Well, thanks to the good people over at Fat Beats, you can now buy and download the mp3 version of eLZhi’s long awaited album The Preface. Click Here To Buy The MP3’s.

eLZhi “The Preface,” which drops August 12, 2008
eLZhi “The Preface” listening party @ Burn Rubber Sneaker Boutique on 8/9 from 5-7pm. Click here for more information.

Quest M.C.O.D.Y. “Fade Back (remix) (Feat. Royce Da 5′9″, Guilty Simpson & MarvWon)”

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[via:2dopeboyz]

Don’t think that Jamal Bufford’s not marketable—he stays freshly-dipped in fly gear, he’s charismatic, and he’s a major component of the lauded new wave of Michigan Hip Hop. But like the title of his album Pure implies, Buff1 is one of the few emcees whose music speaks entirely for itself. Pure made waves everywhere from URB (Next 1000) to OkayPlayer (4.5 Questies) with Buff’s agile, digestible flow and his versatility to switch between blistering bars and well-executed concepts. Not bad for an artist who had been a team player for his entire career, as a member of the immensely-talented Ann Arbor crew Athletic Mic League.

But these days, Buff1 is feeling the pressure. With the success of Pure fresh in his—and listeners’—mind(s), he’s looking to make more “powerful music.” His upcoming LP, There’s Only One, sees him minimizing the temporary pleasures of punchlines in exchange for songs about applicable, topics: guys who let their women restrict their freedoms, giving hope to people trapped in street life, and encouraging his peers to stay accountable for themselves. With consistent, monumental lyrics and his AML groupmates The LabTechs contributing riveting soundbeds that are just as effective, Buff1 says that he’s looking to make a “classic” record—and while it still has to stand the test of time, it seems like he’s gotten pretty close. In an interview with MichiganHipHop.com, Buff1 talks about fixing what wasn’t broken, and making music that matters. Continue reading →

Nae Smiles “Favor For A Favor (Feat. Buff1)”

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Now On “Write Back (Feat. Shawn Jackson)”

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Check out Now On at the Buff1 “There’s Only One” CD release party @ the Blind Pig on 8/9 from 9:30pm-2am. Click here for more information.

eLZhi “Colors”

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Off eLZhi’s “The Preface,” which drops August 12, 208
eLZhi “The Preface” listening party @ Burn Rubber Sneaker Boutique on 8/9 from 5-7pm. Click here for more information.

Buff1’s There’s Only One and eLZhi’s The Preface, which both drop on August 12, can now be pre-ordered at FatBeats.com as a package deal or individually (eLZhi, Buff1). Both albums are crazy (so far my favorite two of 2008), so don’t sleep on them and this deal.

eLZhi “The Preface” listening party @ Burn Rubber Sneaker Boutique on 8/9 from 5-7pm. Click here for more information.
Buff1 “There’s Only One” CD release party @ the Blind Pig on 8/9 from 9:30pm-2am. Click here for more information.

MichiganHipHop.com & Aside Worldwide present:
Buff1 There’s Only One CD Release Party

performances by:
Buff1
AML
NowOn
Invincible
Tree City

sounds by:
DJ Graffiti
Haircut

FIrst 50 people recieve a free gift bag.

Saturday August 9, 2008
9:30pm
Blind Pig
208 S. First St. Ann Arbor MI 48104 (map)

18+ w/ID
$8 Cover ($15 with purchase of the CD)

eLZhi The Preface Listening Party
Free Food & Giveaways

Saturday August 9, 2008
5-7pm
Burn Rubber Sneaker Boutique
202 W. Fourth St. Royal Oak, MI 48067 (map)
www.BurnRubberDetroit.com
www.MySpace.com/ZhiFi

You have cats from all over Michigan. You got dudes in Detroit, you know about the history with Breed in Flint. You got cats in Grand Rapids and Saginaw and everywhere else. What advice do you have for these cats who are trying to get into hip-hop? What do you suggest that they do?

A few things. First, they need to respect the people who came before them! Respect Esham. Respect Breed. Respect Em & Proof, Respect Dilla! Understand That! And respect the Black Milks, the Guilty Simpsons, the Quest M.C.O.D.Y.s, the MarvWons, respect them too. A lot of times people get things twisted and they take for granted the people that they have here. I did a show last night, and instead of giving me my just due and letting me come out and do my thing, I let me come out and rock, there’s people like “Well, he ain’t fuckin’ wit my homeboy!” And the thing is, it’s not about that. I earned everything I have and I’m gonna earn more. A lot of people feel like they gotta take something away from someone to build themselves up. Continue reading →