Detroit hip hop
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Detroit hip hop refers to hip hop music that originates in Detroit, Michigan, USA. Detroit has had a distinct hip hop music scene since the genre's conception in the early 1980s.
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[edit] History
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. Much of Detroit hip hop is focused on gun violence, excessive weapon use, and drug dealing. Detroit also has an abundant number of independent local record labels located in the many neighborhoods and communities, many of which go out of business and re-open.
Although Detroit hip hop did not achieve mainstream success until the late 90's, its origins can be traced back to the 1980s where it was most prominent in the circles of the underground hip hop scene. Detroit hip hop's earliest group to later gain national recognition is Prince Vince and the Hip hop force, formed in 1985 and signed with Mercury Records. In the late 80's and 1990s 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. Tupac Shakur's All Eyes on Me, which was released in 1996, is often credited with being the first double hip hop album, but 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 "acid rap" artist, paving the way for artists like Gravediggaz. 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. female artists like Smiley and BO$$ could indeed hold their own against their male counterparts.
[edit] Rap wars
Many rap groups in Detroit often "beef" or fall out, really starting back in 2000. When the Street Lord'z vs. Rock Bottom, then in 2002 with Eminem & D12 vs. Royce Da 5'9", and in 2004 with the Eastside Chedda Boyz vs. Street Lord'z[1], and then again in 2007 with Killa Kaunn of Iron Fist Records vs. Famous & Flame (which currently hasn't ended).
[edit] Deaths
Since the 1990s the Detroit rap scene has been devastated by the many murders and deaths of prominent artists, starting in 1991 with the murder of Charles Edward Bridgeman(Poncho)of B-def and Poncho and then in 1996 with AWOL member DJ Homicide, who was killed by Detroit Police during an alleged burglary. This continued with D12 member Bugz in 1999 who was killed at Belle Isle Park, CEO of the Eastside Chedda Boyz "Wipeout" in 2004, Blade Icewood who was murdered at Scotty B's car wash in spring of 2005[2], J. Dilla who died in 2006 from an illness, and Proof who was killed in the CCC Club (AKA Club 3C) on E. 8 Mile less than 2 months later.
[edit] Jay Dee
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] Proteges
Being respected as a DJ and even more so respected as a musician, Jay Dee developed an impressive list of artists who he collaborated with, mentored, or was affiliated with. A list of Jay Dee affiliates from Detroit:
- Groups:
- Lawless Element (Magnif, Griot)
- Frank-n-Dank (Frank, Dank)
- 5 Elementz (Proof, Thyme, & Mudd)
- Slum Village (T3, Elzhi, Baatin)
- B.R. Gunna (Black Milk, Young R.J., and Fat Ray)
- Platinum Pied Pipers (Saadiq & Waajeed)
- Individuals:
- Ta'Raach
- Guilty Simpson
- Amp Fiddler
- Phat Kat
- Que D (J Dilla's cousin)
- Dwele
- Karriem Riggins
- House Shoes
- Illa J (Dilla's brother)
[edit] 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
Eminem paved the way for few Detroit-based artists to gain significant commercial success in the pop genre, 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 second 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 & Obie Trice
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. Obie was an acquaintance of D12 member Bizarre, Obie Trice was signed to Shady Records after a chasing a limo as Eminem allowed him to impress the Detroit rap legend in-person.
[edit] Royce Da 5'9"
Royce Da 5'9", Eminem's lyrical rival and once part of the rap duo, Bad Meets Evil (with Eminem) is widely considered one of the best lyricists of today. He has been a ghostwriter for P. Diddy and Dr. Dre, and is looking to sign with Nas, after Nas has made public statements of his interest in Royce's music. P. Diddy is also looking to sign Royce to Bad Boy Records. He is also known for his complex lyrics, and his freestyling capability.
He is also know for his Beef with Detroit group D12 with the Detroit classic diss track "Malcolm X", and is known for his beef with Oakland MC, Mistah F.A.B., during which he released the diss track "Who Got Bodied". Royce currently, has been releasing freestyles over beats to many popular mainstream tracks such as Can't Tell Me Nothing, Blue Magic, and Gossip.
[edit] List of notable Detroit hip hop musicians
- Alphabetically
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[edit] See also
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Slum Village Video Interview @ dropmagazine.com
- In The Crates with Black Milk @ dropmagazine.com
- Detroitrap.com
- dirtymitten.com
- MixTapeDetroit.com
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