It's pretty easy to see that there has not been too many updates on this site recently. Reason is that I am currently working on another complete relaunch of the site. A total transformation. Basically, I have grown sick and tired of the current dynamic of the site. I have been stuck in the realms of being simply a "blog" for far too long, unsure how to approach things in this new blog/social networking web culture. After racking my brain for a while, and after some time of rest and relaxation, the ideas started pouring like Niagara Falls.
In the past 8+ years of doing this site, I have represented the works and then legacy of the great J. Dilla, while showcasing the best of Detroit urban music scene. The site has very much mirrored my life for all those years. When things were good in my life, it showed by the amount of content being posted on the site. When my life was down, you seen this site ignored at times. This is an important concept. As I am currently growing into another phase of my life, a new beginning you could say, its time for a new fresh outlook for the site while culminating everything thats been good about this site and my life in the past.
In doing so, I have decided that upon relaunching, the site will be getting not only a graphical facelift, but a new name and updated focus. The new name of the site will be The Loop Detroit, named after my column in Real Detroit Weekly that I wrote from 2003-2006. That was a great time in my life and will fit nicely into the new phase of this site. Don't worry. Renaissance Soul will site be around. I have an amazing idea how to incorporate it within the site that I will share with you later. There will still be a blog section on the site were I'll post small tidbits and what not, but the main focus of the site will become a much more journalistic approach, returning to how I did it in my days at Real Detroit Weekly. I just feel for me to be satisfied about this site, I need to CREATE more my own content for it to truly be mine. I need to have my heart back into the work presented on this site.
I have more announcements about the direction of the site to come. I don't want to let all the cats out of the bag. Please stay tuned. I think its going to be amazing times to come. - KF
House Shoes presents: Marv Won – Way of the Won LP
This is the shelved album from Marv Won of the Fat Killahz. I've had most of this album for a while now and I was like "DUDE!! Drop this shit already!!". At least we all finally get to hear it now.
LINK: DOWNLOAD
1. Rite Back produced by Vaughn T of the Labtechs
2. What Up produced by Mr. Porter
3. Thin Ice produced by Mr. Porter
4. Need To Know featuring Bilal produced by Mr. Porter
5. Happy Birthday produced by Quelle
6. Mill Ticket produced by Brenk
7. Get Back produced by Lord Quest
8. Alex Foley featuring Danny Brown & Chips Dinero produced by House Shoes
9. The Chase produced by D Fresh
10. The Way It Goes produced by 14KT
11. Talk About produced by Black Milk
House Shoes presents: Quelle - Blue Mondays
Another shelved album now presented by House Shoes from emcee/producer Quelle. Quality music. Visit crown-nation.com to not only download Blue Mondays, but to download two other projects from Quelle - Crown Nation Slut Bag Edition (with Denmark) and Awesome in Outer Space's Songs About You.
LINK: DOWNLOAD
1. Special Ingredient
2. Crawling, Walking, Running
3. Deal Wit It feat Denmark
4. The Jones Brothers feat Blaqk Mythe
5. Dick Ridah feat Denmark
6. Blue Mondays
7. I
8. Need You
9. Put It Down feat Galaxy
10. Runnin the Show feat Loose
11. Vegetables
12. Yessyallin
13. Someday Intro
14. Someday feat 87
15. Peace feat Big Tone
16. Song 16
eLZhi - The Leftovers Unmixedtape
The Leftovers UnMixedtape is exactly what it sounds like: A compilation of one of the game's most talented Emcee's unreleased and featured works. Whether it's a promo joint from a few months back (eLZhi and Black Milk - Deep), a feature from another artist's project (Danny Brown - Contra feat. eLZhi), or just a rare gem from years past (eLZhi and DJ Dez - Living), these Leftovers would have passed for a fresh cooked meal if you didn't know better. It's raw, uncut, unmastered, fresh from the studio and ready for your ears. No DJs, just eLZhi and his comrades, your speakers and you. Without the Leftovers UnMixedtape, most of these songs would never have seen the light of day, so consider this a gift, and come get your grub on!
LINK: DOWNLOAD
1. The Great (Prod. Oh No) 02:24
2. Deep (Prod. Black Milk) 03:33
3. Contra (Feat. Danny Brown) (Prod. Apollo Brown) 03:01
4. Like This (Prod. Black Milk) 01:30
5. Red, Black And Green (Prod. Black Milk) 01:00
6. Glow (Prod. Jake One) 03:48
7. Living (Prod. DJ Dez) 03:26
8. Dream (Prod. Jake One) 04:09
9. The Crowd (Prod. Leef) 04:11
10. Dedication (Feat. Fes Roc) (Prod. DJ Dez) 01:38
11. Colors Remix (Prod. DJ Spinna) 04:07
12. Flyest (Feat. Smitty) (Prod. Denmark Vessey) 04:37
13. 5 Man Hustle (Prod. Black Milk) 02:36
14. Clash Of The Titans (Feat. Vstyles, Royce da 5'9", Rapper Big Pooh & Phat Kat) (Prod. MoSS) 04:51
Quest for a Cure partners with Michigan Music Community to Dig Deep For Bens Fight Detroit, MI—December 19, 2009—On April 23, 2009 Benjamin Martin, was diagnosed with Stage 4 Glioblastoma—a cancerous brain tumor. He is eight years old.
On December 19, 2009 a glimmer of hope will shine bright as the Quest For A Cure Foundation partners with BensFight.org and the Michigan music community to pack the infamous St. Andrews Hall from wall-to-wall with 1,000 fans, friends, family and patrons—to join the fight to save the life of Benjamin Martin. Proceeds will go towards helping Ben fight, in hopes that his success will increase the chance for others fight as well. Doors open at 9:00pm and the DJ will sound off what could go down as one of the greatest events in history. It will be a night of great music, great atmosphere and great fun for a fighting cause.
Several of Detroits leading hip-hop, R&B and Rock artists will be taking the stage in support of this event. The line up will feature Quest MCODY along with artists such as Stretch Money, Invincible, PL, MonicaBlaire, Street Justice, Marvwon, KJon, Vina Mills, Seven The General and more.
Giving to Ben is more than a good cause. It is something that you're tied to emotionally and something that you would carry with you forever. And that is something that the world is missing. As the saying goes "keep hope alive!!" Lets do it today---in life.
General admission starts at $10 at the door. By purchasing your advance ticket using the link below you are admitted ONE guest at 1/2 off door price the day of the event. REMEMBER to print out your paypal receipt and bring it to the event with you as proof of payment!
WATCH: Quest For A Cure Benefit Blog Episode 1
For more information log on to: www.questforacure.com
Detroit has always been known for it’s musical contributions to the world. From the days of Hitsville and Motown to the Techno scene. From cool Jazz and Funk to it’s soulful, yet gritty Hip Hop, our sonic gifts are felt, but not always celebrated as they should be.
On November 25, Thanksgiving Eve, Detroit’s past and present Hip Hop Legends will come together to celebrate our history and share memories. Alums of The Hip Hop Shop, Rhythm Kitchen, Ebony Showcase Lounge, 3 Floors of Fun (St. Andrews), Family Funktion (Alvins), Northern Lights, Bull Frog and 5 E Gallery, among other un-names locations, will gather together as one large family. Complete with a cipher, rotating Djs and select performances, this night is a do not miss.
Confirmed featured performers and DJs include Maurice Malone, DJ Head, Awesome Dre, DJ Dez, Invincible, Fat Killahz, Finale, Merciless Amir, 5 ELA, Kaos & Maestro, T Da Pimp, DJ Sicari, 14 KT, Prince Vince, DJ Tony Tone, Rio Data, RoSpit w/Monica Blaire, Miz Korona, K-Fresh, Mark Da Spark, P-Dog and more!
“Silent…But Deadly” will be more than just one night. Coordinator Sabrina Underwood is producing a retrospective documentary chronicling Detroit’s Hip Hop movement to show its growth and impact on the world-wide stage, past and present. The film will also serve as an international platform for Detroit Hip Hop Culture.
Come experience Sweden's incredible Little Dragon featuring radiant vocalist Yukimi Nagano and her close high school friends Erik Bodin (drums), Fredrick Källgren (bass) and Håkan Wirenstrand (keyboards). The music juxtaposes tradition and intense knowledge of musical tools, with destruction, invention… blazing a new trail. Their music is a dreamy musical landscape. Some songs are emotional and some more free and naive. Opening set by Detroit's Finest, dj powdrblu. Tickets are $10 in advance at www.brownpapertickets.com and they are $15 at the door. Don't miss this night of amazing music brought to you by @last detroit.
Our friends at Ghostly International had dropped their newest podcast, a tribute to the late Baatin of Slum Village by Waajeed of Platinum Pied Pipers. Download it at www.ghostly.com
Busy as ever both recording and touring the globe, Black Milk decided to give his fans a window into the life of one of hip-hop's rising stars with a new series called The Black Milk Broadcast.
In the first episode, watch Black work at Studio 1 alongside Alchemist, Guilty Simpson, and others, followed by a trip to Amsterdam where he kicked off his European tour for TRONIC last spring. In a final dramatic twist at the end, Black Milk is surrounded by reckless bikers, flying n-bombs, and drunken Dutchmen. Where's eLZhi?
EUROPEAN TOUR DATES:
Jul 3 2009 Ninkasi Kao: Lyon, France
Jul 4 2009 Montreux Jazz Festival: Montreux, Switzerland
Jul 10 2009 Paradiso: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Jul 11 2009 Splash Music Festival : Pouch, Germany
Jul 12 2009 Hague Hip Hop Festival: Den Haag, Netherlands
Jul 15 2009 Nouveau Casino: Paris, France Jul 16 2009 Bla: Oslo, Norway
Jul 17 2009 Fabric: London, UK Jul 18 2009 Dour Festival: Dour, Belgium
LINKS: BLACK MILK MYSPACE
Now available for the first time digitally is 1st Down A Day Wit The Homiez EP via iTunes. For anyone that doesn't know 1st Down was a duo structured like Gang Starr with Phat Kat on the vocals and Jay Dee (J. Dilla) on production. 1st Down was signed to Pay Day Records back in 1995, but the 12" single for "A Day Wit The Homiez" b/w "Front Street" was the only release to come from the deal. Now it's available again with a few added 1st Down bonus tracks now included on the original release. All production from Jay Dee aka J. Dilla.
PURCHASE: iTunes
The time has come. Next Tuesday, June 2nd is the release of J. Dilla's Jay Stay Paid on Nature Sounds, musically coordinated by Pete Rock and executive produced by Ma Dukes. Here's a few more tastes from the album.
LISTEN: J. Dilla - "Reality TV" (featuring Black Thought)
LISTEN: J. Dilla - "24K Rap" (featuring Havoc & Raekwon)
LISTEN: J. Dilla - "Jay $tay Paid Sampler Mixed by J-Rocc"
Finally we getting something cool in Detroit for once. The Foreign Exchange will be hitting the Charles H. Wright Museum in Detroit for a show on June 4th. The Foreign Exchange is a project from producer Nicolay and Phonte of Little Brother. The touring band also consists of Yahzarah and Darien Brockington on vocals, and backed musically by Zo! (from Detroit) & The ELs. Should be fun times. Nicolay has long been a Rensoul supporter so show my boy some love in the D.
PURCHASE: June 4, 2009: The Foreign Exchange | Charles H. Wright Museum, Detroit MI
LINKS: NICOLAY OFFICIAL SITE | NICOLAY MYSPACE | THE FOREIGN EXCHANGE OFFICIAL SITE
One of Detroit's next upcoming emcees Danny Brown just laced me with his track from the forthcoming J. Dilla album Jay $tay Paid, dropping on Nature Sounds next month. Enjoy.
LISTEN: J. Dilla - "Dilla Bot Vs. The Hybrid" (featuring Danny Brown)
LINK: DANNY BROWN MYSPACE
On May 1st, Dorian Anthony Fiddler, son of Detroit musician/vocalist Amp Fiddler passed away due to complications from his recently diagnosis of diabetes. This Thursday night, May 7th, at Bert's Warehouse at 2739 Russell St. in Detroit, there will be a fundraiser held in Dorian's honor to assist with the funeral costs. I don't care what scene you are from, if you are in Detroit on Thursday, you need to support our brother Amp Fiddler. He has done so much for our city. He has taught so many of our greatest musicians (Dilla, Slum Village, Waajeed, etc etc). He has just been an all around great man. Its time for us to show up and support him in his time of need. Complete info is below. Admission is free and they will be collecting donations at the door. Let's pack the place and have a beautiful night in honor of Dorian Fiddler. Let's show that Detroit is the city that I think and I hope Detroit is and stand up for on of our own.
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Dorian Anthony Fiddler, the only and beloved son of Joseph “Amp” Fiddler and Stacey Willoughby passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on the morning of Friday May 1st 2009. He had only that week been taken into hospital and diagnosed with diabetes and after suffering unexpected complications leading to heart failure, he left us all on May 1st.
Born on January 11th 1991, Dorian was an accomplished drummer and trumpeter who had adopted his father’s love and devotion of music from an early age and pursued his own musical goals and ambitions with dogged determination and dedication. In recent years he had been a pupil at Detroit’s School of the Arts, where he was an Honor Roll student (2008), playing in the school band as well as collaborations with other students. Latterly he also worked beats in the school studios for 3 hours every day, learning all aspects of music production. Also, when opportunity would permit, he would join his father on stage, most recently at the Ford Auto Show in Detroit in January 2009.
A memorial benefit gig will be held on Thursday May 7th 2009 from 6pm onwards at Bert’s Warehouse Theater , 2739 Russell St, Detroit. The “One Love Jam” will be a fundraiser to assist Amp and his family with the Funeral Services. We are calling on the Detroit Community to come out and support. Admission is free but all contributions will be gratefully received at the door, or if you cannot attend you can contribute via paypal to the Dorian Fiddler memorial account. We are also asking you to add your love to the mix - Bring your Vocals, Instruments, DJ Equipment & the Support of your Presence.
Thank you to all of you who have already come out and shown support for Amp and his family at this extremely difficult time.
Details of the Funeral
to be held this Saturday, May 9th at Fellowship Chapel
7707 W. Outer Drive
Detroit, MI 48235
Bert’s Warehouse
2739 Russell St
Detroit, from 6pm
Entry Free: ALL DONATIONS GRATEFULLY RECEIVED
Donations can also be made to the Dorian Fiddler Memorial Fund via paypal
at www.paypal.com to ampfiddler@yahoo.com or checks should be made out to: "Joseph Fiddler"
Please send to Detroit Events Team:
141 W. Parkhurst Place Detroit MI
48203-5246 USA
For more information: 313-334-5833 or contact@detevents.com or tinku@anuthamutha.com
If you have enough money in these hard times after buying Rick Ross this week and hopefully NOT buying Asher Roth, the sophomore album The Art Of Link from Detroit's Big Tone seen its release via TRES Records (home of Ta'raach, Blu).
PURCHASE: iTunes | Fat Beats (CD)
LISTEN: Big Tone - "The Look"
The homie DJ 3000 (from Motech Records) recently sent over a new mix he did called Diligence full of fly Detroit techno joints and some unreleased jawns from the man himself too.
LISTEN: DJ 3000 - "Diligence" | DOWNLOAD
Tracklisting:
1. DJ Compufunk - Orbit - Motech
2. Los Hermanos - Dazed and Deceived - Submerge
3. DJ P-Ben - Believer (DJ 3000 Motech Mix) - PBR Music *unreleased
4. Perception - Collagen Ear - Submerge
5. Subotika - Dais - Motech
6. Los Hermanos - Festival Parade - Submerge
7. DJ 3000 - Waiting In The Dark - Motech *unreleased
8. UR - Baghdad Express - UR
9. Nomadico - Tazumal - UR
10. UR - Technology Gap - UR
11. DJ Compufunk - Ninja Clone - Motech
12. DJ 3000 - Darjeeling Sun (Gary Martin remix) - Motech *unreleased
13. Los Hermanos - Dark Samba #7 - Submerge
14. Subotika - Moving On - Motech
15. Mark Flash - Minha Mocambo - UR
16. DJ 3000 - Coat Of Arms (Alexander Robotnick remix) - Motech *unreleased
17. DJ 3000 - The Highlanders - Motech *unreleased
18. DJ Dex - Kawak - Los Hermanos
19. DJ Bone - Thursday Night - Subject Detroit
LINKS: DJ 3000 MYSPACE | MOTECH RECORDS
Recently released via Capitol Records is the Nat King Cole remix album titled Re:Generations which features the likes of The Roots, TV On The Radio, Cee-Lo Green, Nas, Cut Chemist, will.i.am, Natalie Cole, and Bebel Gilberto, among others, paired up with the legend. Among the selections is the Amp Fiddler produced "Anytime, Anyday, Anywhere". Enjoy a clip of the song below.
LISTEN: Nat King Cole - “Anytime, Anyday, Anywhere” (produced by Amp Fiddler)
LINKS: AMP FIDDLER MYSPACE | RE:GENERATIONS INFO
Detroit area emcee Theologic is set to release his new album Innerworld on April 25th. The album is mostly self-produced but features production from Jae-ss, Che' Nazzarith, and IWight along with guest appearances from Skillful, 14KT, S.U.N., and Jewelz. Theologic describes the album: "The album invites the listener into a mystical place in existence. This place is the deeper part of the human spirit that contains rooms like Joy, Love, Pain, and Victory, all housed under one roof of 15 blazing tracks."
WATCH: Theologic - "Resurrection"
LISTEN: Theologic - "Little Brother"
LINK: THEOLOGIC MYSPACE
Here's the video for Octane's "Leave Me Alone" from Octane & Illites album The Forgotten...Chosen. The song is produced by 14KT of the LabTechs/AML and the video is directed by Gerard Victor Atillo.
LINKS: OCTANE MYSPACE | 14KT MYSPACE
New York/Detroit producer/drummer Daru along with recent Dwele/Slum Village collaborator AB just dropped their new project A.W.I.P. (A Work In Progress) for free download. The project features guest appearances from Elzhi, T3, and Black Milk, among other. Visit the link below to download and for more information on AB and Daru.
DOWNLOAD: AB & Daru A.W.I.P.
LINKS: AB MYSPACE | DARU MYSPACE
The good people at Jazzy Sport in Japan just laced me with DJ Mitsu The Beats' second album Word To The Wise, due out in May. The album include the track titled "Elzhi" featuring Elzhi (duh), along with guest appearances from Jose James, Kev Brown, Black Spade, and Mark de Clive Lowe, among others. We got a little sneak peek of the Elzhi track for you, so enjoy.
LISTEN: DJ Mitsu The Beats - "Elzhi" (featuring Elzhi)
LINKS: JAZZY SPORT OFFICIAL SITE | DJ MITSU THE BEATS MYSPACE
Right now, DJ Dez is killin' it out in Japan schooling them on Detroit. Coming soon through Kenny Dixon Jr.'s Mahogani Music label is the new album titled Andrés II from Andrés, Dez's dance music moniker. The album will be broken up into two vinyl releases. The CD version will include everything on those vinyls plus all the songs from the two previously released 12"s from last year "Moments In Time" and "About Time".
LISTEN: Andrés - "Let's Talk About"
As a bonus, here's the audio from when DJ Dez was on Deviation with Benji B on BBC 1xtra a few years back.
DOWNLOAD: Live On Deviation w/ Benji B on BBC Radio 1Xtra | PART 1 | PART 2
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K-Fresh Email: kfresh [at] rensoul.com |
