Month: May 2006

Rating: 4.5 stars
Immortal Technique is one of those emcees who has my full respect. Not only is he talented, Immortal Technique is also politically engaged and has some important things to tell to America and to the whole world.
It is high time for people to realize what America’s leaders are all about. With his deep honesty and his courage, Immortal Technique unveils Bush’s hypocrisy about religion and his world policies.
Soft guitar sounds introduce the video, followed by drum beats that will make you feel the drama and the tension. Open your eyes and be ready to watch atrocities committed in the name of a so-called democracy.
Let the Dead Presidents burn in front of your eyes, because money is the main culprit for all those horrible war crimes. Shoot the symbols of capitalism dead.
I have been criticized as a foreign music journalist for attacking Bush, but frankly, I don’t care. I will stand up against any government that spreads racism, injustice and social inequalities. I have courageously raised my voice against the French government as well at a time France was burning because our government tries to legitimate racism and to single out people from the ghettos.
Yes, I agree with Immortal Technique’s views about Mr Bush’s government. Also, having studied geopolitics, I am very much aware of the interdependence of different countries all over the world. Mr Bush’s decisions have consequences for the world.
Don’t be deaf to Immortal Technique’s message:
« The voice of racism preaching the gospel is devilish
A fake church called the prophet Muhammad a terrorist
Forgetting God is not a religion, but a spiritual bond
And Jesus is the most quoted prophet in the Qu’ran
They bombed innocent people, tryin’ to murder Saddam
When you gave him those chemical weapons to go to war with Iran… »
Christian religious fanatics have spread a fake image of Islam, making the average American citizen of White America believe that Islam personifies terrorism.
Yes, let’s talk about the hypocrisy of a Jesus drawn as a white man in order to settle racist religious beliefs. Whoever claims that Jesus was a white man is WRONG. The man known as Jesus of Nazareth- whether you see him as God’s son, a rabbi or a prophet, or even a simple man, was an Israeli. Usually, those people’s skin is closer to Arabs, as far as I know.
Open you eyes: the worldwide Muslim community is NOT represented by a few dangerous fanatics like Ben Laden. Many Muslims are honest citizens who live a normal family life, just like you and me. They just happen to have different beliefs.
When will people realize that the main message of any religion is about love and tolerance. That’s what God is all about.
Moreover, take a look at Mr Bush’s shameful actions. The man some of you would qualify as a hero is the main responsible of a sad situation in Iraq where human rights are constantly denied:
« Flow like the blood of Abraham through the Jews and the Arabs
Broken apart like a woman’s heart, abused in a marriage
The brink of holy war, bottled up, like a miscarriage
Embedded correspondents don’t tell the source of the tension
And they refuse to even mention, European intervention
Or the massacres in Jenin, the innocent screams
U.S. manufactured missles, and M-16’s
Weapon contracts and corrupted American dreams
Media censorship, blocking out the video screens
A continent of oil kingdoms, bought for a bargain
Democracy is just a word, when the people are starvin’
The average citizen, made to be, blind to the reason
A desert full of genocide, where the bodies are freezin’
And the world doesn’t believe that you fightin’ for freedom
Cause you fucked the Middle East, and gave birth to a demon
It’s open season with the CIA, bugging my crib
Trapped in a ghetto region like a Palestinian kid
Where nobody gives a fuck whether you die or you live
I’m tryin’ to give the truth, and I know the price is my life
But when I’m gone they’ll sing a song about Immortal Technique
Who beheaded the President, and the princes and sheiks
You don’t give a fuck about us, I can see through your facade
Like a fallen angel standing in the presence of God
Bitch niggaz scared of the truth, when it looks at you hard… »
I don’t like Bush and I say it proudly. Bush is a monster who advocates a war for his own commercial interests. He doesn’t care about the young American lives that are taken during this worthless war, nor does he care about the numerous civilian victims among Iraqi people who are tortured and humiliated. Horrible things have been done in this country.
Let’s fight imperialism and a corporate America that wants people to think the way they are told to.
People are trying to mask Europe’s involvement in those atrocities.
Kids are dying, bodies are mutilated, the world is burning and nobody gives a fuck.
Let’s raise our voices against hypocritical media censorship. Let’s step into the right direction: let’s defend human rights above all.
Bush is the leader of a democracy of hypocrisy who has blood on his hands.
May God bless Immortal Technique in abundance for telling the truth to the world. America needs courageous people to stand up for what they believe in. Don’t accept collective brainwashing from a dictator who-obviously- doesn’t give a fuck about you and me.
Watch Immortal Technique’s amazing video here.

that’s what hip hop is all about…I will comment on Immortal Technique’s Fourth Branch music video. Expect me to make some incisive comments against a corporate and racist White America!

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.