The Eminem Blog

The return of D12
The Dirty Dozen’s Kuniva talks mix tape(s) and more
By B.J. Hammerstein
Metromix article available here.

May 12, 2008

It’s been four years since the hard-hitting Detroit rap group D12 a.k.a. the Dirty Dozen was sitting atop the Billboard charts with its second major studio album, “D12 World.”

Marshall Mathers a.k.a. Eminem was arguably the largest pop star on the planet at the time. The unofficial D12 leader Proof was the reigning hip-hop mayor of Detroit. And pop fans around the world couldn’t get enough of the grim lyrics and grimy production style the group was known for.

A lot has changed since 2004. The April 11, 2006 death of Deshaun Holton (Proof) still sends shivers throughout the rap community in Detroit. Eminem, who toured with D12 in 2004 while finishing up his last studio album “Encore,” has had numerous rumors swirling about, but has kept an almost total lock-down low profile.

Denaun Porter a.k.a. Kon Artis has kept busy with acclaimed production work for acts like Guilty Simpson and Little Brother among many others while Rufus Johnson a.k.a. Bizarre has had media attention from his stint with VH1’s “Celebrity Fit Club” and dropping two solo albums, the most recent being 2007’s Koch Records’ “Blue Cheese and Coney Island.”

As the summer of 2008 heats up, D12 is set to make a big splash. Wednesday, May 21 they hit the Magic Stick for a release party for their new mix-tape “Return of the Dozen” and then they take off on a tour to support.

“It’s mostly original songs,” says Von Carlisle a.k.a. Kuniva while playing a couple of tracks during an interview conducted inside the Detroit Free Press office. “We all got together; Bizarre flew in from Atlanta and we just holed up in the studio and did it. (We’re) letting people know that we’re back and ready to work. We’re ready to go to out there and show people who we are. We’re not dead.”

Over the phone, Bizarre chimed in from Atlanta and answered the big question: Is Eminem on the record?

“Naw, he’s not on the mix tape,” Biz says. “We just kind of wanted to let the world see us without Marshall. He’s doing his own thing. He’s got his own album to worry about, to put out. We just wanted to just do it with the four fellas.”

So now Kuniva, Bizarre, Kon Artis and Ondre Moore a.k.a. Swift are entering a familiar world at an unfamiliar time. Kuniva, who was mostly known as the “quiet henchman” in the back of group, is opening up about life, music and the “Return of the Dozen.”

It’s been four years and a couple serious changes — the death of Proof, and Eminem not being involved in the mix tape recording – since “D12 World.” What was the recording process like, you guys getting back together?
We never lost a step. It just comes back automatically. No matter what. No matter how far the distance. When we see each other and come back to work, it’s like we just left off from the last album. It’s comes second nature to us.

We just went in and we didn’t have a set marker of what we were trying to hit. We just went in and did the music how we felt at the time. I think for us, it’s a big step for people to look at us in a different light.

The tracks that you’ve played, on first listen they sound a lot different than “Purple Pills” and the older stuff. How has the music changed?
They’re used to seeing us doing this one-formula type of music. They’re not used to seeing the more serious side of D12.

Our fans will hear a more ferocious side – [but] a realistic ferocious, not a humorous ferocious…There’re a lot of more serious songs, but at the same time we’re having a lot of fun. We wanted to let people know where we really come from: The true origin of D12 is to be dirty, to be grimy. We were raised in the battle-type world as far as battling emcees. We’re just getting back to our roots.

So, you’re kind of moving into the role that Proof kind of had – the spokesperson of the group?
With everything that I do, I’ve always enjoyed playing the back and letting everybody else handle things. I’m usually the laid-back reserved one of the group. I don’t cause any ruckus. I usually don’t cause any bullshit or any kind of mess. I barely go out to clubs or anything like that. I’m always to myself. I’ve always been kind of isolated. I never really fought for the camera time.

It’s changed a lot because now everyone has to hold there own weight in this group. And I’ve learned that in this business, you have to step up, and be more aggressive — more noticed, more seen. And Proof carried all that weight with everything, and nobody can do what he did. So what we’re doing now, everybody’s holding up their end — and we’re all holding that shit up, holding it above our heads.

Proof really understood the rap game. What are some of the things he instilled to you, that you’re carrying on?
With the rap, he gave you a certain drive and a certain focus. And that focus was he taught you how to rhyme. He taught you how to make complete songs. I didn’t know how to really do it. He really sat me down and told me to write this amount of bars, and here’s the hook. You can’t just rap on and rap on. After a while someone’s going to start snoring.

You have to have a concept. You have to have some kind of a hook. You have to have a bridge. You can’t just write about the same thing on every single song. You can’t kill a person in each and every song. He taught us how to be versatile, but at the same time, be realistic. Then, sometimes, be unrealistic.

You always want to leave some kind of mark on someone’s brain every time they come across you — and anyone who met Proof, he left an impression good or bad.

You have a solo project, too, that you are trying to finish up and release at the end of the summer. After fours years, it seems like you as an individual, and the rest of the members in D12, have a lot to say about a lot of different subjects?
As far as my style and my music and the mix-tape that I’m putting together, it’s more just getting into the mind of me because a lot of people tell me I’m too laid back. I need to step up more. People need to know what I’m thinking.

Most people already know the group and they know who’s who, but they always have trouble with me and Swifty. We are always the ones who really don’t get that recognition because they always call us the henchmen. Proof was so vocal. Bizarre is vocal without even saying anything and Kon Artis, people know him for his beats. And, of course, there’s Marshall…

Now it’s to the point where we really have to step it up and also just show people who we are. And that’s what I’m doing on this mix tape here. I’m showing people who I am. What I go through. I’m addressing a lot of issues. Like people saying that he’s [Eminem] fat.

“Marshall’s fat. Bizarre is this.”

They’re taking our quietness for weakness.

D12 is here to stay. Everyone knows that D12 means Dirty Dozen. I’ve read the blogs where people are so fucking cruel: “Why do they call it the Dozen when two members are dead?”

We’re always going to be the Dozen. D12 isn’t going anywhere.

After several years of using henna, I have become quite an expert in preparing my henna paste at home. People who are telling you that they had disastrous result with henna are either people who didn’t mix the paste properly (no, henna will never ever dry out your hair if you follow my advices), either they used chemical dyes and added a henna composition that didn’t fit with the former chemical composition, thus the horrible hair color that followed!

First and foremost, I’d like to do away with loads of classical misconceptions regarding henna powder:

- the greatest misconception about henna is that your only options are the red and black hair shades. You’d be amazed at the wonderful and various shades that exist. I usually use Marigold blonde (lighter and darker blond “marigold” shades actually do exist, I just tried the yellow gold shade out a few days ago). You can go light blond (Persian blond is actually the rarest but also the lightest existing shade in henna), golden, medium blond, dark blond, light brown, medium brown, red, dark red, dark brown, black etc.

- there are very few chances henna will give you some allergies, unless you are using it with some added chemicals (please, and for your own sake avoid those so called hennas!)

The most astute tip I can give you after you know how to mix the powder properly, is to create your own shade, either by adding some neutral henna to your existing shade, or by mixing two different shades together.

Now let me reveal you the recipe that will allow you a proper mixing of your henna powder:

First of all, remember never to use any metallic component (all of your spoons should be wooden spoons), you can use any kind of bowl, as long as it doesn’t contain any metal.

Add 10 or 12 tablespoons of henna powder (depending on your hair length)…take another little recipient, put some argan oil into it, that you will mix up with a good quality honey, add some salt into it.

In the meantime, boil some water with your kettle and prepare some green tea (for the blond and red to light brown shades; for the other shades, I’d advice you to use some black tea.)
Remember always to use tea in grains for optimal results.

Go back to your henna bowl, dig a dwell into it, squeeze the juice of half of a lemon, slowly mix your tea into it. Then you will be ready to add the content of your second recipient, always mix it slowly into your paste, until you obtain a smooth paste that should resemble hair balm.

Leave it for at least 2 hours before using it.

Another point now requires your attention: the longer you will leave the paste on your hair, the better the results, the thicker and silkier your hair!

With an exception for the yellow gold shade (because of its original, very golden, intense shade, it requires less time), I’d suggest you to leave the paste on your hair for at least 4 hours.

Happy henna time!

Copyright©by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

Posted by complexity 4 days ago (Editorial). Read the original article here.

After a well documented beef and a lot of tension. D12 and Royce Da 5′9 finally get back together for a new track titled, Plead For Your Life.

Royce recently was interviewed by Hiphopdx and mentioned that he has reconciled with Eminem.

Although, Eminem is not on this track, but Royce said, they’d most likely collaborate.

Illest Lyrics will keep you updated with all the latest news and hip hop music from D12 and Royce.

A good dose of well placed ghetto rage, a hardcore electric guitar background, a well handled keyboard, hammering drums: welcome to 7 Mile Mob’s artistry.

Discover some dedicated emcees with a determined mobbing spirit.

Buttons Up is astutely constructed on rhythmic a piano-keyboard background. It unveils the doors to the 7 Mile MOB crew that takes over with lyrical confidence.

Haters And Bustas must be ready to get lyrically and instrumentally by a talented crew.
As the repetitive chorus “We don’t fuck with you haters”, the menace grows like a dark cloud in the sky. 7 Mile Mob are ready to pour out their rage on very rhythmic, well handled lyrics.

I recommend the song to Detroit hip hop lovers, because it truly represents the Detroit hood.

Black J’s slowly starts on claps, dark and deep rooted keyboard sounds. 7 Mile Mob’s flow amazing flow delivery needs to be underlined in any case.

I enjoyed the raw reps, the harsch attitude and the scurrilous atmosphere of the song.

Although Cutie Pie is a softer song, I think it is worth listening to, because of its swinging accents.

It has a beautiful funky flavor. Again, you will be amazed by the nice flow delivery provided by the talented 7 Mile Mob emcees.

Check them 7 Mile hip hop representatives here.

Copyright© by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

Watch them here.

It’s your Detroit boy D Weez’e from the West 7 Mile area who will take you by surprise with his explosive, hardcore musical backgrounds. He is full of that raw energy, keeping up the grind in the darkness of the zone.

Getting Money is built on a noisy background. Although the theme is quite recurrent in hip hop, D Weez’e ’s gritty voice and determined spirit manage to offer the listener some new perpectives on the cadenced musical background.

Risk Hold 18 takes you deeper into the Detroit slums; its dark musical environment makes you feel the numerous, surrounding dangers. Follow D Weeze’e into his crazy ride. The repetitive musical background emerges from a cloudy chaos that creates mental dizziness. Here comes the trouble: be prepared for it. D Weez’e handles the track with the mind of a ghetto fighter.

Ice N A Watch will allow the listener to fully appreciate D Weeze’s lyrical style. His stormy flow delivery totally matches with his musical inventivity.

If you like real life stories, the typical 7 Mile wickedness, D Weeze’e s music will be delight to your ears.

Listen to the Iced Out Entertainment artist here.

Copyright© by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

Read the original article here.

Beer & Boom Bap: Mention Detroit hip-hop, and Eminem, Slum Village, D12 and Guilty Simpson come to mind. But on Friday, several other artists will show that there’s a lot of lesser-known talent in the D.

“You can consider me true school,” says Tasherre D’Enajetic, one of the acts taking the stage at Tailgators in Dearborn Heights. “It’s not the crap you hear on the radio. I try to make stuff that people can actually relate to.”

The Detroit-born 33-year-old says he’s been rapping since he was 8 years old and makes what he calls “true school hip-hop.”

Other artists brought on by Boombox Entertainment include Ajax, Old Dave, Da Bash Brotherz, RTKUL8, DJ Gruv on the 1s and 2s and Rising Sunz.

“It’s a lot of up-and-coming metro Detroit artists,” says Robert Dunn, aka Robb, of Boombox Entertainment. “This is our first time trying Tailgators. We heard some good things about the place and wanted to try it out. If it goes well, it’ll be an annual event.”

D’Enajetic says events like this mean a lot because “there’s plenty of cats here that are doing really good music, but it gets drowned out” by both the really bad acts and the really successful artists like Guilty Simpson and Eminem.

“I’m a real fan and supporter of Michigan hip-hop, and this is definitely an event to see some real good Michigan hip-hop,” D’Enajetic says.

9:30 p.m. Friday, Tailgators, 25380 Van Born, Dearborn Heights. 313-299-7767. $6. 21 and older.

So long Shaun: Shaun Rogers has left the Detroit Lions for the Cleveland Browns, but the 6-foot-4 defensive tackle is going out with style Friday with a farewell party at the Rhino.

“The event is going to be really classy,” says TaNesha Ahmed of promotions group Ladny Angels. “It’s a black carpet event. We have two really hot DJs spinning that night, go-go dancers, a massage therapist, a sushi girl and a tattoo artist.”

DJs Blaze and Mark will keep the sounds coming. Expected guests include Tatum Bell, Travis Fisher and Devale Ellis of the Lions and Clifton Ryan of the St. Louis Rams.

“Shaun visits the Rhino from time to time,” Ahmed says. “He’s very excited about this event. He is very thankful for his time in Detroit, and he’s celebrating with his family, friends and fans at his farewell party.”

Wayne, a tattoo artist from Detroit’s Body Candy Tattoo Studio who has worked on some of the Lions, the Detroit Shock and the Pistons as well as several Detroit rappers, will be slinging ink. Ladies get in free before 10 p.m.

9 p.m. Friday, the Rhino, 1407 Randolph St., Detroit. 313-963-6244. $20.

Beats at Bleu: Tribal, techno, house, electronica and progressive — or, simply put, party music. With Yos and Dabura opening Saturday at Bleu for Matthew Dekay, the beats are sure to keep you pulsating from dusk to dawn.

“My sound is all about groove,” says Dekay, who lives in Amsterdam, which is known for its classical music and opera. The 30-year-old, who began playing piano when he was old enough to tie his own shoes, later broke free of the traditional music mold and began exploring the world of beats.

“Don’t expect to hear defected vocal house, but deeper kind of sounds,” Dekay says. “I’ve been inspired by the early ’90s house music that was about to explode in Amsterdam. I like to keep the dance floor (energized).”

Sip $3 wells and domestics while you enjoy Dekay’s sounds, which can likely be found in the bags of Deep Dish, Danny Tenaglia, John Digweed, Sasha, Danny Howells, Tiesto, Armin van Buuren and Carl Cox.

“If people are up for a good night of grooves combined with some magical anthem moments, they should come and dance with me,” Dekay says. “I always try to connect with the crowd, and my vision is creating the vibe of a night together.”

10 p.m. Saturday, Bleu, 1540 Woodward, Detroit. 313-222-1900. $5. 18 and older.

If you’d like to get some real insight about the Detroit hip hop scene, you better trust Omar’s judgment!

Check out his highly interesting blog.

As Summer holidays are approaching, I’d like to share some original and interesting walks through the French Capital with you. You might be keen on choosing Paris as your touristic destination.

I’ve always loved Paris. When I get the chance to travel there, I have a few areas of preference (not everybody might agree with my choice, but well…)

I once had a quite stressful day in Paris and really needed to break from any negative thought…so I followed my intuition, took the Metro and descended at Sentier.

Sentier is located in the 2nd area of Paris. It is an interesting luxury shopping area. However, the most interesting oasis of peace I found here is a hidden street, that resembles quite a little paradise. It is called rue Montorgueil. There you will find beautiful fruit and vegetables, many traditional bakers, cheese, fish, all excellent quality produce.

I could also mention a wide range of Cafes, but my favorite of all is certainly Planet Sushi, a very modern Japanese styled Cafe, with a soul-jazz musical atmosphere and very friendly waiters/ waitresses.

Rue Montorgueil is truly a haven of peace and if you’re lucky, you might find some musicians playing the guitar or saxophone in the middle of the street.

Although some people might priviledge some more comfortable Parisian areas, I’m also very fond of the popular ones like Barbes. (18th area)

“Besbar” like many of its inhabitants affectionate to call it, is a very interesting shopping area, if you’re looking for cheap mobi phones or cheap clothes. There you will also find the notorious Tati shop.

But what I like most is the mixity of population. Another interesting area, very close to Barbes is Chateau Rouge (18th area). Chateau Rouge is a black ghetto in the middle of the Capital. In this very lively and animated area, you will find loads of African products and an African market too.

If you like long boulevard walks, you definitely gotta visit Montparnasse (14th area). This very pleasant area also has some nice parks that are worth your visit.

I could mention a lot of other places, but the ones I mentioned above are definitely my favorites. Check them out when you get the chance!

Copyright© by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

Read the original article here.

Groovevolt.com has learned exclusively that Eminem’s Shady clothing line will likely soon be a thing of the past. After a series of financial and creative ups and downs, and a prolonged sales slump, the Shady clothing line may soon be closing its doors.

Recent firings of key brand executives have done nothing to squelch the rumors that the brand will soon be a memory. Groovevolt’s sources, who asked to remain unnamed due to their proximity to the situation, say that the remaining honchos in the company are staging early-level talks to throw in the towel on the brand.

The Shady camp has refused to comment despite repeated requests, but industry insiders told Groovevolt.com that this talk is unsurprising, since there has been an attempt to phase out the brand for some time. “The company has been in talks with many investors but no one seems interested, including Eminem,” a source said.

The line, which was launched in 2003 by Nesi Fashion Brands – the same firm that created Rocawear – has had numerous problems over the past two years. A 2007 joint venture with Jay-Z and Rocawear (produced by Iconix Brand) did not meet expectations, and, as a result, the Shady brand made an unsuccessful transition from high-end retailers like Macy’s to lower-end concerns like Burlington Coat Factory and Kohls.

According to the same insiders, all attempts to bring the brand back to its “perceived” former glory have been unsuccessful and the brand is now in the process of shutting its doors. “This just adds to the list of successful musicians with unsuccessful clothing lines,” an industry insider said.

Groovevolt will update this story as more information becomes available.

–Ambre Nicholson, Contributing Editor