producer/partner Jerm Scorsese. The rollout impressed his professor so much that 9th asked for a copy and, according to Draft, dubbed it one of the best demos he’d ever heard. 
 Five years later, super-producer 9th Wonder flooded social media with a surprise announcement: He had signed King Draft to the dream-team roster of his Raleigh-based label, Jamla Records, and created a duo with $wank another North Carolina Central alumnus. 
 Though King Draft and $wank had been building their careers individually, the idea of them becoming a group was a running joke on the Jamla team. The positive response to their pairing on 9th Wonder beat tape “Zion III” led to their joint album-length debut, “TwoFive to Jersey.” (The title was a nod to their hometowns, Littleton, North Carolina and Plainfield, New Jersey.) Though not an official Jamla release, the album featured production and support from the Jamla squad. 
 “Two Five to Jersey: The Sequel” is far more cohesive in sound and content. The album has a nostalgic feel, but the vibe remains up-to-date as Draft and $wank address growing pains of men in their 20’s escaping their neighborhoods and the traps they create. 
 “I just want to be a voice for people that grew up like me. That survived jail and/or early death so now you want to actually live...not just survive.”