A lot of things have happened in Detroit since the last issue. It seems like we were just coming to terms with the death of J-Dilla when we lost Proof to a bullet. The night we got the news Proof had passed, the whole Hip-Hop community came to Northern Lights to mourn and show support for each other. To see two of our city’s most prolific artists die at the height of their respective careers was very tough to deal with. The good news is that instead of getting discouraged, Rock City Hip-Hop heads seem to be more dedicated to their careers and developing their talents. I’m also very proud of how different cliques and camps that have had beefs in the past are squashing them and doing things to show unity instead. Hopefully things stay that way.
There have been a few hot videos produced in Detroit recently. One is a joint called “Detroit Standup” by Esham, Boss, Poe Whosaine, and Big Herk (Proof is also on the song, but not in the video). I was on the set of Strike’s new video “Flip Flop Paint”, which features K Doe. For those of you who don’t know, Strike played Lickety Split in the movie 8 Mile. The video has cameos by BG, DJ King David, the Dirty Glove family and some of the sickest rides the hood has to offer. Marquis Porter has a new video called “Survival in the City.” The song is banging and the accompanying video contains footage of almost every notable spot in the city.
Thids year’s Detroit Hip-Hop Awards at St. Andrews was very big. DJ K Nice and Detroithiphop.com did an incredible putting it together. The event attracted everybody that’s anybody in the Detroit Hip-Hop scene including Trick Trick, Tierra Marie and Royce da 5’9. I’ve been attending the free Hip-Hop DJ showcases that Scion has been sponsoring. They’ve brought in some of the hottest DJ’s to Detroit to spin sets such as DJ Premier, 9th Wonder and Rob Swift and these guys have been tearing it down. The Rip the Mic concert series hosted by Mark da Spark of 102.7 FM is another hot event. At the last show, Royce da 5’9, Da Woofpak, Fat Killahz and Geno XO all put on great performances.
Of course, I’ve got to run down the new music you’ve got to grab from the D. On the major label tip, Obie Trice’s new album Second Round on Me is out now. Every track I’ve heard is banging and it features Akon, Eminem and local artist Big Herk. P Gruv has a joint called “Skinny Girl” that is definitely a club banger. Be on the lookout for the remix because it’s bananas and because The 10’s on it (Ha! Ha!). K Doe aka K Deezy’s “In My Hood” is the hottest song in the streets these days and anything produced by J Dilla gets the underground heads amped. Paypa Boi Entertainment’s “Arcane presents…Tha Paypa Boiz” and DJ Butter and DJ Lynn Swann’s collaborative mixtape “The Big Shipment” are also doing well in the streets.
There are lots of artists making moves in Rock City, but one I have to mention is former Def Jam artist Boss who is on the comeback trail. I must warn you, she’s bringing the heat. Also Guilty Simpson, one of Detroit’s fiercest MCs, is on the verge of doing big things. He’s been working with Mr. Porter (Kon Artist of D12) as well as appearing on the new J Dilla album The Shining.
It’s been a rough ride for Detroit Hip-Hop, but it seems like we’ve reached a turning point. People are finally starting to support the local scene. I see businesses like Mixtapes Inc., Detroithiphop.com and Dirty Glove Entertainment doing things to put the city in a very good position. This Detroit thing looks like it’s about to blow.
Hip-Hop culture was born on the mean streets of urban America, so these streets have greatly influenced its direction. When the Hip-Hop generation discovered novelists like Iceberg Slim and Donald Goines, we embraced their work because they wrote about what went down on these same streets generations ago. These days, a new generation of writers of are capturing the updated essence of street life using the language and swagger of modern day urban America. It’s no surprise the genre is gaining momentum and authors are demanding our attention with their
tales from the hood.
Author Valencia Williams is red hot and her books “The Hottest Summer Ever Known” and “Vindictive Wo-men” are moving like crazy in the Detroit area. She’s been featured in Sister 2 Sister magazine, on Fox 2 News and FM 98 WJLB in Detroit. I had and autographed copy of the books in my home and every female that came in had already read one if
not both of the books.
The Detroit born and raised author says that the fours years she spent incarcerated in a Federal Penitentiary inspired her to get focused and concentrate on her writing. Including the two titles currently available, she’s penned a total of thirteen manuscripts and is also in the developmental stages for a feature film based on stories her fans picked from her book “Vindictive Women.”
Her style is raw and some of the things she writes about will definitely make your jaw drop, but don’t get it twisted, this sister is about more than entertaining. A lot of the characters in her books are faced with situations where they have to deal with the reality of HIV and AIDS. When asked why the AIDS virus figured so prominently in her books, she said “To be honest with you, I’m trying to help people out here
to overcome their fear and educate them on the need to be tested.”
Valencia is also active helping others that aspire to be authors fulfill their dreams. She’s helping others through the process of turning their manuscripts into published works. When asked about the consulting
work she’s doing, she answers, “I’m just enjoying helping writers that have the goal of putting out a book. I have helped put out a few books now. I’m just helping people become entrepreneurs and get their
books on the shelves.
The Good Die Young Proof
By The Ten
R.I.P. Proof (Oct 2, 1973- Apr 11,2006)
On April 11, 2006, rapper Proof, whose real name was Deshaun Holton, was shot and killed in the CCC club on East 8 Mile road in Detroit, Mi. He was involved in an altercation over a pool game, when he allegedly attacked and shot Keith Bender in the head. Mario Etheridge, Bender’s cousin and bouncer at the club then allegedly shot and killed Proof. He was pronounced dead on arrival at St. John Conner Creek Village. Toxicology test measured Proof’s blood alcohol level at .32, 4 times the state’s limit for intoxication according to Albert Samuels, an investigator for the Wayne County medical examiner.
Keith Bender, a U.S. Army veteran, died in the hospital a week later. His mother and widow are suing Proof’s estate for wrongful death. Etheridge is being charged with two gun felonies, but not with Proof’s death.
Proofs funeral was attended by nearly 4,000 mourners, many who never made it past the humongous line outside NAACP head honcho, Wendell Anthony’s, Fellowship Chapel. People crowded the door trying to get a glimpse of the proceedings. Some tried to negotiate entrance with security as if it were a red carpet event and they were trying to get past the velvet ropes. Local press posted up on the sidewalk with telescopic lenses on their cameras hoping to photograph famous mourners coming and going.
Because Proof died in a violent incident, there’s been heated debate in the city about whether or not he was worthy of the hero’s burial and good things people had to say about him. Many are angered because they believe Proof is being portrayed as a martyr for a righteous cause when they believe he was just a violent criminal. The Detroit hip hop community feels that despite his mistakes, Proof should be remembered as the huge contributor to Detroit hip hop and good friend that he was. Despite all the controversy, Proof will always be remembered as someone who was dedicated 100% to making sure Detroit would have a place on the map in the world of hip hop.
