The Eminem Blog » Detroit Underground Scene

The Mystery Channel & J Dilla/ The Dillaship

Isabelle — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 13:46:35 +0000

The notorious Detroit DJ Butter introduced me into a new hip hop release that is entirely dedicated to J Dilla, one of Detroit’s most impressive producer. Some artists’ lives are cut short ( J Dilla died at the young age of 32 from lupus skin disease), but the perennity of their consistant work is our beautiful heritage; their music and legacy will live on forever. J Dilla is one of these guys who will relive Detroit from its ashes.

Ready to listen to The the DillaShip?

Please be all ear, be prepared from some tremendous, genuine hip hop!

Numerous Detroit talents have participated to this beautiful piece of art that enlightens Dilla’s genius. Some catchy beats will let you enter into a hot atmosphere. Meet at the Detroit club, enjoy the astute punchlines and syllable plays. The original instrumental background, a combination of light and dark keyboards, a crazy mix of catchy beats…nod your head to the track, meet hip hop at its purest state, where vocals work together with syllable smashers.

I am truly impressed with the numerous Detroit icons who participated to put together this beautiful and authentic piece of good rap like Proof’s former collaborators 5 ELA, Bareda aka Mr Wrong, the amazing vocalist and Bizarre collaborator Monica Blaire, just to name a few.

The music will take you into a magical universe where artists truly give all they have for the greatest pleasure of the listeners. I liked the ‘Detroit ghetto atmosphere’. Not only does the Dillaship present some excellent hip hop, it also brilliantly combines it with an amazing funky/ soul touch.

True hip hop lovers, have a listen! I definitely recommend you The Dillaship. While mainstream hip hop seems to have lost it, some genuine underground hip hop artists will know how to keep your passion for the music alive.

Exclusive Gee Unite Us release: Music Gets Me High

Isabelle — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 16:34:46 +0000

Global rating of the product: 4 stars

I am very pleased to review a brand new, yet unreleased song by Detroit underground hip hop group Gee Unite Us, Music Gets Me High.
You are about to discover an ingenious track, produced by Gerald Bouey, CEO of Gee Unite us in collaboration with
Katari Feat. Dylan Dilijah, Jacka, and A.G. Tha Ryda. Katari is Afeni Shakur’s nephew he will be the first artist signed to Amaru Records.
The musical background is a mixture of soft instrumentals mixed up with some slight, hammering piano notes. The trio astutely inserts some soft yet contrasting vocals into the instrumentals. The spirit is nostalgic but uplifting in its general message. The song took some inspiration from Tupac’s Betta Days.

It reminds us that an artist’s life is not only projectors, acclaim and glitter. It is made of sacrifice. However, a dedicated artist manages to sublimate this harsh aspect of the music industry by being one with the music, uniting soul and spirit to create some harmonic magic- a magic that he shares with the public.

In high school, our music teacher once asked us: ” What is music?”
Somebody answered: ” a succession of sounds”. He looked then a little bit disappointed. I then waved my hand and said: ” Music is a succession of harmonious sounds that pleases the ear.” He then looked satisfied and congratulated me.

Music is a wonderful way to find harmony in our lives. When you are the creator of the music, you are even more conscious of that specific element that makes us feel and live out to the music we love. Music manages to makes us feel happy, it erases our pain.

As the song is advancing, the melody becomes more rhythmic. All artists have a beautiful, dynamic flow.

Check out the song as soon as it comes out!

More info about Gee Unite Us can be found here.

Chaos Kid commits suicide

Isabelle — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 18:02:57 +0000

I have been in touch with Chaos Kid a while ago. He was a nice person. Read the news here.

Yesterday was Big Proof’s birthday…

Isabelle — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 13:40:05 +0000

missed, but never forgotten…let’s remember the great hip hop artist Dehaun Holton was and let his music LIVE ON:)))

Kuniva of D12′s got beef with 5ELA

Isabelle — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 20:47:04 +0000

First of all, I want to remind all of you that I refuse to take sides, as I respect 5ELA for their high quality hip hop and I respect Kuniva of D12 as well for the outstanding artist he actually is.

Let me remind you all that RIP Big Proof was full part of the 5ELA group and that they did amazing collaborations. Proof was also D12, he founded the group along with Bizarre, so it is kinda painful to see the Detroit scene being torn apart that way.

Here is the reason why Kuniva dissed 5ELA. Follow the whole story at Skrilla Gorillas’ website.

I think that the Detroit scene should search for unity. Whatever happens, happens anyway.

Feel free to comment, but I won’t tolerate any insults. They will be deleted straight away.

Exclusive unreleased Big Proof interview, by me

Isabelle — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 20:14:12 +0000

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BIG PROOF!

Four years ago, I’ve been granted the chance to interview Big Proof.

This interview has never ever been published…it has been done through Rude of IF just a few months before Big Proof died…Attention, please! This is from January 2006. Love you, Big Proof:)))

Proof interview Q & A’s

Deshaun Holton aka Proof aka Derty Harry, thanks for accepting this interview.

1. Many people know you as the D12 member, but less people know you as a solo artist. Is that the main reason that motivated you to create Iron First?

Yeah, it seems that the people forget the origin of D-12. All solo artist an who ever gets on comes back for the rest

2. What is the main difference between the D12 artist and the solo artist you actually are?

Basically too different perspective to speak from..

3. In your Searching For Jerry Garcia album -tight album, by the way- suicide seems to be a recurrent theme…can you tell us a little bit more about your fascination with suicide and about « Club ‘27 »?

It’s a metaphor, the death of Derty Harry, a cocoon state, its a new beginning… Club 27 is some spooky shit to me, a lot of incredible artists…

4. Besides your love for your hometown that is present in your Cds and mixtapes, what or who is your main source of inspiration?

Man life is the greatest inspiration, hands down.

5. D12 and Proof fans are familiar with your E.S.H.A.M track and have followed your beef with local rapper Esham. On your Grown Man Shit mixtape, you apologize to him. I have heard that both of you have reconciled in Detroit at your birthday party. Do you have some collaborations with Esham included in your future projects?

Yeah, me and Esham gonna do some work very soon.

6. I Miss The Hip Hop Shop that beautiful mixtape of yours recalls the days of the Hip Hop shop in Detroit. Back in the days, what do you miss most about the early stages of Detroit hip hop?

Wow! That’s an ill question … I miss the innocence, the vibe and the adventure.

7. What is the most difficult challenge you had to face in your whole career?
Separating the streets from the industry….

8. Besides D12, you have many collaborations with local artists at your active. Which Detroit artist (s) has (have) recently attracted your attention because of his (their) talent ?

Supa Mc, Woofpac, an J Hill. They all are very talented, an ,of course, Purple Gang.

Who are you keen on collaborating (whether on the local scene or on a national scale) with in a near future?

Mike from Alien Ant Farm, he’s a cool cat.

10. What kind of projects will you be working on after « Searching For Jerry Garcia »?

Hand to hand mix cd due out march 7th … P.G. album, Woofpac, Supa M.C. then Club 27, we just started on the 3rd D-12 album …. so be on the look out we coming full steam ahead.

Proof/ Time A Tell/album review

Isabelle — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 12:38:00 +0000

Global rating of the product:4.5 stars

Deshaun Holton aka Big Proof wrote Time A Tell, a whole hip hop album, within 24 hours, just a few months before being savagely murdered at the CCC club in Detroit. Despite fame and his huge popularity in Detroit City and all over the world, Proof knew how to keep down to earth.With his simplicity and his full dedication to hip hop, his hard work, Proof has become the mere symbol of artistic integrity. With this very complete piece of work, Proof hasn’t left his auditors orphans: he is sharing his wonderful musical genius with his hometown and the rest of the world.

Each time I am tempted to give up on my passion, I look up to Proof. Then I know I have to keep doing my thing with the same flame, because we have to invest in our God-given gifts and allow the world to enjoy them as well.

Time A Tell is rich of many musical collaborations. We need to underline the participation of some skilled Detroit talents like Killa Kaunn, First Borne, Supa Emcee of Iron Fist, J-Hill, Mudd and Thyme of 5 ELA, Moe Dirdee and TY Farris, just to name a few.

The album is rhythmic, inventive with its numerous musical compositions, rich of atitute punchlines. Proof’s raspy voice stands out in the whole album. The Detroit legend is giving you some insight about the Detroit scene.

After a theatrical intro, you will be introduced into a touchy subject, Friends Ain’t Really Friends. The musical background has a rhythmic jazzy-soul touch. The listener will be reminded of Tupac and Biggie’s stories. Fakeness gets exposed in a genuine Proof lyrical rapping style. Thumbs up!

You Heard Of Us featuring Killa Kaunn and First Born is a swinging, offensive track in which the emcees’ skills are fully enlightened. The track gets grimy andd murderous. Enjoy the Detroit style!

Whole New Beginning features the brilliant Supa Emcee. The song is quite nostalgic. Words do matter in this one too.

Priceless combines trumpet and siren background sounds. Feel the dangerosity of hood life. I love the icy cold steel spirit put into his song.

I Think Of You is built on a soft musical background. There, Proof really excels in verbal fluency.

Most of you aready know Sincerly Proof, a track that had been leaked on the internet a short time after Proof passed away.

Pill Pop is written in a sarcastic style. I love the lyrics, Proof’s sense of humor.

Among the songs I really liked, I recommend you the Time A Tell track.
It is beautifully made and reeinforces the Detroit emcee’s know how. That’s how they do it…and they are really good at it!You go, Purple Gang.

You like it lyrical? Go listen to Verbal Spar where you will enjoy Woof Pac’s verbal storm.

Nearly 4 years have gone by since Proof passed away. But his music is pretty much alive. Time will tell you about Proof’s legacy. The emcee is one of hip hop’s most valuable jewels.

Proof’s last album, Time A Tell…

Isabelle — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 11:23:51 +0000

seems to be out…somebody posted a link on facebook…I want that album to be my next review at The Eminem Blog…stay tuned, folks:)

You will be able to listen to Big Proof’s album here.
The album is hotter than hot! Enjoy:)

Isabelle

What You Smokin On, a brand new Bizarre-King Gordy collaboration/video review

Isabelle — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 17:45:16 +0000

Global rating of the product:3.75 stars

There’s a little bit of some Westcoast spirit in our Detroiters’ mind. Bizarre of D12 and the King Of Horrorcore King Gordy are inviting you for a chillout ride into their weed smoking universe. Whether you smoke it, inhale and exhale it, there is a relaxing mood in this video. Follow King Gordy and Bizarre on a very soft instrumental tune. just sit back and relax…because there is nothing better in life than a relaxed body and mind.

Let your sorrows and worries be, at the time being…close your eyes…then open them again, let a high Bizarre show you the clouds…

Vocally, Bizarre’s voice contrasts with the darker, grittier King Gordy voice. The soft melody guides you viewers to cloud 9…what a nice feeling of freedom. This song is truly the perfect Summer chillout hit. Fine girls are part of the feature too.

You will be able to find Bizarre’s new video on his official website.

Two exclusive Dogmatic tracks: a glimpse of the Like Coleman Young mixtape

Isabelle — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:29:37 +0000

“Swearing is an art form. You can express yourself much more directly, much more exactly, much more succinctly, with properly used curse words.” Coleman Young

Most remarkable persons who impacted black history teach us great lessons of courage and determination. It is particularly because, despite the many obstacles they faced, they knew how to seize the opportunities and to use their numerous disadvantages to their greatest advantage. Coleman Young was Detroit’s first black Mayor. He is famous for fighting injustice and innovating black policies.
Like Coleman Young did in the past with Detroit’s black community, Dogmatic endorses this reassembling role of the Detroit hip hop community, reflecting the 313 in his music , like the true ghetto soldier he is.

Starting on a melodic, nostalgic yet rhythmic sounding musical introduction, Dogmatic will take you into his world with his Godfather track, representing his City with pride. You can’t stop Dogmatic’s unstoppable flow, his scurrilous and confident attitude. Hip Hop lovers will appreciate his strong delivery. “D Towners” can be proud of their representative who manages to draw a realistic picture of 8 Mile. Dogmatic, the “second half” of Promatic, never forgets to pay tribute to the true Mayor of Hip Hop. also know as Big Proof, his long term friend and collaborator.

In Turned Out, Dogmatic offers a very insightful reflection about the current state of hip hop. Appreciate the gifted emcee’s know how, his stormy flow delivery, his goal targetted punchlines on a rhythmic musical background. Get caught into Dogmatic’s word spiral, listen to his words, appreciate his raw honesty in exposing emcees.

Hopefully, you’ve become hungry for more. Dogmatic’s Like Coleman Young mixtape will be out soon. For more info check Dogmatic’s my space account.