Premiere: Elzhi “Two 16s” (Prod. by Karriem Riggins) News Mark Braboy | March 9, 2016 - 1:20 pm
lzhi gives fans a double dose of lyrical venom as he demonstrates his exceptional storytelling skills with “Two 16s”, produced by fellow Detroit brethren, Karriem Riggins. The duo masterfully goes back to the essence of hip-hop with Elzhi giving us straight bars — no filler.
READ: Elzhi Goes In Depth About Fighting Depression, Flint And The Legacy Of Detroit Hip-Hop
The wordsmith flows over a dreary soundscape while telling two tragic stories about ill-fated individuals who found themselves on the wrong end of the trigger, prior to unfortunate circumstances in their lives. The chemistry between Elzhi and Riggins can be felt all over the track. This joint is a grim window into his dark, yet uplifting new album, Lead Poison.
Elzhi’s new project is now available for pre-order on iTunes and will be available this Friday (March 25).
“Anytime me and Karriem come together to create its all about making a marriage out of a feeling and being technical” Elzhi relayed to VIBE. “Two 16’s” is no different. The idea for the song came from comments that were left by my fans that only wanted to hear two 16 bar verses of straight spitting. Once I was able to flesh out the concept, Karriem came with the music that enabled me to fully zone out. Our goal was to give the fans something new, but to also give them something they didn’t even know they wanted.” Similarly, Karriem hinted that “Two 16’s” is the first of many collaborations between he and Elzhi that will hopefully be released soon. “I have been waiting to reconnect with Elzhi for awhile now on some new music and this collaboration is the first of many to come. “Two 16’s” will also be featured on my upcoming LP, The Headnod Suite, which will be released in June on Stones Throw.”
8. "I wasn't expecting anything this dope." In response to Reply # 0
Man, this is really fresh. Karriem did his thing on the production. It's so disjointed that I love how he brings the chop back together. Masterful. El runs through the verses with ease, and meshes with the beat perfectly.
Calling the song 2 16's and making it about two 16 year old characters is real slick.
That subtle buzzer sound in the background is crazy.
You're such pests...now, what is it you want? In your depths of your ignorance, what is it you want? Well, whatever it is you want, I can't deliver because I just don't see it. - Orson Welles
14. "The Preface was awesome. " In response to Reply # 12
Haven't listened to the full joint in a while. Will have to listen again tomorrow. Not one bad track if I remember correctly. Black Milk on the beats ! Think this was actually the album that introduced me to Black
15. "I just realized what Elzhi did with the verses." In response to Reply # 0
That was pretty clever. I didn't even realize the stories were related at first.
You're such pests...now, what is it you want? In your depths of your ignorance, what is it you want? Well, whatever it is you want, I can't deliver because I just don't see it. - Orson Welles
17. "I definitely gotta listen again. " In response to Reply # 15
Just off 2 listens though this is dope! With the tracks released so far it's shaping up to be a dope album. Lets see if its worth the wait!
<---------------------------------------- "Consider me the entity within the industry without a history of spittin the epitomy of stupidity!" - Talib Kweli http://www.takotron.com/news/2006/mets_cap.jpg
21. "He's 4 for 4 so far to me" In response to Reply # 19
February, Co-Sign, Two 16's, and now ALIENated.
As dope as Elzhi is with lyrics and wordplay, what I really appreciate is his storytelling ability which I already knew from his older projects. He thrives on tracks with concepts to them but he can straight spit with the best of them as well.
<---------------------------------------- "Consider me the entity within the industry without a history of spittin the epitomy of stupidity!" - Talib Kweli http://www.takotron.com/news/2006/mets_cap.jpg
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