Detroit – Marcel Friday

Why Would Sada Baby Not Rank Eminem In His Top Five From Detroit?

Updated: June 3, 2019

Originally posted on Vibe 4/19/2019

Eminem is the most prolific and successful rapper of all time. His stats can’t be faded. When it’s all said and done, we’ll be retiring his number in every stadium he’s ever sold out.

With over 100 million records sold worldwide, an Oscar for Best Original Song, 10 No. 1 albums, more than 1 billion streams on Spotify, two top 100, all-time best selling albums, Marshall Bruce Mathers III is the highest selling rapper of all time. His top five status should be firmly cemented.

INTERVIEW: Warren G on His YouTube Original Documentary ‘G-Funk’ & His Influence on Rap: ‘I’m the G-Funk Era’

by Marcel

Updated: December 30, 2018

Leave a Comment

Originally posted on Billboard 7/31/2018

When you think of the pioneers of West Coast rap, there are a handful of names that come to mind: Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, 2Pac, Eazy-E, Snoop Dogg, E-40, Too $hort. Arguably the most deserving name, however, is consistently glossed over. Warren G, as both an artist and producer, is one of the most important names to the culture, and you might not even know why.

The pioneer of the G-funk era not only ushered in a new musical subgenre, but was personally responsible for introducing Snoop Dogg, Kurupt and Daz Dillinger to Dr. Dre, along with being instrumental in helping to shape the sound of Dre’s first solo album, The Chronic.

Billboard was able to sit down with the Regulator to discuss his YouTube Originals documentary G-Funk and his influence on rap.

“Detroit” Actor Will Poulter Embraces Mythology To Portray On-Screen Racist

by Marcel

Updated: January 2, 2019

Leave a Comment

INTERVIEW: “Detroit” Actor Will Poulter Embraces Mythology To Portray On-Screen Racist

by Marcel

Updated: December 30, 2018

Leave a Comment

Originally posted on HipHopDX 8/15/2017

In the supposedly post-racial America, racial tensions continue to be just as high – if not higher – than the days of Jim Crow. For Will Poulter, his role as racist Detroit police officer Krauss in the recently released movie Detroit helped to establish some context as to what is still happening today. DX recently caught up with Poulter in the city of Detroit during the film’s world premiere to discuss his character, the parallels between the events of the movie and today, and what he thinks can be done to help heal.

“Detroit” Actor John Boyega Analyzes Systematic Racism

by Marcel

Updated: January 2, 2019

Leave a Comment

I was able to sit down with John Boyega in Detroit on the heels of the premier of his latest movie “Detroit” about the systematic racism his character had to navigate.

Jason Mitchell & Algee Smith On Importance Of Detroit Riots’ History

by Marcel

Updated: January 2, 2019

Leave a Comment

INTERVIEW: “Detroit” Actor John Boyega Analyzes Systematic Racism

by Marcel

Updated: December 30, 2018

Leave a Comment

Originally posted on HipHopDX 8/4/2017

John Boyega’s latest role in the movie Detroit adds a new layer to his already storied career of just a few years.

Boyega plays Melvin Dismukes, a black security guard mired in the middle of police murder and attempted cover up during the 1967 civilian uprisings in Detroit. Dismukes was a complicated character whose actions after the event led to many of his African-American counterparts at the time labeling him an Uncle Tom. Dismukes would eventually move to the suburbs after receiving countless death threats.  

INTERVIEW: Jason Mitchell & Algee Smith On Importance Of Detroit Riots’ History

by Marcel

Updated: December 30, 2018

Leave a Comment

Originally posted on HipHopDX 8/4/2017

The young careers of Jason Mitchell and Algee Smith have already been promising. Breaking out as Eazy-E in 2015’s Straight Outta Compton and Ralph Tresvant in this year’s New Edition biopic respectively, both Jason and Algee’s trajectory couldn’t be higher.

Kathryn Bigelow’s visceral and harrowing new movie Detroit based on real events brings the two together with the 1967 civil uprising in Detroit as the backdrop. Algee plays Larry Cleveland Reed, lead singer of soul group The Dramatics and Jason depicts 17-year-old Carl Cooper, who was viciously executed by a white Detroit police officer.  

ALBUM REVIEW: Page Kennedy Shows Promise & Rookie Mistakes On “Torn Pages”

by Marcel

Updated: December 15, 2018

Leave a Comment

Originally posted on HipHopDX 3/29/2017
Rating: 3.3/5

Page Kennedy has had an interesting and fruitful career arc over the years. From reoccurring characters in Emmy Award-winning shows like Weeds and Desperate Housewives, roles in movies such as S.W.A.T. and Leprechaun: Back 2 tha Hood to social media success with Vine and YouTube: Page has in nearly every form of media and entertainment. Now it’s time for music. The Detroit native makes his foray into rap with his debut album, Torn Pages. Despite an earnest effort, there isn’t a consistent theme throughout the album which ultimately reveals itself to be a collection of random tracks.

The LP opens with “Reintroduction” as Page takes this time to introduce the listener to him as a rapper. Over a militant production, Page uses the intro as his origin story with rapid-fire precision (“That’s right I’m a shitty rapper because I don’t talk about poppin’, turnin’ up, or fuckin’ models,” he quips).