The Eminem Blog » Hip Hop

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.

I Need A Doctor/ an Eminem-Dr Dre collaboration

Isabelle — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 16:07:53 +0000

Video review

Global rating of the product: 4.75 stars

Maybe Good Friday is the ideal time for reviewing Eminem’s recent work with hip hop legend Dr Dre. with the numerous death and resurrection symbols it contains. Eastern time is the ideal time to meditate about the very meaning of life.

In many regards, Eminem resembles the spirit of his hometown that symbolically rises from its ashes: just when you think he just run out of musical ressources, the man totally redeems himself with some amazing, creative stuff.

Meet a depressed Dr Dre at the beach. While being caressed by the relaxing sound of the sea, Andre Young, now a mature man, has some flashbacks about the glorious time of NWA, his marriage, his kids, his Up In Smoke Tour, his complicity with Slim Shady…
When you’ve been through hard times ( Dr Dre was unlucky enough to lose a 23 year old son who was found dead, unresponsive in his bed), you sometimes question yourself about what really makes sense in your life. If you are too harsh in your judgment towards yourself, you might be tempted to commit suicide. In the video, Dr Dre is deperate to that extent. As he drives faster and faster through the mountains’ heights, his car suddenly crashes…total blackout…opration table…meet Dre between life and death, in his coma, an aetheric creature sings the refrain : ” I need a doctor…” Musically speaking Skylar Grey’s soft voice contrast with the electric guitar accords and Eminem’s rough voice. Eminem recalls the good times and how Dre literally saved his life by believing in his talent and signing him to his label…his voice is strong enough to reach Dre who needs slowly gets back to life.

He needs to learn how to walk again, little by little and moreover to believe in himself.

Have faith. Don’t look for miracles outside of yourself: miracles happen from within.

Great Eminem-Dre collaboration. Watch it here.

Adam JSolo interview

Isabelle — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 19:49:25 +0000

You just discovered Adam JSolo’s life story. Discover the man and artist in his own words. For more info about Adam JSolo, go to Adam’s facebook.

1. What motivated you at first to become an artist?

-I was 15 my friend Geoff and I were in my computer room and we decided to write a rap song, and I promised him that I would never give up on becoming an artist, He was my best friend and when I told him I meant something he knew I was really serious about it

2. How did you come up with your nickname?

-I liked how Tupac used his real name, So I would use mine, Adam Jacob or Adam J Solo

3. Which is your biggest ( musical) source of inspiration?

-My biggest source of influence would have to be, The Beatles and Tupac 2 of my favorite artists/bands ever

4. Old school or new school hip hop?

-Good question. I prefer anything that is somewhat truth or fun to listen to so a little bit of both is a good dose for me, tho I can not really listen to that stuff that just doesn’t make any sense unless I like the beat and tune out the stupidity

5. Define yourself as an artist within a few words?

-A Clean Up Artist, because I believe that if given the chance I can really clean up the game,the world and overall bring something clean,fun and exciting to the table

6. According to you, what makes you stand out of the crowd?

-The fact that I am not in this to be a rapper or an entertainer. I am in it because I feel that its time for a good role model with some words that people all over can relate to.

7. For how long have you been rapping now? What are your biggest achievements as an artist?

-About 7 years, I only count 1 year tho because the last year I have started to try and master my craft and take it seriously. My biggest achievement so far has been to be able to gain the attention of major producers with my story and music, I haven’t gotten the chance to really go out there yet, I have been so busy with bills and life its been kinda hard hoping for a big break soon

8. Which artists have you been collaborating with?

-Hazardas-Donald Bandy from North Carolina, but other than that I am a Solo act, but he is a young 17 year old actor who has been in many tv shows and commercials

9. Besides hip hop, what kind of music do you listen to?
-Believe it or not recently I have really started to listen to classical music, I also like classical rock.

10. What is the message behind your lyrics?

-good question you got me thinking how to best answer this haha umm Its time for us as a culture to rise to the occasion and its been hard for us to, whether it was broken homes, drugs infesting our streets, anger and hate as well, its time to be happy for the things you have and its time to really act better and be more aware of how our actions effect not only us personally but us as a culture.

Adam J Solo’s story or don’t give up on yourself

Isabelle — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 14:49:26 +0000

Adam JSolo is a hip hop artist.He was born on October the 29th, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

How he got there is a very long story, because he was diagnosed with a major learning disability at a very early age. He was put on heavy medication and the doctors nearly gave up on him. He was singled out and had to go to private schools.

Despite the doctors’ diagnosis that really spoke against Adam’s capabilities, the young boy had an incredible memory:” I was always really intelligent so I was told I would memorize all the numbers on the refrigerator at the age of 2″ (Adam)

Adam’s mom would test altenative medicines and natural treatments for her son in order to improve his health.But in front of Adam’s difficulties, his father deserted his home.

Adam then went to a military school where making friends was a lot easier for him.During his teenage years, Adam got into trouble, getting involved with drugs. His life eventually took a more positive tuen when he met his girlfriend and future wife Gina who allowed him to change the way he envisioned life.Adam experienced the funny side of life with Gina, his best friend and hers fell in love and ended up having a kid. But at the same time, life didn’t spare him: he lost two close friends within six months.Adam eventually chose to become an emcee and to teach people about the power of a positive attitude. His motivation to succeed despite all will bring him further, because as Eminem said it in Lose Yourself before ” you can do anything you set your mind to, man”.

Adam’s story teaches anybody an invaluable life lesson: even if anybody is giving up on you, you gotta find the force and the courage within yourself. If you fight hard enough, you will be exactly where you wanna be.

Taste this flavor of Black Ice!

Isabelle — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 12:18:32 +0000

You like it gangsta? You like it West Coast too? Then this new Black Ice flavor-that consists of the combination of two raw hip hop talents, Ice T and Black Silver- is exactly for you.
The rap game currently possesses a myriad of rappers. However, very few are really talented and true to the actual ghetto reality. Pioneers and rap masters such as Ice T are here to enlighten real street knowledge combined with their musical and instrumental knowledge. They truly know how to reinvent themselves. Their overwhelming mainstream success will not prevent them from offering quality tracks to the connoisseurs. Here you have a dynamic duo, Ice T and Black Silver, here they go, keeping it gangsta and West Coast sounding, carrying the true hip hop spirit.

Rhythmic and electronically combined, The Best Way is built on a dark musical background, enhancing Ice T’s dark vocals. The track is enlightening both Ice T and Black Silver’s word dexterity. If gangsta rap is your way of life or your tremendous passion, you are gonna like this one!Enjoy the dou’s bad boy spirit and nod your head to the track. The Best Way is truly a must hear!

You will find The Hunger in form of a dialog. The track will introduce the listener into the harsh ghetto reality and the daily grand hustle. Learn more about the streets of California and their ghetto survivors.

Out there features Too $hort. The instrumentals are a mixture of whistle, keyboard and violins sounds, spreading a quite surrealistic atmosphere all around. Pimping is the main theme of the song.

On Ice T and Black Ice’s my space account, you will be able to listen to the three songs mentioned above, but you will also be able to enjoy a few typical West Coast videos lead by the hand of rap masters. Enjoy:)

Politics- an edgy Murph Derty-Zo collaboration( mixtape review)

Isabelle — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 19:05:32 +0000

Global rating of the mixtape: 4 stars

Dark, cadenced instrumentals with a soft soul touch, the Murph Derty and Zo (of the Detroit I Dash group)’s avant-gardist use of their sounds, their rapid flow and constant syllable slapping will definitely conquer a hip hop loving audience. Murph Derty hails from Sidney, Australia. Zo and Murphy’s complementary know how reveals the listeners a brand new dimension of handling words and instrumentals- darkness, offensiveness, a scurrilous mind is astutely mixed up with a soft note that has a refreshing dew effect.
The dynamic duo is marching on, introducing Monsta Music to the world. Two lyrical soldiers who carry the power of a whole army are ready to fire hot syllables out of their mouths. Attention, please! Both emcees are ready to rip it off.

Face Off is sharply written. Electric guitar sounds offer a beautiful, opposing contrast to the harsh keyboard sounds. Our emcees are ready to conquer the world. Follow them into their crazy ride.

U Gone Love Me has some Dirty South accents. Piano, keyboards, violins introduce a dramatic dimension into the sounds. Two artists won’t compromise their style to please anybody.

I Don’t Dance combines some repetitive techno accents with a Dirty South flavor…groupies get smashed in that one! I liked it. Well done.

Pimping gently contrasts with Bodyguard’s dark notes. Light piano notes, some ironic accents make the Pimping song an ear delight.
Cinema is made of soulful guitar sounds combined with violins notes. Rhythmic beats truly enhance the song in which both emcees lyrically excel.

Instrumentally, I’m A Jerk is probably the most surprising song of the mixtape. Repetitive sounds on mad Zo’ lyrics: have a listen and don’t be afraid to discover something innovative-instrumentally speaking. It is proof that the rap game is constanly changing, requiring agood adaptability from the listener.

Among the songs I really appreciated, count Strung Out. Enjoy the depth of the instrumentals: yo gotta dig the piano-violin-bass-drum beat intelligent combination.
I’d also recommend all of you Good Die Young: enjoy the astute wordplays and the hammering piano background. Reminescing hip hop’s lost soldiers, the song reveals both artists’ know how.

Globally speaking Politics has a lot to offer to hip hop loving ears. Because of its yet unexplored musical techniques, it might surprise some of you, but don’t let this element distance you from good quality hip hop.

Edga Da Messiah Kayci/ God’s Infection LP

Isabelle — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 19:32:09 +0000

Global rating of the product: 4.5 stars

Underground emcee Edga Da Messiah Kayci has been exposed several times on the Eminem blog. The remarkable artist’s clever use of instrumentals, his incredible flow delivery, his dark Ice T alike voice raised a lot of interest from most readers.

Far from being average, Edga’s know how in handling instrumentals will manage to transport the listener into a cosmic dimension in which you will feel the fight between opposed spiritual forces. Edga gives a new definition of contemporary hip hop. The messiah is back. Let’s walk step by step through the tracks of his God Infection’s LP.

The Revolution Has Begun: the violin/ rhythmic drum background is the prelude to a new era introduced by Edga. You gotta love the swinging instrumentals that introduce the changes announced.

Witness The Coming: at the dawn of a new era, follow the Messiah in his crazy, repetitive rhythm on which his flow spreads like an unexpected whirlwind. Get metaphysical, elevate yourself, touch the sky with the emcee.
Edga’s force also lies in his avant-gardist use of the instrumentals in which he dares to combine strange sounds to dope beats.

Who Can? Who can fuck with the man who brings you back to the genesis of rap music, recalling its elements, spreading words like atomic particles, creator of crazy rhythms ex nihilo? Enemies get erased by verbal fluency in no time.

In Where Do We Go, Edga gets even more mystical. In this rhythmic, hammering instrumental transe, Edga seems to travel through time and space in order to rejoin God’s dimension. Edga’s mom passed away while he was working on this CD, which makes the track even more emotional. Instrumentally, the drum-trumpet-keyboard association unleashes the invisible spiritual forces. A son is talking to his deceased mom. Emotional words cross the river of ages and centuries to melt into the universal sea of mankind. Wow…this track is truly elevating!

Conceited Bastard attacks narrow minded people who are all about money and clothes. Let’s get lyrical on a surrealistic musical background. Well done, Edga.

War: like an army of soldiers marching on, the powerful instrumentals that combine keyboards, bass and drum plays symbolize the era of terror and blood. Get caught into Edga’s whirlwind of words in which he warns humanity in a very prophetic sounding voice.

Among other songs I really like, I’d recommend Cold World to all of you.

Globally speaking Edga has done some amazing work on his CD. His well mastered flow, his good sense of rhythm, his creative use of the instrumentals make an outstanding artist of him.

You can cop his CD with no hesitation!

The Message: strong hip hop signature

Isabelle — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 11:29:14 +0000

Thanks to artists like Antoine Moore aka The Message, hip hop can proudly claim that it experiences the dawn of its rebirth. If hip hop was dead, the brilliant underground artist ( who happens to be MC Lyte’s cousin) has found a refreshing way for hip hop to be reborn from its ashes.

A raw sounding voice, some inventive and rhythmic beats, a powerful spirit are the elements of a well made musical recipe…listen to his music and you will taste it with delight. Built Like That is cadenced, explosive like dynamite, fulfilled with astute punchlines. If you’re about good hip hop, you shouldn’t sleep on that track.

In Go To Guys features Eliott Ness The Message sharpens his tongue and flows like crazy. You gotta love the offensive , marching on spirit of the song.

On Your Mark mixes roughness with some soft vocals. The Message composes, operates with precision and his words will hit where it hurts. Again, a nice flow delivery enhances the song.

Get familiar with the business’ numerous intrigues by listening to The Plot. Guitar and light piano notes corroborate with the artist’s intonations to make the listener feel the plot. The song is rhythmic, slightly interrupted with short female voice interventions. The melody has some beautiful blues accents. Loved it!

Note that this excellent artist has two albums in preparation:

“ Against All Oddz” in collaboration with R-texz that is due in Mid 2009, plus “ Cause & The Effect”: The Autobiography Album that will be ready in 2010.

Check The Message here.

Ice Cube/ It Takes A Nation video review

Isabelle — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 15:50:01 +0000

Global rating of the product: 5 stars

Gangsta rap godfather Ice Cube hasn’t lost his edge, unlike many of his peers who started rapping at the same time. Full of justified ghetto rage, Ice Cube introduces you to a grimy and very descriptive song based on hardcore, dark instrumentals. His impressive verbal elasticity, his sharp- edged words allow the talented emcee to go straight to the point.
Gangsta rap’s wildest opponents still don’t get black people’s rage. A person of my entourage once told me that rap music was only noise and shouting to his ears. Yeah, right. Noise and shouting, but good and justified “noise” that carries out the symbolism of black folks’ fight through the centuries. While some people might still ask themselves why black people are so much angry, I’d like to oppose a rhetorical answer: aren’t 400 years of slavery and discrimination in America enough for somebody to feel anger and discomfort? Let me make you feel even more discomfort through my surgical words. Let my pen stab you like the sharpest knife if you’re not willing to hear.

Aren’t they a heavy enough burden for people to stand up against the American government’s everlasting imperialism? (on a sidenote, I salute Iraqi journalist Mr Zaidi for throwing a pair of shoes to Mr Bush- he fully deserved contempt for years of oppression in Iraq).

That’s why Ice Cube shows some gritty teeth towards any kind of governmental abuse. Ice Cube’s powerful and ruthless agression takes some colorful dimension in the first verse. The repetitive, hammering musical background accompanies the listener like a heavy rain cloud, symbol of the upcoming hurricane:

“
I got King Kong in my trunk,
King Kong in my doors
My nuts play ping-pong from the noise;
you can hear me from a block away
Im sitting next to your ass and cant hear what you got to say
My shit is loud, my ears is ringing
My paint job is wet
My chrome is gleaming
I feel like a vet ballin’ on these rookies
An old-school bully, you must have played hooky
I bring it like a bookie,
My aggression is depressing
Don’t give a muthafucka time to learn his lesson
A lunatic, y’all know what I represent
The only rapper that wanna fist-fight the president…”

Picture Ice Cube in LA with his buddys, getting physical against racial discrimination from the police. A war against the bullies has begun. Destruction in on its way, cars are burning.

Ice Cube stays true to himself, to his ghetto roots and to the spirit of his music. Acting like the leader of his folks O’ Shea Jackson has this amazing ability to captivate hardcore, gansgta rap hip hop lovers. You gotta love the hip hop giant’s video. Watch it here.

Can’t outrage Izzy Meock’s ghetto rage…

Isabelle — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 16:09:40 +0000

Hailing from New Jersey, Izzy Meock’s grimy words spread out of his chest like an AK47′s speedy bullets. You can feel the emcee’s angry spirit like a vulcano in constant eruption corroborate with his various instrumental composition. No guns unloaded when Izzy gets bizzy. Let him shout out his sharp words.

Music Makes Me Feel Dirty gets started with some rhythmic female vocals. Izzy will follow, allowing the listener to enjoy his verbal dexterity. His words are enhanced on purpose with loads of filthy details.

Let’s Get It Bumping is a cadenced song in which Izzy Meock hustles and flows with loads of verbal inventivity. Getting dirty in this context requires a lot of creativity and astute team work. The instrumentals add to the crazy atmosphere.

I’m Fresh is introduced by some bells, trumpets and keyboard sounds. He’s dynamic and cocky. The song is filled with a typical Dirty South atmosphere.

I’m Da Bomb: a dark, grimy voice, a confident spirit, some background vocal supporters, here goes Izzy, trying to make his opponents feel dizzy. The emcee is taking over with pride.

Sticky Icky Izzy takes his listeners by surprise with his hurtful and astute punchlines. Be prepared for the lyrical knock out.

Discover more about Izzy Meock here.