"It was all a dream, I used to read 'Word Up' magazine..." One of the most famous opening lines to a hip hop song ever, and quite possibly the exact feeling for Detroit area born and raised mc, Skrapz.

What started as a dream became reality for Skrapz in 2005 when he and others banned together to form Genetic Soil LLC, a full running and fully independent record label based in Detroit, MI. With the help of now label mates and investors, Skrapz debut solo l.p. "read more »

Let me start by saying this, "I am a fan". A fan of music, a fan of Hip-Hop and a fan of Common. Since the "Can I Borrow a Dollar" days, a lot has changed. I've been there for it all. With the recent trend of "rap" production swaying towards a club feel, soul-less, 1986 casio style keyboard, salsa rhythm slop fest...(whew) I warmly welcome Kanye Wests Motown inspired, double time female vocals and boom bap drum patterns on the most recent Common release "Finding Forever". While this is not Common at his hardest, he's bringing it as a now grown man should. Real.

Front to back and back to front, I've given this album it's worthy playing time. ... read more »

What would happen if Q-Tip from "A Tribe Called Quest", R & B lust-throb D'Angelo, the insanely dramatic Busta Rhymes, Death Row's "Dogg Pound" MC Kurupt, the infamous Pete Rock and one time Will Smith producer/dj extraordinaire DJ Jazzy Jeff all collabed with one group...on one record...for one track each? Can someone say "Fantastic"?

From the Conant Gardens area of Detroit comes a few things. There's legendary producer Jay Dee (aka J-Dilla) who met his untimely death to terminal illness in 2006 at the young age of 32, and his self formed super group "Slum Village" which collabed and gained respect from the best as Dillas crewmates. There's so much history ... read more »