Month: March 2008

Read the original article here.
My two cents to the subject: this doesn’t wonder me in the least! If you think I am just talking nonsense, please read my “backstage” experience back in 2004…I had some documents to hand out to the D12 members. Despite my valid backstage pass, the manager and co would only let teenage girls in. Please stop dreaming…those people are really not who you think they are!
The manager of EMINEM’s offshoot group D12 has been arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting two teenage girls.
Jeremy Nathaniel Geffen is expected to be arraigned on Monday (17Mar08) on felony charges.
Los Angeles police claim the alleged assaults took place at Hollywood parties and at Geffen’s home, with one of the 16-year-old girls stating she was assaulted in December 2006 and again a month later (Jan07).
Geffen’s attorney, Danny Davis, tells the Los Angeles Times newspaper that he “strongly respects” his client’s “presumption of innocence.”

I-Mac, the Detroit trio belong to my favorites. Detroit emcee Hash has released a bunch of hot tracks I will review for my readership soon…please stay tuned!
Listen to Hash’s brand new music here.
Due to a very busy schedule, I will be posting less often…please be patient…I keep the fire of my passion for music and writing pretty much alive, as always:)
Isabelle

March 12th, 2008 | Author: Paul W Arnold
Read the original article here.
Detroit’s two most prominent emcees, Royce Da 5’9” and Eminem, have officially resolved their longstanding differences.
“I been talking to Em,” Royce revealed to HipHopDX.com exclusively today. “I didn’t even really wanna tell nobody [yet]. That was kinda like a secret thing. I don’t really know where it’s gonna go. Right now we’re just really focusing on repairing the friendship. That’s the most important thing to me.”
And what did the two old friends discuss in their first conversation in years? Not music, says Royce, “We just been talking about intangible shit like movies, our favorite movies, just realizing how much shit we always had in common. That first conversation we had we talked for like two hours, just about everything. We did a lot of catching up.”
What the two original “Renegades” have rumored to have newly in common is a reunion track produced by DJ Premier, but Royce explains that a new recording session between the two has yet to take place. “We haven’t really spoken in-depth [yet] about anything creative,” says Royce. “That session hasn’t happened yet. He told me he had some of the best shit recorded right now that he’s ever done in his life. I ain’t even got a chance to get with him to hear it yet. He ain’t heard what I got [new], and I ain’t heard what he got [new]. That’s kinda like what our friendship is, it’s always been real competitive. It’s always been that we motivate each other. And I think we at a point in our careers where we both need that.”
Em and Royce’s long overdue reconciliation was ironically initiated by one of Slim Shady’s newest rhyme partners taking shots at one of his oldest. “The Cashis thing was like a blessing,” says Royce of the recently released video interview wherein which Cashis threatens Royce over alleged insults made about Eminem. “That [situation] is what got me and Em [back] together. That’s why I didn’t really [address Cashis’ comments]. He was just talking, not knowing who he talking about. I wasn’t gonna move [on him] until I found out what Em’s thoughts were [on the situation]. We done been through too much.”
Royce’s current feelings about Eminem’s newest protégé are thankfully all positive. “My thoughts on Cashis is I don’t have no problem with him,” says Royce. “I think he felt he was doing good. He felt like he was ridin’ for Em. But I’m just glad it didn’t get to [be beef]. So if I see Cashis, I’ll show him nothing but love because Em vouched for him. He told me that Cashis said he was sorry, and I can’t really say nothing after that.”
Since squashing that potential beef via his reconciliation with Eminem, Royce has been hard at work putting the finishing touches on his highly anticipated next mixtape, The Bar Exam 2, hosted by Green Lantern, as well as his two forthcoming full-length releases, The Revival and Street Hop, both executive produced by DJ Premier. With all that on deck, Royce is sure to be a force to be reckoned with in ’08. “Trust me, man, it’s ‘bout to be crazy,” he aptly notes. “I’ma call [Eminem] today. I’ma stay on him and once we past… As soon as the creative part gets back into our relationship, I don’t know what’s gonna happen. I felt like I never had beef with him. It was more of a falling out between two brothers. It was just two brothers not speaking to each other for a minute. But now we speaking again. So sky’s the limit on what’s gonna happen from there.”

Street Child s my space account.
1. What motivated you to become a rapper?
I knew how to rap when i was like 7, but i really didnt think much of it, but when i hit 11, neighborhood people and classmates were telling me i was good, so i just got more serious with it.
2.How did you come up with your nickname?
I used to go to this studio out here in Virginia beach, called musik box, like everyday when i would get out of school, and i would either go up there and record or just sit up there, and i knew about almost hood, and i was never in the house, so people in the studio crowned me wit the name Street Child, and i just took it and ran with it
3.To what extent did the streets of Virginia influence your music?
Too much, HA, because VA is mostly all i know, i mean, i been to the bottom of the map, FL and i stayed in NY for a little bit, but VA raised me made me me, taught me everything i need to know, so when i make music, its more like VA is speaking through me, everything i do is for my state, not only because im from here, but because we need it, VA doesnt get much recognition, and the artist that come from here, they get big and leave, much respect to Timbaland, Missy, Pharell, Iverson, Plaxico, Vick, and many others, but when you look at them now, you dont really see VA anymore, but this is all i know, and VA plays the biggest role in my life
4. According to you, what makes you appear as unique in the world of hip hop?
First off, because im from VA, not a big market out here, so im looked at in a different way already, but the way i flow isn t like too many artists, because you have some artists that make songs, and all of them sound the same, or they hop on a track and spit 100 bars straight, but me, i make (songs) my hooks are hot, my flow has a punchline over flow, thats 1 reason why people keep listening, i can harmonize on tracks, i stay on subject, and i also produce
5. Which artists have you collaborated with already?
Personally i like to keep it simple, and do more work with undergroung artist, because artists on the big time level is all about money instead of music, but on my mixtapes, i’ve put together a healthy list of big names from Jay Z, Beyonce, Freeway, Rick Ross, T.I., Young Jeezy, Keri Hilson, The Game, Pusha T, Fat Joe, Papoose, 50, Yayo, Banks, Nina Sky, Eminem, Obie Trice, and many others…
6. Which artist(s) (underground or mainstream) would you envision a collaboration with?
There are so many big artists i would love to work with, but i have 1 track that i wand to do very bad, like a top priority for hip hop, i want to do a song with, Common, and Black Thought, and i want it produced by Will I Am
7. Who is your biggest musical influence and why?
Eminem, i pick him because a lot of people wouldnt even give him a chance, but he kept at it, and turned his back on the negative thing that people were saying, and proved to the world that he is one of the best in hip hop, also as a producer
8. Your Street Novacane work could be seen as a book composed of different chapters…could you tell us a little bit more about the Street Novacane concept?
It s more of a “as times go on” kind of thing, the streets love mixtapes, and watching soundscan, i would think that they love mixtapes more than albums, so as i try to climb up, i try to bring the streets along with me, and i try to keep them watching, so its like killing two birds with one stone, im bringing people into my lifestyle and in my house, and people can travel with me, and learn more about me, so when i get bigger, they will already know who i am and what im about, and at the same time im making myself closer to the streets
9. What is the biggest challenge you had to face since you started rapping?
Being an artist in VA, its hard out here, because its so many people doing the same thing, and shooting for the same goals, so when you try to bring your music to someone, or branch our for a collab, people are looking at you with envy already, because they feel as if there better than you, or why would i get on your track, while im trying to do my own stuff, out here its not like Atl, or NY, or FL, or CA, in those states, they can put together a demo, and go to the labels, and in those states artist stick together, we dont have a office to go to, or we dont have unity, everyone is trying to step on everyone’s toes, like Danja Handz, said, I was reading an article, an Danja was like, “noone out here shows each other support, thats why its not a label out here, and thats why everyone leaves, when they get on, like back in the day, if missy would have thrown a party not many people would want to go, but if she comes back and she does, it would be a line around the whole state, but they leave, because to get where they are now, they went through the same struggles that us artist are going through now, and why would they stay here, VA shows support late, this state waits until you get on to show love to artist, but while your down here with everybody else, they see you as just another person” I feel exactly what Danja Handz was talking about.
10.What are your thoughts about the current state of hip hop?
Hip hop it self took a different toll, most people are like, The South killed hip hop, but the south didnt do nothing but be the south, they stayed unified, held eachother down, and kept doing what they do, if hip hop is dead the listeners killed it, because the labels sign what the people respond too, like Soulja Boy, he comes out dancing, and listeners like it, so thats what they put up front, but the person rapping about real life issues, and actual Hip Hop isnt getting much exposure, because most listeners are playing it much, but to me, Hip Hop comes in different shapes and forms, but the labels are only pushing the club site of hip hop/ appealing to the kids, that fine, but i think hip hop should be equal, we should hear Hurricane Chris on the radio, and after that we should hear somebody like Nas or Street Child, HA
11.Old school or new school-where goes your preference?
Old School, definetly, i like the era of Biggie, Tupac, Bone Thugs, Redman, Wu-Tang, Erik B, Rakim, LL Cool J, and etc.. that was “Music”
12. Besides hip hop, what kind of music do you listen to?
Most people wouldnt think so, but i happen to like All Types of music, i like r&b, alternative, pop, old school malt shop music, 70’s music, flash music, a little bit of Rock, i espically like alternative when im taking a long road trip, its much better than rap, because i listen to rap all the time, and its more of an uptempo thing, but alternative slows that down, and just puts you in a realxing mood, so you can just sit back and ride, all over the country, sometimes i dont even wanna get out the car, HA, and one big reason why i listen to other music, is because it gives me ideas on my music, instead of just thinking inside of a little box.
Copyright by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

By Nolan Strong
Read the original article here.
Mark and Jeff Bass, the Detroit brothers responsible for discovering Eminem, have filed a lawsuit against Aftermath, Interscope and Dr. Dre’s Ary Inc., claiming the companies have failed to pay millions of dollars in royalties.
The Bass brothers’ Michigan-based F.B.T. Productions, along with Em2M LLC, claim that the labels have failed to pay at least $1 million dollars in back royalties, from master recordings of the musical performances by Eminem.
Em2M is owned by Joel Martin, who also operates Eminem’s publishing company, 8 Mile Style.
F.B.T. signed Eminem to an exclusive artist’s recording agreement in 1995.
Three years later, F.B.T. signed an agreement with Aftermath Entertainment, agreeing to furnish Aftermath the exclusive services of Eminem.
Eminem also signed an agreement acknowledging and approving the deal between F.B.T. and Aftermath, in order for Dr. Dre to obtain Eminem’s exclusive services.
The rapper then assumed all of F.B.T.’s obligations to Aftermath and Aftermath then assumed all of F.B.T.’s obligations to Eminem.
The lawsuit claims that all parties agreed that F.B.T. would remain an income participant in all future releases by Eminem and that royalties earned from Eminem’s releases would be paid to F.B.T., Martin’s Em2M and Eminem.
The Michigan-based companies claim that the labels erroneously charged certain productions costs and other expenses to them, when they should have been billed directly to Eminem.
The errors, which the lawsuit states have been acknowledging by the labels, resulted in an underpayment in millions of dollars in royalties to their companies.
The Bass Brothers, who are being represented by Los Angeles based attorneys Paul H. Duvall and Mark Block, seek an undisclosed amount in damages that could be determined by a jury, if the case goes to trial.

Global rating of the product: 4.5 stars
If you never heard of him, Street Child is probably one of the illest Virginian underground emcees. His fully mastered verbal fluidity will take your ears by surprise. Virginia’s modern griot perfectly knows how to captivate his listeners because he is telling you the truth, nothing but the truth about the street with the brilliant literacy that is so typical to the emcee.
Street Child ‘s brand new mixtape (that will probably enchant you as much as it did for me) features great names in hip hop such as Busta Rhymes, LL Cool J and many more.
I Got The Hammer On Me is softly started by some female vocals. Don’t let yourself fool by Street Child’s soft voice in the beginning, his introduction is just the prelude to a devastating verbal storm.
Get You Some Freestyle features The Game and Dubb. Slight cythar notes seem to reinforce the bullets threat that hangs on people s head. Street Child operates like the sharpest surgical knives with a wonderful confidence and offensive spirit.
Can’t Forget About You: rhythmic drum beats and distorted scratches sounds will invade your space while you will walk with Street Child into his ghetto world made of tensions and cool moments, reminescing of a sweet girl’s hugs on the Unforgettable theme.
Talk About Me defines Street Child the way he is on a subtle piano background. The story is to be continued in I Am From VA in which Street Child will tell you about Virginia on a monotonous violin background. The track utters some melancholic thoughts on purpose, plunges you into the roughness of the gutter. Walk with him and get to know him better.
Just Getting Warm featuring Busta Rhymes and LLCool J will rock your world with its rapid, electronic musical background. Again Street Child and his accomplices are taking the city by storm. Street Child flows with authority, taking over anybody on his way, with his lyrical inventivity. Artistic creativity and gift work together for your ears’ best pleasure.
Don’t let the soft female vocals of Tough Luv fool you: here comes Street Child with a raw conquerror spirit. You gotta love the richness of the instrumental background that totally enhance Street Child’s know how.
Blow is imbued with that sinister, dirty Death Row spirit. Keyboards, rhythmic drums, vocals that will remind you of soul music, a frozen, chilly atmosphere, some gritty voices, everything will let you walk into a cloudy, dark and threatening universe.
What I’m Gonna Do features Nate Dogg. Built on catchy drum beats, the song is beautifully enhanced by Nate Dogg’s participation. The sense of rhythmic is totally mastered, plus the richness of the vocals is very much enjoyable. Chill out with both artists and dance to the music.
I recommend you Just Like Music featuring Marvin Gaye in which Street Child excels, once again.
My advice: cop this mixtape. It is really worth it!
Copyright by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

a detailed review of Street Child’s Street Novacane Part 4 mixtape…my regular readers know this guy is an amazing emcee, so stay tuned for this incredible hip hop talent!

His dark way of telling stories, the deep-dark bitterness that emerges from his vocal chords, his gangsta spirit make an original emcee of Don Dago. Mostly inspired by underground hip hop artists and great legends such as Tupac, Dr Dre and Eazy E, Don Dago developed his own craft.
On Da Grind seems to come out of the grave with its instrumental mixture of light and dark keyboard sounds, largely enhanced with Don Dago’s menacing voice. Don Dago has that incredible power to disperse you into a meaningless Edgar Allan Poe style world, in which the listener gets trapped, plunging into a world of tears and terror.
If you liked the song mentioned above, you will probably appreciate New Promo with its powerful, threatening accents. Instrumentally and lyrically powerful as well, Don Dago takes you by force with his intelligence. The song is well handled from the beginning to the end.
What gets started with some deep sounding instrumentals. Bells and keyboard combinations will increase the feeling of insecurity, while subtle violin notes will suggest the prelude to a drama.
Meet Don Dago, the Menace, on the block. Feel the realness of the song.
Feel unsafe with Goin’ Hardd. Remember Scarface’s “Say Hello to my lil friend”. Travel through the colorful world of drugs and heavy gun talk. Enjoy Don Dago’s rhythmic song.
Hopefully my description increased your appetite for Don Dago’s music. Discover more about the talented artist here.
Copyright © by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved