PREMIERE: Elzhi - Halftime
Former Slum Village member Elzhi is one of the best rappers to have ever come out of Detroit, having graced some of J Dilla's best beats both in his former group as well as on his own, particularly on 2008's excellent The Preface. On that album, Elzhi earned comparisons to early Nas with his high-pitched voice, dexterous syllabic juggling, and lo-fi, jazzy beats. What do you know: For his newest project, Elmatic, out May 10th, he conducts a track-by-track interpretation of NaS' classic debut, Illmatic. The most striking difference between the two LPs is the production of Will Sessions, a six-piece band that provides organic instrumental takes on Illmatic's grimy, affecting beats. Look no further than "Halftime": You can hear the subtle differences in the warbling organ, rubbery bass line, and heavy drums. And of course, there's Elzhi's rapping, recalling NaS' classic verses while providing twists of its own, showcasing his skilled rhyming technique and writing prowess.
