ThaWilsonBlock Magazine

When it comes to those who reach for the spotlight through their music it’s common to picture someone who’s willing to do almost anything to get their moment. So it’s refreshing to come across someone who puts out music and shares their passions through countless other avenues while at the same time never going out of their way to draw attention to themselves. With that being said, this review is on the ep release “Perspective” by Realife.  If you’ve followed any of my writing for Tha Wilson Block, you’ll recall that the first article I ever published on it was on Gerald Realife Beamon, it’s honestly because of him that I was even given the opportunity to work on this platform to begin with so when it comes to showing appreciation, I always pay homage to those who opened the door for me. Over the last couple years I had attended many live performances in which Realife was the closing act, rarely changing his playlist he was determined to allow his songs to have a bigger impact by t...

When it comes to Detroit hip-hop its assumed that the first names that come to mind would be Eminem, Royce Da 5’9, and maybe Big Sean, but while all 3 are exceptional in their own ways an artist who is consistently overlooked would have to be Elzhi. Starting his career near the mid 90’s El has managed to put out a variety of records that always catch a critics ear but never seem to find a niche amongst the public. While his bars are out of this world and his delivery as an mc is on point, I personally believe it’s his similarities to Nas, in both sound and appearance, that may limit him from a larger appeal.  He first came to the public’s attention around 2011 when he released the mixtape Elmatic, a play on Nas’ masterwork Illmatic. With some apprehension that’s when I really gave him a chance as he spit crisp bars over a live studio band who recreated and updated Nas’ sound which was the genius risk by producer Will Sessions. After laying low for some time and dropping a decent ye...

I'm restless An essence exuding a message  Effective if I can always control the perception  It's like I'm walking forced to identify the scheming  every minute debating between angels and demons One says to leave it The other pushes me into deceiving At the base, you survive if you know what it is you believe in Stay silent and pick up gems when their speaking Stress is at a fever pitch Money equates survival so you cant give an inch Life’s a marathon but in the track the hurdles exist How does one separate from always being on defense? That's the question of the whole game Who’s blessed to ascend as everything we know falls further into the abyss?

It has been said, thanks due to the Internet, that Nas’ B reels could always compete with most rappers best efforts and without further ado, the Lost Tapes 2 is really goes to test that statement. Recorded throughout the last 12 years it really gives you a deeper perspective into the mind of one of the top tiered poets to currently exist, a statement that is partially backed up by Nas’ interview with a professor of literary studies from Harvard 2 years ago. This record always opens up the floor to questions like: “How did this not make…(insert album name here)?”   The opening track “No Bad Energy” which was probably recorded around the “Life Is Good” album gives every fan the thesis of this journey and with every subsequent track, its attempt at holding to it. This album highlighted why Nas is held in such high regard by both fans as well as peers, these tracks allowed his to unfold an audio novel backed by song. “Jarreau of Rap” was one of the most creative and unexpected turn in ...

It has been said, thanks due to the Internet, that Nas’ B reels could always compete with most rappers best efforts and without further ado, the Lost Tapes 2 is really goes to test that statement. Recorded throughout the last 12 years it really gives you a deeper perspective into the mind of one of the top tiered poets to currently exist, a statement that is partially backed up by Nas’ interview with a professor of literary studies from Harvard 2 years ago. This record always opens up the floor to questions like: “How did this not make…(insert album name here)?”  The opening track “No Bad Energy” which was probably recorded around the “Life Is Good” album gives every fan the thesis of this journey and with every subsequent track, its attempt at holding to it. This album highlighted why Nas is held in such high regard by both fans as well as peers, these tracks allowed his to unfold an audio novel backed by song. “Jarreau of Rap” was one of the most creative and unexpected turn in q...

Photo Courtesy of The LA Times It’s the first week of August and we as a country have already experienced the trauma of 2 separate mass shootings within 13 hours of each other. The first, a Walmart inside a mall in El Paso, Texas and the other, a popular nightlife spot in Dayton Ohio. Images of both are being flashed across the screens as everybody falls into an all too familiar routine consisting of well wishes followed by arguments over the so called causes then a form of apathy and finally acceptance as we all quietly concede that we are all too disillusioned to discuss any of this rationally. I’m not writing this to assign blame to any one circumstance, but rather, to dive deeper into the psychology of a broken and shattered society that appears to perpetually be stunted by a sense of shock that none of us can seem to shake. How is it after seeing images of a 21 year old entering a store armed with a semi automatic weapon, mow down an entire crowd, killing 20 and injuring many more...

Stream on Spotify Rich Lindo and brother ‘Heny’ Lindo among other talented artists make up the Hip-Hop Collective Black Lion, which is recognized for their multi-genre fusion of ‘golden era’ of Hip-Hop, Soul, Trap, and Reggae. Through their music, Black Lion delivers conscious lyricism deeply rooted in awareness of societal issues, worldly events, and even historical themes.  ‘Survive’, the leading single off ‘Black Lion: The Summer Jam’ EP, is no exception to their incomparable mastery. Rich Lindo of Black Lion links with Ray Robinson and Testament to magnify their pivotal message. The collective touches upon the universal and problematic themes of struggle, survival, and the know how to overcome it all. The record takes listeners back to the essence and offers hope through resolution of self-worth, power, and agility to weather the most turbulent storms, “I’m overcoming more vices ready for the crisis.” The hook awakens the soul while classic boom bap mixed with modern elements g...

Download This Song Hip Hop moguls John Jigg$, M.O.U.F, and Rockwelz of Mxnxpxly Family link up for new summer heat with a distinct message. Over introspective, tight lyrics the trio tells rappers to take a seat and ‘hush’ while they continue to reign throughout the boroughs of NY and worldwide. M.O.U.F, the voice of the gutter, sets the scene with polished metaphors, “swagger clean teeth it’s beautiful how I floss.” Jigg$ ignites the climax, “sharp as a fan blade back on a rampage, and once you get cut you need more than a Band-Aid.” Rockwelz concludes with the mic drop, “so loco with the vocals, Verizon with the bars, known to keep a n*gga mobile.” 5ickness arranges soulful undertones mixed with horns and amplified bass to heighten the trio’s message while the video depict a humble, yet unstoppable collective.

Read More by Jhantu Randall We got kids in cages, people in deplorable conditions Arguing over justification because no one can explain the mission You cant exploit geo politics by choking regimes into submission then scream about those who run from the same regimes you claim to be vicious Then again everything is ass backwards Rage for an unjust system while framing those who fight it as cowards The dream has morphed into aspiring to be a cog in the machine To escape this we argue everything shown across a screen Corrupt in all industries some has been exposed so they just re-brand the packaging Living in the age of decadence Pushed further by pride in ignorance Reality is reality TV We're guilty of willingly participating At war with privatization, deregulation and austerity Turning on other humans like we're reliving past battles fighting it vicariously Charged for fleeting resources that will soon be gone Existing in a time where the worlds fighting to keep the facade