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Video review
Global rating of the product: 4.75 stars
Maybe Good Friday is the ideal time for reviewing Eminem’s recent work with hip hop legend Dr Dre. with the numerous death and resurrection symbols it contains. Eastern time is the ideal time to meditate about the very meaning of life.
In many regards, Eminem resembles the spirit of his hometown that symbolically rises from its ashes: just when you think he just run out of musical ressources, the man totally redeems himself with some amazing, creative stuff.
Meet a depressed Dr Dre at the beach. While being caressed by the relaxing sound of the sea, Andre Young, now a mature man, has some flashbacks about the glorious time of NWA, his marriage, his kids, his Up In Smoke Tour, his complicity with Slim Shady…
When you’ve been through hard times ( Dr Dre was unlucky enough to lose a 23 year old son who was found dead, unresponsive in his bed), you sometimes question yourself about what really makes sense in your life. If you are too harsh in your judgment towards yourself, you might be tempted to commit suicide. In the video, Dr Dre is deperate to that extent. As he drives faster and faster through the mountains’ heights, his car suddenly crashes…total blackout…opration table…meet Dre between life and death, in his coma, an aetheric creature sings the refrain : ” I need a doctor…” Musically speaking Skylar Grey’s soft voice contrast with the electric guitar accords and Eminem’s rough voice. Eminem recalls the good times and how Dre literally saved his life by believing in his talent and signing him to his label…his voice is strong enough to reach Dre who needs slowly gets back to life.
He needs to learn how to walk again, little by little and moreover to believe in himself.
Have faith. Don’t look for miracles outside of yourself: miracles happen from within.
Great Eminem-Dre collaboration. Watch it here.
Copyright by Isabelle Esling
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Global rating of the product:3.5 stars
There is a huge difference between daydreaming and actually living your dreams: to live your dreams, it is essential to take some action, to have some soul and to spice up your life with some passion.
Dream Girls is an interesting movie I came across recently. If you are passionate about black music, curious about tyhe music industry and recognize yourself as a Motown sound fan, this movie is definitely for you. Not only does it offer a wide range of vocally rich, musical samples that will definitely talk to your soul, the movie also opens up on a realistic glance about the other side of the mirror: the cruel world of the music industry gets depicted the way it actually is. Business often puts real talent in jeopardy.
Beyonce Knowles and Jamie Foxx are starringas Deanna and Curtis. Three teenage girls from Detroit who are calling themselves the ” Dreamettes” want to make it to the top. Despite their hard work and the help of a talented songwriter, the trio is facing adversity. Their destiny will take a different turn when they meet Jimmy Early (played by Eddie Murphy) who actually needs some backsingers for his current tour.
Backsingers? What a disappointment for our ambitious female singers who are dreaming of a successful superstar’s life. But Jimmy promises to give them a major role as soon as the opportunity strikes. Jimmy Early posesses the genuine qualities you’d expect from a soul singer: he has heart, possesses deep and wide vocal chords, moreover he is rich of an upbeat dynamism on stage that wouldn’t leave anybody indifferent.
The D town of the sixties is still struggling with racial prejudice. At this time, climbing the charts as a black artist was ten times harder as for an equally talented white artist. Copyright infringement laws weren’t as precise as they are now, so it often happenned that a track was stolen. Jimmy Early’s Cadillac song (just after its brillianrt start in the radio charts) suddenly appeared in a weakened, modified, yet successful song stolen by some white artist. Curtis, who acts as the manager, fires back by reinjecting money into his business. To do so, he had to sell all his Cadillac cars.
One can only sympathise with Effie’s cause. How could one not feel angry in front of such an amazing talent getting lost for the business’ greedy purposes? But if you are familiar with the music industry, you will probably know that this is the way it actually works: managers often give preference to average talents that are capable to please a manipulated mainstream public than promoting an outstanding and original artist. Even when some of them make a definite choice in favor of the talented artist, in the end they will shape him into a mainstream pleasing puppet.
The movie is fulfilled with some good soul music that will put you into very good spirits. If you love swinging music amnd heartfelt artists with brilliant on stage performances, go watch the movie!
Copyright by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

Dear readers,
Merry Xmas to all of you, thanks for reading me on a regular basis:)
Happy birthday to my son Marcus who was born on the 25th of December and to Eminem’s daughter, Hailie Jade:)
See ya all in 2011…all the best..
Isabelle

You just discovered Adam JSolo’s life story. Discover the man and artist in his own words. For more info about Adam JSolo, go to Adam’s facebook.
1. What motivated you at first to become an artist?
-I was 15 my friend Geoff and I were in my computer room and we decided to write a rap song, and I promised him that I would never give up on becoming an artist, He was my best friend and when I told him I meant something he knew I was really serious about it
2. How did you come up with your nickname?
-I liked how Tupac used his real name, So I would use mine, Adam Jacob or Adam J Solo
3. Which is your biggest ( musical) source of inspiration?
-My biggest source of influence would have to be, The Beatles and Tupac 2 of my favorite artists/bands ever
4. Old school or new school hip hop?
-Good question. I prefer anything that is somewhat truth or fun to listen to so a little bit of both is a good dose for me, tho I can not really listen to that stuff that just doesn’t make any sense unless I like the beat and tune out the stupidity
5. Define yourself as an artist within a few words?
-A Clean Up Artist, because I believe that if given the chance I can really clean up the game,the world and overall bring something clean,fun and exciting to the table
6. According to you, what makes you stand out of the crowd?
-The fact that I am not in this to be a rapper or an entertainer. I am in it because I feel that its time for a good role model with some words that people all over can relate to.
7. For how long have you been rapping now? What are your biggest achievements as an artist?
-About 7 years, I only count 1 year tho because the last year I have started to try and master my craft and take it seriously. My biggest achievement so far has been to be able to gain the attention of major producers with my story and music, I haven’t gotten the chance to really go out there yet, I have been so busy with bills and life its been kinda hard hoping for a big break soon
8. Which artists have you been collaborating with?
-Hazardas-Donald Bandy from North Carolina, but other than that I am a Solo act, but he is a young 17 year old actor who has been in many tv shows and commercials
9. Besides hip hop, what kind of music do you listen to?
-Believe it or not recently I have really started to listen to classical music, I also like classical rock.
10. What is the message behind your lyrics?
-good question you got me thinking how to best answer this haha umm Its time for us as a culture to rise to the occasion and its been hard for us to, whether it was broken homes, drugs infesting our streets, anger and hate as well, its time to be happy for the things you have and its time to really act better and be more aware of how our actions effect not only us personally but us as a culture.
Copyright by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

Adam JSolo is a hip hop artist.He was born on October the 29th, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
How he got there is a very long story, because he was diagnosed with a major learning disability at a very early age. He was put on heavy medication and the doctors nearly gave up on him. He was singled out and had to go to private schools.
Despite the doctors’ diagnosis that really spoke against Adam’s capabilities, the young boy had an incredible memory:” I was always really intelligent so I was told I would memorize all the numbers on the refrigerator at the age of 2″ (Adam)
Adam’s mom would test altenative medicines and natural treatments for her son in order to improve his health.But in front of Adam’s difficulties, his father deserted his home.
Adam then went to a military school where making friends was a lot easier for him.During his teenage years, Adam got into trouble, getting involved with drugs. His life eventually took a more positive tuen when he met his girlfriend and future wife Gina who allowed him to change the way he envisioned life.Adam experienced the funny side of life with Gina, his best friend and hers fell in love and ended up having a kid. But at the same time, life didn’t spare him: he lost two close friends within six months.Adam eventually chose to become an emcee and to teach people about the power of a positive attitude. His motivation to succeed despite all will bring him further, because as Eminem said it in Lose Yourself before ” you can do anything you set your mind to, man”.
Adam’s story teaches anybody an invaluable life lesson: even if anybody is giving up on you, you gotta find the force and the courage within yourself. If you fight hard enough, you will be exactly where you wanna be.
Copyright by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

First of all, I want to remind all of you that I refuse to take sides, as I respect 5ELA for their high quality hip hop and I respect Kuniva of D12 as well for the outstanding artist he actually is.
Let me remind you all that RIP Big Proof was full part of the 5ELA group and that they did amazing collaborations. Proof was also D12, he founded the group along with Bizarre, so it is kinda painful to see the Detroit scene being torn apart that way.
Here is the reason why Kuniva dissed 5ELA. Follow the whole story at Skrilla Gorillas’ website.
I think that the Detroit scene should search for unity. Whatever happens, happens anyway.
Feel free to comment, but I won’t tolerate any insults. They will be deleted straight away.
Copyright by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

Global rating of the product: 4.5 stars ( a must see)

Jacques Mesrine is probably one of the most popular French OG’s of the 20th century and maybe also one of the most enigmatic. Jacques Mesrine marqued my childhood, because he was constantly making the headlines in the French news. His place of death, rue Belliard, Paris, is also very familiar to me, because I used to live near there a few years ago.
Putting this enigmatic figure on the screen was a risky and delicate task, as Jacques doesn’t really fit into the standard gangsta stereotype. He was a man of many faces: attaching, touching, with a warped sense of humor, certainly a man of word with his fellow gangsta friends, but also violent and even cruel in specific circumstances. The main challenge was probaly to find an actor who was able to incarnate the complexity of Mr Mesrine’s character. The producer found the right person in Vincent Cassel ( well known for his brilliant play in La Haine).
Vincent Cassel plays his role so much to the perfection that he becomes Jacques Mesrine. He incarnates the criminal, the bank robber picturing the outlaw’s tough side ( according to what I heard and saw in my childhood, I have the impression that the real Mesrine was a tougher man, though).
Vincent Cassel also depicts Jacques attaching side, as a father or simply in his relationship with women, except the quite horrible scene in which he puts a gun into his wife’s mouth.
The war of Algeria has shaped young Jacques who considers self defence and illegal affairs as a way of life. As Jacques eventually returns to his parents’ home in Clichy, he also chooses his destiny: to live by the arms.
Love him or hate him, one must recognize Jacques’ cleverness. The movie enlightens the criminal’s genius in terms of organizing robberies and evasions from jail, in France and in Canada, It also recalls detainees horrible detention conditions and allows the viewer some reflection about corruption in the judiciary system, which Jacques sarcastically points out, giving evidence at his own trial.
While some people would consider him as a kind of ” Robin Hood”, some others would qualify him as “Public Enemy Nr1”.
Jacques Mesrine reached such a great degree of popularity that he made the Paris Match cover.
In his own point of view, Jacques was fighting against capitalism by “taking money from the state’s institutions” ( the banks) and a revolutionary trying to liberate his co-detainees in prison. While I admit that the person must have scared the hell out of people ( and he would probably have scared the hell out of me too if I had met him), I nevertheless find his character and story fascinating. The story takes place mainly in France and in Canada, where Mesrine manages to kidnap a billionaire which he will reiterate in France asking for a huge ransom.
Let Vincent Cassel introduce you to Mesrine’s character and follow the story…you won’t be disappointed!
Copyright by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

Global rating of the product: 4.5 stars

D12 fans have been waiting to enjoy Kuniva’s solo work…the amazing D12 artist is giving you all the wonderful occasion to enjoy his incredible skills as a solo artist.
After a short intro, Coming Home is mixing some cool, funky and soul vibes with Kuniva’s ill, devastating, stormy rhymes…how could one stay insensitive to this song? I truly loved it and I highly recommend it.
Another interesting Ghostface/ Royce da 5.9 collaboration is the song Nutmeg that fully enlightens the artists’ lyrical skills and flow. The melody is enhanced with some soft saxophone notes. Kuniva is truly killing it.
Like a menacing whirlwind, words are spit in every direction on a rapid, rhythmic melody. Over Da Hood symbolizes all the Detroit ghetto is about.
Musical contrasts, slow and rapid flute notes alltogether that are mixed up with keyboard sounds will create a surprising effect in That Shizzle. The hammering piano and the incisive electronic sounds generate insecurity around the listener while Kuniva is chanting in the background. You will truly like the innovative musical techniques.
Straight Outta…is embued with the cold minded, tough Detroit spirit. Rhythmic as well, it includes some very valuable Skrilla Gorillas collaborations. Ready to get shot by their lyrical bullets? Face their talent and…your demise.
Among the songs I really liked, I highly recommend Chalkit How I Talkit. Offensive on purpose, the song makes Kuniva’s talent shine.
Gun Shot is beautifully managed with its hot, cadenced beats, its great variety of instrumentals. Cold steel lyrics, verbal venom spit directly from a hip hop mastermind…this is how Detroit boys do it! The Midwest is present in each of the song’s dimension. Detroit hip hop lovers will be delighted!
Lose Ya Life will ridicule any enemies. Verbal mastery is so dope here. You gotta give this song a listen.
Love Dat Lifestyle astutely combines bells, violins, keyboards and Kuniva’s murdering punchlines.
If you ever doubted what D12 artists can do individually, I’d highly advice you to give Midwest Marauders a deep listen. I bet you will change your mind quite instantly.
Listen to the mixtape here.
Copyright by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

D12 World informs us that Kuniva has a new mixtape out…it is called Midwest Marauders. I’ll do my best to keep you updated with the music:)

So happy 38th birthday, Eminem:)
Thanks for the music!