Author: Isabelle

For those who are wondering about who Eric Bobo is, Eric Correa Bobo is the son of Latin- jazz percussionist Willie Bobo.
Eric Bobo-the best drummer in the world in my opinion- was a Beastie Boys member in the past and is better known as Cypress Hills drummer.
If people have heard much more about Cypress Hill’s B-Real, Sen Dog and DJ Muggs, Eric Bobo is nevertheless a very talented person whom I had the chance to meet and to see performing at the Paris Bercy show in 2003. Till now, I can still hear Eric Bobo’s percussions in my head, because his performance on stage really impressed me.
People who know him are probably amazed at his simplicity. Eric Bobo is down to earth and doesn’t have this « big head » that is so typical to many people in the music industry, despite his numerous years of experience in the business.
Today I will give you readers the opportunity to appreciate the mans talent as a solo artist.
Eric Bobo has been working on a solo CD entitled Meeting Of The Minds.
A few snippets from his album are available on his my space account. Usually drums and percussions are the secondary part in many of the songs we hear. However, in Eric Bobo’s music percussions play a determinant part. Crazy rhythms, mad percussions sounds, a typical Latino flavor are beautifully married to the vocals that totally fit into his tracks.
Meeting Of The Minds featuring Tony Touch will allow you to fully enjoy Bobo at work with his drums. This unique sound he provides through his bongos and congas is just wonderful. It allows you to enjoy his use of the percussions to the fullest. Spanish vocals combined to Bobo’s drums give his song a unique taste.
Fiesta is enlightened by some Mexican sounds. Percussions and Spanish lyrics will underline the festive atmosphere of the track. Stand up and dance along the music.
Apocalypse is rich of many sounds and introduces the listener into a darker atmosphere that is beautifully underlined by Ill Bill’s gritty voice.
The track has an obvious political meaning.
Pizzle featuring The Demigodz is built of a lighter note. Feel the pimping atmosphere of the track that is spiced up with a good salsa flavor.
Eric Bobo’ s Meeting Of The Minds is due to release soon. Expect a great piece of work. Check his snippets out here.
Copyright © 2006 by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

from his solo work “Meeting Of The Minds”…stay tuned ya all:)

MC Hammer is back again with his FullBlast Digital album. For those who have known Mc Hammer’s style from the early 90’s (like me), his current style is completely different- but nevertheless hot.
The man who made rap music popular has worked on a brand new, refreshing style using more electronic sounds. His my space account will allow you to watch and enjoy a beautiful and rhythmic demonstration of dance, the Look Look Look video. Watch ladies and gentlemen moving to on the floor to the keyboard sounds. Mc Hammer has a real nice flow delivery.
Another of his videos Get To No U, has a romantic flavor and it enriched with some soul/ R’n’B sounds. Listen to Mc Hammer declaring his flame to a beautiful black lady. Soft sounds, sweet melodies: a delightful taste for lovers all over the world.
Among the songs exposed on his my space, Yay caught my attention.
Mc Hammer introduces you into a very enthusiastic dimension. Claps, rhythmic beats, electronic sounds, a rapid flow and a confident and skilled emcee will make you share his passion for his art. This is how Hammer does it. Follow the skilled emcee in his crazy ride.
Hyphy Dumb Buck Crump is another of Mc Hammer’s recent creations. He flows faster than the wind and communicates his enthusiasm and happiness.
MC Hammer is a veteran in the rap game who fully mastered his art. Face it: you can’t touch this.
Check out Mc Hammer’s brand new songs and videos here.
Copyright © 2006 by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

Sorry folks…there will be no post today…I’m not feeling well and I need a little bit rest…
I will be working on three new Mc Hammer songs (yes, I like Mc Hammer lol) and will post a review as soon as i will feel better…

Macomb County Circuit Judge Antonio Viviano has set the schedule for the divorce proceedings between rap star Eminem, also known as Marshall Mathers, and his wife, Kimberley Mathers.
They are due in court for a status conference on June 22 and are to file a witness list four days later. Viviano also set a deadline of Aug. 25 for completion of depositions, interrogatories, pension evaluations and medical evaluations. The couple married Jan. 14 for a second time, and Eminem filed for divorce 82 days later.

Rating: 4.5 stars
NWA legend Ice Cube is back. Still gangsta, full of justified rage, Ice Cube is taking over the rap scene like a bulldozer, erasing fakeness, corruptness , governmental hypocrisy on his way. Ice Cube will tear fakeness up with his surgical words.
In Why We Thugs, there is no place left for hypocrisy. If you comfortable people ever wondered about why there are so many thugs in the ghetto, Ice Cube has some true answers for you. So where does the problem lie? Have an objective look at the persons who are responsible for the system: your beloved President and his fellows.
I had the chance to review Ice Cube’s Why We Thugs video recently.
I recommend it to all of you. Ice Cube doesn’t fear revealing the very truth about ghetto life.
Smoke Some Weed is a beautiful track built on some sweet oriental instrumentals combined with some dope ass beats. Enter into Ice Cube’s Universe, take a deep breath, inhale and enjoy his typical Westcoast sounds.
Child Support is built on some raw keyboard sounds softened by violins.
The metaphoric song talks about gold digging women looking for child support, but indirectly targets his « sons » in the rap game and denounces its numerous vices.
Laugh Now Cry Later describes the « Carpe Diem » (catch the day) mentality that prevails in the ghetto. Many people want to enjoy life for the present without thinking of the consequences.
Stop Snitching addresses some cowardly issues. Introduced by loud trumpets, drums and keyboard sounds, the song will put things very clear for the ghetto snitches. There are rules gangstas abide in the streets: if you wanna stay alive, you’d better not snitch at all.
Go To Church is another beautiful Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg and Lil Jon collaboration. Offensive, the crew of OG’s is determined to scare away fakes and snitches. There is no place for wannabes in Ice Cube’s world.
Among Ice Cube’s very valuable songs, I highly recommend you Chrome And Paint.
Ice Cube who once claimed that « Life is nothing but bitches and money » has matured a lot in his speech. Ice Cube points out some serious social and political issues. The Laugh Now Cry Later CD contains some interesting collaborations with Snoop Dogg, Kokane and Lil Jon. It is produced by top producer Scott Storch.
Instrumentally and lyrically, Ice Cube’s CD is a must-hear, as far as I am concerned. I promise you: you won’t regret your buy.
Copyright © 2006 by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

Expect a review soon:)

Rating: 4 stars
Artist Damien Streets’ introduction, Damien’s Ladder, will make you penetrate-step by step- into a dark atmosphere of contained rage that is about to explode.
Guts & Glory, the album’s second track opens the first chapter to Damien’s Ladder. Trumpets, drums, violins and keyboard sounds intensify the scary reality of the streets made of murder. Welcome to Damien Streets’ living nightmare. Street soldiers are always on the run. You gotta fight to stay alive.
Unsafe world made of kids possessing guns. Instrumentals introduce ugliness and feelings of fear, injustice, addiction and struggle.
Welcome to the jungle where survival is an every day goal.
Most of the instrumentals will make you think of classical musician Igor Stravinsky. Desert Eagles is an offensive song made of hopelessness, the presence of trumpets intensify it. Damien Street has a nice flow delivery, a dark voice and well thought lyrics that will make the listener enjoy the CD.
The Way It Is featuring Pumpkinhead is a beautiful piece of work that contrasts with the preceding songs by its softness.
Built on soft violin melodies that will totally underline Damien Streets and Pumpkinhead ‘s vocals, The Way It Is represents Phoenix, Arizona and Brooklyn through both artistic collaborations.
The Return Of The Mummy reintroduces you into a scary environment made of death , pain mixed up with some weed smoke. The vocals will make you feel the insecurity. Welcome to the Phoenix hell.
On the sixth track entitled Frank, Damien’s Streets and Half Dead combined their talents. Piano and keyboard sounds make you feel the cold sweated atmosphere. Feel the depression and the evilness of the track.
I particularly recommend you the very rhythmic track Horrors Of War that is a lyrical and instrumental jewel. The track denounces the horror of war and I highly enjoyed the political dimension of the track.
The Deadliest is also a very interesting track that starts like a symphony and gets lyrical in o time. Insane flow and the passion of Damien Streets who is determined to keep the passion for hip hop alive make this track very much enjoyable. Don’t sleep on that song!
Globally Damien’s Ladder is an interesting and original piece of work. The album is rich of various instrumentals and artistic collaborations such as Pumpkinhead of Brooklyn, Mayhem, Raymondd Redd of Arizona, Drop 1ne and many more. It is definitely worth your listen.
Copyright © 2006 by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

Life is a journey. You want some adventure? Don’t complain about taking some risks, then…
Many people would like to live an adventurous life, meet interesting people, meet success, all that preferably without taking any risk.
Most folks complain to have a monotonous life. They are often not conscious that their own daily behaviors are responsible of that monotony.
In life you have to make choices. Most of your choices will determine the life you will live.
I think that one should never be afraid to change his/ her habits. Nobody forces you to have a cup of coffee at 10 o’ clock. Why not do something else like going out or reading a good book?
Matter of fact: if you wish an adventurous life, you will have to take some risks, like facing the unknown or losing a job ( maybe for a better one, who knows?).
Be conscious of the risks, evaluate them, use your common sense and, moreover, don’t be afraid.
Adventure is what spices life up. You are not forced to live an annoying life with no meaning. However, you must be ready to assume the risks.
Why not think that you have nothing to lose and everything to win?
If you have the courage to assume your choices and to take some risks, you have great chances to live a live made of adventure and passion.
Always remember that a life without fear is one determinant key to success.

Damien’s Ladder, a Braindead Entertainment CD…you will have an excluive overview of a CD that is due to release at the end of August 2006…stay tuned:)