New York City’s Cage, who has flirted with chart success with Smut Peddlers and Weathermen, has probly left his days of ruling the Def Jux underground behind him. Ironic, cos this is by far not the best stuff he’s come out with (Movies for the Blind was pretty great). Still, “I Never Knew You” marks the directorial debut for Shia LaBeouf, who also cameos, so it’s just about locked in for an MTV overdose. Fitting, as it’s been widely reported that Shia is interested in playing Cage (aka Chris Palko) in a biopic (kid’s had a crazy life). The track is the first single from Cage’s 3rd solo album, Depart From Me, out July 7th on Definitive Jux, naturally. Other than LaBeouf, see if you can find labelmates and collaborators El-P, Aesop Rock, Yak Ballz, F. Sean Martin, and Alex Pardee all up in the video mix.

Signalling Cage’s arrival on the mainstream,  MTV2.com is releasing his I Never Knew You EP as a free download HERE — a first for MTV. The five song EP features the title track as well as 4 exclusive songs not included on Depart From Me.

If you’re interested, LA Weekly did a cool little story on the making of the video that’s worth a quick read.

Btw, not that a guys not allowed to change up his image or anything, but what’s the deal with Cage’s transformation from Ultimate Rap Trope into Emo Wunderkind? Smells a bit like playing to the times, I’m just saying…