The year is 1994, the artist is Nas, the album is Illmatic, and a star and a classic LP is born straight outta Queensbridge Houses, the biggest projects in the United States. Fast forward to 2011, and Detroit native Elzhi, formally of the group Slum Village has added his own rendition and tribute of Illmatic aptly titled - 'Elmatic' , this months Mixtape Artist Roundup feature. Although a similar tribute by Fresno, California native Fashwan - Ode to Illmatic was released in 2010, Elzhi puts his own twist to the Illmatic album recreation by adding talented Detroit band Will Sessions, who with live instruments, does over the sounds and songs that made Nas an instant champion once his debut was released.
"I got so many rhymes, I don't think I'm too sane/Life is parallel to hell but we must maintain" - Nas 'New York State of Mind'
The Nas song 'New York State of Mind' brought to light the ills of living in the big city - the traps, the police brutality, drug traffic and usage, the everyday downfalls the hood has to offer. Even though Nas was speaking on his area, millions of disfranchised youth from around the world could relate due to similar activity and behavior in their own communities. It stays true to the statement "There's a hood everywhere". The Motor City Detroit has had it's share of the depression even before the recession hit this country with its high dropout rate, demolished buildings, high rates of unemployment, crime and homelessness. The biggest three American owned auto companies, General Motors, Ford and Chrysler struggles have been well documented, leading to many blue collar workers without careers. It is out of these conditions rhymesmiths like Notorious B.I.G. crafted his greatest descriptive tales. Although Detroit and Brooklyn are two different cities, the problems are the same and still remain. Through Elzhi's eyes some of the ills of the Detroit's inner city is displayed:
"It's just the same story/They cutting more keys when someone OD's in the same building on the same story/It's that ruthless/Drug addicts is toothless turned doofus/Responsible for how the ways youth is/Who run up in your shop and steal/Popping pills at the house party with a hoodrat copping feels/f*ck her raw mentality's like f*ck the law/Nowadays n*ggas buck when they woulda snuck your jaw/In the city of schemes where money is power/And shots go off at the funniest hours" - Elzhi 'Detroit State of Mind'
Will Sessions does an elaborate job of adding new life to the production of Illmatic without sacrificing too much from the original soundtrack. I'm really enjoying these one emcee, one producer collaborations and it's a plus when you can tell both have put a lot of time and energy into a project. With strong tracks such as 'One Love', Elzhi switches the original content about staying true to incarcerated friends, to rapping about a woman he's seeing who has seen a life a trauma but is loyal and has him falling in love. At the end of the track the beat switches but stays in the same realm musically and the listener is taken on a jazzy journey courtesy of Will Sessions. Overall, the talented band added some rich composition and a few different tweaks making Elmatic a perfect combination of introspective lyrics and creative instrumentation.
Detroit has a rich musical history that dates back to its Motown roots and that legacy in music in the following decades has produced such hip hop iconic greats like Eminem and J Dilla. The Hip Hop sound in the Midwest has increasingly been more noticeable of late with lyricists such as Freddie Gibbs, Jon Connor, Black Milk and Danny Brown. There are still listeners of rap music who crave for strong lyrical content, and for them this offering is a satisfying dish. Elzhi, who once thrived in a group, has put together a project as a solo emcee that will demand him to step in the spotlight alone. His mic presence is prominent and concise and although he was always good with bars, Elmatic takes Elzhi to another level lyrically. With a rejuvanted career, Elzhi edmits a new glow of hungriness which is always a good look for veteran emcees. The co-signs from O.G. Illmatic producer Pete Rock and Hip Hop Magazine XXL make it truly official. With this new mixtape, fans will assuredly be awaiting a full length project hopefully dropping soon.
Other notable releases include: (No Particular Order)
Young Jeezy - The Real Is Back
After a brief hiatus, the classic mixtape tandem of Young Jeezy and DJ Drama return delivering another summertime banger for the streets. The Snowman is back in the kitchen cooking up cinematic street tales and hard hitting, trunk knocking music. Jeezy lets it be known - he wants his spot back. As fans patiently and eagerly await Jeezys new album this should definitely hold them over. With production from Shawty Redd and new CTE member Freddie Gibbs, look for this one in whips countrywide in constant rotation.
Reppin': ATL, Georgia Standout Song: How U Want It
HOSTED BY DJ DRAMA
JR Writer - Still Standing 2
JR Writer wants the world to know he's still standing and has bars remincent of his strong run in the mid 2000's. It sounds as if JR has come into his own with his sound and flow, and Harlem's Dominican prince is in top form. With a variety of beats that sound like they come from all regions, Writer shows his rapping versititality on a variety of songs. With features from A-Mafia, Lloyd Banks, Cassidy & Hell Rell this joint is a must listen and a throwback from when punchlines and ill guest collabs were in effect. With the Duke the God co-sign, I'm sure JR will be on the newly reunited Diplomats upcoming album.
Reppin:' Harlem, NY Standout Song: Kill Em Dead
HOSTED BY DUKE DA GOD
Trae Tha Truth - Undisputed
Banned from the radio but never the streets, Tha Truth will be told. The gravel voiced Texas emcee has been putting it down for years in the South. In addition to a few exclusive joints, Trae also adds verses to big hits such as 'Racks' & 'All Of The Lights.' Trae is respected by his peers in the rap game and gets features with everyone from Jadakiss, Rick Ross, Young Buck, Wiz Khalifa & Young Jeezy. Don Cannon holds down the hosting duties. Make no mistake, this mixtape goes hard no matter where you from. With a story to tell and an audience ready to hear it, Trae has just announced the upcoming release of his long awaited album Street King. For now get familiar with 'Undisputed'.
Reppin': Houston, Texas Standout Song: Inkredible (RMX)
HOSTED BY DON CANNON
Jadakiss - I Love You
Named "Artist Of The Year" and winner of a Justo Award in 2005, Jadakiss is a legend of the mixtape arena and has had one of the strongest runs in mixtape history. His presence in Hip Hop along with his group The Lox holds a certified legacy in lyrics that is always appreciated by Hip Hop fans here and abroad. This time out though, Kiss shows the love back with his new release which he calls "A dedication to my fans." Jada goes for a lighter approach musically on this one with songs like 'Hold You Down', but still keeps the street fed with jewels on cuts like the Neptunes produced 'Lil Bruh'. This mixtape is perfect for the cookouts and the ladies will certainly be feeling this one too.
Reppin:' Yonkers, NY Standout Song: How 2 Feel
Juicy J & Lex Luger - Rubba Band Business 2
Juicy J, Academy Award Winner and co-founder of Three 6 Mafia has linked up with young, in demand producer Lex Luger and the results are fantastic. Trap Music never died and never will with these types of releases. Perfect for the streets, clubs, house parties and just about anything else you can think of, Juicy sounds as good as he ever has over some ill Lex production. Juicy J hasn't lost a step and the tracks will put a dent in your speakers riding out to this one. Curren$y, Travis Porter, Machine Gun Kelly and Wiz Khalifa join Juicy and Lex on a strong project hosted by Trap-A-Holics. Don't miss out on this one.
Reppin:' Memphis, Tennessee Standout Song: Who Da Neighbors
HOSTED BY TRAP-A-HOLICS
OJ Da Juiceman - Cook Musik
OJ Da Juiceman is back, reppin’ the "A", doing what he does best, supplying the game with a dose of that trap music. The intro, ‘Little Story’ grabs you right away with a catchy hook and a hypnotizing beat. ‘Grills Are Gold’, featuring Project Pat, Trae, and 8 Ball is also another banger. The Justice League produced 'Voices' is another one that the Juiceman has on deck. 'Speed of Light' featuring B.O.B., is dope too, and the hook is something that's motivational and inspirational.
Reppin: ATL, Georgia Standout Song: Speed of Light
HOSTED BY DJ 5150
Freck Billionare - Terrorizing The Streets
West Philly Freck is back and fresh to death with more punches on deck than your favorite boxer. Hosted by one of the games hardest working DJ's, Blazita, "The hottest chick in the game", adds her stamp to this mixture with features such as Fabolous, Rick Ross & Red Cafe. The beats are banging and the hooks are infectious on this mixtape. Freck always delivers hard hitting lines, with a flow that's impeccable on this one. 'General', featuring Red Cafe, Maino, and Masspike Miles is a stand out track in my opinion due to it's melodic beat and variety of artists that make this collabo a joint you can't hate on. The Fabolous assisted 'Pop Bottles Remix' is a club banger for sure that uses the already popular beat from the original joint. Freck got bars for days on his '100 Bars' freestyle, and the features on this mixtape make it another banger that Freck Billionaire can add to his catalogue.
Reppin: Philly, PA Standout Song: General
HOSTED BY DJ BLAZITA
GLC - Fellowship Of Ism
From the start to the conclusion, there are a lot of quality joints on this project. 'Top of the World' featuring Fly Union is the intro to the mixtape and it's melodic beat combined with the skills of those I mentioned make it a dope introduction. 'Weed Nap' featuring the prolific left coast artist Fashawn as well as Boaz is a must listen resulting in a classic song to add to the GLC collection. The Three 6 Mafia assisted 'Breakin' Down Some Woody' makes this Memphis, Chicago collaboration worthy of a listen. The song is an ode to greenery and they deliver their message well with a dope beat and catchy hook. These are just a few of the many noteworthy songs on this mixtape as GLC continues to build his stature on the G.O.O.D. Music label.
Reppin: Chicago, IL Standout Song: Top Of The World
HOSTED BY TATOR CHIP
Ray Cash - Champagne Talk
The Cleveland emcee Ray Cash is back at with his new mixtape that is so smooth, a melodic listen from the jump. Cash is underrated as a song maker and he has some flava on here for everyone. He has crafty punchlines and a real laid flow which blends well with the standout producers on this project - Clockwork. Ray also links up with a nice collab with a legend in his hometown and Hip Hop as well, Krayzie Bone. Paul Wall and Chip Tha Ripper bring some dope verses to the show as well. The theme of "Champagne Life" is consistent and hopefully Cash gets a chance to celebrate his much deserved and hard earned success soon.
Reppin': Cleveland, Ohio Standout Song: Where Do I Go
HOSTED BY DJ E-V
Ace Hood – Body Bag Vol. 1
Fresh off the buzz of his 'Hustle Hard' single still heating the streets, Ace Hood strikes while the iron is hot with a brand new mixtape release. With producers Lex Luger, The Renegades, DJ Montay and Cardiak Beatz adding the soundtrack to continue the hustle, Hood delivers with a relentless flow and a thirst like he was still unsigned. DJ Infamous is on deck as well keeping the flow of the tape energetic as always. Ace Hood has been putting in work for a minute with DJ Khalid and it's starting to pay off. Look for the young veteran Ace to pick up a few new fans with this new one.
Reppin': Deerfield Beach, Florida Standout Song: Same Dream
HOSTED BY DJ INFAMOUS
Additional reporting by JB
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