Month: December 2005

Ok…First of all…I wish you all a Happy New Year 2006. May 2006 fulfill your dearest wishes:)
Second…I wanna thank Gavin Sheridan for giving me my chance as a freelance music journalist. Thank you, Gavin, for always believing in me:)
Thanks to Eminem and to all of you Detroit rappers for being a huge inspiration in my life through your music:)
Thanks to all the rappers from anywhere in the USA who crossed my road and gave me the chance to review your music…also thanks to the few musicians (non rappers lol) who gave me some insight about their work…your music makes my day, many thanks:)
BIG thanks to my many readers all over the world. I am nothing without you:)
HAVE A BLESSED NEW YEAR EVE AND MAY 2006 MAKE YOUR WISHES COME TRUE !

DETROIT – Rapper Obie Trice was shot early Saturday while driving on a freeway, police said.
Trice, a Detroit native and protege of Eminem, was on the Lodge Freeway at about 1:10 a.m. when his vehicle was shot at by someone in another car, said Michigan State Police Sgt. Mario Gonzales.
Trice managed to continue driving and exited the freeway in the suburb of Southfield, where his girlfriend, who also was in the vehicle, flagged down police, Gonzales said. The girlfriend wasn’t wounded.
The rapper was taken to a hospital and was listed in good condition, Gonzales said.

People who have read my profile have quite a precise idea of my professional and personal goals.
I’m not the kind of person who will make some real philanthropic wishes. My own way of being philanthropic is maybe my way of sharing my passion and knowledge of hip hop with you. Of course, I wish a better world to live in like many of us. However, I am very much focused on the precise goals I’d like to achieve.
I am a person of faith and I am pretty much sure that I will reach my goals, little by little, with very much work, sacrifice, patience and determination. Little goals are easy to reach, but in my case the things I’d like to reach cannot be realized within one single day. I know that they might even take a few years more to be totally fulfilled.
So what do I wish for 2006 to come true in my life? Of course, if I could see all of my wishes come true, I’d be delighted and probably the happiest person on earth.
Well, I wish at least to reach one of my goals, no matter if personal or professional.
Many of my Detroiter friends say « Peace and Progress ». That’s exactly what I am thinking about: always to be in progress since the start of my long journey that is all about the passion that makes me tick.
When you can look back at all the efforts that have been done and say with pride : « I’m in progress », then half of your goal has nearly been reached.
I am asking God to let me reach at least one of my goals in 2006.
Dear readers, I also wish you to achieve your own goals and to fulfill your dearest wishes.
Enjoy New Year’s Eve and remember to stay focused on your goals! 

*Eminem’s grandmother’s name Betty KRESIN, is misspelled in the article*
EMINEM NAMES THE DAY FOR HIS WEDDING
LATEST: Rapper EMINEM is making good on his promise to reunite with his ex-wife KIM MATHERS – the couple are planning to exchange vows again on 14 January (06).
American tabloid the Star has obtained the official wedding invitation which Eminem sent out to family and friends over Christmas (05) after revealing in a radio interview that he and his ex had reconciled.
In the invite, the STAN hitmaker states, “This day I will marry my best friend, the one I laugh with, live for, love.”
He then invites his friends and family to attend the wedding of KIMBERLEY ANNE MATHERS and MARSHALL BRUCE MATHERS III (Eminem’s real name) on 14 January at 5pm.
The couple have started living together with their daughter HAILIE, Kim’s niece ALAINA and her daughter from a former relationship, WHITNEY, who Eminem has legally adopted.
Eminem wed Kim in 1999 when his career was beginning to take off but he filed for divorce just 14 months later. The couple finally divorced in 2001.
But the news of a reconciliation hasn’t delighted everyone in Eminem’s family – his outspoken grandmother BETTY KRESLIN is far from happy.
She says, “He needs to think twice about marrying her again, or at least get a pre-nup this time around.”

Rating of the product: 5 stars
Old school gangsta rap classic-definitely worth your attention and buy
Some people might ask themselves if I can relate to NWA’s album as a white European woman. The answer’s yes. Of course, not in the same way an African American would relate to in the ghetto of South Central LA (life in European ghettos is quite different and less violent than in Compton), but still, this album has a huge meaning for me.
Why? Because I have lived within the African community in a French ghetto for years. Both of my kids are bi racial and I have experienced racial discrimination in my flesh. Also, the motherfucking police has tried to mess with my eldest son last Summer. I have always hated the police’s arrogant stupidity against minorities and I think I’m not about to change my mind.
I am tired of racism and racial discrimination. This album should be interpreted as a struggle of black people for more respect and against racial discrimination. No more second class citizens, but 5 proud black men Ice Cube, Dr Dre, Mc Ren, Yella and Eazy E (Eternal E, RIP Eric Wright) show some real attitude against discriminatory attitudes and bad cops.
As James Brown claimed : « Say it loud, I’m black and proud », the NWA crew says in a more arrogant and offensive way and that’s the whole beauty of it. No more humiliations, but some proud black guys determined to put fear against their opponents.
Instrumentally the album should be listened to with an attentive ear. It is rich of many musical styles: a pinch of James Brown influence for the jazzy-soul instrumental sounds, a beautiful reggae note from Yella, a typical Dr Dre G Funk style, nice vocals mixed up with scratches.
Musically, the album is a beautiful jewel that will pleasure black music lovers and I’d say that this good old school rap album tops many contemporary rap albums by its high quality work.
Gangsta Gangsta starts with police sirens gunshots and scratches sounds while Ice Cube introduces the track, showing some teeth. The track is provocative, misogynistic sounding on purpose. NWA shocks the kind of conceited people who are not ready to open their eyes about ghetto every day reality. The group tells it like it is. Weed, guns, violence, murders are part of that rough Compton reality.
Among the most beautiful tracks of the album don’t miss NWA’s famous « Fuck The Police ».
The discriminatory way black folks and other racial minorities are treated by the police is, unfortunately, a daily reality.
But this time, the NWA gang takes over and is determined to speak its mind against the police.
I particularly like the way Ice Cube talks about the cops’ usual violence with a fighting spirit:
« Fuck the police
Comin’ straight from the underground
Young nigga got it bad cause I’m brown
And not the other color so police think
They have the authority to kill a minority
Fuck that shit, cause I ain’t the one
For a punk mother fucker with a badge and a gun
To be beatin’ on, and throw in jail
We could go toe to toe in the middle of a cell
Fuckin with me cause I’m a teenager
With a little bit of gold and a pager
Searching my car, looking for the product
Thinking every nigga is selling narcotics
You’d rather see me in the pen
Then me and Lorenzo rolling in the Benzo
Beat the police outta shape
And when I’m finished, bring the yellow tape
To tape off the scene of the slaughter
Still can’t swallow bread and water
I don’t know if they fags or what
Search a nigga down and grabbing his nuts
And on the other hand, without a gun they can’t get none
But don’t let it be a black and a white one
Cause they slam ya down to the street top
Black police showing out for the white cop
Ice Cube will swarm
On any mother fucker in a blue uniform
Just cause I’m from the CPT, punk police are afraid of me
A young nigga on a war path
And when I’m finished, it’s gonna be a bloodbath
Of cops, dying in LA
Yo Dre, I got something to say… »
The track is very well handled lyrically and instrumentally. I’d describe it as perfect. Dr Dre, Ice Cube, Mc Ren and Eazy E have already spoken out their verdict against corrupt cops who spoil their daily life.
Hello, the final NWA track is also one of those very enjoyable « anti police track » not to miss in any case. If you get the chance, also watch the video to Hello on yahoo launch.
« When something happens in South Central Los Angeles, nothing happens, it is just another nigga dead »
Straight Outta Compton points out the indifference in front of black men’s daily murders. NWA members are here to react against indifference and racism on an explosive and dynamic gangsta track that will involve villains Ice Cube, MC Ren and Eazy E who are ready to attack with some loaded guns-lyrically and literally.
The beauty of NWA’s music also lies in the good rhythmic beats and nice scratches and instrumentals that will make you want to nod your head and dance to the track.
Always Into Something enlightens Dr Dre’s huge talent and DJ Yella‘s reggae sounding voice. Dr Dre’s original sound and beats make this track very much enjoyable for the listener.
Oh yea, as a woman, I think you are going to ask me what I think of Just Don’t Bite It and A Bitch Is A Bitch. They are very misogynic sounding (who said that Eminem invented misogyny?), so what?
I am an adult woman who has fun listening to them, because I interpret them as one of NWA’s provocative side and who considers that women who respect themselves don‘t fit into the « slut »  and « bitch »  category. A female emcee would diss her fellow male emcees by showing some teeth too and she would certainly use sexual demeaning terms aimed at men. I’m not taking offense at NWA’s verses, because I consider that I don’t have to.
Misogyny is present in hip hop culture. Those are just words and music when you’re opened minded enough to understand the artists’ intentions.
Globally, NWA’s Greatest Hits album fully deserves 5 stars. Many new school rappers should definitely search some inspiration in this masterpiece that belongs into your hip hop library.

(found at the Shady’s Baby website)

In Jackson, Michigan, lives an emcee who has experienced the early stages of Michigan hip hop. In the rap game since 1988, Big Joka had even performed with a then unknown white emcee named Marshall Mathers at St Andrews in Detroit.
Big Joka is very much dedicated to rap music:
« Rap is the only thing that saved me from death on tha block I went through dealin wit niggas that held me up »
(Big Joka)
Curious to know how Big Joka sounds?
Visit his my space account, then.
Straight Outta Jackson introduces you to Big Joka’s hometown in the same offensive way as NWA’s Straight Outta Compton. Harsh, nearly metal sounding electric guitars and keyboards will allow to enter into a sticky gangsta atmosphere. Murderous, pistol sounds in the background will make you feel the dangerous ghetto atmosphere of the nightmarish streets of Jackson. You’d better not mess with Big Joka and his crew.
Da Club, the second track opens on a lighter party note. Keyboards, bass and vocal sounds in the background will make you feel the dance floor atmosphere.
Jackson Stand Up is a nice track with some catchy beats and an invitation for the crowd to throw their hands in the air and to stand up. Big Joka represents his city with pride.
Not Locked Up starts on a softer note…Big Joka’s voice sounds distorted and echoes in the background. Big Joka has a nice flow on a song that sounds a little bit surrealistic: « I’m not locked up, they gotta let me out » echoes the voice in the background…Nice rhythm, original instrumentals and sounds, the whole track is enjoyable and well handled.
Discover the Michigan soldier outta Jackson here.

Soon, I will review a great hip hop classic for you: NWA’s greatest hits!
Expect an explosive review of the Compton emcees who have made gangsta rap history very soon!

Big Joka from Jackson, Michigan…stay tuned:)