Not going to turn this into how I think he's the best rapper this side of the planet (and maybe the otherside too).
We all saw the official breakup he had with T3 over Slum Village this summer (if not check out the piece I did for Real Detroit Weekly) and many are looking forward to what he's going to do next.
Last I heard he was doing shows and finishing up the highly anticipated eLmatic.
Last week he released a Madlib produced track and today the video dropped for it.
Every time I hear Royce Da 5'9, Black Milk and eLZhi on a track together (whether Black is producing and eL and Royce are dropping lyrical bombs on the beat or if it's some Black/eL, Black/Royce, or eL/Royce combo) I always think of a clash of the titans. They are some of the best (and most underrated) lyricists around and your favorite rapper knows it. These three are some of my favorite rappers ever, not just in Michigan, but period.
They did the song "Real Hip Hop" for Royce Da 5'9's Bar Exam 3 and now they have teamed back up for "Deadly Medley" which will be on Black Milk's upcoming album, Album of the Year. Besides this album being one of the most anticipated albums of the year (at least for me) I have been dying to hear this song. One of my pipe dreams is for Black Milk, Royce and eLZhi to team together for a project...but then I think they would shut the industry completely down. Enough jabber, here's the video for "Deadley Medley":
If you've seen any post that even mentions his name (or any of my tweets) you know this. If you read my blog regularly, you also know that a few days ago I posted about elZhi and his music videos he had been working on. Well tonight, the video for "Deep" premiered. I'm still waiting for "Glow," but my heart is happy nonetheless.
That's all fine and dandy, but yesterday a teaser video was released for "Deep," and I don't know if I'm gassed because it's eLZhi or if I'm gassed because the video actually looks like it's going to be dope. Peep the video below that I straight jacked from MIHH.
This week has been an amazing music week for Detroit. Honestly, there are so many mixtapes and projects dropping for the holidays that I can't even keep up. I originally had plans to review everything, but then I thought "How wack would that look?" I mean don't get me wrong, great look for Detroit hip-hop bad look for my blog (too much of one thing is blech.) so here are the top downloads for the week. Things that I have been bumping (hard) and I KNOW you need to have them.
First up is eLZhi's 'The Leftovers Unmixedtape'. To know me is to know I have developed this addiction to Slum Village, it's bad and I'm working on it. eLZhi released this last week (Friday I believe) and since then it has been in heavy rotation. Leftovers is exactly that; it's a compilation of features, unreleased tracks and a joint or two from way back when. There is no DJ, just music. (which may be why I love it so much). I don't think there's anything else to say except DOWNLOAD. The beats are awesome (production credits include Black Milk, DJ Dez and Jake One) and of course the lyrics are insane.
In short, I think you're up for some mighty fine 'Leftovers'.
Glow - eLZhi
Next up is Marv Won's 'Way of the Won LP.' Now some of you may know Marv Won as the rapper who ethered Charles Hamilton, battled Eminem in 8 Mile or killed Aye Verb in a battle for Grind Time (resulting in what is now known as #marvwonsmirk.) The LP is presented by DJ House Shoes, and is (from the way I understand it) a shelved joint Marv Won did a while ago. Nonetheless it's dope as sin. Features include Bilal and Danny Brown and production credits Black Milk, 14KT and House Shoes himself.
This is definitely one of my favorite downloads for the week and you shouldDOWNLOADit too.
Get Back - Marv Won
Finally we have Mac Miller, a 17-year-old kid from Pittsburgh with impressive skill. The first thing someone may think is great, another white kid rapping about blowing trees, but it's a lot more to this high school kid than that (and that was seen on his Jukebox mixtape with the song "Got a Clue"). I think Mac Miller has a pretty good career on his hands a little over a week ago he released the video for his single "Live Free" (peep down below).
Mac Miller may not be as seasoned as the two previously mentioned artists, but nonetheless he's definitely someone I think should grace your music library.
