Elmatic

iTunes Review

A Detroit emcee who's been steadily paying dues since the late '90s, Elzhi is well known in his hometown and is finally starting to be recognized outside of the D. As a kid he attended open mics at the legendary Hip Hop Shop before collaborating with local players like DJ HouseShoes and 9-2-5 Colony (with Nick Speed and Majestik Legend), and he later joined Slum Village after J Dilla left the group. He was featured prominently on five SV releases and also dropped a pair of EPs and the well-received solo album The Prelude in 2008. Elmatic is his most impressive work to date; it's a tribute to Nas' landmark Illmatic, set to stellar production from the live band Will Sessions. With 12 tracks that highlight his undeniable lyrical skills, he puts a new spin on beloved classics like "Memory Lane," "Life's a B*tch," and "It Ain't Hard to Tell." He branches out on "Verbal Intercourse Part 2," where he vents his frustration with the music industry. A high-quality concept mixtape, this sets the stage for his album The Feed.