Month: January 2007

Royce Da 5’9 recently spent some time in jail. Using the bid as fuel to his passion for music, he came out with a fury. Recently, he spoke out about the experience in jail and his relationships with Proof and Eminem, as well as the new projects he s got in store for 2007.
While jail is rarely something people enjoy, Royce found it did not deter him from his goals.
Things happen, and it didn’t set me back too far. Before I went in there, you had people that was saying I’m finished. And those same people will be jumping back on my dick as soon as I come out with something. That’s how muthafuckas is, and if you can get through that, then you can get through anything, he recently said in a XXL interview.
While in jail, Royce also had to grieve the loss of longtime friend (and former rival) Proof.
That was my nigga. Me and Proof were real good friends. Me going to his Grandmamma house every time I finished a song and us playing it. And I remember him pressing record on another Maxwell tape, wanting a copy as soon as I put mines in, before he even heard it. We was real cool. It was a relationship even before I met Em. It was solid with Proof. That was like 95, he explained.
According to Royce, none of this has helped bring him and former partner Eminem back to the Bad Meets Evil days.
We aiight. We just don t talk. There’s nothing really to talk about at this point. I think we both made our minds up on what it is, and that s it. Two people can agree to disagree and leave it at that. It don’t have to be a problem, he added.
With this behind him, he’s ready to unleash new albums and as he put it, artists should worry.
It’s gonna be the type of album to make all the artists worry when they hear it…Nobody can do what I can do. Just picture the mind frame Nas goes into making an album, the mind frame Jay goes into making an album, the mind frame Em goes into making an album, and put it all together, all elements off of all those albums. The diversity of what they’re best at doing, he added.
Currently, Royce is also working on a mixtape with DJ Premier and Statik Selektah. The mixtape will reportedly drop sometime in February or early March.

I am just asking you not to take this pic, since it has been posted with the author s exclusive permission for promotional purposes. Thank You.

Lock is a Detroit underground artist who happens to be signed at the local Sick Notes label that is so familiar to Promatic lovers.
Lock brings a dynamic dimension to the Sick Notes family through the intensity of his presence, his confident flow delivery and the choice of his instrumentals.
Mine Yours is built on rhythmic drum beats, violin and keyboard sounds. The song s humorous motto is : Don t worry about about what I do or say, let me be me. Do your own thing.
There is so much truth into those lyrics. So many haters usually care about what you do or say, mostly out of jealousy. When you look at them, they do spend their whole sparetime worrying about you, instead of getting a life!
Lock promises his nosey haters to get punched in the face if they go on like this.
The song nicely concludes on intensive violin and electric guitar notes.
Witness starts like a storm, introducing the listener into very rhythmic drum beats that will show you the cadence. Trumpets and violins will enhance Lock s stormy flow and allow you to step into a hustling atmosphere. I particularly liked the euphoric impression the melody left in my ears. Well done:)
Get It Right has an oriental taste. Built on catchy drum beats, claps, violins, the song probably won t leave the listener indifferent. Lock flows with ease, bringing a very enthusiastic spirit with him. I loved the lyrical song.
Cake will underline a softer dimension through female vocals and softer keyboard sounds. Lock will teach you the harsh struggle of an emcee trying to make it.
Check Lock and download his mixtape for free here.
Copyright 2007 by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

Today I would like to address to my youngest readers in particular and speak against the damages of alcohol.
While it is commonly regarded as cool to get drunk (or crunk) at parties, I personally think that it is only damageable to your body and brain.
You might object that being the huge Eminem and D12 fan I actually am, I probably condone the use of drugs and alcohol. No, I don t.
Why? Simply because I make a huge difference between entertainment and reality. As much as I like the craziness of Eminem’s music, the poetry that comes out of songs like Drug Ballad, I don t think it is good for us to follow what is expressed it the song, because it is just a fiction.
I have been sober all my life and, believe me, I am proud of it. Of course, I have been drinking a cup of Champaign during exceptional events, like birthday parties, New Year s Eve etc…but that s it. I have been to clubs (in Europe we call them discos or discotheques), I had a lot of fun, but I have only been drinking orange juice or coca cola there.
I dont find being drunk cool at all. I know I might schock some of you, but I don t care.
Look …I happened to see people of my close entourage behave like animals, puking on the floor and becoming the biggest liars, because of the damaging effects of alcohol.
Not only will alcohol damage your brain cells, it will also make you look older in no time…
Talking about seduction assets, it will only give you a stinky breath…ladies, is that what you really want? Guys, is this the way you chose to seduce your girlfriends?
Let me tell you: although some people will make fun of you because you don t drink, depicting you as an annoying and uncool person, I find it more classy to tell people that I am sober.
By the way, most people don t describe me like your average annoying adult and find me rather cool. I don t need alcohol to prove myself as cool. Believe me, neither do you!
Copyright 2007 by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

P.S: Please don t steal this beautiful piece of artwork that has been published with the author s exclusive permission…all credit goes to Brian Stepp.

Not only is Scarchild the author of a wonderful tribute to RIP Proof, Time Passes By, that I reviewed a while ago, he also has some other genuine and explosive songs on his my space. For those who don t know, Scarchild also collaborated with Bizarre on the crazy hilarious song Go Get Your Knife.
Rhythmic and repetitive drum beats combined with keyboard sounds introduce Scarchild s Xtra Xtra song. Scarchild flows with ease while spitting his venom at his haters. I recommend you the song.
You Know has some rough and nostalgic accents and is an obvious invitation for Scarchild s oppenents to lay low. With his knife alike words, Scarchild will stab his opponents. Be ready to walk into a very scurilous atmosphere. Scarchild s raspy voice contrasts with the festive violin gig.
Die Slow is built on various symphonic instrumentals. Be ready to get hit by a merciless emcee who is very much conscious of his lyrical skills. The song is truly a must hear.
Check out Scarchild here.
Copyright 2007 by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

T-Bro is an emcee from north carolina who manages to combine his old school influences with a subtle new school taste. T-Bro probably resembles to nothing you heard already.
Ready to step into T-Bro s universe? Allright. Follow me…
Up We Go is built on electric guitar sounds combined with flute sounds and very rhythmic beats. T- Bro flows with confidence rapidly taking you into his crazy cadence and inviting you to dance on his swinging gig. Clap you hands and follow him on the dance floor.
Positive happiness feelings are flooding the listener like intense sunrays from sunny Carolina state. Don t sleep on this song!
Get Down also mixes dark electric guitar sounds with claps and flute sounds while you will get caught into T-Bro’s lyrical tornade. Spicy, sunny, the song smells the hot sand from the beach, the shine of an everlasting sun and the freshness of the water.
Carolina Takeoff is another very rhythmic track constructed on dark basslines, claps and T-Bro s incredibly good flow delivery. The song suggests the sadness of an imminent departure from the sunny state.
We ll Stay True starts in a symphonic way, mixing up flute, violin and keyboard sounds.
The song truly shows a hip hop dedicated spirit. It is beautifully rhythmic and will describe T-Bro s know how.
Discover the original artist here.
Copyright 2007 by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

BY KELLEY L. CARTER
FREE PRESS COLUMNIST
This last year has been rough for Iron Fist Records.
Unlike other indie labels, struggling to break out and get national and perhaps international recognition, the Detroit label had an advantage that few comparable labels share: a star to help sell it and its roster of hip-hop hopefuls.
Its star died last year after police say he killed another man in an after-hours gunfight.
“We’ve been going through a transition of sorts after losing Proof,” Khalid el-Hakim, the label’s vice president, says of dealing with the death of the rapper, a member of the group D12 and Eminem’s on-stage hype man. “Iron Fist was his baby. But everybody on the label has really stepped up to the plate. The artists have stepped up. The execs on the label have stepped up and we’re carrying on his legacy. …
“Iron Fist has not died with Proof. It’s living on. We’re going through some legal issues right now with his estate. We’re going through some growing pains right now — I can’t discuss them,” he says.
Late last summer, the family of Army veteran Keith Bender Jr. filed a suit against Proof’s estate in Wayne County Circuit Court. Bender’s family claims Proof, whose legal name was Deshaun Holton, is liable for attacking and fatally wounding Bender April 11 at the CCC Club on 8 Mile.
The suit does not seek a specific amount of money. A suit filed earlier in the incident was dismissed, but the most recent one claims that Proof was known to be armed and violent and shot the 35-year-old Bender, a veteran of Operation Desert Storm. Proof, 32, died that night; Bender died a week later.
The suit capped a trying year for Detroit hip-hop, which also saw the passing of James (Jay Dee) Yancey, another important figure on the scene who died a little more than a month before Proof, his friend.
On hearing the news, people near and far asked what was to become of Detroit’s urban music scene?
The answer may be partially revealed Saturday night at Soulful Saturdays as el-Hakim pushes the talent from his label’s roster to the forefront in what will become a monthly event designed to give local musicians and poets a stage.
It is also a chance to let Detroit know that despite the strife, Iron Fist Records is persevering — and it’s got some good talent on the docket.
Guys like Supa MC, Purple Gang, DJ Drummer and Woof Pak are making noise on the local front, hoping to break out nationally.
This weekend the event will include performances by Baatin — formerly of Slum Village — Omari (KingWise), Taja Sevelle and DJ Genesis. The show will be hosted by Versiz, a local poet.
“It’ll be a little bit of poetry, a little bit of R&B and a little bit of hip-hop,” el-Hakim says. “It’s an opportunity for artists, managers, promoters, record label execs to come and network in an environment that helps move the industry forward in Detroit.”
Contact KELLEY L. CARTER at 313-222-8854 or carter@freepress.com.
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Global rating of the artist: 4 stars
Enot is a Latino rapper from the Bronx, NYC. On his my space account, you will be able to appreciate some of his songs coming straight out his brand new album entitled, The Pastport.
Get This Money expresses the whole fight about getting the paper.
Built on violins and rhythmic drum beats, the song progressively leads you into an intense atmosphere that totally describes the harsh struggle of broke people who are determined to make some chips. No matter how poor, how broke, how desperate people might be, Enot shows them the way out of poverty: whether you re a hard worker or a hustler in the hood, there is an escape from the multiple problems a person might experience.
Enot has a warm and convincing voice. I loved the song.
Comimg to America has some soft vocals in the background that totally constrast with the introduction of a harsh atmosphere brought to you by Enot. Enot takes you back to the first days of his emigration to America.
If it is true that America represent the fulfillment of dreams in many people s mind, the first steps of an emigration in a new country are never easy. You always have to struggle if you want your place in the sun. Enot has a nice flow delivery on the song. The atmosphere that is suggested in the song is very intense and suggests hard working people in a totally “New” World.
Faster is built on very rhythmic beats. Symphony alike violins will introduce Enot s fast delivery. Enot s dialogue with a female partner is lusty and full of humor. It probably won t leave you indifferent.
Dominican Pride has a typical Latino flavor. The song is astutely built, mixing English and Spanish words.
Trumpets in the background and swinging drum beats have a spicy Mexican flavor. It is beautifully done.
Have a look at Enot s work!
Copyright 2007 by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

I think that choosing a precise road- I mean choosing your way, what you really wanna do in life- requires a little bit of self analysis and objectivity.
I have been laughing my ass off at people who- all of a sudden- claimed on their personal blogs: I wanna be a DJ, I wanna be a singer or a rapper, I wanna be a promoter, and the list goes on.
It is actually great to have a dream, to work hard towards it and to go to the end. However, to see them accomplished, one needs to set realistic goals.
Most people perfectly picture themselves in a precise role without making any efforts and without any previous knowledge of the role they are targeting. More strikingly, the same people seem to completely ignore that, if you want to become a singer, for instance, you definitely need to be gifted for singing which implies, of course, that you have a beautiful voice and some obvious artistic skills.
Each definite role-or call it profession- implies a previous gift. Without any inch of talent, your dream will lead you nowhere.
Considering artistic professions, many people are attracted by glamour and glory. But the same people forget about the years of sweat and sacrifice that precede , before success and glory will allow the artist to benefit from a red carpet treatment. Artists like Eminem had like 10 years of hard work experience and some obvious skills when they started emerging on the local Detroit underground scene. Yes, Eminem has indeed been rapping since he was 14, as the Bass Brothers will confirm it to those who ever doubted it.
To all of you who are really serious about working in the music industry, you must be able to face the very truth: the music industry is a very harsh industry that will require hours of harsh work, mostly in your spare time while earning your money from another job. It will require a total dedication from your side, and loads of sacrifices.
You will work a sweat for very little results in the beginning and you will have to be very strong minded if you are willing to achieve something in this field. You will have to mind the snakes and the rats who will be ready to trap you any day, any time. Some might use you and drop you like a hot potato when they won t need you any more. You will have to heed all those fakes and to use your cleverness to advance. Sometimes you will fall. You might experience times of discouragement too, because some of the efforts you invested in your work won t automatically pay off.
Nobody is really your friend in the music industry, unless you know that person on a very personal level and even then, you have to keep your eyes open.
So you really wanna work for the music industry?
Do you have talent? Be honest with yourself, also take your entourage s opinion, unless you have mad love for rotten tomatoes!
Are you ready to make tremendous sacrifices? Are you a determined person? Are you patient enough to wait until your work for the music industry really pays off?
If you answered yes to all of my questions, go for it. But remember that nothing in life comes easy and that most things require some precise skills and a 100% devoted spirit.
Copyright 2007 by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved