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

Some more new new new Black Milk. Enjoy.

LISTEN: Black Milk - In The A.M. | DOWNLOAD