Month: June 2006

Rating: 4.5 stars
NWA legend Ice Cube is back. Still gangsta, full of justified rage, Ice Cube is taking over the rap scene like a bulldozer, erasing fakeness, corruptness , governmental hypocrisy on his way. Ice Cube will tear fakeness up with his surgical words.
In Why We Thugs, there is no place left for hypocrisy. If you comfortable people ever wondered about why there are so many thugs in the ghetto, Ice Cube has some true answers for you. So where does the problem lie? Have an objective look at the persons who are responsible for the system: your beloved President and his fellows.
I had the chance to review Ice Cube’s Why We Thugs video recently.
I recommend it to all of you. Ice Cube doesn’t fear revealing the very truth about ghetto life.
Smoke Some Weed is a beautiful track built on some sweet oriental instrumentals combined with some dope ass beats. Enter into Ice Cube’s Universe, take a deep breath, inhale and enjoy his typical Westcoast sounds.
Child Support is built on some raw keyboard sounds softened by violins.
The metaphoric song talks about gold digging women looking for child support, but indirectly targets his « sons » in the rap game and denounces its numerous vices.
Laugh Now Cry Later describes the « Carpe Diem » (catch the day) mentality that prevails in the ghetto. Many people want to enjoy life for the present without thinking of the consequences.
Stop Snitching addresses some cowardly issues. Introduced by loud trumpets, drums and keyboard sounds, the song will put things very clear for the ghetto snitches. There are rules gangstas abide in the streets: if you wanna stay alive, you’d better not snitch at all.
Go To Church is another beautiful Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg and Lil Jon collaboration. Offensive, the crew of OG’s is determined to scare away fakes and snitches. There is no place for wannabes in Ice Cube’s world.
Among Ice Cube’s very valuable songs, I highly recommend you Chrome And Paint.
Ice Cube who once claimed that « Life is nothing but bitches and money » has matured a lot in his speech. Ice Cube points out some serious social and political issues. The Laugh Now Cry Later CD contains some interesting collaborations with Snoop Dogg, Kokane and Lil Jon. It is produced by top producer Scott Storch.
Instrumentally and lyrically, Ice Cube’s CD is a must-hear, as far as I am concerned. I promise you: you won’t regret your buy.
Copyright © 2006 by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

Expect a review soon:)

Rating: 4 stars
Artist Damien Streets’ introduction, Damien’s Ladder, will make you penetrate-step by step- into a dark atmosphere of contained rage that is about to explode.
Guts & Glory, the album’s second track opens the first chapter to Damien’s Ladder. Trumpets, drums, violins and keyboard sounds intensify the scary reality of the streets made of murder. Welcome to Damien Streets’ living nightmare. Street soldiers are always on the run. You gotta fight to stay alive.
Unsafe world made of kids possessing guns. Instrumentals introduce ugliness and feelings of fear, injustice, addiction and struggle.
Welcome to the jungle where survival is an every day goal.
Most of the instrumentals will make you think of classical musician Igor Stravinsky. Desert Eagles is an offensive song made of hopelessness, the presence of trumpets intensify it. Damien Street has a nice flow delivery, a dark voice and well thought lyrics that will make the listener enjoy the CD.
The Way It Is featuring Pumpkinhead is a beautiful piece of work that contrasts with the preceding songs by its softness.
Built on soft violin melodies that will totally underline Damien Streets and Pumpkinhead ‘s vocals, The Way It Is represents Phoenix, Arizona and Brooklyn through both artistic collaborations.
The Return Of The Mummy reintroduces you into a scary environment made of death , pain mixed up with some weed smoke. The vocals will make you feel the insecurity. Welcome to the Phoenix hell.
On the sixth track entitled Frank, Damien’s Streets and Half Dead combined their talents. Piano and keyboard sounds make you feel the cold sweated atmosphere. Feel the depression and the evilness of the track.
I particularly recommend you the very rhythmic track Horrors Of War that is a lyrical and instrumental jewel. The track denounces the horror of war and I highly enjoyed the political dimension of the track.
The Deadliest is also a very interesting track that starts like a symphony and gets lyrical in o time. Insane flow and the passion of Damien Streets who is determined to keep the passion for hip hop alive make this track very much enjoyable. Don’t sleep on that song!
Globally Damien’s Ladder is an interesting and original piece of work. The album is rich of various instrumentals and artistic collaborations such as Pumpkinhead of Brooklyn, Mayhem, Raymondd Redd of Arizona, Drop 1ne and many more. It is definitely worth your listen.
Copyright © 2006 by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

Life is a journey. You want some adventure? Don’t complain about taking some risks, then…
Many people would like to live an adventurous life, meet interesting people, meet success, all that preferably without taking any risk.
Most folks complain to have a monotonous life. They are often not conscious that their own daily behaviors are responsible of that monotony.
In life you have to make choices. Most of your choices will determine the life you will live.
I think that one should never be afraid to change his/ her habits. Nobody forces you to have a cup of coffee at 10 o’ clock. Why not do something else like going out or reading a good book?
Matter of fact: if you wish an adventurous life, you will have to take some risks, like facing the unknown or losing a job ( maybe for a better one, who knows?).
Be conscious of the risks, evaluate them, use your common sense and, moreover, don’t be afraid.
Adventure is what spices life up. You are not forced to live an annoying life with no meaning. However, you must be ready to assume the risks.
Why not think that you have nothing to lose and everything to win?
If you have the courage to assume your choices and to take some risks, you have great chances to live a live made of adventure and passion.
Always remember that a life without fear is one determinant key to success.

Damien’s Ladder, a Braindead Entertainment CD…you will have an excluive overview of a CD that is due to release at the end of August 2006…stay tuned:)

Eric Bobo whom I had the chance to meet and to talk to at the Paris Bercy show in 2003…
The Cypress Hill member is incredibly gifted for his art…Judge by yourself!

Keemotherapy is a 18 year old solo artist who grew up across 6 Mile Road in Detroit, Michigan.
Keemotherapy’s music is enriched with some Midwest sounds and gives the underground artist a particular flavor.
Keemo Therapy is an entertaining tack that starts on a very rhythmic melody made of violins, piano, drum and keyboard sounds. The rap game is sick and Keemotherapy is the remedy to its cancer.
Armed with his clever spirit and incisive words, Keemotherapy flows in great haste. Keemotherapy is never afraid to get surgical and will make you fully enjoy his lyrical ability. Don’t sleep on the track mentioned above!
Come On is built on soft vocals contrasting with some harsh electric guitar and drum sounds that will make you feel the harshness of the Murder Mitten.
Looking At is a beautifully « All Eyes On Me » handled track.
Offensive lyrics, rhythmic keyboards, a lot of self confidence are the essential components of a successful recipe that is highly enjoyable to the listeners. Listen to Keemotherapy rep the D with pride.
Don’t miss the gangsta track that leaves no place for the haters.
Discover Keemotherapy here.

I love this pic, so I am sharing it with all of you:)

After a three-year hiatus, DMX is slated to release Year of the Dog, Again on Ruff Ryders/Sony Music.
DMX was initially slated to release the album under the title Here We Go, Again last summer. The album would have dropped under Def Jam. Since then, DMX has left the label and signed with Sony Music.
Contrary to popular belief, DMX is still signed to Ruff Ryders. In fact, Swizz Beatz is reported to have played a big role in the album and produced its first single, “We In Here.” Simmons made history when his previous five albums, It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot, Flesh Of My Flesh Blood Of My Blood, And Then There Was X, The Great Depression and Grand Champ all debuted at number one on the Billboard Album charts. Year of the Dog, Again is slated to hit stores this summer.

Keemo-Therapy…stay tuned, folks:)