There are a few lyricists in hip hop that I know I have to be completely focused when listening to their rhymes. Otherwise I will miss the beauty in their words and they will fly right over my head. My mother was a high school English teacher for over 30 years and when she thinks of rap music she likely thinks of gangster rap. That’s why I had to hide my love of rap from them for so many years. If my mom knew that rap music to me was filled with educated poets dropping double entendres left and right I think it would make her happy.
Speaking of lyricists…. Elzhi is a rapper from Detroit who I consider to be one of the best lyricists of all time. Elzhi recorded a few songs over some J Dilla beats back in the day which eventually caught Dilla’s attention. Jay Dee put him on his Welcome to Detroit album which helped give Elzhi some serious buzz as Dilla was one of the best producers in the rap game and respected by everybody. Time passed after the Welcome to Detroit album and Dilla wasn’t doing well. He was battling lupus and was having a hard time filling his obligations in his group Slum Village. Dilla eventually asked Elzhi to take his place in the group before Jay Dee sadly passed away in February of 2006. After recording with Slum Village for a short while, Elzhi took out on his own as a solo emcee.
In support of his 2015 album Lead Poison, Elzhi dropped a track called “P.S.” which didn’t end up making the album. This song remains one of the best songs you probably never heard of. The lyrics in the song speak to me in a way that not many do. Elzhi has had some problems in his life and he wears it all on his sleeve for listeners to see and hear. I’m so grateful that Elzhi made this song. It’s a beautiful track that never got the recognition it deserved but it left a lasting impression in my life. Thank you Elzhi.
P.S. Elzhi… If for some strange reason you are reading this, can you please record a whole album with Karreim Riggins? That “Two 16’s” joint you guys have is a timeless classic… The fans need more of that.