Since long before UPX was but a twinkle in our eyes, the crew here at UPX each shared a common thread. Underground was on the incline – though people were and still are starved to find the best available both from this day and age, and years past.
Project X was born into the idea to be that channel; a locale for our readership to visit and learn about the latest and greatest happenings in Underground Rap. People are hungry, and the culture though growing diversely from all angles lacked direction or tastemakers who are respected for their love, and not for the marketing behind their products.
We’ve all had a conversation similar to: “I used to love x, but since then I don’t know where to find/stopped caring about/don’t know where to learn more about it”. We’ll be that. Project X is the digital face for the hard to find, Underground Artist that are tough as nuggets to keep up with.
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‘Hip-Hop Lives UNDERGROUND’
Jern Eye - Vision
In 2009 the MYX Music Label has embodied the fighting spirit of underground Hip Hop. Following in the footsteps of acclaimed releases by Keelay & Zaire and D.Black, the limelight has now shifted toward Jern Eye (a.k.a. Small Axe), who is ready to share his Vision with the world. Leveraging intimate ties with legendary local icons like Souls Of Mischief [click to read] and The Pharcyde [click to read], Jern has been a name to follow in the Bay Area’s independent scene, making waves with his Lunar Heights crew. At a time filled with corporate-influenced music, Vision has set its sights on forging Hip Hop back into an era of non-compliance, when artists stood for something and every track had intent.
Although marketed as a “continuation” to Authentic Vintage, Jern Eye’s latest is somewhat of a 180° in terms of production and guest features. For his debut, Jern handled 80% of the production and had minimal features. Whereas, Jern Eye co-produced a single track on Vision (“Pleasure Of Love”) and opened the floodgates to eleven non-Lunar Heights collaborations, including Guilty Simpson, Mistah F.A.B., Zumbi (of Zion I), and Cali Agents. Very beat driven, Vision boasts top notch production by some of the nation’s most respected beatsmiths such as Jersey City’s Illmind, Seattle’s Jake One, as well as label mates Keelay & Zaire. However, Jern’s Tom Tom Club-sampled track feels obscurely out of place, failing to mesh with the overall theme.
The project’s eclectic beats sample a widespread range of genres including new wave (“Pleasure Of Love”) and Country Rock (“Something’s Wrong”), while holding true to golden era Hip Hop. Additionally, Vision incorporates signature production techniques such as scratches by Lunar Heights’ DJ Icewater (“Change”) as well as the usage of crackling sound effects (“Now,” “Vision”), painting the imagery that the album is being played on vinyl.
While Authentic Vintage was self-admittedly crafted with little guidance, Vision illustrates a more conscious and focused Jern Eye, thanks to the executive production of MYX President Karim Panni. Such development is epitomized on “Get Right,” a star-studded lyrical bombshell about mastering mental perception in order to elevate through life’s struggles. Moreover, “Who’s To Say” and “Beautiful” further showcase Jern Eye’s uplifting and thought-provoking sophistication. In addition, Jern effectively channels Authentic Vintage’s aggressive elements (“Something’s Wrong,” “So & So”), while reuniting Lunar Heights for a refreshing posse cut (“Change”).
In comparison to previous MYX releases, Vision’s overarching concept lacks the originality and creativity captured by Keelay & Zaire's Ridin’ High [click to read]. Moreover, Jern Eye has dedicated over a quarter of the album toward the redundantly recurrent persona of being a club-frequenting eligible bachelor. Furthermore, though Jern aims to mimic his aforementioned golden eras of Hip Hop, he has unfortunately fallen victim of elements of modern commercialism (“Get Down,” “Burnin’”).
Like D.Black, Jern Eye has artistically made great strides between albums, with his Vision sharper than ever. Though not quite as compelling as Spear Of The Nation’s (of Lunar Heights) Spearitalk, Jern has successfully avoided the infamous sophomore jinx and has well represented his label, the Bay Area, and the Filipino-American Hip Hop culture.
Army of the Pharoahs - Ritual of Battle
Since its original conception in the late 90's by Jedi Mind Tricks front man Vinnie Paz, Army of the Pharoahs (aka AOTP), has had a constantly evolving roster of underground mainstays. This time around AOTP has supplemented their ranks with Demoz and Doap Nixon, while Apathy has withdrawn. Luckily Ap's disappearance isn't too much of an issue as both veterans and newcomers do a superb job of holding it down lyrically. There aren't a lot of surprises here as this record is very similar in scope and subject matter as last year's The Torture Papers, featuring pseudo-epic production and lyrics that serve as verification to this album's title.
Kicking off in spectacular fashion, posse cut Swords Drawn is being widely compared to a Wu-Tang joint, probably due to the fact that there are a total of 6 emcees on the track. Listeners will be hard pressed to choose a single favorite verse as the squadron all come correct over a banger provided by Esoteric. Eso also contributes the triumphant horns of Dump The Clip which features Eso himself kicking one of the illest verses I've personally ever heard from him, proclaiming himself "The Mighty Thor, with the mind of Michael Moore." Perhaps the most dominate single track on the record is Seven, another song with an abundance of personalities spitting gutter poetry, this time over a collaborative production by Ill Bill and Sicknature. With strong performances throughout, the best is saved for last with a very hungry Vinnie Paz preceded by Celph Titled's signature brand of twisted humor mixed with the filthiest of gangsterisms.
While these high points make blunder hard to imagine, there is disappointment to be found scattered throughout the 16 tracks. While most of these missteps occur due to repetitive and sometimes just plain weak production, perhaps the bitterest pill to swallow is the letdown that is Blue Steel. Featuring a reunited Vinnie Paz and Jus Allah for the first time since 2000's Violent By Design, what should have been the crowning moment of the record becomes a farce thanks to an annoying beat and an extremely poor performance by Jus Allah. Even Vinnie, who is at his best for the rest of the album, sounds unmotivated over the staccato strings. And while Paz is at his pinnacle, Jus Allah falters on all three of his included attempts.
Just like any subject matter, an album comprised entirely of battle raps can become tedious, especially after 16 tracks clocking in at over an hour. Fortunately, things are kept pretty fresh with tracks featuring a virtual revolving door of emcee combinations. D & D, which isn't a nerd rap tribute to Dungeons & Dragons, but a team up between Demoz and Des Devious. The one deviation from the battle rap formula, Don't Cry works to gorgeous results, but also makes one wish there were more displays of diversity over the course of the record. Not every track is going to succeed the way Dump The Clip did, when the same topic's keep getting repeated you end up with tired songs like Drama Theme.
As it stands Ritual of Battle is a very strong showing from what would be a supergroup given more individual success, it just might not have what it takes to warrant repeat front-to-back spins. The roster changes worked out pretty well all in all, although Apathy's absence is noticeable. Don't get it twisted, it isn't like the LP suffered without the King of Connecticut, but it surely would have been better with him. On the production front the album is pretty much on par with The Torture Papers, if not a slight notch below. But without any real thematic or conceptual growth for round 2, the Ritual of Battle is just another good album.
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Interview with JeeJuh.com Ese Chango
Meth-Thanks for speaking to Project X. Can we have a brief introduction to your music?
Ese Chango-My music is a reflection of all things me... I've lived a ruff life, so I sing a ruff song...
I bring real hip hop with a bonefide gangster twist.
Meth-I can dig that No doubt, your music has been well received across the board of critiques and Members. How
Involved are you with your music Production wise? And what was it like working
With such Artist as Kryptic, Dice? And who do you see yourself working within the Feature?
Ese-Production wise, im building a home studio little by little. Understand that I come from the gutter.
Everything I have is earned with blood, sweat, and tears.
But I can do allot with a little, and I have some good friends that help with what I can’t do production wise....
As for Working with Kryptic and Dice; I love those dudes...
Any chance to work with emcees as talented and professional as they are is a great opportunity indeed.
Kryptic especially is great to work with. Real attention to detail.
He has helped me improve loads in the little time we've worked together...in the future,
I diffidently will work with Dice & Kryptic any chance I get.
Also I’d like to spread out and test my skills with others, maybe some of my West Coast Chicano inspirations...
Meth-yea Chicano power all about the brown...lol your music is quite varied in terms of the sounds and vibes you give
Throughout the songs. Who are your major musical influences? And
Which artists or albums are you listening to at the moment?
ESE-My influences are guys like, Lil Rob, Eazy-E, Above the Law, Kokane, Immortal technique,
And countless other. But you know real street dudes that took nothing but raw talent and made it something...
I like to listen to underground, unsigned artist all the time. There is allotting of major talent the world doesn't know about.
It’s amazing really. Recently I've also been listening to allot of Kokane's Funk upon a Rhyme album,
Dude is mad funky with a gangster vibe.
Meth-No doubt speaking of funky, Can the man ESE chango dance?
Bust a move? Do the macarana? Lol are you lean like a cool?
Ese- I've been Know to get funky if the vibe is right, (like if im drunk enough loll) but yeah...
im a more Lean like a Cholo, With a C-Walk twist. C for Chicano of course..
Meth-LOL...no doubt...After the success of a couple of callabs, what are your plans for the remainder
Of 2009? And any albums in the works? And where can fans check out updates in regards to ESE chango?
ESE-For the remainder of the year I will continue to make tracks with talented artists like Dice & Kryptic.
I’m also working on a solo gangster/Chicano rap album, and a mix tape...
I will set up a MySpace music page before the year is over, and fans can get at me here or on JeeJuh.com.
So yeah, keep an ear out if you like my style because there is definitely more to come.
Meth-any shout outs to anyone? Anything you want to say before we end?
Ese-Yeah... to all the haters that said i was just another useless gangster,
And all the lames that thought they had me, I’m still here! And Ima be here for awhile.
So Prop to the Citroneros in Anaheim Orange County, Much Bad Boy Love,
And big ups to all my Sureno's... Haters...you know the deal!
Meth-Thanks again for speaking to Project X ESE. Keep in touch! And keep spitting that fire son
Listen to some of Ese Changos Latest Tracks
Radioplay-Chango & Kryptic
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Hip-Hop on Healthcare
You don’t normally think of rap stars as having much to do with Washington’s health care debate. After all, hip-hop is mainly about young people and young people almost never think they’re going to get sick. But, even rappers get older, if they’re lucky. Bodies begin to give out, doctor bills begin to pile up and suddenly that health care debate hits home.
“Normally I find it kind of hard being a part of things like this,” said hip-hop artist Malik Taylor, better known as “Phife” or “Phife Dawg” from the Billboard award-winning rap group A Tribe Called Quest.
True that. “This” was a health care round table co-sponsored by the New York-based Hip-Hop Theater Festival, which is something that is in town this week besides Congress.
The panel was held at the Washington, DC, headquarters of the Service Employees International Union, one of many “lobbyists” (If you don’t like what they’re lobbying for) and “stakeholders” (If you do) who are vigorously working the health care debate in Congress this summer.
In the 21 years since Tribe’s birth, Taylor has learned a few things about holes in America’s safety net –the hard way.
First there was his late friend James Dewitt Yancey, better known as J Dilla, an influential rap artist and producer who before his death from lupus in 2006, worked with Chicago’s Common and other well known stars.
During four years of struggle against the often-debilitating autoimmune disease, Dilla’s inadequate health insurance coverage ran out, leaving his family with mounting bills of thousands of dollars every month that friends and fans have tried to help pay off with fundraisers.
Phife’s doing his part, plus helping to raise public awareness of Lupus and the nation’s broken health care system — especially after dealing with health issues of his own.
Tracy Jarrett, an intern for this blog who interviewed Phife, picks up the story here:
In May 1990, Phife was diagnosed with diabetes. A self proclaimed sugar addict, Phife approached his health and dietary needs in the ways of a classic self-indulgent hip-hop star, which is to say that he did not take much care at all.
In 1999, after Tribe broke up, he noticed a pimple-like bump on his neck. Soon he was shocked to learn from a doctor that: “Your kidneys have died. You may have to start dialysis.”
He gained weight and his heart began to fail. In 2006, he recalls, with his heart working at only 25 percent, he would need a kidney transplant. Immediately. After two other donors resulted in complications, he found an ironic match closer than he had imagined: his wife.
Since January, four months after his transplant, he’s been working and traveling again. And fortunately he was covered by his wife’s health insurance, saving them from the six-figure debt that burdened Phife’s family.
“(W) hat I’ve been through the past four or five years, and prior to that, the J Dilla situation,” said Phife at the SEIU roundtable, “—that’s basically what made me come to my senses and say I have to do something to help.”
His motto? “Each one, teach one.”
Arts & Entertainment
Asked about what to expect from this collaboration with Edo G, Masta Ace fires back without hesitation ; "people are gonna be surprised when they hear the mixture of styles. We both have a different approach. It’s like the old Reeses commercial... Ya got peanut butter walking down the street. Coming from the other direction is chocolate. Someone trips and blam, a peanut butter cup was born. Something new and amazing was created that no one had ever thought of !"
When one thinks of Boston and New York the first thing that comes to mind is the infamous Red Sox/Yankees rivalry. But this time when Boston meets New York it’s a collaborative effort to bring the world one of the tightest Hip Hop efforts of 2009. Two of the games most exceptionally creative and well-rounded artists, Edo. G and Masta Ace bring the two cities together with Arts & Entertainment. Like their home cities, these artists have a long history and have influenced the world.
Hailing from Brownsville, Brooklyn, Masta Ace got his proper introduction setting off the quintessential Hip Hop posse cut, "The Symphony." Not long after, Edo G’s debut Life Of A Kid In The Ghetto and it’s lead single "I Got To Have It" went to the top of the Billboard Rap Singles chart with heavy rotation on Yo ! MTV Raps. Both Ace and Ed have continued to stay relevant, tour the globe, and influence up and coming artists everywhere. Joining the duo on Arts & Entertainment is a notable list of featured artists from NYC and the Bean including Posdanus of De La Soul, Large Professor, DJ Spinna, KRS-One, Mr. Lif, Akrobatik and Chester French. Production from Double O of Kidz in the Hall, M Phases, DJ Supreme One amd Frank Dukes round out this collabo from two mighty Hip Hop icons.
Track listing
1. T.V. Night
2. Hands High
3. Fans feat. Large Professor
4. A’s E’s feat. Marsha Ambrosious
5. Rocsi
6. Little Young
7. Reminds Me
8. Black Ice Interlude
9. Good Music feat. Posdnuos (of De La Soul)
10. Power Out
11. Pass The Mic feat. KRS-One
12. Over There
13. Round And Round feat. Doitall (of Lordz Of The Underground)
14. Hot Wangs
15. Ei8ht Is Enuff
16. Here I Go
17. You Me & Some Snacks
18. Dancing Like A W.G. feat. Chester French
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http://www.zshare.net/audio/65605293f3efb292/
