Detroit Rap

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Detroit Rap
Stylistic origins: Form of hip hop music that typically contains lyrics expressing the harsh life of the Detroit slums.
Cultural origins: Early 1990s, Detroit, Michigan, United States
Typical instruments: Rapping - Piano - Drum Machine - Sampler - Synthesizer
Mainstream popularity: Popular throughout the mid-to-late 1990s and present time.
Subgenres
Gangsta rap - Acid rap
Regional scenes
Detroit - Flint
Other topics
Midwest hip hop - Hardcore hip hop - Alternative hip hop

Detroit hip hop is a term that refers to hip hop music that originates from the region of Detroit, Michigan. Detroit has a distinctive hip hop music scene that is characterized by artists as diverse as J Dilla, Slum Village, D12, Eminem, and Obie Trice.

Contents

[edit] History

Detroit rap's earliest group to later gain national recognition is D12, formed in 1990. Proof formed it as a collective of local Detroit MCs including Bizarre, Eminem, Eye Kyu, Killa Hawk and Fuzz. The first Detroit hip hop group with a major record deal was producer J Dilla (then known as Jay Dee) and MC Phat Kat's 1st Down, who signed to Pay Day Records in 1993.

[edit] Detroit

Article: Detroit, Michigan

Detroit is well known for its place in Motown Records and its influence shows in Detroit hip hop. The harsh environment of the Detroit streets, and the struggles most of its citizens experience on a day-to-day basis as they look for a way to economic prosperity is a recurrent theme in the music, and Detroit Hip-Hop is likely a product of this.

Although Detroit Hip hop did not achieve mainstream success until the late 90's, it's origins can be traced back to the 1980's where it was most prominent in the circles of the underground hip hop scene. In the late 80's and 1990's Detroit Hip Hop was relegated to college and independent radio stations, as mainstream radio had an unwritten rule against local artists. In spite of this, Detroit hip hop culture was and is still influentual to other parts of the country. Although Tupac Shakur's All Eyes on Me, which was released in 1995, is often credited with being the first double hip hop albums, Esham's Judgement Day is the first true hip hop double album as it was released in 1992. In addition, Esham is also the first "horrorcore" artist, paving the way for artists like Gravediggaz and Insane Clown Posse. Well Dressed artists like AWOL and Detroit's Most Wanted showed that one could wear "gators" and 3 piece suits and still rock a crowd and do it well, while female artists like Smiley and BO$$ could indeed hold their own against their male counterparts.

[edit] Jay Dee aka J Dilla

Article: J Dilla

Although 1st Down would only release one single on Pay Day, J Dilla went on to form Slum Village and gain success producing for a Pharcyde, A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Common, Erykah Badu, and other major artists. J Dilla became one of the most influential producers in hip hop by the late 90s, yet maintained a notoriously low profile. He continued to produced tracks for Detroit artists such as 5-Elementz (5Ela), Proof, Que D, Frank N Dank, and on his own solo album Welcome 2 Detroit. He relocated to Los Angeles in 2004 and died in 2006. He has been cited as a favorite hip hop producer by Questlove, Pharrell Williams, and Kanye West.

[edit] Slum Village

Article: Slum Village

Slum Village is one of Detroit's most celebrated hip hop groups, and has helped to bring attention to a number of artists, such Dwele, BR Gunna, Waajeed, and Frank N Dank. The group formed in the late 80s, while the members were in high school. The original line up was J Dilla, T3, and Baatin. The group was initially signed to A&M Records, but their debut album Fan-Tas-Tic (Vol. 1), was delayed when the label folded. After widespread bootlegging, it was eventually revamped and released as Fantastic, Vol. 2, and the group subsequently signed with Capitol Records, and released two further albums before signing up to the indie label, Barak, for their fifth album, the self titled Slum Village.

[edit] Eminem

Article: Eminem

Eminem paved the way for other Detroit-based arists to gain significant commercial success, such as D12 and Obie Trice.

Discovered by rapper and producer Dr. Dre, Eminem became a crossover sensation with his debut single "My Name Is", and earned respect for his lyrical talent. He is noted for his ability to change his vocal pace and style multiple times within one song without losing the beat, and has been praised for his skill in alliteration and assonance.

He is infamous for the controversy surrounding many of his lyrics. With the enormous success of his sophomore album The Marshall Mathers LP following its release in May 2000, and its subsequent nomination for four Grammy awards including Album of the Year, critics such as GLAAD denounced his lyrics as homophobic, while others protested that it was also extremely misogynistic and promoted violence.

[edit] D12

Article: D12

D12 was formed in 1990, but they only achieved mainstream success when their most accomplished member, Eminem, had risen to international fame and notoriety in the early part of the 21st century, although D12 had been a powerful force in the underground rap scene for several years prior.

[edit] Shady Records

Article: Shady Records

Shady Records is a record label specializing in hip hop music. The founder and CEO of Shady Records, Eminem, was granted his own label through Interscope Records following the success of his debut album, The Slim Shady LP. Eminem's agent, Paul Rosenberg, is also the president of Shady Records. Shady Records headquarters are in New York although it is primarily known as a Detroit-based label.

Shady Records has contributed as a label specializing in Detroit hip hop. It is to Detroit as Death Row Records has been to West coast hip hop.

[edit] Obie Trice

Article: Obie Trice

As an acquaintance of D12 member Bizarre, Obie Trice was signed to Shady Records after a personal introduction to Eminem allowed him to impress the Detroit rap legend in-person.

[edit] Notable Singles

Only list songs that were or is currently on local radio stations getting radio play heavily in the Detroit area on Hot 102.7 or FM 98 WJLB.

That's The Way We Roll Bro by Alley Life (2001)
Ima Chedda Boy Baby by Eastside Chedda Boyz (2001)
Boy Would U (Remix) by Blade Icewood (2004)

If you have some please list more...

[edit] Notable Artists

[edit] External Link

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