Phat Kat
“Every time I step in the booth, I’m tryna make some classic shit,” promises Phat Kat, a pioneer of the Detroit hip-hop scene who was putting it down for the underground long before anyone ever heard of Eminem, Proof, D12, Slum Village, Natas, or Royce the 5’9.” And while rap from “the D” has come into the national limelight in recent years, few of Detroit’s current crop of MCs boast a track record or reputation as credible as Phat Kat. Back in the early ‘90s, Phat Kat helped to put the D on the hip-hop map as a member of First Down, pairing with legendary DJ/producer J Dilla (R.I.P.), then known as Jay Dee, years before Dilla’s involvement in Slum Village… read more
Elzhi
Before the world ever heard the name ELZHI, the young artist was sitting in the back of classrooms thinking of rhymes and spitting verses, while his friend Fes banged out beats on lunchroom tables and battled rival emcees on the blacktop after school. He sharpened every blade in his arsenal, developing his style to measure up against the competition in Maurice Maloneís Hip Hop Shop, the legendary proving ground for Detroit artists that has produced some of the greatest emcees in the world.
ELZHI spent years paying dues, writing songs, entering battles, and recording demos until he finally made his international debut on Come and Get It, a standout track from J Dillaís album, Welcome 2 Detroit. The acclaimed song drew massive attention to the mysterious artist, and made his unfinished EP, Out of Focus, a highly sought after recording… read more