The Eminem Blog

Global rating of the product: 4 stars
Musically speaking which of « both Eminem » do you prefer: the Eminem of the days of Infinite or the recent Eminem who made the Encore album?
If you ask me to state a very honest opinion, I will answer straight away with no hesitation: the lyrical Eminem of the days of Infinite!
Do you fans from the early artistic days of Marshall Mathers remember the Slim Shady/ Royce 5.9 collaborations? Probably yes. Do you miss them? I bet you probably do as well.
Let me take you back to the year 2000 and introduce you to the Eminem Is Back mixtape that will allow you to fully appreciate Em’s huge level of lyrical skills combined with some very valuable artistic collaborations such as Royce 5.9 and the Outsidaz.
Hellbound is a quite known Eminem-Master Ace collaboration based on a Slim Shady Fuck The Planet freestyle combined with Master Ace’s own words. Bells, keyboards, crazy ass beats fully enhance the mad lyrical atmosphere.
Nuttin To Do contains some explosive well researched and hilarious lyrics mixed up with some catchy beats.
Anybody who is familiar with Royce’s former work will recognize the She’s The One melody that has been intelligently remixed by both Bad And Evil accomplices Ryan Montgomery and Marshall Mathers.
ThreeSixFive is built on dark piano notes, rhythmic beats and synthesizers. Feel the insecurity, the monotony and the gangsta flavor of the track that is provided by some crusty lyrics and dark atmosphere. Slim Shady’s part is scary, demented and -of course- lyrical.
I particularly recommend you Scary Movies, another deep Royce-Em collaboration in which both artists’ talent come to shine. Numerous violins in the background, bad scary noises, shouts, incisive lyrics will introduce the listener into the hell of a terrific lyrical ambiance.
Rush Ya Clique is introduced by some swinging guitar sounds in the background, hammering beats, some raspy voices. The Outsidaz’s scurrilous attitude combined with Eminem’s inventive and spicy lyrics instantly draw the listener an insecure picture of the whole crew whose association is a dangerous lyrical bomb dropping. Explosive? Yes, handle with care!
Hustlers And Hardcore is constructed on rapid knife alike piano sounds and an incredible good flow delivery. Enjoy emcees spitting hot fire.
Rock City is certainly one of the most beautiful Eminem-Royce collaborations. Guitar, electric guitar notes, scratches, excellent beats and two emcees of great talent make this track a great Detroit underground classic.
The song is also a wonderful tribute to the D Town.
Macosa is a rhythmic track built on drum sounds and a good artistic flow delivery. In fact, Macosa is a popular Cameroonian dance and the part of the « mamasse- mamassa- mama-macossa » is a well known part that is sung by Cameroonian folks. (If you doubt me, go listen to Manu Di Bango’s
intrepretation of « Macosa » on the saxophone. Manu Di Bango is one of the most popular Camroonian musicians who has worked on the popular « Macosa » theme.)
The African theme is worked on with incisive and eroding lyrics that will make you bleed hard.
If the Eminem Is Back mixtape is not in your hip hop library yet, you should definitely consider grabbing the CD, because it offers an interesting panel of various artistic talents. A good use of the instrumentals a good flow delivery, some spicy lyrics and a dark gangsta flavor make this CD highly enjoyable for the listeners’ ear.
Copyright2006 by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

Average rating of the product: 4 stars
Electric guitar sounds mixed up with drum beats flood into the listeners’ ears while Havoc and Progedy shoot offensive bullets from their mouth. Welcome to the Valley of Death. Havoc and Progedy perfectly outline the frozen atmosphere of the hood.
Win Or Lose’s soft female vocals and entertaining melody contrast with the total fight atmosphere of men who are not only determined to make some ‘chips‘, but also to target the top of the world.
Flood The Block is beautifully enhanced with electric guitar sounds. In the hood, you either ride or die, which is totally summarized in the song. You like it raw? Then Flood The Block totally fits your needs. Two men are on the run in the hood in a constant overheated atmosphere in which guns and drugs are part of the landscape.
Dump is an interesting Mobb Deep- Nate Dogg collaboration that enlightens the group’s lyrical skills. Nate Dogg’s dark voice combined with the great Mobb Deep lyrical performance allow the listener to penetrate into the assault ambiance. The ‘Shoot Em Up’ song contains a zest of the typical gangsta savor.
Got It Twisted is based on numerous violins that allow the listener to foresee the offensive atmosphere of the track. Let merciless Havoc and Progedy step up in the club and take over. Terrorizing hood soldiers will leave opponents with no voice.
Siren sounds mixed up with soft keyboard sounds introduce When U Hear The. The song slowly leads the listener into the hell of a hood where guns, partying all night, drama, the misery of HIV positive people, the hidden enemies increase the high emotional, suffocating and hardcore atmosphere of the track.
Shorty Wop represents young thugging in the streets. Feel heat that is expressed through the swinging beats and Mobb Deep’s hot flow delivery. Picture young thugs hunting girls in the hood.
Catchy beats, a various mixture of keyboard sounds, raspy voices characterize One Of Ours Part II. It is all about the hard hustle in the streets: you gotta sweat hard to get the money.
On The Run is as unsafe and offensive as the preceding songs. No time left for overacted softness, the ugliness of ghetto life is truly exposed. Both emcees leave a cold as ice ambiance behind them while the instrumentals suggest an unpleasant routine in which they are unwillingly caught.
Deep Never Change offers a social analysis of life in the hoods. Some things (the murders, the kids left on their own, the quest for money, the constant hustle and the hoes, corruptness.)
Globally, Mobb Depp’s Americaz Nightmare is an insightful piece of work that unveils the reality of the ghetto. Mobb Deep don’t care if their CD is a shock value. The truth has to be told and the truth is all that matters in the end. Put their CD on your player if you haven’t done it yet: the album is definitely worth a listen!
Copyright © 2006 by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

Artist Name: Strike
Location: Detroit
Genre: hip hoprap
Link: http://www.myspace.com/strikecrimesidedivission
Average rating of the product: 4.5 stars
Also known as 8 Mile’s Lickety Split, Detroit underground emcee does not only show his skills in Eminem’s movie. The talented artist has released some brand new tracks. Among those tracks, Flip Flop Paint attracted my attention.
Dark keyboard notes are the prelude to Strike’s lyrical assault. The song has some typical raw accents coming straight out the Detroit hood. Strike and his Mountain Climbaz’s dark voice. For those who don’t know yet, the Mountain Climbaz are an incredible association of extremely gifted . artists like Journalist 103, Animal Chief, DJ King David and Strike himself.
While the instrumentals draw a sophisticated, dark and surrealistic atmosphere, Strike blesses the mic with confidence. The song is worth gold lyrically. Like a volcano, the whole crew erupts, causing a rupture in the earth’s surface, spitting hot rocks at their enemies, eventually leaving them lifeless.
Flip Flop Paint will allow the listeners to travel virtually through the hostile D, where the hustle in the street is a constant survival rule.
Creative, enhanced with some good instrumentals and beats, enlightened with some noticeable vocal performances, Flip Flop Paint is definitely a song you should not sleep on.
Listen to Flip Flop Paint here.
Copyright © 2006 by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

How low should human values decrease until we realize the inestimable price of human life? This is the question that is currently running through my mind after reading an article that was published at All Hip Hop Com.
The man who fatally shot RIP Big Proof (and who probably shot his cousin Keith Bender at the same time), Mario Etheridge, is now a free man- after paying a $2000 fine!
Two witnesses (one of them is Mudd of 5ELA, Proof’s long term friend) have confirmed that the events that happened in the night of April the 11th did in NO WAY corroborate with the press’ official version. There are great chances that Proof’s murder, Mario might also be his own cousin’s murder, according to precise testimonies.
Proof’s autopsy might have revealed traces of drugs and alcohol, but no gun powder could be found on his body.
Being a fan and big supporter of Big Proof’s music for years, I have followed his life and career with attention. I have also followed the events that followed his tragic murder on April the 11th, 2006.
The more I gather and analyze facts about Proof’s death, the more the evidence of a jealousy murder appears to me. Proof has been nothing else but a victim. The man who managed to create that typical Detroit hip hop spirit also made a big impact on many people through his music. Unfortunately, talent and success created a lot of envy. Some people in the hood hate you to death when you achieve success.
Big Proof was about to be Detroit’s next raising star. Similar envious people would cut short Detroit underground emcee Blade Icewood’s life and career.
A few days ago, a judge counted Proof’s life as nothing when he gave his worthless verdict in favor of Mario Etheridge. Mario, you might have escaped from human justice, but remember that divine justice won’t miss you.
I am deeply saddened by this sentence. Again, I can’t get rid of the thought that Deshaun Holton died for nothing.
It is now up to the family, friends and supporters to keep a talented artist’s memory alive, so that Derty Harry’s music can live on-despite all.
Thyme Will Tell.
Copyright2006 by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

Global rating of the product: 4.5
If it is true that most artists become corrupt by mainstream success, Xzibit is one of those emcee that you will drink with delight after years, like a good glass of fine old wine.
Lead by the hand of a hip hop master, the brand new Full Circle album offers the listener a various panel of artistic collaborations and an original use of lyrics and instrumentals. Full Circle symbolizes the work of an accomplished master.
Invade my space is built on some beautiful jazzy accents enlightened by Jelly Roll’s deep and sensual voice and accompanied by piano notes. The soft chorus contrasts with Xzibit’s offensive manners. Don’t invade his space unless you wanna get knocked out in the game.
Rollin’ is another beautiful Jelly Roll-Xzibit collaboration. Built on rhythmic drum beats and hammering piano notes combined with some soft guitar notes and funky bassline, the instrumental structure in itself indicates how much the artists worked on the track. Xzibit spits fire and fully masters a running fast flow over an overheated beat. I recommend you the song by any means.
A dark voice, scratches , keyboards, light piano sounds paint a very unsafe atmosphere. Xzibit mashes the police lyrically and describes hood life with a NWA spirit. The track has some hardcore accents and gives the listener a realistic impression of the LA hood on Ram Part Division.
Say It To My Face is a swinging song that enlightens Kurupt and Don Blaze’s talents. Xzibit confronts phonies who talk behind his back in no time. Swinging beats, violins, keyboards fully fit with the offensive lyrical atmosphere.
Xzibit makes fun of a common category of people who cowardly talk behind his back. The track has some beautiful punch lines that underline Xzibit’s lyrical mastery:
« Nigga, you better come with the Taliban
Never been a slave or afraid of another man
X move like the brutal force of an avalanche
It ain’t my fault you smoked off your chance
See motherfuckers envy what they cannot be
Mr. X to the Z, H.N.I.C.
Shh, half assed niggaz gon’ shit on me
If they sentence me to five I’ll be out in three
You’ll be deep in the dirt for the bugs to eat
Tucked in for eternity, time to sleep
Til’ that day, I’ll crush everything in my way
And give a fuck about what y’all say .. »
Scandalous Bitch is enhanced with tambourines, flutes and drum beats. The song pictures a specific category of manipulative women.
What more can I say about Concentrate that hasn’t been said in my former review of Xzibit’s video?
It is rhythmic, original and well done. A must hear!
Family Values is not really my cup of tea, but maybe it is due to the fact I am not that much into love songs. A little bit annoying as far as I am concerned.
Black And Brown is based on a complex instrumental structure and rhythmic beats. Xzibit talks about the City of LA and the problems between the black and latino community. Gang wars have caused destruction that’s why the emcee takes time to sit down with his son and talk about « the Black and the Brown ». Respect is the basis for a better comprehension between both communities.
Poppin Off is built on electronic vocals and catchy beats. DJ Quick and King T collaborated with Xzibit on the song. Don’t sleep on that one!
Thank You is a sweet tribute Xzibit made for his fans. Soft piano sounds mixed up with synthesizers and violins reveal deep emotions from Xzibit from his profound heart. The talented emcee keeps real about his mistakes, his failures and successes.
Globally, Xzibit has a brilliant masterpiece of work to offer to hip hop lovers. Nothing sugarcoated, nothing Hollywood: Xzibit serves it raw.
You can cop this CD in all confidence. It is great quality and the result of numerous hours of hard work.
Copyright ©2006 by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

I recently came across a newspaper article in which narrow minded people with a snobbish mentality seemed to deny graffiti the quality of being considered as art. As a defender of artistic expression and having quite a good knowledge of urban culture, I would like to raise my voice today in order to defend graffiti as a full part of urban culture that goes along with rap music, Djing and break dancing.
If we consider art to be the products of human creativity, then we should be aware that graffiti totally fit into that category.
Not only are graffiti an original way of artistic expression, those drawings are also the voice of the youth in the ghetto.
Narrow minded people who often live in a comfortable bubble gum world would preferably like to deny ghetto youths their own way of expressing.
Let me tell you something: if you consider Picasso’s Guernica as a modern artistic expression and you praise it by any means, then you should also consider graffiti as pieces of art.
Very often, the fear of the unknown prevents many people from discovering masterpieces. If you are afraid of Chinese people, for instance, how are you supposed to discover the colorful buildings of China Town in their whole beauty?
It is not because artistic expression is different from what you are used to that it should necessarily be considered as crap. Be open minded towards the unknown, explore different cultures, learn how to appreciate the difference and the originality of a genuine style that represents a culture.
Hip hop culture might be a subculture. It is nevertheless the voice of numerous people from the underground. Try to understand instead of shutting the voice of several generations down.
People using their spray bombs won’t ask you for permission while creating their picture. Their art is present de facto and there is probably nothing you can do about it if you don’t like it. Those people don’t have the means to pay for gallery exposure, but they want to be the representatives of a voice our governments would prompt to shut down.
Don’t censor a beauty that is still unveiled in front of your eyes: open your mind and try to understand the voice of the oppressed and underprivileged. If you really make the effort to go into detail, you will be able to see the hidden beauty of a human heart’s cry.
Copyright2006 by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

Guess what? This is a Dr Dre mixtape that will give you a foretaste of the Detox CD…Detox, the Millenium of Aftermath in collaboration with DJ Rukiz…stay tuned, folks:)

Listen to Detroit personalities like Trick Trick, King Gordy, Supa Emcee, Mu and many other talk about RIP Deshaun Holton…watch the two episodes here.

Global rating of the product: 4.5 stars
How many people in this world buy hip hop Cds? Probably millions.
How many people wear urban clothes and attend to hip hop parties? Probably millions too.
How many people-besides those who can relate to the ghetto experience- are aware of troubleshooting in the hood? Very few I guess.
DMX’s fourth CD draws a realistic and dark picture of his hood. Not only does the artist make the listener step into a pessimistic atmosphere, he also raises some deep philosophical questions about the meaning of life.
Sometimes introduces DMX’ speech. In times of desperation and helplessness, you sit alone in the dark, facing adversity while your mind is fulfilled with anxiousness. Big clouds are hanging over you, letting you guess that the prelude to the human drama you are going through has just begun. The wind has just raised a little bit, but you can feel the upcoming storm and the pouring rain hanging over your head like a huge menace.
Sirens coming from the fed’s cars, gun shots, pounding beats, electric guitar sounds, violins, DMX’s gritty voice will suggest the running atmosphere of School Streets. So many kids in the hood have lost their lives. Everybody’s running, trying to escape from the police.
Who We Be is a rhythmic track based on electric guitar and keyboard sounds that describes the harshness of the streets with an amazing sense of reality: the constant fights with the cops, jail, the murders, the stabbings, the coffins, drug deals, the frustration and the rage. This is the hood. People who have experiencedthe harshness of the hood jungle can relate to this well handled song. DMX’ vocals are raw on purpose.
The short hammering guitar sounds represent the human drama a man in the hood goes through.
Trina Moe is a melodic song built on harp, maracas and trumpet sounds.
It is dark and the hell is hot. The swinging track exposes the constant run and the unsafe atmosphere.
Bloodline Anthem has some strong rock ‘n roll accents. Based on electric guitar sounds, female vocals, strong drum beats and violins in the background, the song is enhanced with DMX’ grimy and offensive voice. Feel the rage, the passion and the wide range of emotions that are going through DMX’ mind.
Soft guitar notes contrast with DMX’ raspy voice. The hammering drum beats and the monotony of the vocals will make the listener feel the every day struggle. No compromises: snakes get totally exposed in Damien III. Piano sounds at the end of the song enhance feelings of mistrust and anger.
When I’m Nothing is built on soft funky instrumentals and female vocals. The song featuring Stephanie Mills is rhythmic, entertaining and very melodic. Love is in the air. Enjoy the joy and happiness all around.
I Miss You is the wonderful song DMX dedicated to his grandmother. Constructed on deep female vocals, soft instrumental, the track is heartbreaking. It enlightens DMX’ everlasting love for his grandma. He recalls childhood times, remembers the good and the bad. The word that comes up into his mouth is « Thank You », because he knows that the old lady educated him the right way. The refrain from the poignant song is like the voice of the grandma, watching her grandson from Heaven and telling him that everything is gonna be all right. Believe it: our beloved ones are still watching over us.
« Number 11 » brings you back to the permanent struggle in the hood jungle. Knife alike violin sounds, fast running car sounds in the background are here to make you feel the overheated atmosphere. Follow the talented emcee in his fast walk.
I’ma Bang is built on dark bassline, dynamic electric guitar sounds and raw drum beats. DMX’s determination, his struggle, his incredible dynamism come to shine to the fullest. DMX will teach you the harshness of the fight. The track is pure dynamite.
Rapid chord sounds totally match with Mashonda and DMX’s voices. DMX fully masters rhythm, flow and lyrics. DMX keeps it real and fakes’ masks will be dropped in no time. No place for posers of any kind: right is right and wrong is wrong.
The Prayer IV is a strong prayer towards God. DMX looks at himself in the mirror, envisions his mistakes and asks God to stand for him.
Listen to the words of the man of faith who wants to dedicate his work to God.
A Minute For Your Son is an intense praise towards God. Open your ears and let DMX’ words penetrate your heart. DMX is certainly a strong role model for the believers. Don’t judge the man by his actions, rather look up at the way he trusts the Creator and learn from him.
DMX’ The Great Depression CD is a great piece of work. It offers the listeners a realistic perspective about life in the hood. It exposes the harshness, but it also shows strong signs of hope. Interdependent darkness and full light shades follow each other and teach us the paradox of existence.
The Great Depression definitely belongs to your hip hop library.
Copyright 2006 by Isabelle Esling
All Right Reserved

No matter how young, how old, how rich or how poor, many of us take ordinary life matters for granted. Little did you know you think that material and spiritual things are forever given to you.
It often appears that we only realize the importance of ordinary things like salt on a dish when they are missing. In fact, the absence of something is an important alert that our mind should take into account.
It is a strong signal that shows us we didn’t even acknowledge the existence of our missing object or person that happened to be an essential element of our every day life!
Most of us are so much absorbed by our all day hectic that we sometimes forget about surrounding things and persons.
The absence of something is a strong call that comes from our profound heart. It points the finger where it hurts.
« It (he, she) isn’t here any more…but I needed it (him, her) so much! »
Life in itself teaches us great lessons if we have the courage to face our mistakes. Our failures are always a wonderful occasion to perfect ourselves, if we only accept them as life lesson.
Don’t take anything for granted. Everything you have today can disappear tomorrow. That’s why we should show attention to the persons surrounding us and work on our friendships.
Nothing’s granted for ever. Not even our breathing, because death is part of our great life journey. However death shouldn’t be considered as an end, rather as the beginning of a new life full of light in a better world.
Be grateful for each breath you take. Don’t act as a spoilt child. Value friendship and love. Be happy for what you have, be proud of your accomplishments and cherish life to the fullest, because nothing’s granted in this world.
Copyright2006 by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved