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Goon Sqwad: From Death featuring Proof (1996): a ride into old school Detroit hip hop

April 2, 2008 in D12, Detroit Underground Scene | 5 comments

Global rating of the product: 4.5 stars

The light and the dark are pictured in their eternal embrace, spoken out by harp and xylophone alike sounds, a penetrating dark voice introduce From Death, a Christian Mathis alias Trick Trick CD that features Deshaun Holton at his rapping debut. What a wonderful occasion to travel through the terrific world of the Murder Capital. Like a wirlwind, a high amplitude menace hangs over Detroit, preparing its folks for a “heaven’s hammer” devastation, as the somber voice in the background suggests. Be prepared for the most murderous verbal assaults.

Thug N’ U is a rhythmic Tupac sampled track adapted to a 7 Mile style. You are going to love it!

No Trust is built on a cadenced piano background mixed up with some astute lyrics. Feel the unsecurity of the narrator who trusts no one. Jazzed up sounds definitely enhance the tracks.The musical creativity of the song needs to be strongly underlined.

Meet a young OG named Trick Trick at the murderous 7 Mile. Keyboards and drum beats will make you feel the men on the run, trying to escape from the bullets.
The repeated 7 Mile-7 Mile reeinforces the gun talk and fuck the police attitude of its inhabitants. Trick and his crew are for real, better believe it!

To Death lets the listener guess about the rough environment his ears are about to meet. Like dark shapes emerging from a foggy background, the menace is there, waiting for the right moment to break out.

From Death is beautifully enriched with some Ruthless sounds and a chronic spirit. Back from Death, back from the land of the nightmares, Trick Trick is ready to bust his enemies with his crew

RIP To My OGs is a touching ode to hip hop’s fallen soldiers.

Hooked On Cronic : ready to get stoned by Trick Trick and his partners in crime. Blaze it up, seize the irony of the lyrics, enjoy our emcees’ know how.

Follow the crazy Booty Bounce and its musically instable syllables. It is followed by a filthy minded Pass Da Pu**y. Light, distorted sounds introduce Do Dat Shit, a repetitive and richly musically structured anthem.

The Goon Sqwad track projects the listener into a surrealistic atmosphere.

Gurp On is made of amplified techno sounds. Sharp voices intensify the electronic chaos, giving an overall let loose impression. Get lost into a troubled world.If you like Detroit hip hop’s absolute darkness and sharp dimension of the rough, you are going to love the From Death CD.

If you like Detroit hip hop’s absolute darkness and sharp dimension of the rough, you are going to love the From Death CD.

Copyright© by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

If you ever wondered how Proof’s first CD looked like…

March 30, 2008 in D12, Detroit Underground Scene | 3 comments

Here is From Death, in collaboration with Da Goon Sqwad, Trick Trick’s group:)

A new D12 track has been leaked on the XXL mag website…

January 31, 2008 in D12 | No comments

It is entitled We Deep. Listen to it here.

Bizarre: New D12 album in April (Hip Hop Elements Com)

January 4, 2008 in D12 | 2 comments

Read the original article here.Detroit rap group D12 has been on the quiet end of things for some time now.
The group, who lost one of their most prominent member–Eminem’s right hand man, Proof–has been rumored to be working on their junior album for well over a year now.

The LP, which is tentatively titled “The Ambition,” has now been confirmed by D12 member, Bizarre.

“We are currently in the studio working on our third album, our junior album. We’re about halfway finished.” Said Bizarre in a recent interview.

“We should probably be finished the first of next year. It’ll probably be in stores in April. There’s talk of a tour, but it’s just talk.” He continued.

Soon to be featured at the Eminem Blog…

October 22, 2007 in D12, Detroit Underground Scene, Hip Hop | No comments

A passionate Californian emcee, Noah Jones and, of course, Bizarre’s Bizarre’s World mixtape!

Stay tuned, folks:)

Bizarre/ Blue Cheese N Coney Island CD review

October 19, 2007 in D12, Detroit Underground Scene, Hip Hop | 4 comments

Global rating of the CD: 4.5 stars

D12’s Bizarre is an emcee who is definitely worth his weight. His brand new CD, Blue Cheese N Coney Island is determined to give you listeners a double taste of both cities, Detroit and Atlanta. Our place of birth, our hometown and the place we live in (when different from our hometown or place of birth) deeply shape our habits and , generally speaking, our vision of the world.
The town in which we chose to establish can tailor our mentality and mood. Rufus Johnson aka Bizarre is no exception to the rule. The Detroit native, deeply rooted with the Detroit hood and its culinary habits has chosen to relocate to Atlanta. He is actually the only D12 member to live outside of Detroit.

Rich of both town’s heritage, Bizarre will offer his listeners a panel of interesting artistic collaborations such as King Gordy, Young Miles, Tech9ne, Scarchild, the incredible vocalist Monica Blaire and many more.

A drop of metal electric guitar notes enhanced by some rhythmic drum beats and here comes King Gordy with his dirty hardcore spirit accompanied by his partner in crime, a fat boy named Bizarre.

A good flow, an astute rhyming content, some filthy and hilarious lyrics will guide the listener into an instrumental complex universe.
Let the king of horror core open a devilish world of lyrical depravation that isn’t exempted from a good dose of humor while Bizzy reps in his usual sick hilarious style.

Knock Them Out is fulfilled with tension. Hammering keyboard sounds, catchy drum beats, a King Gordy who is determined to spread terror around him will give the song its whole dimension. Tech9ne s valuable lyrical performance needs to be underlined too.

So Hard is the lyrical jewel of the CD in which Monica Blair s talent comes to shine. The depth, the strength, the warmth of her voice leads the song to a very emotional dimension in which Bizarre puts his passion for hip hop into words. The piano sounds, drum beats, keyboard sounds and claps work together to create a spiritual atmosphere in which the listeners will understand the artist’s passion, his sweat and tears, the harshness of the artistic world and a firm will to accomplish something in this world.
The astute combination of gospel and rap crowns the song’s beauty.

Like light drops of rain nourishing the face of the earth, each note, each cry, each good and bad memory will allow the source of the real faith to spread and grow. The song is also a moving homage to RIP Big Proof.

None of you should skip So Hard, because it is a heartfelt song.

Working with 7 Nation and KB, combining guitar, drum beats and chords, Bizarre will tell you the story of his big hustle.

Raw like the Detroit hood spirit, representing the 313, Young Miles, Kuniva and Strech Money introduce the song with some sharp lyrics and raspy voice. Violins, keyboard sounds, drum beats combined altogether sweat a runaway and terror spirit that defines the Murder Capital.

Get This Money is written on a cool melody based on soft vocals and instrumentals that contrast with Bizzy’s sharp reps and determined spirit.

Got This Addiction: let Bizzy offer your ears a poetic narration of his addiction. Hear the complaint of an imprisoned and empoisoned mind whose pain is musically defined by a subtle combination of guitar and electric guitar sounds.

Wicked that features Twisted carries a dark spirit that is continually enhanced by the monotonous organ background. However light is never too far from the dramatic dimension of the song. Catch the humorous words inside of a world of insanity.

Start a Mosh Pit is a swinging club song. That stuff is much more commercial. Honestly, I found it less likeable.

Cakin features NYC artist Scarchild. Meet an untrustworthy boyfriend during a private party with his fellows Dub, Gam and King Gordy.

Don’t miss Da Fat Boy Dance and its catchy musical background. The master of the ceremony, Bizarre, will teach you how to rub your stomach with lyrical ease and loads of humor.

The album ends up on a funny note with Fat Boy featuring King Gordy. Shake your belly and dance along with Bizzy.

So what is noteworthy in Blue Cheese N Coney Island? Think of the use of different musical genres such as hip hop, metal and gospel. Pay attention to the Southern, East Coast and Midwest musical influences. See how many efforts have been invested into heartfelt memory. Don’t forget to mention the numerous talents participation, the subtle combination of humor plus horrorcore and a spirit that is so typical to D12′s Weirdo.

So should you cop this CD? Definitely yes. Rufus Johnson’s creativity should be given a chance if you ask me!

Copyright© 2007 by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

All eyes are on Bizarre this month…

October 19, 2007 in D12, Detroit Underground Scene | 1 comment

Dear readers,

I admit that Bizarre’s music might not be to everybody’s taste.

However, since he released two CDs within a short period- more precisely a CD and a mixtape-I will focus my efforts on reviewing his work.
I just completed the Blue Cheese N Coney Island CD review and will offer you my thoughts on the Bizarre’s world mixtape hosted by Young Mase very soon.

To all of you who really like the artist, enjoy your read. Well, to the others: I promise to focus on other hip hop subjects too, so please be patient!

Isabelle

Blue Cheese N Coney Island track listing…

October 19, 2007 in D12 | No comments

All details are available on the following website…you can also pre-order the CD here.

Bizarre/ So Hard/ video review

October 18, 2007 in D12 | No comments

Global rating of the product: 4.5 stars

There is a major misconception about D12′s Bizarre: too many people-including fans- often think that Bizarre has nothing consistent to say in his music. Those whose knowledge of Rufus Johnson is limited to his mainstream songs often define the artist as a clown who raps about crazy things and whose music doesn’t make sense.

Little did you know about Bizzy if you’d like to summarize him to a kind of hilarious clown inside of D12 who can’t rap. One who has listened to Bizarre’s Rap Guys and to many of his other underground songs perfectly knows that this is totally untrue.

Today Rufus Johnson intends to introduce his viewers into the harsh universe of the D-town. He intends to communicate his passion and dedication to hip hop. Through the So hard video, the artist offers his viewers numerous flashbacks about his childhood and his struggle to make it in the music industry.

The video features local emcee King Gordy and an incredible vocal talent Monica Blaire who enriches the video with a wonderful warm and deep voice.
So hard is a subtle mixture of gospel and rap. Travelling through the past St Andrews Friday Night Sessions, the song revives the faith and the passion a dedicated artist put into his talent. So Hard shows all of us that talent alone isn’t enough: you gotta keep pushing on, no matter what. Only determined and perseverant are likely to see their dreams come true.

The price can be high, but behind each well earned success, there is a part of sacrifice to pay.

Travel through Bizarre’s childhood, be the witness of his Friday fishing sessions with his granddad, catch his words for Proof, Kuniva and Swifty.

The instrumental background made of catchy beats, claps, keyboard and piano sounds is softened by some intense vocals that will transport you into a godly universe.

If you love black music, you should definitely watch So Hard, a video in which Bizzy put his heart and soul.

Copyright©2007 by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

To all of you who ever doubted Bizarre’s talent…

October 17, 2007 in D12 | No comments

I invite you to visit the following website that features Bizarre’s Freestyle 101. Enjoy:)

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