Artist of the Week: Elzhi

Detroit wordsmith, and one half of Slum Village, Elzhi is our Hip Hop Official Artist of the Week. Elzhi joined Slum Village (who originally consisted of J Dilla, T3, and Baatin) in 2002, after Dilla left the group to pursue his solo career (and Baatin left the group shortly due to health issues). Elzhi is an emcee's emcee. One of the most lyrical cats in the game, his flow and wordplay are top notch. Not too many cats can see him on a lyrical level. He also carries on the Detroit tradition of that gritty soul music that has been flowing out of Motown via artists like J Dilla, Slum Village, Proof, Royce the 5'9, Guilty Simpson, Black Milk, and Phat Kat.

His debut solo album, The Preface, drops next month, so make sure you cop that.

Peep the interview, and peep the free download after that.


DOWNLOAD: Elzhi - Fire (prod. by Black Milk)
DOWNLOAD: Slum Village - Selfish (feat. Kanye West & John Legend) (Produced by Mr. Kanye West)
DOWNLOAD: Slum Village - Reunion (feat. J Dilla) (This is one of my favorite tracks right now. The beat is ree-dic-u-lous.)

Also, we'll have a live performance from Elzhi for you this Friday, so stay tuned for that.