Now may be the time to take advantage of the Detroit real estate market. Units at The Ellington Lofts at the Mack and Woodward could be had for as low as $95,000 for a one bedroom condo and units at the Riverfront could be had for as little as $60,000 for a one-bedroom new condo conversion. This is up to 69% below the previous asking price. To get access to these deals you need to register for an accelerated marketing partners option which will take place Saturday, May 9 at the Max M. Fisher Music Center.

For more information on the Riverfront auction, please call (313) 393-5111 or visit www.auctionriverfront.com. For more information on The Ellington auction, please call (313) 309-0099 or visit www.auctionellington.com.

Talk about great deals for everyone except maybe those who already own units although this is better for current residents than leaving the units vacant. They could also take advantage of this deal and rent them out. And this is certainly a better option than those scams for Detroit homes on eBay.

If you search for Detroit real estate on eBay you’ll find some crazy cheap houses for sale. It’s true that if you look at particular neighborhoods in Detroit you’ll find incredibly cheap real estate. But if you’re just a speculator looking to buy cheap property expecting to be able to flip it fast you have to consider that the property may not be inhabitable and require some investment to get it up to code. There are also may be liens against the house, maybe water bills left unpaid. There are also going to be city property taxes to consider.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for a cheap place to live for a while it might make sense for you to find a cheap house in Detroit especially if you’re a bit of a fixer-upper. You could also set up a business in the storefront at 15125 W Seven Mile Rd for less than $30,000, no liens or back taxes.

Some of the deals on eBay aren’t even for the actual house but rather just a down payment. For example one such deal is actually for: “The purchase price of this home is $22,000 with financing at $350 a month, with a 10% interest rate for 89 months.” As interest rates are pretty damn low right now paying 10% for the lifetime of the loan is just another trick. There are many of these listings and it’s clear that the current owner is a speculator who hasn’t had anybody live in these places before.

Then there’s this house: Tim Burke’s Art House on Heidelberg Street in Detroit, starting at half $1 million. As you might guess from the address it’s part of the Heidelberg Project.

“Many of my sculptures are made from metal, wood and other materials removed from demolished historical buildings throughout Detroit. This includes granite from the walls of Detroit Institute of Arts, wood timbers from the burned out Studebaker Automobile Plant, Travertine from the Detroit College of Law, Pewabic tiles from the Lucy Thurman YWCA, decorative terra-cotta embellishments from the J.L. Hudson Building and Rivera Theater. Much of the slate I use came from the roofs of various historic churches including Saint Patrick Cathedral, St. John’s-St. Luke’s, First Unitarian Church, St. Matthew’s Schoolhouse. Other materials incorporated in my are came from the Fisher Mansion in Palmer Woods, the Hiram Walker Mansion which became a part of Doctors Hospital, the Alexander Blain Clinic on Jefferson, the Historic Sibley House (circa 1847), the Detroiter Hotel to name a few.”

It’s a pretty famous house / piece of art. I’m a bit skeptical that it’s actually for sale.

As Proof’s third death anniversary approaches, the CEO of NBG Records contacted me and sent me an unreleased track that I will have the pleasure to review for all of you before its public and official release date, on April the 11th, 2009.

NBG Records wanted to present an emotional tribute to D12’s Proof, not a sad one, though, but rather a celebration of Proof’s short presence on planet earth.

As the song opens on flute sounds that recall some ancient Asian melodies, the strong spirit of the NBG emcees will break the wall of hidden memories, unveil Proof’s lifeand character.

“I am the living definition of the visual proof”, that’s actually how one could define Deshaun Holton, one of Detroit’s finest syllables architect.

Deshaun Holton was a man who lived for hip hop and who managed to communicate his passion and pride for Detroit, his hometown.

God loves the D, He gave us Proof, He gave us Dilla, He gave us Blade: how many gifted fallen soldiers has Detroit lost during the last years?
NBG Records will pay tribute to their memories.

In their song, Proof’s personality and dedication come to shine. Gossipers and haters’ words are ruined by the evidence of the visual proof.

Whoever witnessed Big Proof in concert, heard him address to the crowd would barely doubt the emcee’s sincerity and dedication. Proof lived for hip hop-literally. He put music above all.

Therefore, we will not focus on the tragic circumstances of his death, but embrace NBG Records’ vision of a charismatic man who incarnated Detroit hip hop like no other.

Moreover, and more than any other Detroit rapper, Big Proof aimed at reassembling all Detroit emcees despite their differences and make them work together. He symbolized unity, love and dedication to the genuine art of hip hop.

NBG’s Living Proof song is like an open book, a celebration of a genuine artist’s life. Things did not end on April the 11th, 2006: it was just the beginning. Proof’s music is meant to stay forever, let’s celebrate its perennity.

Admire the instrumental composition, the emotional voices and the truth that is revealead through this very emotional song.

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Copyright© by Isabelle Esling
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Global rating of the product:5 stars ( outstanding piece of work)

After his autobiographical The People Vs, Trick Trick is back with The Villain. Back to the Detroit slums, Trick Trick will give you the realest definition of a villain you could ever get. Hood as hell, accompanied by his Goon Sqwad crew, Christian Mathis always serves his dishes raw. The talented emcee belongs to the kind of emcees who don’t rap to please the masses. Authentic in his speech, rich of more than a decade of rapping experience, Trick Trick introduces you into his Edgar Poe alike universe where guns are laws.

Loud, orchestral sounds mixed up with keyboard sounds, rhythmic beats will smash internet thugs with no mercy. Trick Trick and his crew have made a name and are notorious in the D.

U Can Get F***** Up: electric guitars introduce the song, hanging over the sky like a bad omen of dark clouds before the tornado. Trick Trick and Goon Sqwad are warning you: if you go to Detroit, you should be very careful. Don’t play the fool with true Gs.
The song is rhythmic as well. I enjoyed its dark atmosphere, its menacing words, the roughness of its voices.

Who Want It features Eminem. Instrumentally, the song is a various composition and a contrasting balance between dark and light. Contrabass notes that suggest drama are intelligently married with organs, light bell sounds and electronics. The offensive spirit that is carried here is quite obvious.

Trick Trick’s part is wonderfully rough, scurillous. It is mastered with dexterity from the beginning to the end. I am a little bit disappointed by Eminem’s ways too light register that does not really fit into the darkness of the subject. I would have wished more aggressivity from Eminem’s side too.
It is interesting to note that the highly talented Luis Resto has been working on this song too.

Definitely Detroit based, Can’t F**** With My City includes Marwvon and Guilty Simpson’s collaborations. The light piano sounds will add to the tension of darker chord sounds. I like the spirit of the song. Made in Detroit, by Detroit lyrical emcees. Wonderful!

Sumthin 4 Da Hataz opens the curtain on Goon Sqwad’s Diezel, Fatt Father and Paradime’s talents. What I really appreciate is the swinging jazzy- soul instrumental background, the humorous and conquerror spirit of the Detroit emcees. Definitely a must hear.

Let’s Work is already a Trick Trick classic that should belong to any Detroit hip hop lover’s library. Don’t miss the video for the song. It is a perfectionist’s work.

Hold On again has that beautiful soul spirit mixed up with some very raw elements in which Trick Trick gets real as can be.
I like the biographical elements the talented emcee presents to his public.

Wow…Let It Fly includes heavyweight Westcoast master Ice Cube…you gotta love the song, that enlightens both emcees’ talent. Lil Jon also participates to the song.

All Around The World will impress real hip hop lovers. Royce da 5.9 and Trick Trick manage to mix up a gospel, soul, blues spirit in which vocals do matter. Tuba sounds add a quite comical elements. It is beautifully managed from the begiining to the end.
Loved it!

2Getha 4 Eva features Esham, Kid Rock and Proof. It is hardcore as hell.

Get It Cracking enlighten Trick Trick’s raspy voice, his rough spirit. He is truly killing it. Pleasure your ears with pure, raw Detroit sounds.

Globally speaking, The Villain is an amazing piece of work. Straight ghetto talk, mastered instrumentals, excellent local Detroit collaborations. Don’t sleep on the album, it is the living proof that hip hop ain’t dead yet.

Copyright© by Isabelle Esling
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Detroit underground emcee Mu kindly accepted to get interviewed by me. Mu has been doing some tremendous work all over the years. He has collaborated with Proof, Dina Rae, Journalist 103 and many other Detroit underground artists. Mu teaches you the meaning of the raw. His unique style and instrumental composition totally reflect the Detroit hood. Listen to what the outstanding emcee has to say!

For more info, check Mu’s my space account:

http://www.myspace.com/Mu2u

1. What motivated you to become a rapper?

I was introduced into Ali Baba’s music in the late 80’s. Ali Baba is an outstanding African musician who was born in Garoua, North Cameroon in 1956. He seemed to be a character taken straight out of the Thousand and One Nights and his music symbolises a mixture of African warmth, Fulani and Islamic tradition.His sound and voice chemistry will transport you into a landscape of baobab trees where people will discuss their businesses. It will make you cross Fulani beauties’ steps, feel the kids’ laughters and smell nature’s autenticity.

Not only does Ali Baba talk about African traditions, like young girls getting married early like in Bingel Debbo Baledjo in Fulani language ( which I have a little understanding of), he also relates about traditions, joy and Cameroonian unity. Bingel means kid, debbo spouse and baledjo means black…the song relates the story of a young oh too young little black spouse baby girl.

I like the intensity of the artist’s voice, his genuine way of telling things. Ali Baba, who died in 2004, also happened to sing in French, like in his song Africains, Africaines Dansez, a very melodic song that will entertain any African music lover.
He was often accompanied by a dancer called Dodo Etoile.

I was very surprised to find Ali Baba again on the following blog.

It will allow you to dowload a few songs of the brilliant artist who deserves to be known better all around the world. You will discover his instrumental diversity, the dynamic rythm and his vocal flexibility.

Check out Ali Baba. He is definitely worth it!

Copyright© by Isabelle Esling
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His voice has some dark Ice T accents, his instrumentals are an astute combination of jazzy-soul feel. He’s got that wonderful old school sounding hip hop to please you ears. You got that right to call him awsome, because Awesome Dre he actually is called.

Awsome Dre is one of Detroit’s most precious secrets. You Can’t Hold Me Back is a clever mixture of guitar and saxophone and lyrical punchlines. Rhythmic, interrupted with scratches, the song will make you move in a cadenced way. Bounce, bounce to the gangsta sounding rhymes made in the D.

Follow me into my descriptive ride, dive into the rhythmic sounds and the sinking rhymes: I know that this artist won’t disappoint you.

In Sackchaser, Awesome Dre will punch a “golddigga” lyrically. Take you time to appreciate Awesome Dre’s incredible flow. The talented emcee’s extraordinary lyrical creativity definitely needs to be underlined.

Frankly Speaking: listen to Awesome Dre’s dark and real description of the D-town. Scratches amplify the pressure of the song. Let the brilliant artist offer some criticism against the society’s correctness. Awsome Dre doesn’t rap to please the media, he’s telling the truth.

Master Of Philosophy is powerfully smashing words against the wall. Awesome Dre is taking over with high confidence, blessing the mic.

If somebody impacted Detroit hip hop history, it is certainly Awesome Dre with his original old school style.

Check him out here.

Pay him some attention: he is really worth it!

Copyright© by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

Global rating of the product: 5 stars

I recently discovered a tight German rapper. Megaloh is no newcomer to the scene. His rapping experience goes back to 1994. The talented emcee first started rapping in English, then he decided to release albums in his mothertongue.
The richness and musicality of the German language allows the artist to play with words easily and to hit the on the head when needed.

The mixture of piano and violin allows the listeners to slowly slide into one of Berlin’s most famous ghettos, Moabit, that is also well known for its strict correctional facility where French rapper MC Jean Gab1 happened to be emprisoned, and to get familiar with the passion and drama.

Meet Megaloh’s fellows, share the difficulties of German ghetto youths that often can’t compose with nor without the educational system. Listen to him, when he talks about the difficulty of growing up, the boredom that often motivates young people for criminality and other problems. In his critical analysis of German society, that often excludes minorities from the view of the media, Megaloh also expresses the pleasure of having fun together, partying together.

What I like with Megaloh is his straight street talk, his amazing flow, his dark voice and his personal way of exposing life in C-21, the Moabit area in Berlin.

While capitals often focus on mass tourism, they often forget about their ghetto inhabitants who are- whether people would admit it or not- of their country’s history.

You go, Megaloh…keep up your narrative skills and stormy flow delivery!

Find out more about Megaloh here.

Copyright© by Isabelle Esling
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Thanks to artists like Antoine Moore aka The Message, hip hop can proudly claim that it experiences the dawn of its rebirth. If hip hop was dead, the brilliant underground artist ( who happens to be MC Lyte’s cousin) has found a refreshing way for hip hop to be reborn from its ashes.

A raw sounding voice, some inventive and rhythmic beats, a powerful spirit are the elements of a well made musical recipe…listen to his music and you will taste it with delight. Built Like That is cadenced, explosive like dynamite, fulfilled with astute punchlines. If you’re about good hip hop, you shouldn’t sleep on that track.

In Go To Guys features Eliott Ness The Message sharpens his tongue and flows like crazy. You gotta love the offensive , marching on spirit of the song.

On Your Mark mixes roughness with some soft vocals. The Message composes, operates with precision and his words will hit where it hurts. Again, a nice flow delivery enhances the song.

Get familiar with the business’ numerous intrigues by listening to The Plot. Guitar and light piano notes corroborate with the artist’s intonations to make the listener feel the plot. The song is rhythmic, slightly interrupted with short female voice interventions. The melody has some beautiful blues accents. Loved it!

Note that this excellent artist has two albums in preparation:

“ Against All Oddz” in collaboration with R-texz that is due in Mid 2009, plus “ Cause & The Effect”: The Autobiography Album that will be ready in 2010.

Check The Message here.

Copyright© by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

Global rating of the product: 4.5 stars

Overshadowed by Eminem’s success, vaguely melted into the D12 group in many people’s minds, Swifty Mc Vay has probably been underestimated by many. But those who know his work in depth perfectly know that Swifty allies an impressing explosive lyrical craft with a powerful instrumental creativity.

On his official website, Swifty will reveal some of his tracks out of his Underestimated CD. If you listen to D12’s lyrical bomber, you sure are gonna remember him. Let’s explore Swifty’s brand new work.

Violin and piano sounds corroborate in 2 Late in a very symphonic way. Swifty exposes wankstas in a very merciless manner. Vengeance is his: observe how he tears fake emcees off lyrically.
Scared is an invite to follow men on the run. Its dark vocal tones, its lyrical slugs will slaughter D Twizzy’s opponents.
I Don’t Care features King Gordy. A harsh instrumental background is the key to Swifty’s nightmarish lyrical composition. He told you that he doesn’t care, so watch your backs. Nobody’s safe in front of the Detroit ghetto player haters.
You Ant Hard enlightens Swifty’s various instrumental compositions that unleash an incredible lyrical power too. It’s an explosion of words, metaphorically speaking it is like the artist’s pen got outta control. Swifty will smash your brains in consciously and mercilessly.

Blow Up is fulfilled with filthy details accompanied by some hot scratches sounds. Amazingly, the club song totally fits into the context, unlike many other club songs.

Crazy exposes loads of insane details. Swifty Mc Vay’s lyrical creativity and speedy flow delivery need to be underlined in any case.
Hood Legend is built on a dramatic chord and symphonic background.
The incredible rhymer Swifty is comes to shine in Diamonds. The rhythmic, musical background reveals tension and danger.
Life features King Gordy again. Toughness and softness alternate.

Don’t ignore the talented emcee, rather check his music here.

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