Month: February 2009

Global rating of the product: 4.5 stars
For those who don’t know, Black Milk is currently one of Detroit’s hottest producers. He started attracting more attention from the public after the release of his Sound The Alarm video in collaboration with Detroit artist Guilty Simpson. As for Royce, I think that his reputation as a tight, lyrical emcee already preceded him.
Losing Out is taken out of Black Milk’s second album, Tronic. Both underestimated and underrated they might be, but the real hip hop connoisseur will priviledge such artists to most mainstream artists. The deeper I get into the jungle of underground hip hop, the less I am interested in commercial hip hop. Why? Simply because genuine expression and verbal dexterity are mostly found in underground hip hop. Underground hip hop’s aim is not to please the mainstream audience, but it is all about staying true to its roots.
Don’t get fooled by the soft female vocals in the chorus, the whole video will transport you into the Detroit slums, as Black Milk will recall Berry Gordy’s debut in the world of music. The D town, Motown is one of the most powerful towns in terms of music that gave birth to a wide range of outstanding artists.
Let Black Milk rip the mic with his amazing flow and conquerror spirit, as syllables spread like a violent storm from his mouth. He is truly representing Detroit’s finest talents.
You will enjoy his inventive wordplay. Then comes Royce, slaughtering words in a very merciless manner. Not only is the talented lyricist killing it on the mic, he is also honoring the Detroit scene as a whole.
If I haven’t lost my faith in hip hop yet, no doubt it is thanks to such high quality performances.
Check Losing Out here.
Copyright by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

Global rating of the product:5 stars, definitely a must see!
I recently discovered The Apostle, an excellent movie in which outstanding actor Robert Duvall plays the role of a preacher. Raised into a black religious community in Texas, Sonny ( interpreted by Robert Duvall) seems to be born to carry God’s word. As a charismatic leader of his church, Sonny is as successul in his congregation as a pastor can dream of. Unfortunately, his wife cheats on him and Sonny murders his wife’s lover.
Forced to change his name into E.F, Sonny moves to Louisiana where he soon becomes the new leader of a little community, in which he totally invests himself into preaching the Gospel.
He is very much loved and respected, converts a lot of people on his way.
In the end, he gets caught by the police and surrenders after a very moving and musical religious office.
But was is thought to be an end is just the very beginning: as the movie ends, you can see Sonny preaching into Jesus’ name to his co- detainees.
Even if you are not a religious person, I would recommend the movie for its actors and the beautiful musical background made of powerful gospel songs.
Make sure to add The Apostle to your DVD library!
Copyright by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

I was introduced into Ali Baba’s music in the late 80’s. Ali Baba is an outstanding African musician who was born in Garoua, North Cameroon in 1956. He seemed to be a character taken straight out of the Thousand and One Nights and his music symbolises a mixture of African warmth, Fulani and Islamic tradition.
His sound and voice chemistry will transport you into a landscape of baobab trees where people will discuss their businesses. It will make you cross Fulani beauties’ steps, feel the kids’ laughters and smell nature’s autenticity.
Not only does Ali Baba talk about African traditions, like young girls getting married early like in Bingel Debbo Baledjo in Fulani language ( which I have a little understanding of), he also relates about traditions, joy and Cameroonian unity. Bingel means kid, debbo spouse and baledjo means black…the song relates the story of a young oh too young little black spouse baby girl.
I like the intensity of the artist’s voice, his genuine way of telling things. Ali Baba, who died in 2004, also happened to sing in French, like in his song Africains, Africaines Dansez, a very melodic song that will entertain any African music lover.
He was often accompanied by a dancer called Dodo Etoile.
I was very surprised to find Ali Baba again on the following blog.
It will allow you to dowload a few songs of the brilliant artist who deserves to be known better all around the world. You will discover his instrumental diversity, the dynamic rythm and his vocal flexibility.
Check out Ali Baba. He is definitely worth it!
Copyright by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved