Episode 152: Elzhi

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Elzhi got his start as an emcee in the now-famous Detroit rap scene of the 1990s, going to shows and open mics alongside some of the city’s great talent like Guilty Simpson, Royce da 5’9”, Phat Kat, Invincible, Proof, Eminem, and Slum Village. In 2001, Elzhi would join Slum Village after J Dilla left the group. He would remain with them for nearly a decade, leaving in 2010 amidst drama with the other members and their record label.

In 2011, Elzhi released an album-length reinvisioning of Nas’ Illmatic, entitled Elmatic, which met great critical and popular success. His brand new album, inspired by his struggles with depression, is called Lead Poison.

Tracks featured in this episode:

1. Chris Bud f/Big Herk, “I Wish A Nigga Would”
2. Slum Village, “Who Are We”
3. The Cipher Episode 141: Quelle Chris
4. Slum Village, “Hoc N Pucky”
5. Slum VIllage, “Mountaintop”
6. Slum Village, “Ooh Wee”
7. Slum Village, “The Look of Love”
8. Slum Village, “Where We Come From”
9. Elzhi f/Ayah, “The Leak”
10. Elzhi f/Royce Da 5’9”, “Motown 25”
11. Ice-T, “Colors”
12. Elzhi, “Colors”
13. Elzhi, “Guessing Game”
14. Nas, “N.Y. State of Mind”
15. Elzhi, “Detroit State of Mind”
16. Elzhi, “Memory Lane”
17. Elzhi, “Blue Widow”
18. Elzhi, “Medicine Man”
19. Elzhi, “Cloud”
20. Elzhi, “Misright”
21. Elzhi, “Hello!!!!!”
22. Elzhi, “Healing Process”
23. Elzhi, “INTROverted”
24. Elzhi f/Smitty, “ALIENated”
25. Elzhi, “Two 16’s”
26. Elzhi, “Healing Process”
27. Elzhi f/Tahbisle Griffen, “The Turning Point”
28. Elzhi, “Weedipedia”
29. Elzhi, “INTROverted”
30. Elzhi, “Keep Dreaming”
31. Elzhi f/Chris Dave, “She Sucks”
32. Ice Cube, “A Bird In The Hand”
33. Royce Da 5’9” f/Black Milk & Elzhi, “Real Hip Hop”
34. Elzhi f/Royce Da 5’9” & Stokley Williams, “Life’s a B*tch”
35. Elzhi, “Egocentric”