Born and raised in Grand Rapids, Mich., Apollo Brown has created a name for himself as the go to producer that has that classic throwback sound circa mid 90’s with his own unique twist. Inspired by albums like Black Moon’s Enta Da Stage and production from greats like Dilla, Pete Rock, and Premier, he’s committed to keeping the boom bap vibe alive and thriving. He’s produced tracks for Little Brother, Finale, and is the man behind the phenomenal “Contra” by Danny Brown and eLZhi. With two instrumental albums (Skilled Trade and Make Do) and a Detroit Red Bull Big Tune championship (2009) under his belt, 2010 saw the release of his first album with Mello Music Group, The Reset. With emcees like Finale, Ken Starr, Grap Luva and others on the mic, Apollo steps to the plate to make this collection of remakes one of his best yet. MiHH had the opportunity to catch up with Apollo Brown as he breaks down how garbage his studio set up is, meshing his skills behind the camera with his skills behind the boards, why he will never be an emcee, and the abundance of upcoming projects he’s readying for the rest of the year.

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[via:TheUrbanDaily]

Shout out to Pufaz from Cream Magazine for the link

http://www.vimeo.com/10398387

[via:CDR]

http://www.vimeo.com/10078146

[via:CDR]

While artists can build entire discographies about their lives before entertainment, many of them spend years running away from their past in one way or another. They’re either busy trying to live up to the accolades from their debut albums, or they’re stashing away records from their formative years. But Obie Trice realizes that to know where you’re going, you have to know where you’ve been. So after with two solid major label albums under his belt and his junior album Bottom’s Up on the horizon, Obie teamed up with his previous go-to producer MoSS (now signed with DJ Premier’s Works Of Mart) to release Special Reserve, a collection of songs the duo recorded between 1997 and 2000 before Obie got his deal with Shady Records. In a trip down memory lane with MichiganHipHop.com that’s equal parts funny and moving, Obie Trice talks about his working relationship with MoSS, growing pains with women and lost friends, and drinking do’s and don’t’s.

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eLZhi decided to share some brief stories behind each of the tracks from his “Leftovers Unmixedtape.” In this part (1 of 3) eLZhi talks about his songs “The Great,” “Deep,” “Red, Black and Green” and “Dream.”   Part 2 will be posted next week. Here’s what eLZhi had to say:

The Great
I linked up with Oh No, and recorded “The Great” a long time ago. It’s like five or six years old. Oh No sent me a beat CD, and that was one of the beats I chose. I recorded it to the track, I let him check it out, and he thought it was dope. We were planning to work on an entire album, but our schedules didn’t allow for it at the time. Originally “The Great” was leaked on a fan made mix around 2006.  I know it didn’t really get out to the people how I wanted it to, so I brought it back here, for the “Leftovers”. Continue reading →

While the title of Stretch Money’s The Punishment mixtape refers to his retribution of inferior emcees, it’s a reward to Michigan rap fans. Since his runaway hit “Takes Money To Make Money” and album of the same title, the East Side Detroiter has been saturating the streets with his witty bars and nasally, accented flow. Stretch’s rhymes even caught the attention of Detroit heavyweight Royce Da 5’9”, who used “Rebuild,” from his lauded Bar Exam 2 mixtape, to hand the young’n the torch of Detroit Hip Hop. After a break while his friend and label owner served a prison bid, but his partner back in action, Stretch is back with his partner to show his Detroit comrades and competition how it’s done. In an interview with MichiganHipHop, Stretch Money talks about his latest project, his friendship with Crane, and respect in the city.

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Young Jeezy made a single encouraging listeners to “put on” for their city, but Ro Spit has done so in literal terms. The sneaker boutique he co-owns, Burn Rubber, has gotten attention in lauded publications like COMPLEX magazine, and its gear is on the backs, feet and heads of national rap stars such as Mos Def, Big Sean and Clipse. “Renaissance State of Mind” (click here to listen/download), his Monica Blaire-assisted remake of Jay-Z’s hit single, has given Detroit Hip Hop fans a new self-love anthem. And along with showcasing his own talents, his new solo release The Oh S#!t Project (click here to download) serves as a who’s who of what Michigan Hip Hop has to offer. For a more detailed breakdown of Ro Spit’s career, click here to read MichiganHipHop Managing Editor William E. Ketchum III’s feature in Metro Times.

But in a contest sponsored by CNN (click here to vote), Ro has the opportunity to represent Detroit in a brand new way. Check under the cut to hear Ro briefly break down how he and ad agency Campbell-Ewald plan to infuse energy in the area’s art scene. Continue reading →

“Phenomenal Hip-Hop Individual Living Through His Years.”

The name says it all. P.H.I.L.T.H.Y, born name James Gardin, can fight the AIDS epidemic, lead Bible study, do a fashion shoot, create an awesome EP, and still have time to jump on stage for a performance before the day is done.

After the mixtape Young Black Hope Vol. 1 and the album Save Us All (Click Here to Buy on iTunes), the 24-year-old has released the EP Love Songs for Losers & Ballads for Ballers (Download and Listen Here), which showcases his talent for laying lucid lyrics over the touching soundbeds to make a universally appealing listen. And don’t let the EP title fool you; this project encases a diverse topic line-up, covering  awareness, love, respect and more.

The 24-year-old Lansing emcee knows how to keep balance in his life and in his music, making him admirable to fans, fellow hip-hoppers and strangers he meets in the streets. In the interview below, P.H.I.L.T.H.Y. lets MichiganHipHop.com in on the secret to how he became a phenom without losing himself in the process.

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