Elzhi
December 23, 2009
I don't know about anyone else, but when im knowledgeable about a subject, i cant really talk about it with anyone else. To my gym teacher the fact that Nightcrawler smells of brimstone after he teleports was useless information and the futile act of trying to convince my mom that giving away my OG Deadstock Spacejams and Penny Foamposites to my cousin because he needed new sneakers was the worst thing she could ever have done to me was like trying to teach a pony how to hold chalk.
So when even approached about a topic that i may be an expert at, i clam up. If you ask me about fashion and you're in a JNCO matching jean suit with the Sir Beni Miles wave cap, my every response will be tailored to shut down the conversation as quickly as possible. Not to be elitist, but because me namedropping Japanese denim and UK based workwear will sound like a lecture from Charlie Brown's teacher.
When the subject of hip hop comes up on my weekly trips to to barber shop I stay tight lipped. My opinion of Jay-Z being a mediocre MC has made me the least popular person in the room on several occasions and my opinion that Elzhi is probably one of the best rappers ever to pick up a pen will raise a chorus of WHO?!?!?
Not much can be said about Elzhi, at least not by me. I don't have his bio but i'd be glad to write it. This video with him teaching people how to rap (starting at :56) kinda says it all.
The way most rappers approach their craft is like WWE wrestling, a lot of acting and posturing occasionally coming off the top tope for the quick pin. Elzhi wrestles with syntax greco roman style laboriously twisting the english language into unfathomable knots until the stanza begs for submission.
There's a very small contingent of MC's doing what he does on a mainstream level, actually only one, Eminem, which is why hes hailed as the best rapper alive by mainstream publications.
Some people are just sitting on a surplus of talent. That ingrained ability that can't be taught or duplicated, but what Elzhi does duplicate is the moments of awe that you experience with every verse as he finds new ways to chop up the english language.
I implore everyone to download his mixtape The Leftovers
Good looking out on the write-up Be on the lookout, eLZhi has a lot in store for 2010.
Nice little write up. El is definitely a beast on the mic. It's a shame he doesn't get the props he deserves. Cat's in NY have been programmed by the radio too, so next time in the barber shop, bring along any works you have of El (Slum Village included) and tell them to press play. The debate will be very little following that. Peace!
No, thank YOU. Get my email from FWMJ and lets build
Yo at :56 that is simply amazing man. I'm not an OG hiphop head and will admit to it. 1st hip-hop cd I purchased was Marshall Mathers LP but this is really some good stuff Emeka. I just got the leftoverz mixtape.
Point well taken sir...
It's funny b/c I was just listening to his album/mixtape(?) The Preface on the way home from work no more than ten minutes ago. even though Elzhi has been unfathomably consistent since Welcome 2 Detroit, I still lean towards Royce 5'9 for overall mic presence (whatever the hell that means?). I'm really impressed at how both emcees toned down all the gun braggadocio and have just been sticking to using encyclopedias and and dictionaries as their playground. there's a song on The Preface called Motown 25 that features Royce and they both basically black out on the track. the beats and rhymes that come from Detroit leaves me wondering if there's something in the water over there..... probably a mineral by the name of Motown.
i see you had to come just as hard writing the blog as elzhi does on his verses. splendid choice of words to clothe the most lyrically decorated emcee in the game probably.
this was very well worth a read, brotha.
El is a f*ken monster! 100% the MOST slept on!
One of my favorite MC's right there...
eLZhi is dope as an MC no doubt. But I do find his records or mixtapes to be hit or miss sometimes. I think dude is crazy talented, but he doesnt always shine. Take the Preface for example, dope album but nothing when compairing it to Witness by Growth or SV shit. El is a god and I'll always has his back but sometimes he lets me down.
ps. nothing comes close to Hiding Place with Little Brother
"Elzhi wrestles with syntax greco roman style laboriously twisting the english language into unfathomable knots until the stanza begs for submission."
Well written Emeka! I saw this video a few years back and I was sold.
He is a beast. I have been spreadin the word for a minute.
Wow, I just really learned something, on Hypebeast. Leave it to an Igbo brother...
Much thanks for this, really.
No one boxes nor wrestles wit EL lol! U wrote that dope, Im just gettin hip to your blogs, but Im proud that this content is being put out. Real hip hop lives and you are livin proof King. I'm out here in Cali puttin heads up on this site for sure. 2010, lets build it up. "Make em envy"- Jay Dee (RIP)
Bunnz