Nasir Jones deliberately chose not to give his CD a precise title. When he first announced his intentions to call it ” Nigger”, the outstanding rap artist was very much conscious of the controversy it would raise all around the world. However- not the N word is the real problem- it is rather the attitude some racists and conceited people still carry towards black people and other ethnic minorities. Prejudice and discrimination are part of black people’s allday life. Sometimes peace can only be gained if you go to war. God’s Son is determined to raise his powerful voice as a prayer and a contribution for a massive change in the United States. Come into his world and understand black people’s fight over the centuries. Let his word penetrate into your mind. Not every truth is easy to swallow. But it has to be said and heard-no matter what. So listen to the rap genius’ words carefully.

One could barely ignore black people’s plight over the centuries, even though some comfortable wealthy Whites would like to do so. Those are the same people who built their wealth on the shameless exploitation of black folks, To them, recalling the scars of slavery and discrimination of any kind will make them feel uncomfortable. Stop with the hypocrisy here: the prophet has spoken and here are his words.

Like an outburst of heavy rain, lyrical and instrumental creativity will pour down the listeners’ ears. Queens Get The Money opens up its curtains on daily ghetto drama that are linked with politics. Slight piano notes will accentuate the overall bad impression. Nas hasn’t lost an ounce of his rhyming fluency despite harsh criticism from his fellow emcees. You are going to love the way he composes his words in which he recalls the Twin Towers collapse. Built on a soulful, yet very dynamic tempo, You Can’t Stop Us enlightens Nas’ sharp lyrical bullets. Loud trumpets introduce Nas’ history lesson. The emcee points an accusatory finger against the white world. The soft chorus contrasts with Nas’ strong words. The atrocity of racial hate crimes is exposed. Never defeated, alwaya consistent in his speech, Nas makes the sword of veracity shine. You can’t stop his folks from moving. Breathe’s jazzy accents will discuss discrimination from the police. Even if some selfish people won’t take it into account, this is actually the way it is.

Make The World Go Round features Chris Brown and The Game. Its syncoped sounds mixed up with female vocals, rhythmic instrumentals unleash incisive, powerful words.

Hero will surprise you with the astute drumbeats/ keyboards combination. An army is marching on, supporting its hero. Get caught into Nas’ verbal typhoon that will erase everything on its route. I was amazed with Nas’ instrumental inventivity and raw verbal energy.

America: with his authentic, grimy and well placed words, the rapping genius raises his voice against America’s fabricated heroes and fake gangstas. Nas will take you back to the slums and make you contemplate the place where he came from. Enjoy his scribble jam and pay attention to his words. Real street talk, from a real emcee. Sly Fox has been written against a corporate American media system that monopolizes all news. Don’t be a sheep and don’t let the system manipulate you. Open your earsand eyes. Don’t believe everything you hear, read and see on the media. Electric guitar accentuates the sensation of discomfortthat is suggested by the song’s melody. Nas also courageously raises his voice to denounce the scandalous exploitation of hip hop culture. It needed to be said. Again, the lyricist’s brilliance needs to be underlined.

NI**ER Heartbeats begin the song that reflects peace after the ouragan. Understand the emcee’s rants.

Untitled: symphonic sounds start the song. Listen to Nas’ variations on the N word. Let him recall black history, express his mistrust about black leaders. Violins, drums and keyboard guide you into a soft musical universe that totally contrasts with Nas’ surgical syllables. In his way of operating, Nas reveals the whole truth about black folks’ lives over the centuries.

Fried Chicken featuring Busta Rhymes is not my cup of tea, though.
Black President, that is built on a Tupac sample, raises some interrogations about Obama’s place in the Presidential race. Is the world ready to welcome him? If so, will he respond to its expectations?
At the time Nas wrote this song, he didn’t know if Obama did actually stand a chance to get elected. The impossible became possible on November the 4th, 2008. Hopefully, America’s first black President won’t disappoint his folks

Since the days of Illmatic, Nas never lost his integrity. Please note that the CD ends up on a very positive note of hope for humanity.

Untitled is a masterpiece, as far as I am concerned.

Copyright© by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

I’ve been a fan of Eminem’s music first-before I started focusing on local Detroit artists around 2003. The Detroit hip hop scene is composed of a panel of various artists with different styles. But all of then do have ( let alone the few untalented clowns from the suburbs pretending to rap): they do carry the city’s dirty, rough, grimy imprint. The 313 is the heart of Detroit’s hip hop music. A lot of artists have contributed to the scene. Some of them, like Esham ( the godfather of acid rap) , Slum Village, 5 ELA, Trick Trick and Da Goon Sqwad, D12’s Proof ( just to name a few) have pioneered it.

Most Detroit artists take much pride in the way they word lyrics and the city is well known for its battle scene that came to life thanks to hip hop dedicated people like Maurice Malone. Much underrated, but nevertheless incredibly talented Royce da 5.9 and Obie Trice are among Detroits’ most creative lyricists.

Are you curious to know more Detroit artists? I’d strongly advice you to check the local mixtapes and CDs, then. There are a lot of hidden jewels like I-Mac’s Ruthless Aggression mixtape, Uncle ILL’s Ya All Know CD, Hush’s Roses and Razorblades CD, Proof’s From Death in collaboration with Da Goon Sqwad…in addition, you can also check my archive regarding the Detroit scene at the Eminem blog:)

A lot of talented Detroit artists have collaborated with Proof-yet their names barely emerge in magazines and newspapers, despite their obvious talent.

Journalist 103 is one of them. He appears in Proof’s “Broken” song and he’s a remarkable emcee. I had the chance to review him several times. Another brilliant emcee too many people forget to put in the spotlight is Dogmatic- Kevin Bailey aka Dogmatic carries the true spirit of the Detroit ghetto. You could barely talk about Detroit hip hop without putting his name on your tongue- which will make his Sicknotes label come to surface too. Sicknotes is an example of Detroits’ amazing creativity. Malaki The Most Hi has some good Proof collaborations at his active plus some inventive tracks of his own. His mouth truly spits fire. How come only a few people name the Sleeper Cell artist when they mention the Detroit scene?

Let’s talk about Swifty Mc Vay: ever checked his Grenade Pins and Forest Fyres mixtapes? Have you checked his collaborations with Raw Collection in which his sister (Reddbone) is an active part of the team? Have you ever heard about Miz Korona, the Laila Ali of rap?

You probably think you know Bizarre? Have a look at his amazing collaborations with Detroit’s most outstanding DJ Odell Perry aka DJ P Dog.

What is so cool about Detroit hip hop is that it is tailored to many tastes. Whether you like the warmth of Latino accents brought to you by DJ Rick and Dirty Politics or the sharp, rough Streetlordz sounds, for instance. The Detroit scene is indeed multi cultural. Emcees come from different backgrounds and each of them brings a different sounds and styles in the hip hop community.

Pure rap geniuses like Mc Lazarus ( whose parents emigrated from Pakistan to Detroit) will impress many listeners with his verbal mastery. Merciless Amir’s rhymes are intentionally enhanced with a subtle oriental touch, in which Detroit meets Lebanon.

Sound the alarm, like Guilty Simpson and Black Milk said it in 2006: Detroit hip hop has some amazing talent. Many of them deserve to have their names written in capital letters.
Not those who are running their big mouths on public places or on the internet. Not the biggest Cd peddlers either. Only the hard working, the heartfelt, hip hop dedicated emcees really deserve it.

But to get more recognition from the world, Detroit artists will need to consolide their unity: this is and will remain my point of view. Deshaun Holton aka Big Proof carried a dream: he aimed at reuniting the most Detroit artists possible in their differences and make them work together.

Detroit, you can make it happen!

Copyright© by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

Hip Hop: in his song, the Philly artist will convince you that the art of hip hop is pretty much alive. Softness, rhythm, a rough spirit matched up all together make Dymez’ originality. Hip hop is something he lives out day after day. Be sure of it. He’ll manage to transport you into his musical universe.

Make It Work: the girly song is not really my cup of tea, though.

Raised In Da Ghetto: move along to the swinging song. You are going to like Dymez’ ghetto anthem. Drums and vocals enhance the euphoric spirit of the song, that reaches its culmination while combining soulful female vocals to the chorus.

I’m also very enthusiastic about the very well handled drum beat in Yung Stunna. Dymez’ flow delivery takes you by storms while he drops his sharps words. Well done:)

Goon 2 A Goblin carries that rough, ghetto spirit. Catch the scary atmosphere, get surrounded by the repetitive vocals that create an unsafe, creepy atmosphere, while screaming violins will cut into the darker keyboard sounds.

Discover an outstanding hip hop artist who masters his art here.

Copyright© by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

Obama’s election coincides with difficult economic circumstances,on a worldwide scale, political tensions. During his campaign, Mr Obama never said that anything would be easy. He encouraged American citizens to makes some efforts. I think that he is perfectly grown to the current situation and that he will handle it very well over the years.

Barack Obama is the living proof of Dr Martin Luther King’s dream come true. He will be bridging the gaps between races and different communities. New hopes for a peaceful ending in Iraq are permitted. A conservative leader such as Mc Cain would have pushed America and the whole world into a scary, never ending terrorist attempts spiral. I’m not certain that we will lead a more secure life in that way, but I think that Obama’s presence will help to soothe some obvious political tensions.

Barack Obama’s election allows me to envision a better world with less discrimination against ethnic minorities, more fraternity between different folks of different origins. It allows me to dream of a sweeter future made of great professional opportunities for my beautiful bi racial boys.

Just before I close the subject, I’d like to address to the few nutcases who think I am endorsing Eminem’s opinion: I am not aware of Eminem’s political opinion about Obama, since he seemed not to have expressed on the subject. I don’t care anyway. I am entitled to my opinion, as well as he is to his. I, Isabelle Esling, am speaking in my own name. Hope this enlightened your slow thinking brains!

To the narrow minded Americans who think I shouldn’t care because I’m a foreigner, let me gently remind you that the whole world is concerned. America’s destiny in terms of ecomomic wealth and politics is very much intertwined with all other countries in the world. So yes, I do care about the Us elections.

May God bless you and protect you, Barack Obama. You fully proved that anything (positive) can happen in America. You broke the barriers of race and opened the doors to a better future.

Congratulations!

Read more on the subject and watch a related video on The Guardian website.

Copyright© by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

I haven’t been able to post much stuff lately. It is due to an incredibly busy schedule. Doesn’t mean I’m not interested in writing, though. My passion for writing and the music in general are pretty much alive! I’m just asking you for a little bit patience, I will post some new articles as soon as I can:)

Love,

Isabelle

Like Jay-Z before him, Eminem clearly couldn’t handle the quiet life. Three years after “retiring” from music, he has announced the release of a new studio album, called Relapse.

The announcement was made on Eminem’s satellite radio station, Shade 45, during the on-air “release party” for his new book, The Way I Am. “There are a lot of fake album titles floating out there – a lot of bullshit titles,” he said. “The real title of my album that’s coming out is … Relapse.” He also played a cut from the album, called I ‘m Having a Relapse. “Guess who’s back?” it begins, with Slim Shady’s familiar vim.

Relapse will be the rapper’s first release since 2005’s not-so-aptly named greatest hits compilation, Curtain Call. Eminem’s last original album was Encore, in 2004.

Though no release date has been announced, 50 Cent and G-Unit member Tony Yayo have both spoken of a trifecta of Interscope/Aftermath hip-hop releases this winter. “First 50 Cent, then Eminem, then Dr Dre,” Yayo told MTV News. “Or 50, then Dr Dre, then Eminem.” Dr Dre’s forthcoming Detox is one of the most-anticipated hip-hop albums in years, understood to have been in production since 2004. “They’ll both do a million, first week, behind the anticipation,” Yayo boasted.

50 Cent’s Before I Self Destruct is due on December 9.

Last month, 50 Cent talked about Eminem with the BBC. “Even though he tries to relax and stay home, it’s impossible for him to stay in,” he said. “A lot of material he wrote prior to this is being scrapped. He’s got to feel like it’s just happened, it’s new and it’s current. That’s just how he is creatively as an artist.”

Yayo was even more enthusiastic. “Eminem, he’s like Jesus overseas,” he said. “He’s like Elvis overseas.”

Le Diner De Cons is certainly one of the best, most hilarious French comedies. Whether you want to be entertained or you’re feeling on the low, Francis Veber’s film will make you laugh from the beginning to the end.

Pierre Brochant, ( brilliantly interpreted by Thierry L’Hermite), who works as an editor in Paris, has one of the weirdest hobbies you could find: during his sparetime, he and his snobbish friends organize dinners during which a bunch of chosen stupid people expose their passions. Of course, the chosen “idiots” have no idea about what is going on. At the end of the dinner, the king of the morons gets ” crowned” by Brochant and his friends.

This is how Francois Pignon ( remarkably played by Jacques Villeret), an accountant of the finance ministry enters into Pierre Brochant’s life. He is the perfect ” king of the morons to be”, at least in Pierre Brochant’s eyes. His passions for matchstick models is supposed to entertain Pierre and his rich friends at an organized dinner, along with a whole bunch of other ” idiots”. But things don’t work out as expected…and Francois Pignon is causing more chaos than expected.

Enjoy the freshness of the comedy, the clever play of actors such as Francis Huster and Daniel Prevost, the touch of human drama with Alexandra Vandernoot and Catherine Frot, laugh out loud at Francois Pignon’s stupidity.

Don’t rely on the English translation ( it is full of mistakes), rather catch the comedy’s funny French spirit. My advice: watch the movie in French, you won’t regret it!

Copyright© by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

N.B : any garbage or obsessive message will be erased.

In his Strive song, his chords are hammering, introducing the listener, into a tense, heartbeat interrupted atmosphere that describes a dangerous living mode. Rough times, men trying to make fast money, the dirt of the city, each element perfectly fits with the musical background in which bass and violins work together to increase the tension. You gotta like this sharp worded style!

Bad decision is built on soft salsa sounding vocals. A vague of nostalgic words are about to invade the listener’s ear, but Avarice’s vocal strength forces it to vanish like a weak cloud trying to hide the sun for a second. His remarkable flow, his energetic delivery, his rage in spitting his words make Avarice stand out amoung the infinite crowd of underground emcees.

Character Assassination opens up in a very dynamic and swinging way. Powerful piano notes are combined with Avarice’s mighty words that recall centuries of slavery. Politically incorrect on purpose, the song raises some insightful past historical and political issues. It also points an angry fist at contemporary hypocritical politicians. Maybe not approved nor endorsed by Barack Obama, the song nevertheless represents the voice of the hood.

Keyboard and soft vocals start Don’t Understand. Again, Avarice’s strong flow delivery comes to shine.

Discover hip hop passionate emcee Avarice here.

Copyright© by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved