Old To The New - Ryan Proctor's Beats, Rhymes & Hip-Hop Nostalgia » Midwest Hip-Hop

Black Milk Broadcast (Part One) – Black Milk

Ryan Proctor — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 22:10:16 +0000

Footage of Black Milk on tour in Europe.

Down With The Kings – Crown Royale

Ryan Proctor — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 21:09:07 +0000

Buff1 and DJ Rhettmatic discuss their upcoming Crown Royale project on HipHopOfficial.

New Joint – Buff1

Ryan Proctor — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 22:54:27 +0000

Buff1 ft. AB – “Real Appeal” (A-Side Worldwide / 2009 )

Taken from the album “There’s Only One”.

PSA – DJ House Shoes

Ryan Proctor — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 21:09:49 +0000

Detroit’s DJ House Shoes speaks on Charles Hamilton claiming to have named Dilla as Executive Producer on his upcoming album.

Man In The Mirror – Toki Wright

Ryan Proctor — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 19:16:05 +0000

Veteran Hip-Hop journo Davey D speaks to Rhymesayers affiliate Toki Wright about race relations in rap and his new album “A Different Mirror”.

New Joint – Lone Catalysts

Ryan Proctor — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 19:04:41 +0000

Lone Catalysts - “World Famous” ( B.U.K.A. Entertainment / 2009 )

Taken from the album “Back To School”.

New Joint – Kanye West / Malik Yusef

Ryan Proctor — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 21:02:07 +0000

Kanye West & Malik Yusef ft. Common & John Legend – “Magic Man” ( G.O.O.D. Music / 2009 )

Taken from the double-album “Kanye West & Malik Yusef Present G.O.O.D. Morning, G.O.O.D. Night” out this week.

The Champ – Brother Ali

Ryan Proctor — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 22:14:52 +0000

Mr. Peter Parker speaks to Brother Ali at Soundset 09.

New Joint – Jake One

Ryan Proctor — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 22:01:26 +0000

Jake One ft. Vitamin D, Note, Maneak B & Ish – “Home” ( Rhymesayers / 2009 )

Taken from last year’s “White Van Music” album.

Album Review – Yoshi

Ryan Proctor — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 21:45:58 +0000

Yoshi

“The Talent Show”

(Aktive Audioworks)

Given the stale state of the rap game in recent times, Detroit and its surrounding metro area has become something of an oasis for quality music. With the likes of Black Milk, Guilty Simpson, Invincible and Buff1 all having dropped impressive releases over the past year, Ann Arbor’s Yoshi is the next in line to hopefully catch the attention of Hip-Hop fans outside of his locale.

Whilst Yoshi might be a new name to many, the charismatic emcee is a veteran of his hometown scene, a fact that’s evident in the confident and polished feel of this album. Buoyed by the melodic, R&B-tinged production of Akira Charles, “The Talent Show” stands head-and-shoulders above today’s standard underground rap fare, with its funky, full-bodied soundscapes giving the project its own distinctive sonic personality.

The opening “Get Down” sets the tone with Yoshi dropping “feel good rhymes” that aren’t “over your head like billboard signs” over a typically Detroit sounding track full of chunky beats and undeniable soul. Twinkling pianos and space-age keyboards are accompanied by a butter smooth hook from vocalist Vince Kelsey. “Dance Tonight” is a near perfect example of how to craft a club-ready cut without having to appeal to the lowest common denominator and therefore maintain your artistic integrity, whilst “Meet The Deadline” boasts an up-tempo 80s boogie vibe matched with good-natured lyrical bravado.

Yet whilst Yoshi is definitely skilled in making happy-go-lucky head-nod music, he’s about much more than simply party rhymes and cocky swagger. On “Run Away” the rapper weaves the intricate story of a missing child, whilst ‘Listen Up’ bristles with socio-political opinions. “Dream”, arguably the album’s finest moment, finds Yoshi encouraging listeners to chase their ambitions over a mellow backdrop of melodic chimes and soothing saxophone blasts.

At a time when music seems to be becoming increasingly bland and disposable, Yoshi has succeeded in recording an album that has something to offer the mind, body and the soul.

Ryan Proctor