Hip Hop’s one of the few outlets in life where the person celebrating a birthday will you a present. It’s a beautiful oxymoron, so it’s not like I’m complaining with the mindset (so as long as the music is worthwhile, of course). Baltimore native Rickie Jacobs did just that on Sunday with the liberation of his newest project, Die Brilliant. Jacobs name has been popping up on my Twitter timeline the past few weeks – mainly because of the co-sign of Chance Fischer – but I’ve yet to really sit down with his work.

I guess there’s no better time like the present. From the man himself, he released this statement before you dive into listening.

What is brilliance? We strive for it and we live for it. Achieving self-happiness is a common goal amongst the people in this world and over time, you create your own story and legacy. Will your story be remembered? Will your legacy be forgotten? Brilliance is an adjective that describes extreme brightness, exceptional clarity, splendor and magnificence. How can you settle for anything less than dying with brilliance after all is said and done?

They say every day a star is born. Twenty five years ago on this day, September 18th, a star was born. He’s now known as Baltimore’s finest, Rickie Jacobs. Today, on his birthday, he blesses the game with his debut album, Die Brilliant. Executive produced by Street Scott, this project holds 14 records of pure brilliance. It’s Rickie Jacobs’ gift to you. Your gift in return would be pressing play and allowing the talent within Rickie Jacobs’ heart, body and soul to blast through your speakers at obnoxious volumes. This is merely the beginning. It’s a MoonLite Club thing, and soon, you will know what this movement is all about. Die Brilliant is more than a project. It’s a message. It’s a lifestyle. And we don’t have far to go. Let’s toast to Sweet Revenge. Live epic, Die Brilliant!

“When I die, they’ll hear this and say a genius wrote it.” – Rickie Jacobs

If this guy’s half as good as The Wire, I’ll be pleased. Below, you’ll find the back cover as well as the all-important link. And after the jump, check out a visual from the man of the hour, “Victory Lap.”

DL: Rickie Jacobs – “Die Brilliant”