Month: October 2005

I admit it: I have an addiction…to writing. Writing is as important as breathing to me. I write on a daily basis, not out of obligation, but because I like it. I must say that I have never feared « the blank page »: I am inspired, most of the time. I always find a subject that is of interest for me- and for my potential readers.
I am indeed a passionate person who writes with her emotions and feelings. What motivates me most in writing is music journalism.
Rap music in itself is my passion. Moreover, writing about the music I like creates an immense feeling of satisfaction into my mind.
You guessed it: music journalism is my dream job and I am determined to work for the music industry and get a real deal, because this is what I really wanna do.
Music journalism allows me to understand the artist and to penetrate into his mind. It allows me, through the music, the beats, the instrumentals and the artist’s voice to pen down the impressions, emotions and artistic message I have been living while listening to a track or a whole album.
I then have the wonderful opportunity to share those feelings and emotions with lots of people who share the same passion for the same kind or music or with other people who are very eager to discover the artist and his music.
Writing about music makes me feel good. I enjoy jamming on the different tracks I listen to. However, what I like most is to communicate my flame and enthusiasm to people who come across my articles.
I might find my whole pleasure in writing…but I am nothing without my readers. I am deeply convinced that the greatest pleasure is to get read and appreciated by my many readers.
Thanks to all of you, no matter who you are and where you come from: readers, you make my day!

For those who don’t know, Detroit emcee Uncle ILL is quite a hip hop legend. He is the co founder of the Da Ruckus label (yes, the label that is mentioned in Eminem’s Stan) along with MC Hush. Uncle ILL has years of emceeing and interesting collaborations behind him. You can count Uncle ILL among my fave Detroit underground rappers, because he does real good music. His music is rich of many styles and really worth a look.
Check him out here.

Rating:5 stars
If I Get Locked Up Tonight is one of Eminem’s underground jewels that belongs into any true fan’s library.
Violins introduce you into a track that is lead from the hand of a lyrical master. The instrumentals will let you guess the dramatic dimension of the song, but they are counterbalanced by the enthusiastic melody and rhythm that will follow just afterwards.
Dr Dre starts the song:
« Check Check, 1,2 , 1,2 1,2(it’s rolling)
Yea yea yea Dr. Dre up in here Y’all know what this is.
Its what y’all been waiting for Funk Master Flex, Big Kap,
Def Jam Records giving it to you baby.
Yo Eminem show these mother fuckers what time it is baby… »
Eminem lovers shouldn’t miss this less known Slim Shady track in collaboration with hip hop legend Dr Dre. Rhythmic beats and sounds are like an invitation to dance to Slim Shady’s story telling.
Eminem plays with words with an amazing verbal dexterity: you could barely stay indifferent to the lyrical master’s ability.
Slim Shady introduces you into his world made of ghetto tales and uses words like speedy bullets that will hit you hard of you’re unprepared.
You gotta love his funny-crazy style and the way he jungles with his words like the amazing lyrical genius he actually is.
I particularly liked verse I where Marshall Mathers jokes about his own condition and manages to mix up dramatic elements like Tupac’s death and hilarious elements. The astute mixing of sick-hilarious elements is combined with subtle wordplays:
“I used to be a lonely man, only mad, until I got a million dollars, shit
Now if i only had some fucking hair I’d pull it, faster than a bullet
Out of Tupac’s chest before the ambulance came too late to do it
I’m trying to grow it back again, it was an accident
I had my back against the fan and chopped it off in Amsterdam
I hate the straight jacket it ain’t latching, and can’t lock it
So they stapled my hand to my pants pockets
The cell’s padded and battered like someone else had it
Before me, and just kept throwing they fucking selfs at it
My head is aching, I’m dedicated to medication
But this med is taking to long to bring me this sedadation? (Come on!)
Anyway I got down with Dre (What up?)
The first man who taught me how the glock sounded to spray
Running up and down the street screaming, ‘Fuck the Police’
When you still had your mother’s fucking Nipple stuck in your teeth
(Fucking baby) Became a role model after Colorado
Now all they do is follow me around and holla Bravo!
Hell yea I punch my bitch and beat my kids in public
Suck my dick, bitch
I’m sick enough to fuck a man in his face but I won’t
Cause you’ll probably wanna stand in his place
So put a sock in it, with your fake-ass Tupac image
You faggots ain’t tough, you just get drunk and become talkative
(Wanna Fight?) I’m probably the akwardest alcoholic talking
Walking like a midget with a ladder in his back pocket
So when you see me on your block stumbling, mumbling
A bunch of dumb shit like my drunk uncle does
I ain’t buzzed, I’mm juss high on life
So why on earth would I need drugs, when I can fly on kites?
Motherfuckers, Slim Shady”
Verse 2 will make you feel the Slim Shady’s insane and crazy character with more intensity:
« The whole entire world can sit and twirl like a whirling tire
I set a fucking girl on fire with a curling iron (AHH!)
Psych I’m just joking, for christ sake
Dont get so bent out of shape
Cause I went out and raped six girlfriends
Some people just don’t get it, but I won’t let it upset me
Cause they don’t know better
They don’t know what the fuck its like to be so fed up
And fed so many uppers you’re down and won’t get up »
The mind of a rapist and of a bad drug addict are present to choke your vocal chords again. Slim Shady is here to embarrass you with his evil actions and he laughs in advance when he thinks about his mostly conservative opponents.
Hey, don’t dare to tell Em how to raise his daughter. He exactly knows what he does, because he makes a difference between reality and entertainment:
« Hailie Jade, daddy loves you baby,
Don’t ever tell me how to raise my daughter fuck you lady.. »
The last part of the song is aimed at the negative critics:
« You critics wanna criticize but couldn’t visualize
Individuals lives through a criminal’s eyes
The neighborhood that I grew up in you could die for nothing
And Dirty Dozen watches over me so try some dumb shit
I’ll have a fucking man raped with a band-aid over his mouth
And shove his head in the fan blade
Don’t ever tell me what I can and what I can’t say
Or change cause of the age range in my fan base
Like I give a fuck who’s buying this shit
Quit fucking buying it, I’m tired bitch, I’m dying to quit
Hip Hop is universal now, it’s all commercial now
It’s like a circle full of circus clowns up in the circuit now
But now the with the kids like it, so they tell me I can buy it
But as soon as I get on the mic it’s like the night get silent
Either that or booed, thats why I keep an attitude
And go to sleep with it and wake up with it every afternoon
I’m sick of being judged, fuck it let me see a judge
I’ll confess to every murder I committed since 3 years old … »
Listen to the criminal’s words: if he gets locked up tonight, he might not come home tonite…
With the great sense of humor that is typical to Eminem, the talented rapper addresses to his opponents and manages to make them look ridiculous. Don’t judge a man until you walked a mile into his shoes. Take a look at where Slim Shady comes from. And next time you will be tempted to criticize Eminem, take a look at his life story, try to envision yourself in the same situation. Also acknowledge the numerous accomplishments Eminem has made at only 33.
Eminem’s painful life story is also a big success story. The amazing lyricist has proven to the world that you can come from nothing and make it real big. Try to respect that instead of showing an inappropriate image of somebody who corrupts the youth.
Marshall Mathers is inspirational to many people, younger or older. They can look up to him as somebody who believed in his dreams and eventually made it.
Dr Dre closes the well handled song:
« Fuck that, turn that shit off
Let’s get the fuck out of here
You know how we do (echo) »
This well made song is a pretty good example of what Eminem and Dr Dre can do together. Funny, sick, crazy, full of creative lyrics and rhythmic beats, the song certainly deserves its 5 stars.

This specific article is aimed at underground artists in particular.
Many underground artists have talent. Sometimes, they even sound better than many mainstream artists. Some of them artists are well known and even very much respected on their local scene.
Unfortunately, nobody gives a fuck about them-out of their hometown.
Sad to say, but many artists don’t take the time needed to think about their promotion.
Today I have listed several advices aimed at underground artists who struggle to make it in the harsh hip hop game:
– first of all, you gotta think twice before you choose your manager. You must find the right person, because the manager is the key person who can lead you to the top -or let you stay at a very low level (in case you chose the wrong one ).
Also, there must be a good chemistry between you and your manager. If you don’t feel the dude, simply don’t hire him.
-besides your manager, try to surround yourselves with the right persons who actually dig your music and who will take you to the next level with their enthusiasm and promotion.
– use the internet as a powerful promotion tool. Never forget that the internet will allow you to get noticed from the world rapidly. A well built website is determinant in your future success. I have visited so many artistic websites that were not made the right way.
If you have enough financial means and you‘re not really computer savvy , you can choose a professional to build up your website.
You can also choose servers that will allow you to build your website in a very simple way.
However, there is one detail you should not forget about: it is useless to have a professional looking website if your content is badly handled. Don’t forget that the person people want to hear about is you. It is always useful to include a personal biography besides your musical biography. Also, never neglect your discography: it is like your curriculum vitae. People are always curious to know about your work and artistic collaborations.
One frequent mistake is not to add any audio track to your website. That’s really disappointing when a visitor who came to explore your music doesn’t have access to your musical files.
Don’t spend your time complaining about your lack of success, rather don’t neglect details that can push you forward to the next level.
You have talent? Talent is something, but it ain’t everything. You gotta work out your marketing strategies if your want to give your music a real chance to get noticed.

October 27, 2005
Today marks the one-year anniversary of Eminem’s Shade 45 channel on Sirius Satellite Radio, and the Rapper will be on the air to celebrate. The channel officially launched last October with a live concert broadcast of Em’s Shady National Convention in New York City. Now, Eminem will be on Shade 45 throughout the next several days to talk about the channel’s success over the past year, his forthcoming greatest hits album, Curtain Call, and other new projects that he has in the works. Fans can catch the Rapper along with host Lil Shawn during The All Out Show with co-hosts Rude Jude and Lord Sear from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. EST today. Eminem can also be heard with morning show co-hosts Cipha Sounds and Angela Yee on Friday, October 28 from 8 a.m. to noon, and on Saturday, October 29 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. during G-Unit Radio with host Whoo Kid.
“I can’t believe that Shade 45 has been on the air for a whole year, cursing until our hearts’ content and playing our favorite music,” jokes Eminem. “What a fucking accomplishment. Now everybody get back to work.”
Some of the highlights from Shade 45’s inaugural year were in-studio interviews with Donald Trump, Jay-Z, Jessica Alba, Kanye West and Tommy Lee, songs specifically written about Shade 45 by Eminem, 50 Cent, Common, Proof of D12 and others, the launch of House Arrest Radio, a weekly show hosted by G-Unit member Tony Yayo while he was under house arrest, and the world-premiere of 50 Cent’s The Massacre CD on Shade 45.

Sometimes money and wealth generate more problems than they actually solve -particularly when your name is Eminem.
Since his rapid ascension to the top, so many of his relatives have tried to capitalize on the talented rapper’s fame. It is quite scary when family members who stood on your side for years suddenly turn their back against you- for financial reasons. Former pictures witness Betti Schmitt attending to Marshall’s trial in 2001.
For those who don’t know, Betti Schmitt is Debbie Mathers’ half sister. She married Jack Schmitt and is a mom of three kids.
When I heard about Eminem’s hospitalization last August, I was quite shocked to hear that his uncle and aunt Jack and Betti Schmitt had filed a lawsuit against their nephew.
Apparently, those familial problems worsened Eminem’s health condition while he was touring and according to some tabloids, caused a nervous breakdown along with his sleep medication dependency problems.
When Betti Schmitt came from Missouri to Michigan to live with Eminem in Clintown Township, it caused a lot of controversy inside of his family. His grandmother, Betty Kresin, and his mom Debbie Mathers accused Betti Schmitt of being a “gold digger”.
Is blood really thicker than water?
Considering Eminem’s example, the answer is certainly a clear no.
Nearly each of Eminem’s family members has either been suing him on Court or tried to find an astute way to capitalize on his fame.
It looks like some serious problems occurred in Marshall’ s relationship with his aunt and uncle. On July the 1st , 2005, Eminem decided to send them an eviction notice for July the 31st.
In mid August 2005, Betti and her husband filed a lawsuit against their nephew Marshall in order to prevent him from kicking them out of the house he actually owns.
The lawsuit that is available on the smoking gun website reveals us some interesting details about Jack and Betti’s requests and rants.
Not only do Jack and Betti look for $ 500.000, they also want the house located in Cinton Township.
Jack and Betti claim that in exchange of their emotional support, Eminem was supposed to totally take care of them-financially speaking, of course!
Besides their many rants against Marshall, the couple also claim that they increased the house’s value by furnishing it and upgrading it.
One of my readers has reproached me to be quite harsh against Jack and Betty in a former article about the lawsuit a few months ago.
As an Eminem biographer, I have been into his life story in depth. I have seen so many silly behaviors from his family’s side since he became famous. So many of his relatives have been trying to get some money « the good old American way » out of his fortune and it is getting tiresome to see such crazy behaviors.
I won’t pity Jack and Betti and I will tell you why:
– there has never been any written contract between Eminem and the Schmitts specifying that he « owed » them any salary.
Moreover, it has been proven that no work has been performed for the money, unlike the couple’s statements.
– why would Eminem have to « take care » of adult persons? Are they disabled? No.
Are they able to find a job and to work like any of us? Yes!
Of course, Marshall has kindly asked them to move to Michigan and knowing all he had been going through from 1999 to 2001, it is quite logical that he needed the support of family members who seemed to be on his side.
However, and regardless of his fortune, is it logical for Eminem to pay aunt and uncle a salary and to take care of each of their needs as if they were some irresponsible adults?
Come on, Eminem doesn’t have to do that. He is known as a generous person and I think his relatives have tried to take advantage of him.
A few days ago, most of Jack and Betti’s lawsuit has been thrown out by judge Chrzanowski.
In early December, Eminem will have to make a deposition about this Court case.
I sincerely hope that his aunt and uncle will get no cent out of Eminem’s purse.

Considering Eminem’s relationships with his relatives, one can answer this question with a clear and loud “NO!”.
My upcoming article will have a deeper look at Court Case Jack and Betti Schmitt vs Marshall Mathers III, Round 1. Stay tuned, folks:)

Four Detroit guys Wizz, Spree, Gutta Maine, and J-One and EZ who handles the beats are ready to rep the D for you. If you’re fond of gangsta rap, the hood musicians are exactly what you need. Creeping in the hood, crunk and high on drugs, spitting with confidence and producing some raw sounds, our Detroit soldiers proudly represent their hood.
Introducing you into their explosive worlds made of glockmatics, the group shoots its words like bullets while rhythmic beats and abrasive sounds invade your ears. You gotta be prepared for a trip into the 313.
The reality in its harshness is exposed in the Fully Loaded 313 album. Hood Music Entertainment-the label’s name- says it all.
Gangsta rap lovers, Fully Loaded 313, probably won’t leave you indifferent. Good instrumentals, words that flow like missiles, a harsh sense of ghetto reality.
You wanna know how they get down? Listen to their music here.
Be prepared to get lyrically shot: it is fully loaded!

Rating: 4 stars
Sometimes our lives are like the stages of our own theater.
Nice violin sounds introduce Uncle ILL’s song like a little symphony and first lead to a quite festive atmosphere. In collaboration with Mad Chemist, Uncle ILL opens the waltz. The listener- who probably expected a romantic song- will be taken by surprise. As the instruments invite you to dance, Uncle ILL pours his heart against the person who shared his life. Nice beats and violins soften the drama. Uncle ILL sets his ultimatum: he wants his wife not to, leave now, but right now.
Most of our relationships break after several years, because of the many misunderstanding that we accumulate, day after day.
Uncle ILL portrays a typical dependant woman, who doesn’t bother to work, « always in the kitchen, constantly bitching », while he brings food at home.
Partying all night, waiting for the money to magically enter her purse, cheats on her husband and seems to find everything normal.
Uncle ILL, who is getting sick of the situation that literally eats him alive, splits with the woman who caused this stress and is on his way to calming down.
Nice beats, nice instrumentals and nice job, Uncle ILL. The contrast between the soft violins and Uncle ILL’s raw voice make this track very enjoyable.
Check it out here.

A Macomb County judge threw out the bulk of a lawsuit filed against rap superstar Eminem by his relatives who claimed he reneged on a promise to pay them $500,000 and buy them a house.
However, Macomb County Circuit Judge Mary A. Chrzanowski ruled Monday morning Eminem’s aunt and uncle, Jack and Betti Schmitt could, at least for now, pursue a claim that the rapper, whose real name is Marshall Mathers, unjustly profited from the improvements they made to a house in Clinton Township that was titled in his name.
She also left the door open for the family to amend the lawsuit in the next 14 days to reinstate the other claims, and ordered Eminem to give a deposition in the case in the next 45 days.
The Schmitts claim that Eminem asked them to move from their home in St. Joseph, Mo., in 2001 to provide emotional support. In exchange, they claim, he would pay Betti Schmitt $100,000 a year for five years, buy them a house worth up to $350,000 and provide up to $25,000 worth of furniture.
The Schmitts moved into a new house titled in Eminem’s name in March 2003, with the belief that it would be transferred to them a year later and made more than $50,000 in upgrades while living there.
Instead, they were served with an eviction notice earlier this year. And Eminem, through his companies, paid Betti Schmitt a little more than $165,000 from 2002 to 2005.
Eminem’s attorney argued in court that no work was performed for the money, and there was no contract between the Schmitts and Eminem.
Chrzanowski previously issued a gag order that prohibits the attorneys in the case from commenting.
Contact NATE TRELA at 586-469-8087 or trela@freepress.com.