The Eminem Blog

Rating of the product: 4 stars
Detroit underground artists Butter Butter (not to confuse with notorious Detroit DJ Butter) and his partner in crime, the infamous G-Life will offer the listeners some interesting perspectives about the Detroit scene.
The mixtape features some real good Detroit talents such as Moe Dirdee of Woof Pac and Trick Trick.
The listeners will probably enjoy J O Neal s Clap Yo Hands. His particular, raw voice, combined with the bell sounds background, a good sense of rhythm, make the song highly enjoyable. Moreover, it proudly represents the 7 Mile spirit. I recommend you the song.
Face and Denny Flood totally shine on a good gangsta track that is sarcastically written. Dark bass lines contrast with soft, knife alike violin sounds and good vocal performances of both artists, introducing the listener into an outlaw background that is interrupted by some gun shots.
Good job. I liked it.
Moe Dirdee s freestyle will surround you with a dark musical background. Meet an army of ruthless soldiers during which Moe Dirdee excels at doing his lyrical thing.
D Wells introduces you into a quite festive ambiance with flute sounds and soft keyboard sounds. However it is just a wrong impression. U Don t Want Beef reveals a great dose of offensiveness. D Wells will bang you with his lyrical weapons!
Come smoke and drink with them. Smoke With Us is a well lead club song.
One could barely ignore Hydro s well handled freestyle. Astute wordplays and a good flow delivery will allow you to fully appreciate his track.
Trick Trick is featured on track 13 with one of his latest songs, Let It Fly. One should definitely give it a listen. With his particular know how, his rough voice and his OG spirit, Christian Mathis aka Trick Trick enhances the mixtape s gangsta flavor.
Globally, Butter Butter and G-Life have done a great effort on the mixtape. Inventive lyrics, rich sounds, a definite gangsta flavor, a combination of skilled artists and freestyling masters , all those elements make 7 Mile P 2 Rock highly enjoyable.
Interested in coping this mixtape? Go for it!
Copyright 2007 by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

Rating of the product: 4 stars
Mixed by Nas’ DJ, DJ Les, the From My Hood To Your Hood mixtape reveals an interesting NYC talent, E-Dro.
Guess Who s Back : as E-Dro walks in on a keyboard and piano background, he draws his painful path in the hood. Proudly representing NYC, rich of a knock out attitude, E-Dro is ready to impress his listeners.
In Black Man, E-Dro pours his heart out about the difficult living conditions of a black man in the hood. Speaking on behalf of his folks, E-Dro tells things the way they are: black people don’t always have it easy. Constant stuggles, racial discrimination, poverty come out of the profound cry of a black man s soul.
What Happened is written in form of a big question mark. Distorted keyboard sounds will describe E-Dro s lack of comfort with the constant oppositions and fights between black and white communities. Is it possible to change things in a land in which color matters? Can we work together towards more justice and equality for everyone? Can we change the fact of black kids dying in the streets because of aids and drugs? What happened? Why did things worsen?
Smoking is built on very rhythmic jazzy piano sounds and rhythmic drum beats. Feel the beat, the music and the passion that comes from an artist s mind. It is chill out time. Time for a blunt or two. Time for sharing in the community. Black music lovers should definitely enjoy this one.
On The Grind describes the usual situation of people living in the hood. You gotta struggle hard to make it and keep grinding, no matter what.
A swinging rhythm, repetitive instrumentals will make the listener feel the spirit of a man who keeps pushing on, regardless of the many material obstacles he might encounter on his road.
Street Life is enhanced with E-Dro s raspy voice, soft piano and violin sounds. Feel the contrast between soft and raw elements.
I’m not so enthusiastic about LAPD. I don’t agree with E-Dro on that one. I might be a woman, but I am not keen on listening to such kind of songs. This precise song won’t make me buy the album. I am keen on listening to well built reps. LAPD is gross as far as I am concerned. Neither did I like Be Ez, that sounded too much like a Destiny’s Child flavored song.
Fortunately, Grew Up exposes more serious subjects such as growing up in the hood. The instrumental suggest the harsh struggle all over the years.
Another interesting song is DC Ryders. The keyboard sounds and rhythmic drum beats will astutely describe a life on the run.
E-Dro s raspy voice will describe the roughness of life on the block.
Globally E-Dro s mixtape is a good piece of work. I recommend it to all of you.
Copyright 2007 by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

Chuck Dirty is an incredibly gifted writer. He is able to paint pictures of his life experiences, with his lyrics. He is very creative and has powerful lyrical skills, his flow is remarkable and clearly undeniable to anyone who listens. As a fan, you look up to an artist you admire, but all along you wonder what kind of person they are, beyond the music. Well let me say…This interview was above and beyond anything, I ever expected. Not just because I’m a fan of his work or because he is a very talented Michigan emcee, but because he is the most honest, real and down to earth person…you will ever meet. I can only hope you enjoy his interview as much as I did! ~Donna Kshir
1.) Tell me a bit about yourself and your background?
I’m a 23 year old white boy from the Mitten, I was raised by my father who was a blue collar GM employee, he drove a hi-lo truck for 27 years and went out on medical retirement, after he had to have both of his hips replaced and a buncha blown discs in his back. I come from a long line of hustlers, my great great uncle was actually one of the founding members of Detroits Purple Gang. Most of my family were bootleggers during the prohibition era. A kinda cool thing, I have from the older generations of my family is an old ass picture of my great grandfather with Al Capone.. The real scarface so I come from a long line of hustlers and grinders. It’s in my blood.
2.) What or who motivated you to become a rapper?
My single biggest influence was 2pac. I know it sounds cliche nowadays, but when I heard “holla if u hear me” I just knew thats what I was gonna do. I had been into hip hop well before that, the first cd I ever bought was “The Chronic”. But there was somethin’ about 2pac that drew me in and made me think I could play a part in hip hop too. And really in my opinion he taught me how to rap too, because if you listen to my cd every thing you hear on there. I’ve lived through or I’m currently going through now. I keep my shit 100% real and thats why you don’t hear me rappin’ about guns and killings and shit, cuz it ain’t me… I don’t do that. I just bring it to ya real, and whats real to me and thats what 2pac taught me.
3.) Making it in the music business is a lot of hard work. What’s the biggest challenge you had to face?
So far, I’d have to say learning the business end of it. Cuz any one can stack up some chips and get a lil studio and record some shit, but what do u do after that?? See that’s what I had to learn and I’m still learning it everyday. My first album I ended up at the end of the day pushin 2,500 units out of my back pocket. But I wasnt workin with nobody, I wasnt interested in anything else, but ME! But 2,500 units ain’t nothin’, so I had to take it back to the drawing board and try to figure out what to do to improve my visibility. And after a lil’ while I started net working with people and doing a lot of shows, and really just grindin’ it out, and its starting to pay off… of my newest album “Horns & Halos”, I’ve pushed a little over 12,000 units, 100% independently. My names growing I’m doin’ bigger shows like, opening for the Ying Yang Twinz, Mike Jones, and Bubba Sparxx. The most amazing thing to me is the fans I talk to though, the ones that ain’t around me all the time and dont live in my city, and get a chance to kick it with me, them cats make me proud and make it worth doing. I got fans in London, Beirut, Lebanon and these cats have personally told me my cd helps them get through the day sometimes, and thru personal situations… I mean thats a blessing to me right there. If I dont get nothin’ else out of this game that type of stuff there satisfies me.
4.) Which artist, were you most pleased to work with and why?
My road dogg Bunz man, I just love workin’ with that cat, we create some ridiculous bangers every time we get together in the studio. Word to the wise be on the look out for NICKY BUNZ, the kids an animal and a breathe of fresh air for the underground. But yeah, Nicky is definately the one person thats always gonna be on a Chuck Dirty CD, no matter what, it aint comin’ out if it aint got me n Bunz on a few trax
5.) What motivated you to collaborate with each other?
Me and Bunz grew up together midaswell say were brothers, I’ve known him litterally my entire life, the day I was born him and his moms was at the hospital. So were gonna be brothers from the womb to the tomb…litterally (haha). But we grew up rappin’ together, 11 years old freestyling into a hand held recorder like the one from home alone over top of industry beats off of singles.
6.) Which artist haven’t you collaborated with yet, that you envision to work with in a close future and why? Astray, I feel like me an him are cut from the same cloth so it should be interesting to hear what we can come up with, cuz the boys an animal. I’m also anxious to work with Lethal Brand them cats are straight animals on the mic. I’m also going to be working with Jake the Flake for the next album, and Project Born.
7.) As a rapper, is there one rapper you pattern yourself after or do you have your own style?
I ain’t gonna sit here an act like my music hasnt been influenced, but I dont pattern myself after no one and I think my style is one of my own too, but of course I’ve taken things from others as I came up too. But took things like work ethics and business smarts and hunger, from rappers not a style. I try to keep a 2pac like work ethic and for the most part I do when were workin’ on albums we do no less than 2 or 3 trax a day, so as long as I’m on pace im good. I pay a lot of attention to the things Jay Z does business wise, and the things 50 cent has down business wise, them are 2 of the biggest hustlers in the world and I watch their moves n see if I can relate them to my hustle.
8.) What is your thoughts on the underground Hip Hop scene?
I love the underground scene, especially the Michigan underground scene, the music is great we got great artists out here, and for the most part I love us cuz were non-conformists… meaning we ain’t changing for industry standards love us or leave us either way were gettin’ bread. Look at Eminem perfect example of what I’m sayin’, he came in and changed the game, he didnt change for the game.
9.) What is your thoughts on today’s mainstream Hip Hop artists and where do you see them taking Hip Hop, in the near future? Hip Hop is dead period, I’m ridin’ with Nas on this… I respect all artists, but snap music an stuff like that is killin’ us. The other day I witnessed a 52 year old white woman walk it out… its sad that’s too commercial. But at the same time everybody wants to hate on the mainstream cats and I can’t do that. People hate Eminem and 50 cent and Jay Z, call em sellouts and what not… but I ask you isnt that the point?? To get your records on the radio all day long and sell 10 million albums?? I thought that was the plan?? I know thats my plan. Nobody in the hip hop game wants to be broke and get no recognition they wanna be on top… shit and so do I.
10.) If you could thank one person, for helping get you where you are today…Who would it be and why?
My Father, that man raised me right an broke his back doin it. I’m tellin ya, but he’s always been my biggest supporter, and always had my back no matter what, even if i was dead wrong and I respect him for that and everything hes done for me.
11.) Are you always so quick to generate idea’s or do you ever struggle?
I have my struggles its hard to be creative all the time when your seeing so much un-inspiring shit around you. I mean Michigan is in ruins man, Flint is the #1 city for murders in the country now, with Detroit and Saginaw both behind, it in the top ten. Thats some terrible shit, I come from the unsafest city in the entire country…. its just hard to drive around and be inspired these days. When I first started rappin’ we’d always meet up at the local parks n bring out the boom boxes and notepads an go to work. The damn parks ain’t even safe to be in no more. So sometimes I struggle with creativity, but thats also what makes my music soo good cuz its comin from a struggle.
12.) I found you have creative and powerful lyrical skills, your flow is remarkable and clearly undeniable to anyone who listens. Would you agree with that statement and why?
Yeah I’d have to agree with it, because I put alotta time into thinking about what I’m gonna tell the listener and what message I’m gonna bring to you. And I put alotta years into my flow and delivery and I think its about perfect for me. Not that I’m perfect, but just meaning its where I’d like it to be at.
13.) Musically speaking, who was your biggest influence?
2pac and Phil Collins, because of their intense emotion and delivery.
14.) Currently, do you have any projects in the works for 2007?
I got a new album, I just started working on tentatively called ” Roses & Razor Blades.” It’s a follow up to “Horns & Halos”. I’m a pick up where I left off an take you through my life since, I did that album.
15.) Where do you see yourself in five years?
I don’t really care to be honest as long as I’m happy with a family and a house. To keep it real wit ya, thats all I want.
16.) If I had to describe myself, I would say… I’m a leader not a follower. How would you best describe yourself?
Horns and Halos meaning I’m the nicest guy you will ever meet and I’ll help anyone out to the fullest, but rub me the wrong way and I’m a beast… I’ll be your worst enemy.
17.) How much time daily, do you spend in the studio and what does an average day consist of ?
All day really, I’m always in the studio cuz I built a studio at the crib so I’m always in there doin’ somethin.’ I work with a lot of other local artists so, if im not workin on my records, I’m workin’ on someone elses.
18.) In the beginning, as a journalist it was hard to have my talents reconized. Have you ever experienced that and how?
I’m still going thru that now, but I just grind it out on a daily basis, eventually they’ll recognize whats in front of them.
19.) If you could invite anyone to dinner tonight–dead or alive–who would it be and why? Proof, 2pac, Big, and me because they all went out around the age I’m at now, but had done so much more by then so I’d really just like to see what that convo would be like and see what I could learn from it.
For more on Chuck Dirty, visit his my space account.
Copyright 2007 by Donna Kshir and Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

That’s what’s up in the D! Watch Sound The Alarm, a Black Milk featuring Guilty Simpson video…Detroit is in the house!

-apologies to my readers, I said a DJ Butter mixtape…this is not DJ Butter it is another underground artist who goes by the name Butter Butter and his partner in crime, G-Life

-a NYC artist E-Dro mixtape review
stay tuned:)

If you haven’t done it yet, it is really worth it.
You might wonder why I am talking about MC Hammer, being the huge Eminem fan I actually am. In fact, I have always had (and still have) great love and respect for Mc Hammer s music.
I discovered rap music in the early 90’s thanks to Mc Hammer s U Can t Touch This.
I don’t care if MC Hammer dissed Eminem in Full Blast. It won’t change the respect I have for this artist.
Back to my first thought, I would like to encourage my readers to check Mc Hammer s blog. Why?
Because of his wonderful spiritual vision of life. Check the post regarding his banana plants in particular. There is a spiritual wisdom contained in it and it will encourage you to go further, no matter how hard the circumstances of your life might look at the moment.
You go, Mc Hammer. Keep doing your thing:)
Check Mc Hammer s blog here.
Copyright2007 by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

Fresh To Death is a very swinging Puerto Rican flavored song. Built on harpsichord notes combined with keyboard sounds and subtle violin notes in the background, the song is enhanced with Smoke Don’s nice flow delivery. Have a look at the nicely done club song.
Aiming At Your Face immediately introduces you into an unsafe gun talk atmosphere. The instrumentals will reinforce the scurrilous background of the song. Offensive soldier, Smoke Don keeps marching on, representing his city and his crew with pride.
So Predictable is rich of various sounds: piano, keyboards, soft vocals and scratches work together in order to draw the picture of a so predictable attitude of a rival. Smoke Don already anticipated on all his moves. The best way to know one s enemies and to prevent their attacks is a good sense of observation.
Forever Real is beautifully constructed on hammering sounds that strongly suggest an army of thugs marching on. Smoke Don stabs snitches intentionally on his tracks.
The game is all about being real: Smoke Don carries it with him through his music.
Check him out here.
Copyright 2007 by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

After nearly three years since their last group effort, D12 is finally ready to release their third and possibly final studio album, “Natural Born Killers”. After being delayed for nearly a year due to the tragic loss of their friend Proof, and other factors, the album is slated for a release date of June 19, 2007.
Mr. Porter, of D12, will be executive producing the album this time around, and fans can expect guest appearances from Obie Trice, Nate Dogg, 50 Cent, Dina Rae, Three 6 Mafia, Fat Killahz, and Big Herk. There will also be production from Eminem, Dr. Dre, Timbaland, Kanye West, Hi-Tek, Swizz Beatz, and J.R. Rotem. The first single, which pokes fun at fans who have been unhappy with Eminem and D12’s more recent work, is set to hit the streets in April.
Fans can also expect Eminem’s yet-to-be-titled fifth solo effort in November of this year.

A Happy St Patrick’s Day…to Gavin Sheridan in particular…thanks for believing in me:)
I hope you all enjoy March the 17th lol

Dear readers,
Most of us have a hidden gift. Sometimes it keeps being hidden for years since childhood years, because it just needs to get revealed.
No matter what you re good at, I would like to encourage each of you to always privilege the field in which you re best at doing your thing.
You also gotta consider that you will always find negative people and haters on your way when you will start doing your thing, but, honestly, you should care less.
If you know that you have the gift, what haters, losers, badmouthing people think of you should be the least of your worries-particularly when those haters are low key keyboard haters. Internet haters don’t impress me in the least right now. I used to care in the past, but now they really amuse me. Don’t let insignificant people steal your joy and your passion. Most of them are envious nobodies who are bitter about their own lives. Who are they to judge you anyway, moreover from the net? Let me give it a good and sincere laugh! They don’t even know you and prompt to spread their load of bullshit, so why should you care about them and their despicable comments?
Rather use your time developing your gift, because this gift will reveal your genuine value to the world. No matter how hard people might diss you, whatever they do to be a nuisance in your lives, none of them envious bitches can take your gift away.
This is some real talk for real persons: think about it!
Copyright by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved