Lettuce has shared a smooth and soulful new cover of Keni Burke’s heavily sampled R&B classic “Rising to the Top” along with an accompanying music video shot and edited by keyboardist/vocalist Nigel Hall. The track is set to appear on the band’s new album, Cook, which is due December 3rd via the band’s own Lettuce Records.
Originally released by Burke in 1982, “Risin’ to the Top” was the former Five Stairstep member’s biggest hit as a solo artist and has been sampled extensively in both R&B and hip-hop by everyone from LL Cool J and Nas to Mary J Blige and 50 Cent and many more. Lettuce breathes new life into the track, keeping the soul of the original while adding extra layers of future funk swagger.
Erick “Jesus” Coomes delivers the song’s iconic bass line with his signature laid-back feel while drummer Adam Deitch holds down the groove. Adam Smirnoff completes the rhythm section with sparse, percussive guitar textures, and Eric “Benny” Bloom and Ryan Zoidis bring out the hook melody on their horns. At the center, Nigel Hall’s soulful vocals and atmospheric keyboards give the track a rich, sensual vibe, bridging the original’s spirit with Lettuce’s modern flair.
“This was a song I heard as a kid,” Deitch recalled. “Through Hip-Hop, I learned the original, and per usual, was stuck on it like many tunes I checked out through Hip-Hop in my formative years. I always wanted to play it and am grateful to have turned that wish into reality.”
Watch the music video for Lettuce’s new single, “Rising to the Top”, below or stream the track on your preferred platform.
The track will appear alongside funky lead single “Gold Tooth” on Lettuce’s forthcoming LP, Cook, which expands on the band’s wide-ranging sound, marking the group’s most stylistically varied project to date.
“This record is a little more three-dimensional than our past albums,” explained Deitch. “It shows a lot more sides to the band, exploring further depths of production and arrangements.”
Click here to pre-order/pre-save the album.
Lettuce recently announced the launch of Lettuce Crush wine brands in collaboration with Aquila Cellars, along with a recipe book featuring pairings to be included with the vinyl album and available in digital form. The band also extended its upcoming Cook World Tour, which will travel across North America, Europe, Japan, and Australia. Click below for a full list of tour dates, and find ticketing details here.
As part of the 2026 run, fans can access the exclusive “Cookin’ with the Band” VIP experience, a pre-show hang designed for funk lovers and foodies alike. Available for all January and February shows, the package includes soundcheck viewing access; setlist voting power; early merch shopping + discount code; and limited-edition keepsakes like a custom ‘Cook’ apron, a printed recipe zine, and a signed tour laminate. Access is limited to 75 VIP spots per night and can be purchased via the band’s website.
Lettuce – “Rising To The Top”