The latest band of Hip-Hop antiheroes, Random Axe, are clean and dirty like the bar of Fight Club soap. As a result, they finally have their ducks in a row so they can shoot them down for their Duck Down sponsored LP. Black Milk sets the table for three and alongside Guilty Simpson and Sean P., they feast on wack rapper chicken wangs. Read the rest of this entry »

Jon Connor joins Willie in performing the Black Milk-produced “One Time” live in Grand Rap for the hometown fans. Off WTK’s The Fly 2, which should have already been downloaded by now. Read the rest of this entry »

“That Michigan sh*t” as Grand Rap, Flint & Detroit get together for Willie’s “One Time.” Black’s swirling sounds make a good main course while Willie and Jon both torch the track. Read the rest of this entry »

If you don’t know where Black Milk is from, it’s probably a safe assumption to say you’ve never heard of him. Every piece of music he shares with his global fanbase, he goes out of his way to bring to them to Detroit, no matter their actual location. Although he wasn’t exactly at home when he sat down with Jeff Baraka in Chicago, they still made it a Midwestern affair as he runs through soundchecks and does his best to pinpoint the definitive sound of 313. Read the rest of this entry »

“Welcome (Gotta Go),” is unquestionably one of the standout joints from Black Milk’s Album of the Year. No matter if you think that the album lived up to its name, or if you think Tronic was better, this song clearly demonstrates the Detroit emcee/producer’s growth and development as a musician. Not a rapper, but as a musician, because of his versatile ability to build a song from the ground up. Read the rest of this entry »

What happens when two dope producers who dabble on the microphone break bread and collaborate for a track? Well, when it’s the man with the Album Of The Year and VA’s most consistent producer (we see you, Pharrell), expect the response to be simply, “Blast That.” Fresh from Nottz’ long-awaited October release, You Need This Music, this musical mishmash molds together a playful lead melody and guitar riffs that way a ton. Leaving room for two well-rounded musicians to show what happens when you refuse to limit yourself. Read the rest of this entry »

– Antoine Dodson went from Internet laughingstock to burgeoning businessman.

– The 2010 XXL freshmen class lined up outside David D’s door for their midterm marks. Read the rest of this entry »

The significance of making a definite statement outside of the music has become just as important as the music itself. So when word circulated in the infant stages of 2010 that Black Milk’s fourth album was to be named Album of the Year, there was a collective gasp amongst Hip-Hoppers everywhere. Gutsy call for a first down play. But for an artist such as Black Milk, whose credibility stems from placing art over image, the overall meaning tends to be more than meets the eye. Read the rest of this entry »

Every few weeks, I’ll receive an email either praising or the questioning the shine we’re giving Danny Brown. For the nonbelievers, check The Hybrid on Black Milk’s aptly-titled “Black & Brown.” Read the rest of this entry »

This is a straight ill track from some of Detroit’s finest. The rambling beat lulls you into a trance of head bopping hypnosis. Into that trance come the fierce lyrics of Black Milk, Royce and Elzhi, hitting like an uppercut to the jaw. No less should be expected from men of these lyrical talents. Read the rest of this entry »

A gentleman and a scholar.

Senator Such’n'So wears quilted pants and matching bow ties, and he often greets people with the humor-tinged, “Hello, taxpayers. And fine Americans you are.” We are Americans who know humor is rooted in truth; we are, in fact, taxpayers. The label never feels condescending, because it’s truthful, and his quilted pants and tie are ballsy, respectable choices that don’t go without regard. Read the rest of this entry »

After a couple of warmup lap outtakes from Black Milk’s courageously titled Album of The Year, it’s “Welcome” (sorry I had to) that we finally get an official lead single. His work on the boards in this one is compelling as usual and makes the song worth your attention. It’s the last verse shines the brightest as he goes on about the difficulties of being an indie rapper in a shrinking industry. Read the rest of this entry »

“Speak his mind, never been scared to/Album Of The Year, critics say how dare you…”

Black’s jettisoned off another track that wasn’t deemed worthy enough to make his Album Of The Year. With each cast away, this project becomes more and more intriguing as Black Milk seeks to bring top honors back home to Detroit. Read the rest of this entry »

With DJ Whoo Kid playing the role of Royce’s ever faithful sidekick, The Bar Exam 3 (The Most Interesting Man) is here to add a little spice to your holiday weekend. Read the rest of this entry »

Black Milk’s got more soul in his soy than anything in your grandpappy’s refridgerator. If this wasn’t deemed acceptable to make his Album Of The Year, then he must really have some heatrocks on ice. Read the rest of this entry »