Synopsis

Mic Geronimo moves through Queens in a street-level portrait of an emerging rapper establishing his presence. The video combines performance shots, neighborhood imagery, and scenes of Geronimo riding through the hood, with slow-motion smoke adding to its gritty atmosphere. Friends and members of his early circle appear alongside him, reinforcing the track's focus on daily life, local identity, and the hard-edged realism of mid-1990s New York hip-hop.

Factoids & Trivia

• "It's Real" is the censored title of the track officially released as "Shit's Real."

• The song was the first track Mic Geronimo ever recorded. It grew from his meeting with Irv Gotti at a Queens high school talent show.

• Irv Gotti produced the track under his earlier name, DJ Irv. He also appears in the video, as does Queens rapper Royal Flush.

• The beat is built around a sample from Deniece Williams' 1976 song "Free."

• Originally released on 12-inch vinyl in 1993, the single gained underground momentum before Blunt/TVT issued it more widely in 1994.

• The single became Mic Geronimo's breakthrough record and reached No. 23 on Billboard's Hot Rap Singles chart.

• Contemporary video trade coverage highlighted the clip's Queens setting and reported early play on urban video programs including Rap City and Video Music Box.

• The track later appeared on Geronimo's 1995 debut album, "The Natural," which also featured early appearances by artists from the Queens and New York hip-hop scene.