Author: Isabelle

Rating: 4 Stars
16 Bars aka The Talk Of London is one of my new discoveries regarding British rap who has fully convinced me of his talent.
The British emcee has a new song exposed on his my space account.
Twister is a nice song that will introduce you into 16 Bars’ fight that is all about realness and making it in the harsh rap business.
With his charming British accent, 16 Bars nevertheless shows a lot of offensiveness and breaks his rivals’ neck. There is no place for weak emcees in his game.
Feel the entertaining rhythm, the enthusiasm of an emcee who is ready to rock the mic. Keyboard and drum sounds in the background hammer and intensify the fighting atmosphere.
When 16 Bars spits his hood anthem, be ready to be caught in the middle of a verbal hurricane.
So what distinguishes 16 Bars from many average emcees from the UK?
I’d say the passion, the realness, his lyrical skills.
Check out his brand new song here and nod your head to the track.
http://www.myspace.com/16bars06

A 23-year-old man who accused rapper Eminem of stealing his lyrics has been arrested on three misdemeanor charges.
Somerset Borough police charged Shawn Steven Baker Thursday (May 25) with harassment, making terrorist threats and disorderly conduct after he left 12 threatening messages over the past three months with the Somerset County district attorney’s office and county detectives.
The aspiring rapper, who resides in Meyersdale, left the messages in response to authorities’ slow response to a private criminal complaint he filed with the DA in February against Eminem.
In the complaint, Baker claims Eminem stole rhymes with lyrics for two songs, “Rain Man,” and “Just Lose It.”
The Tribune-Democrat reports that Baker’s complaint was dismissed by the DA’s office, who later received what police referred to as threatening phone messages with foul language, as well as a packet of information on civil rights and copyright violations.
Among the victims listed on an affidavit of probable cause were district attorney Jerry Spangler, secretary Kim Darr and Detectives Jason Hunter and Scott Fogleson.
The affidavit also stated that Baker ignored warnings from the DA’s office to stop the calls.
Charges were brought after authorities reviewed phone records and victims’ statements.
Baker has since been arraigned and sent to Somerset County Jail in lieu of $15,000 bond.

It is getting hotter than July in Detroit City at the moment. Toting pistols and killing rappers has become a dark habit. In a city where rap music used to be a passion in the late 80’s, gun talks are becoming are more and more frequent rule. Sad? Certainly, yes.
It is not all about the music any more: it is all about local rivalries, jealousies, hypocrisies and violence.
I love Detroit City, even if I never went there. I was introduced into Detroit rap thanks to Eminem and I live in Detroit through the music. The music and the context of the city are familiar to me and I enjoy writing about it and discovering new artists from the Detroit underground scene very much. I am very much conscious that the Detroit hood has never been really calm and that many conflicts oppose different clans and musical tendencies. However, the current situation is becoming too much violent and overheated.
On New Year’s Eve, December the 31st , somebody shot Obie Trice in the head on a freeway. The talented emcee miraculously survived to the shooting.
Unfortunately, April the 11th put an end to Deshaun Holton aka Proof’s life. Despite the fact we know that Mario Ethridge, the bouncer of 7 Mile’s CCC club killed Proof after an argument D12’s member had with his cousin Keith Bender. People say Proof shot first on Bender, signing his own death. I have seen a quite insulting coverage regarding Proof’s death from the media, despite the fact the circumstances of his death are still unclear and that the only witnesses come from Bender’s family and report one side of the story.
I knew Deshaun Holton as an artist. I have seen him in concert and my heart is telling me that this man who has always been real in his words would not have shot on another man without being in real danger.
I am asking people who are into serious journalism to prejudge a situation that is still veiled to us until they get more insight about it.
On a side note, I’d like to address to the white persons from the suburbs whose unpleasant comments I have been reading on the net like « black rappers like to get shot » to please shut their dirty mouths unless they want me to rip them off verbally. Yes, I am white like you, but the difference between you and me is that I respect black people and will never consider them as second zone citizens.
It is enough to see black people struggling to get out of their misery by trying to launch successful careers and the get shot like animals in the streets. Yea, the streets are a jungle. Guess who is responsible for the system? The stupid government and its President. I have mad respect for you, Ice Cube, for expressing the truth in Why We Thugs.
One more drama happened in Detroit last Friday: somebody shot Rufus Johnson, D12’s Bizarre’s wife. She was fortunate to be alive. Rufus’ wife recovering from her injuries.
I am afraid there might be a link between the three shootings. Somebody seems to be angry against the Shady clan.
All of you haters who prompt to kill, do you realize that you deprive husbands from their wives and kids? Keep your jealousy in your disses and stop the shootings, for the music’s sake!

Sindy Shot
Sindy, the lead singer of Sindy Syringe (Bizarre’s Rock Group) and wife to Bizarre of D12 was shot in Detroit on Friday. She is currently recovering from her injuries, we just wanted to send our best wishes to her, Bizarre and the entire famiy. Love you Sindy.

Global rating: 4 stars
You don’t just listen to an artist like Mr Hash from Detroit I Mac group: you smoke him with delight. Mr Hash knows how to put your five senses in awakening through his music.
That’s What I Tell Em is nicely introduced by some melodic oboe sounds, electric guitar and keyboard sounds.
The song is written in a pimping style. Mr Hash’s hustle expands worldwide. He’s not looking for romance, he is looking for a good way to make chips. Mr Hash is definitely an outlaw and you gangsta rap lovers will enjoy his style. Don’t sleep on the well written track.
Talk It Over is Mr Hash’s contribution to Proof’s latest IF Hand To Hand mixtape. Deshaun Holton introduces the rhythmic song. Mr Hash has a nice flow delivery on the song. Sit back, chill out and listen to Mr Hash’s track.
When You’re Alone is an entertaining and rhythmic track that sounds like an invitation to dance. Pray for when you’re alone…
Follow Mr Hash’s story: coming from a dysfunctional family, the 25 year old emcee is never giving up on himself and is pursuing his dream with faith. Mr Hash doesn’t shy away from speaking his mind about the government that created some painful situations in the ghetto.
Drums, siren and hammering bell sounds start Listen 4 The Pop. Mr Hash’s club song is highly enjoyable. Lyrically and instrumentally the song is well handled and introduces you into a quite surrealistic atmosphere.
Check out Mr Hash’s new joints here.

I Mac member Mr Hash from the 313 has released some new songs (one in collaboration with Iron Fist Records). I’ll give them a review asap:)

When should we be able to keep an ear open for a valuable advice coming from a good intentioned friend and when should we act as we were deaf in front of people’s words?
It isn’t always easy to know how we should act in front of numerous people’s opinions regarding yourself and your plans.
However, like it is often the case, the answer lies inside of ourselves.
All we have to do is to use our common sense and to be witty in analyzing a friend’s or a stranger’s advice regarding our projects, for instance.
First of all we need to analyze what we really want and how much we want it.
The first question that would come up to your mind should be : « How much do I want what I want and how much am I ready to sacrifice to achieve this goal of mine? »
Then you should question yourself about the legitimacy of the direction you are taking: « Am I actually taking the right direction? »
If the answer to your second question is yes to a 99.95 %, then you should definitely go for it.
Only now that you have responded to both essential questions, you should take a look at your friend or at the stranger’s advices.
If somebody is trying to discourage you from things that really matter to you, and even if the person giving you the advice is a close friend of yours, you shouldn’t listen. Don’t listen to people in case you have major goals to accomplish if they are trying to discourage you. It is YOUR choice, YOUR dream and YOUR life.
Have a look at all the persons who have done great things: if they had listened to the crowd of negative people around them, they wouldn’t probably have achieved anything in their lives.
Fight negativity with all your heart and stay focused as much you can.
You should nevertheless be aware of the many people spreading an apparent positive spirit, telling you that you are right when obviously you are wrong and waiting for you to fall into their trap while they will be the firsts to laugh at your demise.
Remember to always use your common sense and your own brain before listening to other people. This attitude will save you from many disasters.

Recent Def Jam signee Nas will deliver his first album for the label in late September. The rapper made the announcement last night (May 18) while performing on the first leg of labelmates the Roots’ two-night stand at New York’s Radio City Music Hall.
The album is titled “Hip-Hop Is Dead,” according to a Def Jam representative, who also confirmed the September release.
…”September is the album,” Nas said backstage at Radio City Music Hall Thursday night
after his appearance at the Roots’ show. “It’s called Hip-Hop Is Dead … The N.” The letter at the end is meant to be a play on “the end,” he added.
Although he wasn’t too forthcoming with info, he explained the name as a play on words.
“I didn’t name it that. Fans named it that; rappers named it that,” he elaborated about the title. “It’s been the talk for years, so here’s an album that brings … not even the rebirth, it’s just an album with that thing that everybody is talking about. I got a street look coming real soon, and more soon after. Summer time is definitely going to be Nas time.”
“Hip-Hop Is Dead” will be the follow-up to 2004’s “Streets Disciple,” which peaked at No. 5 on The Billboard 200 and has sold 694,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan. In his 11 years with Columbia, Nas’ catalog has sold 12 million units.

I am very much conscious that this article might raise a lot of controversy among my readership. However, like I stated it before, I never write to please anybody. If you don’t like what I have to say, you’d better skip this article straight away. The truth has to be told anyway.
Marshall Mathers is full part of Black America in my opinion. He is the white rapper who deserves the utmost respect for what he achieved in a mainly black musical world.
How many of you readers, have taken time to have a look at the White America lyrics?
I’m not talking about a superficial reading. I’m talking about an attentive examination of the lyrics mentioned above.
The chorus of White America teaches us something. At the beginning of it, Marshall Mathers states:
« White America, I could be one of your kids… »
Yes, you heard it well. Eminem didn’t say « White America, I am one of your kids… », he said « I could be one of your kids » which means that he is not a kid of white America. Marshall Mathers is a part of the (so much hated by the government) black America from the ghettos. His skin is white, but he is very close to black folks.
No, he is not « from Warren », like many persons like to state it, even if he also spent some time in Detroit’s white ghetto.
When Marshall Mathers moved to Detroit, he lived across 8 Mile with his mom- on the black side- because Debbie Mathers couldn’t afford the white side anyway.
Young Marshall lived among black people. Some of them beat him up at school and outside. It nearly cost him his life twice.
But the most important is that this white kid grew up in black culture, made true friendships with black people. Moreover, he had a passion for rap music and the dream to make it as a rapper. A dream he never gave up.
Marshall Mathers has earned my respect, unlike other white rappers trying to fit into a culture that isn’t theirs and trying to play it cool.
Unfortunately, Eminem’s success created a generation of white rapping wannabes. It is quite sad, but Eminem’s overwhelming success has made some white guys think that they could make it in the rap game- with no talent and no real roots in hip hop culture.
Don’t misinterpret my words. I have reviewed some good white aspiring emcees. Today, I am ranting against the wannabes in the game.
Eminem deserves your respect, folks. He never pretented to be anything else than the person he actually is: a white man who grew up in black culture. He never denied his skin color, nor did he « act black » or talk « ebonics » just to be regarded as cool. Eminem’s accent from the Detroit hood is natural. He grew up there.
Marshall Mathers is an exceptionally gifted person in the game who has always been true to himself and to the rap game.
That’s why anybody calling him a « wigga » is totally wrong, and even ridiculous.
I could give you many examples of wiggas in the rap game, but I won’t name names out of discretion.
You can find white dudes from the suburbs who want to play it « black » and who act like the true wankstas they are. I deeply despise those guys who have a fake attitude and who are totally deprived of any musical talent.
Possessing a gun doesn’t make a gangsta of you, nor does it give you any ghetto credibility. Showing guns in public only makes some guys look like the ass clowns they actually are.
Leave ghetto behaviors to ghetto people. No matter if you’re black or white, don’t fake your attitudes.
An emcee doesn’t have to write gangsta lyrics to write good lyrics. Be true to yourself. Moreover, if you write poor quality lyrics and make some average music, leave the rap game to somebody else and do what you are gifted for.
Yes, I am angry. Angry against all those hypocrites trying to be the next Marshall Mathers when they are totally deprived of talent and definitely come from a different background than his. Emcees, don’t try to fool your listeners, because your fakeness will shine on sooner or later if you don’t speak from your heart.
Yes, Marshall Mathers addresses to White America. He bridges both: black and white ghetto culture.
He is also an eye opener to you comfortable white kids from the suburbs. You suburban kids who like his music should definitely try to understand the context where he comes from before trying to imitate and try to fit into a game that ain’t yours.

If you read my blog on a regular basis, you probably heard of Ohio group , Hydro& Diabolic from Homicidal Records.
Diabolic, the member with the gritty voice, decided to associate his talent with another underground emcee, Demonic. Full of this devilish composition and enraged as well, the two Ohio emcees spit their verbal venom.
It Won’t Die is built on strong keyboard sounds and catchy beats. Diabolic, who is known for his angry voice has a nice flow delivery too.
True hip hop soldier, Diabolic puts a lot of energy into his offensive track. Ready to conquer his world, Diabolic’s lyrics are built in an astute way.
Don’t Get Caught Up is a beautiful hood anthem. The song describes life in the streets with an amazing sense of realness. Follow the life of two OG’s on the run, trying to hide from the dirty cops.
Welcome To Tha G City starts with hammering piano, harpsichord and keyboard sounds. Feel the atmosphere of the G city where drama is present on a daily basis: murder, sluts, drugs, thugs and guns. Listen to the story of a Northsider and realize that life in the ghetto is no fun. Danger and darkness are present. Nobody care and you can’t trust anyone. The track is rhythmic, both rappers have a good flow delivery and the lyrics make the track highly enjoyable.
Ride On Whoever is an offensive track built on the hustling theme. Feel the routine of two soldiers who are determined never to fall and to make money with their passion for the music. Meet two focused emcees on their crazy ride.
Discover more about both emcees from Ohio on their website and their my space account.