Month: December 2006

Global rating of the product: 4.5 stars
Nas is known as a giant in rap music. Not only is Nas a highly skilled wordsmith who always puts lyrics first, the powerful emcee proudly takes black American folks to their African roots and history. His characteristic use of instrumentals such as trumpets underline Nas great musical knowledge of many jazz, soul and blues legends.
Nas music is pure blackness. Whether people like or dislike him, one must recognize Nas immense talent.
Hip Hop Is Dead has some Illmatic accents. The masterpiece raises the insightful question of hip hop s survival.
Hip hop is dying, because of the commercial influences, the fake players with huge cars who wanna act like hustlers while real, lyrical hip hop from the hood is literally chocking.
Money Over Bullshit is built on dark instrumentals such as keyboards, dark piano sounds, rhythmic drum beats that contrast with flute and lighter piano sounds. The instrumentals suggest a strong opposition between posers and real persons. So many people use hip hop for the money and neglect the beauty of the music and words.
Nas is telling you the truth: the commercialization of hip hop will lead it to its demise. Let real emcees stand up for the love of their music and culture.
You Can t Kill Me enlightens Nas lyrical skills. The complex instrumentals totally match with the tension that is expressed in the song. You can t kill true hip hop soldiers. Nas words will merk you with no mercy.
Carry On Tradition is pointing out the very truth about the current state of hip hop. More than ever, hip hop faces a 911 emergency situation. Too many untalented, weak bigmouthed rappers are killing the game, outshining the geniuses, because they get more exposure. Besides the commercial emcees, too many little emcees don’t even deserve the  M.C  title.
It is up to the listener to pay attention and to make a difference between good and bad hip hop.
I really loved the sounds provided on Where Are They Now that reminded me of the brilliant and dynamic James Brown style. The rhythmic tracks pays tribute to the hip hop legends. Don’t sleep on this one!
Organ sounds combined with electric guitar sounds start Hip Hop Is Dead. The track intelligently mixes a rap and rock flavor. Heartbeat alike drumbeats fully underline the emotional dimension of the track. Don t worry, Nas won t let hip hop die.
Who Killed It is a swinging track that points a finger at hip hop killers. Violins and trumpets have accusatory accents while drums and claps will exorcise the demons who constantly destroy the music.
On Black Republican, Nas collaborated with his long term rival Jay Z. I ve never really been a Jay Z fan, because I don t like his nasal voice at all. I ‘m not so fond of this one.
A good track that attracted my attention is Hustlers featuring legendary D Dre. Not only is the track rhythmic, it also combines both artists talent. Violins and drum beats will beautifully enhance the NYC- Compton flavor of the song. I recommend it to all of you.
Nas concludes with a gospel sounding acapella. Beautiful female vocals and Nas lyrical bullets make this track a total masterpiece.
Globally speaking Hip Hop Is Dead is a masterpiece of work. Often underrated, Nas is one of those artists who won t compromise their souls for the money. Nas vibrant final prayer is the testimony of his passion for his music.
My advice: cop the CD with no remorse!
Copyright © 2006 by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

I will review Nas’ long awaited Hip Hop Is Dead album…stay tuned:)

I mean its raps and its crazy cars?
Then this video is for you!

Global rating of the product: 4.5 stars
Mad Maestro Entertainment unites artists who have a genuine passion for hip hop. Not only does their recent Pay Homage mixtape features great names in hip hop such as Outkast, Xzibit, Mobb Deep and many more, it is also beautifully worked on lyrically and instrumentally.
Ready for a ride into Mad Maestro’s world? Let’s go.
The Not Enough Introduction totally enlightens Kallisto’s and Whosane’s skills. Deep and warm female vocals will allow the listeners to fully appreciate the soul flavor of the track. Crazy scratches, numerous violins, a great dose of offensiveness, hood stories, a good flow delivery, lyrical bullets will draw you a realistic picture of the well handled track of both dedicated artists. I recommend it to all of you true hip hop heads.
Times Up beautifully marries a deep blues dimension that totally fits into the raw hip hop spirit brought to you by Kallisto whose skills and scratches probably won’t leave you indifferent. Soft vocals, a complex instrumental composition made of keyboard sounds, trumpets, flute, violins, scratches, guitar sounds and rhythmic drum beats underline Kallisto and OC’s talent.
Shook Ones has Mobb Deep on the song. Dynamic, based on guitar and keyboard sounds, the song gives you a realistic vision of street life.
Watch your mouth until you want to get shot. I love the way Mobb Deep spits on the mic.
Soft vocals, violins start Outkast’s Elevators song. I can feel good, good vibrations. Sit back, relax and taste with delight.
C.R.E.A.M is a beautiful tribute to the Wu Tang Clan. Piano notes, soft vocal are combined with the raw raps and give the song a jazzy/ soul dimension.
Paparazzi is a remake of Xzibit’s former song. Mad Maestro Entertainment beautifully masters the production. Don’t sleep on that track!
One Love pays its respect to lyrical master Nas. Piano, violins, rhythmic beats bring this beautiful Nas tribute to shine.
Don’t miss You Ain’t A Killa featuring rap legend Big Pun. Scratches , piano, flute sounds, rapid drum beats, gunshots enhance the gangsta dimension of the track.
Enjoy the work of artists who live and breathe hip hop. The mixtape beautifully pays tribute to great names in hip hop.
Check it out here and consider it as a valuable Christmas present.
Copyright © 2006 by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

Mad Maestro Entertainment’s gift to you all: the Homage album…i will give it a review asap…be prepared for some authentic good quality hip hop:)

link:http://www.myspace.com/intrinzik
Global rating of the artist: 4 stars
Dead Or Alive is RIP Proof’s last song. It raises the dramatic question whether Proof felt threatened or foresaw his imminent death at the time he did the song with Intrinzik, on March the 27th, 2006.
A few days after Deshaun Holton passed away, the video to Dead Or Alive was circulating on you tube, showing two artists’ minds in ebullition, ready to spit their rhymes with passion.
Dark electric guitar sounds introduce Dead Or Alive, leading the listener into an unsafe background full of threats and dangers.
Intrinzik and Proof’s collaboration in the studio contains a strong message for the posterity: you can kill the artist, but the music will live on.
Proof’s music indeed lives on and his last song with skilled artist Intrinzik is a moving testimony of the realness of the Detroit legend.
People who have watched the video will be amazed at the skilled artist’s great lyrical skills and amazing freestyling qualities.
His simplicity, his realness, his talent and the love he had for his fans will be remembered for ever. RIP Big Proof, Mayor of Detroit.
Don’t forget to explore My Favorite Song, another Intrinzik- Proof collaboration. Too gritty voices, a good dose of humor, some dope ass beats, good instrumentals that invite you for a gig: all those elements will allow the listener to fully appreciate the crazy duo.
Definition Of Balling introduces into a softer atmosphere. Intrinzik’s voice totally fits with the smooth keyboard sounds. Feelings of fulfillment of an accomplished artist living a life of luxury as a reward of his hard work through the years, are decribed in Definition Of Balling.Intrinzik describes the good sides of the rap business and shows some good skills on the rhythmic track
While expressing his satisfaction, the song is also a strong call for artists to stay humble. Intrinzik doesn’t forget to mentione the underpriviledged of our world. Well done.
Everything Must End is built on soft female vocals, trumpet and keyboard sounds, Intrinzik’s raw voice reveals a lot of energy and enthusiasm. The song is full of humor despite the tragic situation described from a little boy’s point of view. The little kid doesn’t understand the repeated absences of his mom that seem to hide the presence of a boyfriend besides her husband.
The songs that are exposed on his my space account reveal a softer side of Intrinzik. In fact, the listeners who would like to explore the artist more in depth should have a look at the tracks on the CD Baby website. Intrinzik’s music is also rich of rock and metal influences. Electric guitars are an essential component in his art.
Discover more about him here.
Copyright 2006 by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

Rating of the product: 4 stars
They say wisdom comes along with age and it is probably true. All of us have made mistakes in our younger years that we wouldn’t repeat when we enter adulthood. Grown men and women will look back at their former mistakes and analyze in which context they were made.
We shouldn’t be too much severe with ourselves regarding former mistakes. Each mistake is a valuable lesson on our life path-if we only accept to learn from it and to go forward. Sometimes, it also implies that we should forgive ourselves for our past mistakes, because only those who don’t learn from them are condemned to repeat the past indefinitely.
Built on a dark instrumental background made of keyboard and bass sounds, hammering piano notes, soft vocals, heartbeat alike drum beats, the song strongly suggests an overheated atmosphere.
With his typical raspy voice, Proof takes you back to the past, recalling memories of the streets, his collaborations with Royce, the beef that opposed both men and ,eventually, their reconciliation.
Proof’s flow is blowing like a harsh winter wind and rapidly gets the listener caught in a tornado of words. The tension is there, punctuating each rhyme. Royce goes on, introducing the listener into a harsh gun talk ambiance, reinforcing the roughness of the track.
When words are exchanged between two emcees in the hood, no diplomacy will prevail. Lyrics can get you killed easily.
Conflicts arise as each emcee wants to prove he runs the city.
Proof and Royce examine and analyze their past with an amazing honesty. Both men’s mind is clear about their past mistake. Time for reconciliation…and musical collaborations.
RIP Proof and Royce da 5.9 are giants on the Detroit underground scene. Detroit City has been very inspirational to both wordsmiths.
Open your ears and listen to Royce and Proof’s Detroit thug tales of their younger years.
Copyright 2006 by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

A specific type of press seems to idolize people such as Britney Spears.
It is quite shocking to come across articles in which Britney Spears is highly praised when the photos reveal her wardrobe malfunction, exposing the pop star walking without her bra while another pic zooms on her panty hose. She is shown as a party animal in company of her fellow brainless friend Paris Hilton, both smiling stupidly in order to make a bright impression in front of the camera.
If I walked out the same way Britney Spears does, people would be poking fun at me, calling me a slut or whatever animal names.
I don’t deny Britney Spears her beauty, I think that she is a very beautiful woman. But physical beauty is the only asset she’s got in her favor as far as I am concerned. Britney can’t sing. She has been selling the alluring power of her body for years. She has been lying to her fans numerous times. She has been faking a marriage. Her second marriage with appears to be a joke too. It will be concluded by a divorce.
On the other hand, while praising her, the press also reveals that the pop star seems to neglect both of her kids. Welfare people will be sent to her home in order to control her parenting skills.
Isn’t this a shame those people are shown to 10-12 year old girls as role models?
Each time I find an article that has to do with rappers, they are always shown in a negative light in the British Press. This angers me to the fullest.
Rappers never pretended to be role models. Of course, they use a hardcore language in their lyrics. They talk about subjects that imply parenting control when underage kids are listening to them.
However, it is so much ridiculous to show hip hop artists in a negative light while minimizing the impact of Kylie Minogue showing her butt checks in front of the camera or Britney Spears walking half nude out of her luxury car.
Rap artists have a message for their public, most of the time. Rappers are the voice of the hood. They can be viewed as political critics, social commentators and rebels with a cause.
Many sugarcoated pop artists sing about themes themselves don’t believe in. Kids who watch and copy them are more likely to copy the fakeness of their glitter world and to become superficial adults.
Beauty and appearance, even if they do matter to a certain extent, are not everything in life. A clever mind and the right attitude will bring you further with no single doubt.
Copyright 2006 by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

Intrinzik from Tempe, Arizona. Intrizik is the last artist to have recorded a song with RIP Proof. I was aware of the existence of the song, because, shortly after Proof died, a video in which this song was being recorded was circulating on You Tube and My Space.
My next review will feature Dead Or Alive featuring Proof and several other tracks from Intrinzik whose talent deserves to be discovered by the world…stay tuned, folks:)

DJ Head made history in Detroit with his long term experience in his art. Hip hop producer and DJ, DJ Head is known by a great majority of people for producing and co- producing Eminem’s songs. However, DJ Head’s love for the music goes back very earlier, at a time he was a mobile-mix DJ and was highly appreciated at Michigan College parties.
His great talent, his raw energy and his passion for Djing would allow him to become the man of many hats he actually is.
Employed as an Open Mic DJ at Maurice Malone’s legendary hip hop shop, DJ Head would also work at night at the jock club.
In the mid 90’s DJ Head would cross Marshall Mathers’ road and produce many of his songs, as well as D12 songs. DJ Head also produced some of Bizarre’s Attack Of The Weirdos songs. He also worked on Jay Z’s Renegade, Xzibit’s Restless and has a few collaborations with Funkmasterflex at his active.
You will be able to appreciate a former DJ Head- Paul Rosenberg (for those who don’t know, Eminem’s manager, Paul Rosenberg, used to be an aspiring rapper) freestyling session that goes back to 1994 here.
DJ Head has performed at numerous TV shows and concerts. Eminem fans might be quite familiar with the man, but the skilled DJ deserves to be better known by the world, because he is incredibly talented.
Discover more about DJ Head on his official website.
Copyright 2006 by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved