Detroit Underground Scene

Global rating of the product: 4 stars

I recently had the chance to be granted an interview with Detroit emcee Big A who also happens to be deeply rooted with Lebanon, his country of origins. To fully understand the emcee’s pain and struggle in his folks’ names, you have to watch his Same Struggle video in collaboration with Zhao-Ski.

Sometimes raw footages speak louder than any words. Sometimes words are the metaphorical support to the deepest wounds that are reflected in the images shown in a video. My intentions as a reviewer are not to enter into a political discourse regarding the Middle East conflict and its consequences, or to reflect any kind of biased views on one side or the other, but rather to expose the pain and drama that are expressed through the music.

Today’s Lebanon is a broken country that is destroyed by war. It is also undermined by a huge political divide. Lebanon used to be a glorious and rich country. Lebanon is mentioned in the Bible 71 times and one could barely think about Lebanon without mentioning its cedars, as Psalm 92 enlightens it so well:

“The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.” (Psalm 92:12)

This biblical verse will make the reader want to wander through scented forest of huge cedars and just enjoy its olfactive benefits. But I digress…what I meant is that Lebanon used to be an admirable, wealthy reference country, but the war reduced it to destruction, drug traffics and ruins all around its magnificent landscape.

Big A’s musical background is introduced by monotoneous piano notes that are the prelude to the drama. Along with his fellow emcee, he will underline the Israeli government’s wickedness in handling issues. Love doesn’t know any frontiers: the Detroit based emcee is marching along with his folks and supporting their fight. Enjoy his way of telling the story and making words rhyme together in a rebellious way.

Discover Big A’s video here.

Copyright© by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

Who is aka Big A? Big A is a Detroit underground emcee of Lebanese origins. Deeply rooted into Detroit City, the emcee stays true to his Lebanese heritage. Listen to his say!

Big A interview questions

1.What motivated you most to get involved into the rap business?

-I’ve been listening to rap music ever since I was 3 or 4 years old. I loved walking to the record store in South Lebanon an hour away to buy rap tapes. The feeling I got while listening to this music was a mix of entertainment, empowerment and inspiration. It really touched the deepest parts of my soul. I travelled to the United States at age 18 and didn’t start rapping until 3 years after that. The pure business aspect is necessary for an artist cause when you dedicate more time for the music by quitting your day job if possible for example, you will be able to paint a better picture with your music.

2.What is the story behind your nickname?

-My real name is Ahmad and after growing up listening to a lot of Big L and Big Pun, I decided to be the next “Big” rapper and now you have me: Big A.

3.From what I understand you’ re of Lebanese origins. To what extend is your music bridging your country of origins with the Detroit style?

-I love that you said -Detroit Style- cause Detroit got so much style and so many international music pioneers. The bridging of styles and cultures is all over my music. A local Hip hop producer: Zhao-Ski (who’s my music mentor in a lot of ways) played a huge role in initiating my recording career and he introduced my 1st album Conscious Gangsta to the music scene in the summer of ‘08. One way to really answer this question is by watching the music video of the song Same Struggle which showed how the 2006 Lebanese war can be put in the same video with the struggles of Detroit city.

4. What is your opinion about fellow Detroit Lebanese rapper Merciless Amir? Do you like his style?

-Wow I really respect that you know Detroit’s history like that. I’m really still learning myself and it’s amazing when you look at the influence that such artists like Merciless Amir had on our favorite rappers in Detroit. This made me make a phone call to my homie Mudd from 5 ELA and the conversation extended to almost 2 hours. He told me to look up the song “A Day Without A Rhyme” by Merciless Amir and was showing me how he was like the Rakim of Detroit! Thanks for this question yo! And also as far as Lebanon’s contributions to Hip hop, my homie DJ Lethal Skillz from Lebanon has been holding it down for quite a while and the Hip hop scene there is growing with artists that have amazing talents like MC Moe, Malikah, RGB and so many other rappers, producers and so on.

5.What is your opinion about the local Detroit hip hop scene?

-I love the Detroit Hip hop scene and I’m proud to be a humble representer of it. Last night I went to my favorite spot called 5 Elements Gallery. This spot is starting a movement thanks to DJ Sicari (the owner) who is one third of the crew 5 ELA. Piper Carter was hosting a weekly event called Foundation and it’s about bringing it back to the roots of Hip hop culture. At any moment you’ll see music heavy hitters come through like Finale, Invincible, 5 ELA, Dj Head (Eminem’s 1st Producer), Jessica Care Moore, Monica Blaire, Dwele, USM crew, Slum Village, T3, Elzhi, DJ Dez, One Be lo, Nick Speed, AML crew…. The point I want to make is: The atmosphere is amazing and the theme can vary from Break Dance lessons to Graffiti art to the vital role of Women in Hip Hop and so on. It’s just amazing to me to see positive things and positive people in the middle of going through an economic crisis. I have a big front-bumper sticker on my truck that reads: I LOVE DETROIT. “what more can I say?”

6.According to you, is it an advantage to be Detroit rooted?

-It’s a huge honor and something to be proud of to be Detroit rooted. I’m building with different groups of the community and we all love Hip hop. J Dilla, Aretha Franklin, Steve Wonder, Awesome Dre & The Hardcore Committee: They all from Detroit. There’s a lot of credit to be given and that’s a whole interview by itself but for example a lot of people don’t know Detroit is where Techno music was originated.

7.What is the most difficult challenge you had to face since you started rapping?

-Being in the States in 2006 while my family and friends were in Lebanon during the July war.

8.Which local Detroit artists have you collaborated with already?

-Zhao-Ski, Fes Roc, Miz Korona, Technique De Elite, Illite, Finale, Asylum 7, Aztec, Lab Techs, Sleepy Biggs, J Borro, Joe Nehme and some more other cats…

9.How would you define yourself as an artist?

-I spit that real grimy gangsta rap combined with the humility of being God’s servant. I reach out to everybody and I love making songs with different artists from all around the world. I’m just here to learn and I’m down with creating a new revolution based on respect and honesty while taking over the world.

10.According to you, what makes you appear as unique on the Detroit scene?

-The way I represent Lebanon to the fullest and stay true to my Arab Heritage and our Palestinian cause.

11.Who is your biggest influence on the local scene and why?

-Of course I’m very influenced by all Detroit artists but Zhao-Ski has been consistently my mentor through all this journey. We’ve developed an amazing stage show together and he’s been bringing a lot of knowledge and wisdom to the table.

12.Could you summarize your work since you started rapping within a few lines, especially for the readers who don’t know you well?

-I’ve shared the stage with the best local and international performers. The musical collaborations have been non-stop. Most importantly,my album “CONSCIOUS GANGSTA” speaks for itself. Please check me out @ WWW.MCBIGA.COM

13.What are your current musical projects?

-There will be surprise joint projects coming soon with a couple artists I look up to. And I’m also working on new Big A solo material. If any beat-makers want to provide beats, my email is mcbiga@yahoo.com and you can go to facebook.com/mcbiga

14.Which Detroit artist(s) (you haven’t collaborated with yet) would you envision a collaboration with?

-5 ELA, Invincible, One Be Lo, Black Milk, and Elzhi to name a few…
Thank you for the interview.

Copyright© by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

Big A will be my guest for the Eminem blog…stay tuned:)

I mean like ‘ really lyrical’ ?

Then this new Royce 5.9 track is for you. It is entitled D.O.A Redemption.

I recently had the chance to present you an exclusive, unreleased song from NBG Records, entirely dedicated to Deshaun Holton’s memory. Now, after being able to listen to the song, you’ll be able to watch the video to Living Proof.

The video features Marvwon, of the Detroit Fat Killaz. Enjoy:)

Isabelle

UPDATE ON THIS TOPIC: I got some RELIABLE info from Trick Trick’s collaborator Diezel on my space. Appearently, this topix is a TOTAL HOAX. Trick Trick is doing well and hasn’t been hurt at all.

Isabelle

Read the original article here.

by The Associated Press
Monday March 16, 2009, 5:29 PM
DETROIT — Police say Eminem collaborator and gangsta rapper Trick Trick was shot in the leg early Monday at a downtown Detroit club.

But a man claiming to be Trick Trick has told radio station WKQI-FM that he was at home “restin’ and chillin’” at the time of the shooting. Police say 36-year-old Christian Mathis and another man were shot about 1:15 a.m. during a fight at the Esko Lounge.

Mayoral spokesman Daniel Cherrin says Mathis told police that “he was Trick Trick.”

Cherrin says Mathis and 31-year-old Barry Washington were treated at local hospitals. Washington was shot in the right arm and groin area.

Detroit area native and rap superstar Eminem is featured on Trick Trick’s “Welcome 2 Detroit” song.

Global rating of the product:5 stars ( outstanding piece of work)

After his autobiographical The People Vs, Trick Trick is back with The Villain. Back to the Detroit slums, Trick Trick will give you the realest definition of a villain you could ever get. Hood as hell, accompanied by his Goon Sqwad crew, Christian Mathis always serves his dishes raw. The talented emcee belongs to the kind of emcees who don’t rap to please the masses. Authentic in his speech, rich of more than a decade of rapping experience, Trick Trick introduces you into his Edgar Poe alike universe where guns are laws.

Loud, orchestral sounds mixed up with keyboard sounds, rhythmic beats will smash internet thugs with no mercy. Trick Trick and his crew have made a name and are notorious in the D.

U Can Get F***** Up: electric guitars introduce the song, hanging over the sky like a bad omen of dark clouds before the tornado. Trick Trick and Goon Sqwad are warning you: if you go to Detroit, you should be very careful. Don’t play the fool with true Gs.
The song is rhythmic as well. I enjoyed its dark atmosphere, its menacing words, the roughness of its voices.

Who Want It features Eminem. Instrumentally, the song is a various composition and a contrasting balance between dark and light. Contrabass notes that suggest drama are intelligently married with organs, light bell sounds and electronics. The offensive spirit that is carried here is quite obvious.

Trick Trick’s part is wonderfully rough, scurillous. It is mastered with dexterity from the beginning to the end. I am a little bit disappointed by Eminem’s ways too light register that does not really fit into the darkness of the subject. I would have wished more aggressivity from Eminem’s side too.
It is interesting to note that the highly talented Luis Resto has been working on this song too.

Definitely Detroit based, Can’t F**** With My City includes Marwvon and Guilty Simpson’s collaborations. The light piano sounds will add to the tension of darker chord sounds. I like the spirit of the song. Made in Detroit, by Detroit lyrical emcees. Wonderful!

Sumthin 4 Da Hataz opens the curtain on Goon Sqwad’s Diezel, Fatt Father and Paradime’s talents. What I really appreciate is the swinging jazzy- soul instrumental background, the humorous and conquerror spirit of the Detroit emcees. Definitely a must hear.

Let’s Work is already a Trick Trick classic that should belong to any Detroit hip hop lover’s library. Don’t miss the video for the song. It is a perfectionist’s work.

Hold On again has that beautiful soul spirit mixed up with some very raw elements in which Trick Trick gets real as can be.
I like the biographical elements the talented emcee presents to his public.

Wow…Let It Fly includes heavyweight Westcoast master Ice Cube…you gotta love the song, that enlightens both emcees’ talent. Lil Jon also participates to the song.

All Around The World will impress real hip hop lovers. Royce da 5.9 and Trick Trick manage to mix up a gospel, soul, blues spirit in which vocals do matter. Tuba sounds add a quite comical elements. It is beautifully managed from the begiining to the end.
Loved it!

2Getha 4 Eva features Esham, Kid Rock and Proof. It is hardcore as hell.

Get It Cracking enlighten Trick Trick’s raspy voice, his rough spirit. He is truly killing it. Pleasure your ears with pure, raw Detroit sounds.

Globally speaking, The Villain is an amazing piece of work. Straight ghetto talk, mastered instrumentals, excellent local Detroit collaborations. Don’t sleep on the album, it is the living proof that hip hop ain’t dead yet.

Copyright© by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

Trick Trick has always been one of my faves on the boiling Detroit hip hop scene…if you like it raw, Christian Mathis aka Trick Trick is your emcee…his album is definitely a must hear…it includes some very interesting Detroit collaborations…stay tuned, folks…despite a busy schedule, I will do my best to review the album:)