Month: January 2008

It is entitled We Deep. Listen to it here.

Christian Mathis aka Trick Trick is truly one of my fave rappers on the Detroit underground scene…read the original article here.
With Eminem’s presence sorely missed in the hip-hop scene, the least bit of news about him makes fans and media alike go crazy. The latest rumor surrounding the Detroit MC was that he had ballooned to more than 200 pounds. Word on the street is that Slim Fast even came out and publicly offered him an endless supply of its dietary drink — and a spokesman position!
One of Em’s friends and frequent collaborators, Trick Trick, says all the joking about Slim Shady not being slim anymore is just ridiculous.
“Em just picked up some weight, that’s it,” Trick, a fellow Detroit native, downplayed Thursday afternoon. He’s nowhere [near] 250 pounds or anything like that. He picked up a little weight. He ain’t walkin’ around obese or some sh– though. He can still run two miles if you want him to and still out-box the majority of them. My man still gets down.”
Trick says Em getting down isn’t just a physical thing — Slim Shady is still lyrically sound and ready to knock off heads. In fact, he is just one of the guests on Trick’s upcoming independent LP, The Villain.
“He’s still the coldest that ever did it,” Trick said. “The game needs his album. He’s rapping on [my album track] ‘Who Want It.’ He’s like, ‘Who want it?’ [In the song] he’s hanging out and these f—ing idiots are always at it. If you want it, come get it. He ain’t trying to do nothing but be Em. I’m being me. If you want it, I got ya. He’s Em on there. He’s going for it. Whoever wants some can come get it. Em produced and rapped on it.”
Marshall Mathers isn’t the only one onboard Trick’s LP, though. Em’s pal Dr. Dre produced a record called “Hold On.”
“The [rhymes] I did over Dre’s track, I had to come hard,” Trick added. “You can’t just rap on a Dr. Dre track, you have to come with it. It has a message, but it’s a street message. … Street cats have to deal with a lot. A lot of people in the music business overlook the streets. You gonna encounter adversity. You can’t fall off. You gotta hold on.”
According to Trick, however, the most special cut on The Villain — the first single to which, “Let’s Work,” was just released — is a song called “Together Forever.” He says it features the last-ever verse recorded by his friend Proof from D12.
“He did the verse in the studio [here in Detroit],” Trick began. “We went to a [strip] bar, then went to the casino. The next night, we met at a club called [the] Good Life [Lounge,] and he was trying to get me to drink this Patrón. I was like, ‘N—a no!’ Then we went back to the casino. Then the next night was the night he passed away.”
Trick continued, saying that the song, “Together Forever,” also features Kid Rock and Esham: “[It’s] like the old Run-DMC song [of the same name]. Proof [sounds] old-school [on the song]. Everybody went old-school on it. Kid Rock is rapping too. Proof and E-Sham didn’t used to get along, but they made peace. We’re all going eight [bars], eight [bars] eight [bars].”
As for the title of his new album, The Villain, Trick said it’s pretty self-explanatory.
“I ain’t knocking nobody on how they do their music,” he said. “But the artists, sometime we tend to sway with the time. It’s ok to test the water a little bit, but you gotta give them you. I’m back on that gangster sh—, cuz. I’m not gonna front. I’m talking about that’s straight hardcore, raw Detroit gangsta sh–. My album ain’t negative, but I got a point of how I do things. People think I’m just wigging out doing this and that, getting in trouble. That ain’t the case. I’m breaking down situations; ‘if you do this to somebody, this is gonna happen to you.’ ”

Emcee Terror is one of my cyber friends I met thanks to a common passion for Eminem’s music and for hip hop in general. Experienced underground rapper, he accepted to share his thoughts with me…enjoy your read.
1. What motivated you to get started in the rap game?
I grew up listening to hip hop before I even knew what it was. I’m a 80’z baby born in the late 70’S so to me good music was just good music in the 80’s ya dig. If I liked it I liked it. But coming up in the hood as I did in the environment I did..We pretty much only listened to hip hop when we could pick up what we wanted. And it was just part of me to be part of this hip hop thing ya dig. So whether or not I actually ever get on a worldwide known level as Marshall (Mathers) and Lil Wayne are…I’m still hip hop all day.
2. What’s the story behind your nickname?
Been told when I was a child I was a LIL “TERROR” by a lot of people that were older than me. I had a few other names before “TERROR” actually came in the picture. It just seemed to stick cuz either I’m good at it or terrible at it..So that makes me a Terror ya dig. Plus that’s what I do when I’m doing my shit..I terrorize shit so so that fits.
3. What is the biggest challenge you had to face since you started rapping?
Biggest challenge is getting people to accept and stand behind what you’re doing. A lot of people wanna outshine you or don’t want you to shine at all…Be it family, friends or fellow “peers” trying to do what you’re doing ya dig. Another thing I find hard is finding a decent studio to record where you know at the end of the day your product is gonna be of good quality ya dig.
4. You represent Hartford, Connecticut. Can you tell us a little bit about your hometown. To what extent did it influence your music?
Hartford is a historical city founded by a guy named Thomas Hooker. It was actually called “Hertford” at first…then the spelling changed. My city is divided of 3 sections…North End, South End and West end. In the North End you will predominantly find all the people they call “black” people. A lot of crime shit you hear or read about takes places in this side of the city. A lot of drug activity and violence. Niggaz here don’t really rep gangs no more out in the world but I hear they do in jail. You get big numbers if you go in and they put you in the CPU as a get racketeerer…they don’t wanna let you out.
On the South End..It’s predominantly people of Latino decent…mainly Puerto Ricans. Some sections of the South End got White people in it too and a few Blacks but again more Latino descent than anything. On that side of the town shit happens to as far as drug selling and violence. But the South End is a bit much cleaner than the North as far as appearance. Is it cuz the mayor is from that side of the town? Some say it is.
The West End is pretty much the melting pot of the city. You got Whites, Blacks, Latinos and even Asians in this side of the City! It’s close to a suburban town called West Hartford. Drug activity and violence happens in this area…but it’s a bit more quiet.Though you do find a lot of niggaz registered on the sex offender registry list to be in this side of the town.
As far as my city influencing my music…I’d say a great portion does…Cuz I report a lot of shit that goes on in the city. Some rappers like to name names in shit that goes down…I don’t.I say what happen in the the streets stays here. And if told…no names at all or if there is…fake names should be given. Gotta protect the “innocent” ya dig…haha. But I try to not always talk about than shit every hood nigga talks about. Eventually it all sounds the same ya dig.
5. Who is your biggest musical influence?
I don’t have one at this moment. I’ve been rapping for a long time. Way before I heard any of some of the people that made it and I listen to rap…But with that being said…I’d say the South is my biggest influence right now…cuz most of their songs got dance with it and that’s whack juice to me. So they influence me not to make bullshit music like that!
Shout out to Tha Dirty South…I ain’t hating, ya all doing ya thing…just a lot of ya all South rappers are whack…straight up!
6. According to you, what makes you appear as unique in the world of rap music?
I got my own style of rap. I don’t try to sound like I’m from New York like a lot of CT rappers do.I give you me, I don’t front in my music. Niggaz talk they’re moving heavy weight in their songs or their pushing big boy cars and trucks…But when you see them…you see none of that…Also I got a voice that stands out…I don’t sound like anybody else you ever heard…though I have been compared to a lot of great rappers that are in the game now as far as how I put it down…word up.
7. What are your thoughts about the current state of hip hop?
Aside from all the songs that gotta dance to it…hip hop is doing ok with me!But all that ” Snap Ya Fingers” shit and “My Red Monkey Jeans” bullshit gotta stop. Yea we need party bangers and the party goers and shit…but hip hop is from the streets…Don’t forget the origin and stop trying to change it to this watered down bullshit you are always hearing on the radio!
8. Old school or new school- where goes your preference?
Old school..Cuz without the old..they’d be no new. And how did KRS-1 put it: “50 years down tgha line you can’t start this…cuz we’d be old school artits! Hip hop is still sorta new in the world of music though it’s made a lot of noise and a big impact on the world…But I stick to the script of the question…I’ma say I’m old school cuz real talk…when has Kanye made a beat that ain’t gotta “old school ” in it?
9. Which artists have you collaborated with already?
I just did coillabos with some local artist. I was part of an independent record label called Liv Ya Life Recods (There…a Promo Plug for you fake…) But from my point of view they didn’t have my best interest at heart so I had to depart. Though I recently did try to patch that up and get it with them niggaz…but it ain’t fall through so fuck’em…I’ma do me regardless ya dig. But I’do a song with anybody whether you are whack or not…
10. Which artist(s) (mainstream or underground) would you envision a collaboration with?
Right now I’d fuck with forever Wu-Tang…Wu-Tang 4 ever! I’d fuck with Eminem…Lil Wayne…Dipset…Snoop, D-O Dub Gizzle…Maybe some others from the mainstream. On the underground, I’d fuck with my nigga Inna City…Vill Will…Anybody from my hood (Chapelle Gardens aka Hollywood- Stand Up my niggas). I’d fuck with Wit’T-Elite (Big shout to the homie).I mean as stated above…I’d do a song with anybody and I have been on that before it exploded everywhere haha…
11. Do you have any musical projects for 2008?
Still trying to get my first project out…But once that’s done…prepare for a swarm of shit from me…word up.
12.Please define your music within a few words…
Hood stamped and certified…and loved in tha burbs. I give you that real shit.Hate it or love it.
13. Besides hip hop, what kind of music do you listen to?
Pretty much that’s it. I tune my ears to some rock & roll shit (watching VH1 videos)…some reggaet in…lil bit of R’n’B…I getta jolt sometime listening to them genres cuz it ain’t what I do…so it opens up more creative avenues for me to do what I do.
Terror’s my space.
Copyright © by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

With her good dose of raw energy, her raspy voice, her rhythmic instrumentals, her presence and personality, Brooklyn female rapper MC Lyte has fully proven that she has enough skills to captivate hip hop lovers’ full attention.
Mc Lyte’s hip hop knowledge and rapping history goes back to the early 80’s. With her astute use of lyrics, her genuine spirit that carries a true hip hop rage, Mc Lyte will transport you into her universe.
No doubt your hip hop loving ears will enjoy the subtle funky soul combination of old school flavored The Wonder Years. Mc Lyte is spitting her lyrics with determination, punching her targets with no mercy, introducing the public into the harsh world of true emceeing.
Hardcore sounding electric guitars, catchy drum beats, here comes Mc Lyte like a thunderstorm, smashing vowels with an amazing ease. Her male partner in crime adds to the very rhythmic atmopshere in which weak emcees get slapped lyrically. Ready for a mic check?
With the Beautiful song, Mc Lyte conceals lyrical ease and instrumental inventivity. Moreover, she carries a dynamic spirit that will enlighten your day!
Mc Lyte has totally proven that female emcees have a little bit more to show than a nice and well built body (she’s very beautiful, though!).
Discover her music here.
Copyright © by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

Kenan Waters is a young British rapper who is truly blessed with some good emceeing skills…I had the chance to interview him a few days ago…enjoy your read:)
1. What motivated you to become a rapper?
-At Christmas a few years back, my Mom bought me an Eminem CD, when I heard it I couldn’t believe how amazing it was,
I started listening to Jay-Z, Dr Dre, Tupac and Tha Trademarc.
As I got older I realized how more rappers were entering the scene, and some of them were talking about complete bullshit, I decided I would start writing lyrics about how I felt at that particular time on that particular day and since then i’ve picked out 5 of the songs I made so far, good enough to record – Every Day, High Weather, New Kid, Walking Rich.
Talking straight and making a difference is what kicked me off.
2. What is the biggest challenge you had to face since you started rapping?
-Letting people know that a teenager can still be as good as an artist as an adult.
I obviously know many adults and personally I think I have more commitment than many of them.
3. In your songs, you are talking about a very specific British related knife culture and its consequences.
According to you, what could be done to prevent the youth from violent behaviors such as stabbings etc…?
-Well I don’t think anyone can change an actual person, and someone who can stabs or uses that type of violence is not a nice person.
I think it’s the parents where it comes from as do many now a days, they need to keep there Children under control.
4. Do you think that your songs will help young people to understand that violence isn’t the solution?
-Hopefully. I believe that if I can get signed and actually record a lot more (i’m on a low budget for recording)… then I would be able to get more messages out there and if so, yes it could help them to understand that they could be doing better stuff, being creative.
5. According to you, what makes a unique and original artist of you in the rap game?
-Well I feel I’m different to a lot of other rappers,because I’m younger than them, and I talk about different things to a lot of them.
6. Who is your biggest musical influence?
-EMINEM of course!
7. Which artist (s)-underground or mainstream- have earned your respect and why?
-To be honest, I don’t really listen to Underground or Mainstream.
8. Besides hip hop, which kind of music do you listen to?
-Some RnB and some Pop.
9.What are your thoughts about the current state of hip hop?
– I think Hip Hop is at its best, it would be the BEST it’s ever been if Tupac and Proof were still alive, some rappers currently are nothing special – that’s just my opinion and im sure some think it about me too.
10. Do you have any musical projects for 2008?
-Yes, this year I’m going to try and record as much as possible, as I said i’m on a low budget so getting signed would be awesome.
11. Which artists have you collaborated with already?
-Tha Trademarc (WWE Wrestler John Cena’s Cousin), Kriminal and Outrage.
12. Old school or new school- where goes your preference?
-A bit of both…
Official Kenan Waters my space account.
Copyright © by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

Hailing from Santana, California, Siccness comes up with the spirit of an outlaw depicting the harsh ghetto reality that prevails in California.
Fuck The Cops is built on a siren background combined with catchy drum beats and keyboard sounds. With his sharp, well built words, Siccness stabs where it really hurts. Revealing a corrupt police with a racial discriminatory policy, Siccness raises an angry fist against a government from which originated an uncontrollable hood violence.
On a rhythmic instrumental background, interrupted by gunshots, Siccness spits his Sicc Venom. The gritty, dark atmopshere of the song symbolizes an army of hood soldiers marching on.
Hold No Punches totally reveals an excellent orator in Siccness. The artist appears as the leader of a movement that serves its dishes raw. A violin background contrasts with the dark piano/ keyboard sounds. Lyrically Siccness is taking over, flooding over with a mad flow delivery.
I Don’t Really Give A Fuck: like a menacing ouragan breaking out in the background, a dark, hardcore bass instrumental background totally matches with the skilled emcee’s lyrics.
His words spread like powerful bullets, reaching each target with determination.
Loud xylophone notes introduce Straight Hustling. Again Siccness is taking over lyrically and instrumentally. The rhythmic, well handled instrumental part of the song needs to be underlined in any case.
The Realist takes you straight into Siccness’ rude world in which lyrics do matter to the fullest. Tuba, violins, gunshots, xylophone, keyboards, drum beats, each element creates a running atmosphere during which nobody could beat the artist’s ill cypher.
If you take hip hop seriously, check out Siccness here.
Copyright © by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

Soft, mellow-yellow R’n’B female so called rappers have never managed to convince me in terms of real rapping. Good rap music in its whole rough, thuggish- ruggish dimension has to sound gritty and rough all the way.
Here is a brand new artist, a female emcee with character, representing Glendale, Arizona.
If you’re fond of good hip hop in its whole, raw dimension you are going to totally enjoy bad mouth artist Msz2much.
Drum beats, an incredible sense of rhythm, a gritty voice, dark keyboard sounds introduce the rapid, inventive Bossin Up track. Msz2much dominates the cypher all the way, her words are eroding like the worst acids. With her pimping spirit, the skilled artist is taking over with confidence.
Msz2much combinates soft/ light notes with a darker keyboard base. The talented artist imposes her style and spirit during the cadenced club song.
Gangsta Shit will take you by surprise like an unexpected verbal typhoon. MSZ2much allies verbal dexterity with instrumental richness. Her partner in crime manages to add to the ruthless atmopshere of the song.
No contest Msz2much is rich of street knowledge that fully represents her music.
She might not be known by the mainstream public, but anybody who loves hip hop should definitely check her on her my space account.
Copyright © by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

The young NYC artist goes by the nickname MaiN (Money’s all I need). Into the rap game since the age of 17, MaiN has his own way of telling things.
Nobody Knows, a harmonic guitar-drum combination, draws you a realistic picture of the harshness of the game. MaiN will walk with you through hood’s rough life. The softness of his voice manages to touch the listener’s soul. You got your dreams, your circumstances, you are facing general indifference. Nobody guesses what you are going through, but you gotta carry on with your life and battle to live out your dearest dreams.
Infatuation is MaiN’s love story. Many listeners will be able to relate to the touching song.
Who hasn’t been infatuated with a beloved person who eventually left? Violins and soft piano notes work together, creating a dramatic, broken heart atmosphere. MaiN’s closeness to his listeners allows them to feel the pain while the artist pours his heart out. Overall, the song is very emotional, realistic, and well done.
The Reason emerges from the heart of a true poet who will help you to fly up to the sky’s highest clouds. Well built lyrics, a faithful spirit, a warm voice, a strong piano-drum background totally reveal MaiN’s talent.
In The Air contains some beautiful jazzy accents that are enhanced by the saxophone and female vocals. The rhythmic song opens up MaiN’s emotional intelligence. Your mind will travel through the intensity of his words and sounds.
Can’t wait for more MaiN music? Listen to the amazing artist here.
Copyright by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

Since his election in May 2007, Nicolas Sarkozy is making a lot of noise with his so called brand new policy. Like many of his predecessors, Sarkozy made a lot of empty promises to his electors, but he seems to surpass them in terms of mass-blinding and lying.
Here is a French president, a little man (in all senses of the term), a typical Frenchman who wants to play it the American way and who seems to confuse presidency and superstardom.
Of course, he is trying to cultivate a good image abroad, but accurate analysts will understand that this man’s self pride is his one and only motivation.
Unprecedented in French politics, he is the most exposed president in the media. He displays a shameless exposure of his privacy, promises his folks an increase of their buying power (while people s reality rather shows a decrease in their budget) while increasing his own salary!
How can someone declare that he wants a France of owners when at least 20 000 people are homeless in the French Capital?
Moreover, Mr Sarkozy totally lets people from the outskirts down, unlike his electoral promises.
Only a true dialog will help to solve difficult situations…more cops will mean more upcoming conflicts. Anybody with a minimum of intelligence could foresee tense situations in the French ghettos.
While signing big commercial deals with the Arab world, Mr President doesn’t care about their consequences. Former persona non grata Mr Khadafi is now welcome in France. I am glad he gave Sarkozy a lesson about human rights. Immigrants are not always treated with respect in France, which needed to be underlined. Well done, Mr Khadafi!
I’d like to point out that I fully hate the hypocrisy of Mr Sarkozy talking about Islam, when he totally seems to ignore France’s second religion.
Because of his political views regarding Iraq, Paris is now threatened with terror attacks by Al Quaeda.
His strategy of weakening the executive power is a well thought tactic to impose his will, slowly leading his country to a dictatorship.
As the days go by, more and more French people are dissatisfied with Sarkozy’s politics, a man with a great ambition, who puts in place a policy aimed at rich people only.
He created a monster that is scarier than any Mr Bush. Whatever Mr Sarkozy sows, that he will also reap.
Just wait and see…
Copyright by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

1. Can you give us a short presentation of Tha Low Life Gangstaz?
WE ARE THA LEADERS OF THA NEW SCHOOL!
2. What motivated you to get started in the rap game?
That’s really a question I can’t answer..but the best I can come up with is..The West Coast..Long Beach…People in general…There are MANY factors
3. How did you choose your nickname?
Well we’re Lowlifes..lol..I can’t really say..we’ve just didn’t sit around one day and come up with it..The name speaks for itself..if you’re from Long Beach, you’d know right away.
4. Define your music within a few words…
Original, Genuine, and SOUND LIKE NO OTHER!
5. According to you, what makes you appear as unique in the world of hip hop?
The people who we work with..We’re very diverse..we think outside the box. We don’t come up with the same repetive garbage everyone else does.
6. What is the biggest challenge you had to face since you started rapping?
There are no challenges..there are..BUT..this is hard for me to explain..But I can tell you this..it’s about being humble..not letting things go to your head and staying ..you know “real” about things. Something not alot of rappers are like at all.
7. Which artists have you collaborated with already?
Oh wow, well we’ve done stuff with just about EVERY rapper from the LBC and L.A. in general…Snoop, Tha Dogg Pound, Tray Deee, Lil’ Half Dead, 2pac, Big C-Style, Lil’ C-Style..the list goes on..We’ve ONLY done music with the best.
8. What is your opinion about the current state of hip hop?
You want me to be honest? I’m not impressed, and i’ll leave it at that. There are many lost souls with no direction..you either get with it, or get rolled on with no concern.
9. Which hip hop artist (underground or mainstream) has earned your full respect and why?
earned? I wouldn’t say that. Again..this is something i’d sit here forever typing out
10. Who or what is your biggest source of inspiration?
Again..lol..read above..on who we’ve done work with..
11. Old School or New School…where goes your preference?
Well..I’m not impressed with the new shit of today..so I guess old school..
12.Besides hip hop, what kind of music do you listen to?
only gangsta rap..not Simp Hop
13. Do you have any upcoming projects for 2008? If so, could you give us more insight about them?
Leaders of Tha New School, coming in March.
14. Which artist(s) (underground or mainstream) you haven’t collaborated with yet- would you envision a collaboration with in a close future? Why?
That is to be announced at a later date
Let me re-word that question..it’s more like..they’d collaborate with us. No disrespects to anyone..but this is our time shine. we’re taking what’s ours. If you don’t, we will!
Tha Low Life Gangstaz’ my space account.
Copyright by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved