Listen to “”Another Other” Here

www.nametag.bandcamp.com

www.itsnametag.com

What’s up readers of The Zone? I have decided to take this column in another direction, I still will be writing exclusive pieces on artist’s but I also wanted to open my write up’s to Q & A Interviews.
The Column will now run every other week and on the off weeks I will be posting shows, reviews, new releases and other news.

This weeks subject is on one of the hardest working groups in Michigan; Inkster’s “Street Justice” Fresh from opening the Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek show at the Crofoot, a new video and free download project is now on the streets. Redd, Ketchphraz and Jypsy have a lot on their plate to talk about.

Origix: So what’s going on with the crew right now? What do you all have in the works?

Redd: We just dropped “Follow The Drip”. It’s not a mix tape. It’s not an album. It’s a collection of music.

Ketchphraze: We got the album “GO H.A.A.M!” coming up next! Yes, we’re finally dropping the official album, lol.

Jypsy: We’re building inspiration for the making of the project after “GO H.A.A.M!” because it has to be, if not better, just as incredible and phenomenal as the last one.

Origix: How was the Talib Kweli show for y’all? What where some of the highlights of the night?

Jypsy: To keep it 100 with you, everything happened so fast, it’s hard to remember. I remember sound check, smoking a blunt, and then literally rushing to the stage. After that, just enjoying the show.

Redd: The Talib show was awesome! I think that was one of the best performances we’ve ever had. Shouts to THEE STREET JUSTICE BAND: Sax, Amir, RJ, Big O, Jeff, Kamau, Duminie, and my sis Ideeyah!

Ketchphraze: The show went great! Despite me performing with pneumonia and the smoking law wasn’t in effect yet, it was an amazing show and good times man. I think the highlight was our homie, Duminie on the guitar solo. Killed it!!

Origix: How long have you been working on the new project? Explain, “Follow The Drip”. What’s the meaning and who is on it?

Ketchphraze: We started working on “Follow The Drip” in January. The concept behind it is simple: it’s a leak album. It’s something to keep the streets buzzing. We did ALL ORIGINAL material to silence the critics about us being mix tape crazy. It gave the people something new and refreshing to listen to ‘cause -lets be honest – it’s been a lot of BULLSHIT MUSIC in the last two years. We just make that contribution to Detroit Hip Hop and keep the movement going.

Jypsy: We’ve been trying to make an album since “Out 4 Just Us”. But, the name, the vibe, the substance of the album wasn’t there. So we did a ton of brainstorming and finally came up with the right vibe and name and went H.A.A.M! (Hard As A Muh’fucka! No homo.) Our Frat House/Varsity Club brothers are the only ones featuring.

Redd: Yep. What they said. “Follow The Drip” is available for free download at www.streetjusticehiphop.com. Shameless plug. Shameless plug.

Origix: You guys now have enough material to have an official album. Why have you not put out an album? What are you waiting on?

Redd: Waiting till the time and money is right. We gotta make sure the buzz is strong. No point in putting out a million dollar project with a thousand dollar budget.

Ketchphraze: Money. We could just throw something out here but why? We are independent as FUCK! We pay for everything out of pocket and your album has to be right. Can’t just throw some shit out there for folks to judge you on, mixing, mastering, packaging, promo, etc. The wait is well worth it! We got our shit together and people will definitely respect the way we put this record out.

Jypsy: If you don’t load your ammo properly, your gun is liable to jam. I’ll be damned if we put out an album this incredible and it does nothing. We’re taking foolproof steps to make sure it comes out the right way.

Origix: Who have y’all been doing rhymes and beats with lately? Anybody in particular you can name that might be a surprise?

Ketchphraze: Man, everybody! On the album just Saxappeal, Ideeyah, Apollo Brown, Peace Of Mind, and Nation.

Redd: I’m really digging the joints we’ve been doing with Nametag and Black Bethoven. I think we have a crazy vibe together. Got a couple joints from The Labtechs, too: 14KT and Forekast. Salute!

Jypsy: Don’t forget about 4mulaone and Oznoh from Spain.

Origix: What kind of shows you got going on?

Jypsy: Ask Redd.

Redd: LOL May 15th is the “50 for 5E” concert. It’s a fundraiser to help 5E Gallery move into their new building. May 30th is the DetroitRap.com People’s Choice Awards. (Make sure you vote for SJ at www.detroitrap.com) Lookout for your boy singing (yes, I said singing) the National Anthem June 5th at the Detroit Derby Girls game! “New Era Redd”. I wear SO many hats!

Ketchphraze: We have an unplugged style show being set up before we drop the record. That’s about all that’s set in stone.

Origix: You just released a video for “Breakin’ Rocks”. Can you explain the song?

Ketchphraze: “Breakin’ Rocks” is a song for the average American out here grinding for their family. It’s a recession; we all are feeling that shit and we are all doing what we must do to get by. It’s a motivational song for folks to get by too.

Redd: The song is all about your hustle. It’s about whatever you do to make sure you and yours eat.

Jypsy: It’s the soundtrack to getting money. Check it out on www.youtube.com/SJHipHop.

Redd: Street Justice is your favorite group…ever!

www.streetjusticehiphop.com.

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Black Bethoven comes from a musically inclined family.  His younger Brother “Nametag” has laced rhymes over many of Bethoven’s beats, or maybe you have heard the production of his younger cousin “Black Milk”; I think it is safe to say that being a producer runs in the family.  “I can remember so many times when a barbecue would turn into a show with my mom and dad singing with my aunties and uncles harmonizing to a tee!  From the Temptations, Dramatics, The Stylistics, singing word for word, it bounded all of us and kept us together,” Black Beethoven explains. At an early age he would sing in the choir learning music notes, playing in a Jazz Band gave him the foundation that would lead him to making hip-hop.  Now doing production work on the computer, Software Reason has opened his ear up to endless possibilities.  With beat placement on all of Nametags releases, Jigsaw, Moe Dirdee, 5 Ela, Street Justice and many others, this husband and father of five has his hands full.

Black Bethoven say’s “Detroit influences me, I love the energy.  From the shows we channel art, its amazing what the world is missing in Detroit.”  Now, with the proper tools and knowledge of the old school he is proving he is the future of the mo-town sound.  Download free; Nametag’s “Soul System E.P,” where he produced every track and visit him on face book MCB.

The Zone Radio with Origix & DC airs Mondays 9 p.m.-12 a.m. 89.3 FM, stream at whfr.fm Visit 2raw4fm.com

Hope you got a bigger iPod for the holidays, because another year of hip-hop has come and gone. Wow, time flew by in 2009; we have seen Eminem make his return to the public eye and ICP drop a cult classic.  Royce da 5’9″ tied Detroit to super group Slaughterhouse, giving our area shine on a worldwide level. Representing the underground proudly, in no particular order here my top 15 of ’09.

Zo and Asylum 7 — Overdue Process
Twiztid — W.I.C.K.E.D.
United States of Mind (USM) — Kill the Bullshit
Stoopz N Breeze — Turn Up the Smooth
Royce da 5’9” — Street Hop
Ro Spit — The Oh Sh#t Project
Finale — A Pipe Dream and a Promise
The Lyricists — Transmittin Live!
Stryfe — City of God
D.Allie — Live @ The Get Up
Dub MD & Nametag — Classic Cadence (Vol. 2)
J-Bone — Bone Appetit
Kodac — UnClassified
GozGod — GozGod
The Regiment — A New Beginning  | RDW

The Zone Radio with Origix & DC airs Mondays 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. 89.3 fm, stream at whfr.fm & myspace.com/thezoneradio

The Zone w/ Origix & DC -2 RAW 4 FM –Fall/Winter 2009-Vol. 9

1.Intro-Origix & DC
2.Blake Erie-Six Mile Chronicles
3.B-Gozza-Bloody Turntables
4.Metasyons – Eviction Notice
5.Detroit CYDI – It’s Nothin (Remix)
6.Ro Spit -Renaissance State Of Mind
7.Origix & DC
8.Black Vegaz- Rush
9.Stretch Money-Eye’s on me
10.Ikkurruz-Behind Me
11.Mastatmind- Unexplainable
12.Brother Ali-Fresh Air
13.Origix & DC
14.Mongo Slade-The Hybrid
15.Keef Courage – Get Mad
16.Nametag (feat. Skyzoo)-Back On My
17.Artfull Dodgers-Remember Remix
18.Royce da 5’9 ft.Bun B & Joell Ortiz-Hood Love
19.Origix & DC-Schemin
20.Outro-Origix & DC

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1. Intro-Origix & DC
2. Buff 1-Beat The Speaker Up
3. Tech N9ne-Everybody Move
4. Danny Brown w/ Chips & Marv Won Gun in Ya Mouth
5. Invincible w/Wordsworth & Indeed -Keep Goin
6. Past Due w/ Ketchphaze -Pop Quiz
7. Origix & DC
8. LA The Darkman w/ Willie the Kid- I Been Around
9. The Regiment w/ Miz Korona-Humble Arrogance
10. Kid Cudi-Dat New“New”
11. Paradime-Walk
12. Wayneeack X-Mix A Drink
13. Origix & DC
14. Artfull Dodgers-Tight Vibe
15. Leaf Erikson -I Hate Work
16. Black Lagoon-Fever
17. Name Tag-Red Alert
18. Mekka Don- Kick In The Door
19. Origix & DC (Reformed Ill)-Feel Deez
20. Outro-Origix & DC-

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