The Preface

Last updated
The Preface
00-elzhi-the preface-2008-coverart.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedAugust 12, 2008 (2008-08-12)
Recorded2008
Genre Hip hop
Length61:51
Label Fat Beats
Producer
ELZhi chronology
The Preface
(2008)
Elmatic
(2011)

The Preface is the debut album of rapper eLZhi, released 12 August 2008 on Fat Beats Records. It features many other Detroit's MCs including Royce Da 5'9", Guilty Simpson, Black Milk, Fatt Father, Danny Brown and Phat Kat among others. The album has been critically acclaimed and considered by many professional reviewers as one of the best hip hop albums of 2008.

Contents

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
HipHopDX Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [1]
RapReviews9.5/10 [2]
SputnikMusicStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [3]
ArtOfRhymeStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [4] [5]
OkayPlayer87% [6]
Pitchfork7.7/10 [7]
cokemachineglow74% [8]

Production

The whole album was produced by Black Milk except for tracks "Save Ya" (produced by T3), "The Science" (produced by DJ Dez), and interludes produced by Leaf K. Mayfield, Petey Pistol and Denmark Vessey. [9]

A great amount of work was put on the songs' drum lines. Black Milk used various hard kicks and snares, which is a common aspect of his production style. The song which displays this fact the best is probably "Guessing Game". However, some tracks are noticeable for their deep and soulful samples such as "Save Ya" or "Transitional Joint".

Eugene "Hexmurda" Howell served as executive producer of the album.

Songs and content

The Preface is known for containing songs which are related to various subjects and themes like dreams, colors or infatuation.

Track listing

No.TitleProducer(s)Length
1."Intro (The Preface)" Black Milk 1:02
2."The Leak" (feat. Ayah)Black Milk3:32
3."Guessing Game"Black Milk5:38
4."Motown 25" (feat. Royce Da 5'9")Black Milk3:57
5."Brag Swag"Black Milk2:41
6."Colors"Black Milk3:16
7."Fire" (remix) (feat. Black Milk, Guilty Simpson, Danny Brown, Fat Ray and Fatt Father)Black Milk4:05
8."D.E.M.O.N.S."Black Milk4:12
9."Save Ya" (feat. T3) T3 4:00
10."Yeah" (feat. Phat Kat)Black Milk4:14
11."Transitional Joint"Black Milk4:57
12."Talking in My Sleep"Black Milk4:19
13."The Science" (feat. Fes Roc)DJ Dez3:03
14."Hands Up"Black Milk4:13
15."What I Write"Black Milk3:40
16."Growing Up" (feat. A.B.)Black Milk5:02
Total length:61:51
Notes

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inspectah Deck</span> American rapper and producer

Jason Richard Hunter, better known by his stage name Inspectah Deck, is an American rapper and hip hop producer. He is a member of the groups Wu-Tang Clan and Czarface.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Obie Trice</span> American rapper from Michigan

Obie Trice III is an American rapper. He signed with fellow Detroit rapper Eminem's Shady Records, an imprint of Interscope Records in 2000 to release his first two albums, Cheers (2003) and Second Round's on Me (2006). Both peaked within the top ten of the Billboard 200, while the former was supported by the singles "Got Some Teeth" and the Dr. Dre-produced "The Set Up". Upon leaving the label, Trice formed his own record label, Black Market Entertainment to release his following albums, Bottoms Up (2012), The Hangover (2015) and The Fifth (2019).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Beatnuts</span> American hip hop group

The Beatnuts is an American hip hop group and production duo from New York City. Its current members are JuJu and Psycho Les. JuJu is a Dominican American from Corona and Psycho Les is a Colombian American from Jackson Heights, Queens. Although only peripheral members, they are routinely acknowledged by Q-Tip as being members of Native Tongues. The Beatnuts were originally a trio before Fashion, now known as Al' Tariq, left the group to start a solo career. V.I.C. was also a member of The Beatnuts' production team for a while.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Slum Village</span> American hip hop group

Slum Village is an American hip hop group from Detroit, Michigan. The group was formerly composed of the rappers Baatin (1974–2009), T3, and rapper / producer J Dilla (1974–2006). J Dilla left in 2001 to pursue a solo career with MCA Records. Elzhi joined in his absence, after which Baatin also left due to health complications.

Jason Powers, better known by his stage name Elzhi, is an American rapper from Detroit, Michigan. He is a former member of Slum Village and now records as a solo artist. In his youth, he made numerous visits to the Hip-Hop shop in Detroit, taking advantage of open-mic nights hosted by fellow Detroit rapper Proof.

<i>Trinity (Past, Present and Future)</i> 2002 studio album by Slum Village

Trinity is the third studio album by American hip hop group Slum Village. It was released on August 13, 2002 via Capitol Records. Recording sessions took place at RJ Rice Studios in Farmington Hills, Studio A in Dearborn Heights, and The Studio in Philadelphia. Production was handled by T3, Waajeed, J Dilla, Karriem Riggins, Young RJ, Black Milk, Ess Man, Hi-Tek and Scott Storch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black Milk</span> American rapper

Curtis Eugene Cross, better known by his stage name Black Milk, is an American rapper, songwriter, and record producer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Untitled Nas album</span> 2008 studio album by Nas

The untitled ninth studio album by American rapper Nas, commonly referred to eponymously as Nas, or simply Untitled, was released on July 15, 2008 by The Jones Experience, Columbia Records and The Island Def Jam Music Group. Its original title Nigger was omitted due to controversy surrounding the racial epithet. The album is distinguished for its political content, diverse sources of production, and provocative subject matter. The album features guest appearances from Chris Brown, Keri Hilson, Busta Rhymes, and The Game, among others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Skyzoo</span> American rapper (born 1982)

Gregory Skyler Taylor, known professionally as Skyzoo, is an American rapper and songwriter. He has released a number of notable solo and collaborative albums, including Cloud 9: The 3 Day High with 9th Wonder in 2006, The Salvation in 2009, A Dream Deferred in 2012, Music For My Friends in 2015, and his most recent solo album All the Brilliant Things. Skyzoo has also released a plethora of non-commercial mixtapes including Corner Store Classic and The Great Debater throughout his career, and has worked with artists such as Jill Scott, Wale, Lloyd Banks, Tyrese, Dr. Dre, Raheem Devaughn, Black Thought, Jadakiss, Talib Kweli, Spike Lee, John Legend, and others. Skyzoo has headlined or co-headlined often-yearly tours throughout Europe, the United Kingdom, Africa, Australia, and Asia, and he owns and operates the independent record label First Generation Rich.

Christopher Frederick Tyson, better known as Khrysis, is an American hip hop producer and occasional rapper. He is best known as a former member of the Justus League collective, being one half of the duo The Away Team with Sean Boog. He also operates as an in-house producer for The Soul Council, 9th Wonder's producer collective, and acts as one half of the duo Jericho Jackson with Elzhi.

<i>The Salvation</i> (album) 2009 studio album by Skyzoo

The Salvation is the debut solo studio album by American rapper Skyzoo. It was released on September 29, 2009, via Jamla Records and Duck Down Music. Production was handled by 9th Wonder, Cyrus Tha Great, Eric G., Nottz, Best Kept Secret, Black Milk, Illmind, Just Blaze and Needlz. It features guest appearance from Carlitta Durand.

The following is a list of productions by American hip-hop producer/rapper Black Milk.

<i>Random Axe</i> 2011 studio album by Random Axe (Black Milk, Guilty Simpson and Sean Price)

Random Axe is the only studio album from the American hip hop group Random Axe, released June 14, 2011, on Duck Down Music Inc. The group was composed of hip hop producer Black Milk and rappers Guilty Simpson and the late Sean Price. The album was produced entirely by Black Milk and features guest contributions from Roc Marciano, Danny Brown, Fat Ray, Melanie Rutherford, Rock, Trick Trick, and Fatt Father.

<i>Album of the Year</i> (Black Milk album) 2010 studio album by Black Milk

Album of the Year is the fourth studio album by hip hop producer and rapper Black Milk, which was released on September 14, 2010, by Fat Beats. Production for the album was handled by himself, with assistance by Will Sessions.

<i>Follow Me Home</i> (album) 2011 studio album by Jay Rock

Follow Me Home is the debut studio album by American hip hop recording artist Jay Rock; it was released on July 26, 2011, under Top Dawg Entertainment and Strange Music. The album was preceded by two singles; "All My Life " and "Hood Gone Love It".

<i>Student of the Game</i> 2013 studio album by N.O.R.E.

Student of the Game is the sixth studio album by American rapper N.O.R.E.. The album was released on April 16, 2013, by Thugged Out Militainment and eOne Music. The album features guest appearances from French Montana, 2 Chainz, Lil Wayne, Pusha T, Pharrell, Pete Rock, Havoc, Jeremih, Mick Jones, Large Professor, Swizz Beatz, Raekwon, Tech N9ne, Busta Rhymes and Scarface among others.

<i>Delusional Thomas</i> 2013 mixtape by Delusional Thomas

Delusional Thomas is a mixtape by American rapper Mac Miller under the alias Delusional Thomas. The mixtape was released as a free digital download on November 1, 2013 via a newly created website delusionalthomas.com.

<i>The Diam Piece</i> 2014 studio album by Diamond D

The Diam Piece is the fourth studio album by American rapper Diamond D. The album was released on September 30, 2014, by Dymond Mine Records. The album features guest appearances from Pharoahe Monch, Talib Kweli, Elzhi, Skyzoo, Fat Joe, Chi Ali, Freddie Foxxx, Pete Rock, The Pharcyde, Scram Jones, Rapsody, Boog Brown, Stacy Epps, Black Rob, Kurupt, Tha Alkaholiks, Hi-Tek, A.G., Chino XL, The Alchemist, Evidence, Grand Daddy I.U., Kev Brown, Masta Ace, Guilty Simpson and Ras Kass.

<i>The Keynote Speaker</i> 2013 studio album by U-God

The Keynote Speaker is the fourth studio album by American rapper and Wu-Tang Clan member U-God. The album was released on July 23, 2013, by Soul Temple Records. The album features guest appearances from GZA, Method Man, Styles P, Inspectah Deck, Elzhi and Kool Keith among others.

<i>Magic</i> (Nas album) 2021 studio album by Nas

Magic is the fourteenth studio album by American rapper Nas. It was released on December 24, 2021, through Mass Appeal Records. It serves as the third consecutive Nas album that is produced by Hit-Boy, following King's Disease and King's Disease II. The album features guest appearances from ASAP Rocky and DJ Premier.

References

  1. HipHopDX review
  2. RapReviews review
  3. SputnikMusic review
  4. ArtOfRhyme review
  5. ArtOfRhyme review (Recovered)
  6. OkayPlayer review
  7. Pitchfork review
  8. cokemachineglow review
  9. "Elzhi - The Preface". Discogs. 12 August 2008. Retrieved 2017-02-28.