Elzhi---ELMATIC

How courageous in hip hop do you have to be to even fathom touching a classic such as Illmatic by Nas?  Ask Detroit's own Elzhi, Slum Villager and rhyme scientist supreme.  In May, he released the audacious AND dope mixtape Elmatic as a tribute to an album that, in my opinion, is the pinnacle of hip hop.  Elzhi decided to not only recreate the vibe that surrounded Illmatic, but added a live element with Will Sessions, the Detroit-based live outfit, giving the music an energy you don't find on mixtapes (or albums for that matter).  I'm just going to let the mixtape speak for itself.  Elzhi, you did a classic justice bro!  ENJOY!

http://www.2dopeboyz.com/2011/05/10/elzhi-%E2%80%93-elmatic-mixtape/

NEW TIGALLO NEW TIGALLO NEW TIGALLO!

One month from now we will FINALLY be blessed with the solo joint from one of my favorite artists EVER, Phonte Coleman, former Little Brother spitter, current Foreign Exchange emcee/vocalist, and resident hip hop renaissance man.  The first selection from his solo album is "Not Here Anymore", featuring rhyme scientist Elzhi and produced by another favorite 9th Wonder.  I'm so glad that 9th and Phonte are working together again, because you can not fake chemistry.  I love this joint, and I am sure you will too.  Hit me up on Twitter under @wisdom31 to see my "31 Days Of Phonte Quotables" starting today to see why this lyricist supreme is so revered in the hip hop community.  Even your favorite artists (i.e. Drizzy Drake) recognize Phonte as an influence because of his sheer dopeness and everyman appeal.  Don't forget to cop Phonte's album Charity Starts At Home on 9/27/11 (along with Cole World from J. Cole and The Wonder Year from 9th Wonder).  ENJOY!

http://www.okayplayer.com/news/audio-phonte-not-here-anymore-f-elzhi-prod-9th-wonder.html

Jean Grae - Cookies or Comas - DJBooth

Jean Grae is back with more lyrical damage for eardrums! I'm a tad bit late here, but it's worth the wait nevertheless. Jean Grae is that chick on the M-I-C point blank period. Listen and download this free 11 track treat, featuring other wordsmiths such as Talib Kweli and Pharoahe Monch. ENJOY!

Jean Grae - Cookies or Comas - DJBooth

"It's Been A Long Time, I Shouldn't Have Left You..."

What's good Blogosphere!  I hope all my Wisdom Seekers out there are either preparing for Hurricane Irene or praying for someone that may be in the proverbial eye of the storm for real!  Being here in Harm City, we see a little of everything, including this week's 5.9 Richter scale quake.  Now it's time to show our mettle and moxie.  It's been such a long time with me being away from my baby, my blog, but it's as good a time as ever to resurface, energized and ready for whatever.  This post's title is definitely appropriate, quoting the one and only Rakim, because it indeed has been a good while since I've been here.  For my return, I want to showcase this gem from hip hop inspiration Skillz.  His Hip Hop Confessions webisodes shed light on unknown facts within the Hip Hop realm, and the most recent unveiling has Skillz chatting it up with legends in the game, MC Lyte and Salt & Pepa.  Hip Hop Confessions Part 9:  Ladies First!  The title says it all, so enjoy!

HIP HOP CONFESSIONS PART 9:  LADIES FIRST!


Skillz presents: Hip-Hop Confessions ep. 9 -- Ladies First from Visually Inklined on Vimeo.