Month: August 2009

Global rating of the product:4.5 stars
If you ever asked yourself what Detroit underground emcee Journalist 103’s anagram K.R.A.M ment, it reveals the very intentions of its author: keeping rap alive movement. Unlike many young and unexperienced emcees who step up into the rap game with loads of arrogance, the excellent emcee Journalist 103 takes you back to the roots of rap music’s essence. The former Proof collaborator recalls that hip hop’s first struggle was political. The K.R.A.M mixtape features a good range of interesting Detroit talents such as R.I.P Big Proof, DJ Houseshoes, Miz Korona. A few tracks are produced by Sick Notes producer Essmann.
Soft harp sounds introduce the CD. It features Joey Loopz whose aim is to take you listeners to a higher level in which artistic honesty and a great sense of reality matter.
Vangard enlightens Majestic Legend’s talent on rhythmic instrumentals. Lyrical empire builder, the artist will truly amaze you with his skills who paints life in the hood with a lot of realness.
Learn the truth from Journalist 103 himself: past, present and future are an occidental concept. We gotta learn from history ( the past) to master present and future. Only those who have full control of their present will master past and future. All three elements are ONE. Only a good knowledge of rap music’s original meaning will prevent emcees from making the same mistakes. Understand its political fight and rebellious spirit and go for it!
One very valuable track is Writer’s Block in which lyrical bullets hit their targets and play the role of an eye openers. Journalist 103’s expertise in handling the track is remarkable. Words and instrumentals work together to harmonise a rapper’s harsh fight. I loved it!
You can call Reality Rap a classic already. Yes, real hip hop is all about reality- this is how it should always be.
Listen is another beautiful composition based on flute sounds and sharp lyrics. It captivates your ear with the intensity of the swirl and splash of sea water. Apex slams racist white politics and is a strong call for people to stand up for their own freedom.
ReIntro is a hot keyboard built track in which Journalist 103’s competence fully comes to shine. Keyboards and piano work together to create a sensation of discomfort. Open up your eyes and ears an listen to the emcee from th 313.
All Proof fans will recognize the melody of Proof’s Broken track that features Mu and RIP Proof. The production is handled by DJ Houseshoes and Jareed. Jam to the beat and enjoy the Detroit classic!
Endangered Love features the Laila Ali of rap aka Miz Korona. Soulful vocals are combined with a good manly duo.
Move recalls the dangerosity of the hood. With its scratches sounds, its knife alike vocals and lyrics, the track is truly a hip hop jewel.
Jihad Music puts you into Journalist 103’s muslim heat atmosphere. Pay an attentive ear to the emcee’s fighting spirit that is enhanced with a beautiful Nas sample.
Globally speaking, the K.R.A.M mixtape is a beautiful piece of work, that will take you back to the original roots of hip hop. It will also allow neophytes to get more insight about Detroit emcee’s know how. Journalist 103 and his collaborators’ hearts beat in unity to the sound of high quality hip hop.
For more info about Journalist 103, check him out here:
MySpace profile
Copyright by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

If you are into Iron Fist artists, the name Purple Gang is certainly familiar to you. Today I have the great pleasure to interview 40 Flame whose word is definitely worth your interest. Have a look!
1.What motivated you to become an emcee?
Well..The actual Music at the time i started rapping is what motivated me….i LOVE street music…so round 02-03 u got rocafella,ruff ryders all making quality street music…so i started rapping in my neighborhood…memorizing 16s and spitting them just for fun..so thats what got me started…but the motivation came from my cousin i lived with…he was rapping…watching him write raps and going to the studio got me started to really rap..
2.What is the story behind your nickname?
My 1st rap name was T-FLAME..i got that threw the streets…round the time the hot boys was poppin…me and my boys used to break in cars and steal sounds and shit off that nature for a living…so 1 time i broke in a car by jumping threw the sunroof of a camaro (i think it was) to open the door..which was parked next to security booth…security guard was sleep…i did that and my boy said that was some hot shit….ya name T-Flame…T because my real name is Ty.Flame because i use to do HOT shit in the hood…
The 40 Add On Came From 1 day Me.Fame And Lofat Went To The Gun Range And I Shot The 40cal And My 1st Shot Was A bullseye..I said my new name is 40flame…
3.Describe your music within a few words…
Unique,Real,Creative,Picture Painting,Street,No Gimmicks
4.You knew Deshaun Holton aka Proof personally. Proof is the man behind the Iron Fist label. How was he as a friend, CEO, collaborator?
Proof as a Friend:He was just like one of the homies…he was good with cash and all that..but he act just like a normal nigga would..I could depend on him…he got me out jams a couple times..
Proof as a CEO: He was very hands on with every element of the label…music,radio,promotions anything he had his hand in it…
5.I heard from Rude of IF (I interviewed him a while ago) that there were beefs inside of the label opposing you and two other Purple Gang members…can you give us more insight about the beef that opposed you and Famous to First Borne and Killa Kaunn?
Basically Me and Fame didnt like the way things were being handled after proof passed…so we felt us leaving was the best for our careers…For as all the diss records and negative interviews…should have never happen…just it was such a touchy situation at the time..where it was more emotional actions instead of thought out actions….we took jabs killa threw at us…we threw jabs..diss records…basically because of misunderstandings maybe and outsiders in each party ear talking shit..but thats the past…wish everybody over there the best!!
6.How did you come up with the “ Skrilla Gorillas” concept?
Honestly i dont know who came up with it..me or famous….when we talk..we have are OWN slang….we make new words up on a daily…and come up with witty quotes….but i imagine round the time the skrilla gorillas show mixtape came about…the name was created….Skrilla Gorillas Is NOT the group name for Famous And FLame….its just a name that represents people we fuck with musically,street and whatever other avenue being used to get MONEY!!!
7.Which artist(s)-mainstream or underground have earned your respect on the Detroit scene and why?
Mainstream:Eminem,Royce,Obie Trice,Black Milk
Underground: Seven The General,Rock Bottom,Tone Tone
8.What is your personal outlook on the Detroit scene?
EVERYBODY SAY THIS… but its divided…its gonna stay this way..cuz its too many egos….I can honestly say i extend my hand to help others and collab..but that shit is never shown back..which is cool…im happy with doing songs by myself and with famous…until the divided shit comes to a cease…we will never grow as a city…simple as that..
9.Which artists have you collaborated with already?
Ive done songs with most of them…rather it was sending verse to dj young mase and he mixing the verses together…or actually sitting in the studio with them…i work with others that i respect…but im not big on features…always been like that…not being a asshole..but i think im just very selective on who i work it….gotta make sure they official…
10.Which artists you haven’t collaborated with yet would you envision collaboration with?
Only artist is probably Royce 5 9 and Guilty Simpson…i listen to they music…its dope…the streets would like that…
11.You have a new mixtape coming out soon…a few words about your upcoming work and what listeners should expect from you?
Yeah Directors Cut…Dropping September 11th…its me basically showing that ive grown into a real artist…people know i can do mixtape joints..hot punchline filled freestyles…but i really wanted to show i can make songs…concepts,hooks and try different flows…..also with this project i think it will help people understand me as a person..some artist try to paint a picture in the listeners mind on what they think they listerner would like instead of being themselves…im giving ya the real me…so u can expect an very nice piece of music put together by yours truly….i expect it to be one of the best mixtapes of the year NATIONALLY NOT JUST LOCAL…we shall see…lol
12.cAccording to you, what is your main strength as an artist?
I’m good at Concept songs…And I’m Very Creative….THE MIXTAPE WILL PROVE IT!!!
—
www.skrillagorillas.com
www.myspace.com/tyfarris
www.twitter.com/tyfarris1
R.I.P BIG PROOF
FAMOUS AND FLAME!!!!!
Copyright by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

Global rating of the mixtape: 4 stars
Dark, cadenced instrumentals with a soft soul touch, the Murph Derty and Zo (of the Detroit I Dash group)’s avant-gardist use of their sounds, their rapid flow and constant syllable slapping will definitely conquer a hip hop loving audience. Murph Derty hails from Sidney, Australia. Zo and Murphy’s complementary know how reveals the listeners a brand new dimension of handling words and instrumentals- darkness, offensiveness, a scurrilous mind is astutely mixed up with a soft note that has a refreshing dew effect.
The dynamic duo is marching on, introducing Monsta Music to the world. Two lyrical soldiers who carry the power of a whole army are ready to fire hot syllables out of their mouths. Attention, please! Both emcees are ready to rip it off.
Face Off is sharply written. Electric guitar sounds offer a beautiful, opposing contrast to the harsh keyboard sounds. Our emcees are ready to conquer the world. Follow them into their crazy ride.
U Gone Love Me has some Dirty South accents. Piano, keyboards, violins introduce a dramatic dimension into the sounds. Two artists won’t compromise their style to please anybody.
I Don’t Dance combines some repetitive techno accents with a Dirty South flavor…groupies get smashed in that one! I liked it. Well done.
Pimping gently contrasts with Bodyguard’s dark notes. Light piano notes, some ironic accents make the Pimping song an ear delight.
Cinema is made of soulful guitar sounds combined with violins notes. Rhythmic beats truly enhance the song in which both emcees lyrically excel.
Instrumentally, I’m A Jerk is probably the most surprising song of the mixtape. Repetitive sounds on mad Zo’ lyrics: have a listen and don’t be afraid to discover something innovative-instrumentally speaking. It is proof that the rap game is constanly changing, requiring agood adaptability from the listener.
Among the songs I really appreciated, count Strung Out. Enjoy the depth of the instrumentals: yo gotta dig the piano-violin-bass-drum beat intelligent combination.
I’d also recommend all of you Good Die Young: enjoy the astute wordplays and the hammering piano background. Reminescing hip hop’s lost soldiers, the song reveals both artists’ know how.
Globally speaking Politics has a lot to offer to hip hop loving ears. Because of its yet unexplored musical techniques, it might surprise some of you, but don’t let this element distance you from good quality hip hop.
Copyright by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved