Entertainment
Lil ½ Dead’s 1994 album “The Dead Has Arisen” is one of the most well-produced West Coast albums that almost no one has heard
I actually have a friend who, while in college, would buy any CD (remember that?) by any artist he had even heard a little bit about. Said artist’s talent was less necessary than supporting various homies and fans of superstar rappers and singers. As a collective, all my friends joked that he was the only one that actually bought Young Turk’s debut album (Hot Boy that Lil Wayne, Juvenile or BG – no shade), Young & Thuggin’ – the album title I had to envision out. (Which is saying something, considering the 1999-2000 debut albums by Cash Money Records artists were a banger.)
Either way, while I often added fun or two to the joke session, I could only be so amused; in highschool, I used to be that friend who bought all the artists’ albums that no one else was buying. I could not help myself; I had such a voracious appetite for music that I had to listen to every thing, even when I had no idea who the artist was, but possibly indirectly they jogged my memory of an artist I would know – especially if he was from the West Coast. I used to be a fanatic about West Coast artists and NWA. While the listening experience for these albums is very different at this point in my life, albums like “The Chronic” by Dr. Dre, Ice Cube’s “Death Certificate”, DJ Quik’s “Safe +Sound”, etc. were my absolute favorites to hearken to Do. Each of these albums still holds spots on my list of favorite albums of all time.
Each of these albums often featured artists or groups who made songs that were cool enough for a verse, but whose subsequent albums weren’t excellent. I do know this because like I said, I purchased ALL of their records, especially the ones related to DJ Quik. Well, it’s getting worse; I used to be so immersed in the sound and music of that era that even the mention of it by one of these artists made me buy the album.
This is how I discovered myself in a small group of individuals who bought the debut album by Lil ½ Dead, rapper and comrade of Snoop Dogg and Dogg Pound from Long Beach, California. I used to be minding my very own little business in October 1994, either at Sam Goody or one of Huntsville’s other now-defunct record stores, Madison Square Mall in Alabama, after I got here across “The Dead Has Arisen.” I learned Lil ½ Dead’s name from a Snoop Dogg verse “The Boy from the Little Ghetto” from the album Dr. Dre “The Chronic”. I suppose I didn’t know if it was the same one, but what number of rappers will be called Lil ½ Dead, right?
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I had the lowest expectations for the album. First, I only knew his name; I didn’t actually hear his voice, much less a verse from him. I didn’t know what I used to be getting, but I assumed it will be the same West Coast G-funk sound that was in vogue at the time.
What I heard knocked me off my feet.
While Lil ½ Dead is funny, even funny as a rapper, the lyrics throughout the album are full of house parties, gang shootings, rampant violence and misogyny; mainly every thing most west coast Los Angeles albums were stuffed with at the time. While this is not a great thing, it was normal in that era. Lil ½ Dead is neither great nor terrible as a rapper, but a serviceable voice and guide to an otherwise true gem of an album.
The production on this album is amazing. Controlled entirely by Tracy Kenrick AND Courtney Branch — two producers I learned produced songs from a litany of my favorite 90s West Coast albums — the entire album is full of smooth, soulful productions that I’ve never heard before. There is not a single beat on the entire album that might be considered even average; The fact that Snoop (or anyone from that era) didn’t hear this album and ask to play on every beat is surprising to me. I’ve been working on this album for 30 years and I’m still amazed at how well it is produced.
If Dr. Dre worked with Tracy and Courtney to combine this album and run it through the Death Row publicity machine, I actually have no doubt that “The Dead Has Arisen” could be as successful as any Tha Dogg Pound or Warren G album, all you Lil ½ Dead homies . In fact, one of the biggest questions I’ve asked myself over the years is why none of these collaborators were featured on this album. Perhaps it was produced and finished on the side and everybody was delighted after the fact.
For example, one of my favorite hip-hop beats ever (and I’m not exaggerating) is on this album: “East, West”. This beat is literally perfect. If Dr. Dre used this beat on “The Chronic”, I’m sure we might speak about this song in the same breath as “Dre Day” and “Nuthin’ But a G Thang”. From the single “12 Pacofdoja” to the Roy Ayers sampling of “That’s What You Get,” each beat hits the spot perfectly, perfect for driving around in a low-rider or minivan.
I still hearken to this album purely for the production quality. It’s reminiscent of the same conversations New York hip-hop artists are having about Group Home’s “Livin’ Proof,” where the conversation often centers on what might have been if higher rappers had these beats. The beats on The Dead Has Arisen are so good that I can not help but wonder what this album might have been in the lyrical hands of Death Row’s more popular talent.
But what is life without a little bit wonder? What I do know is that Lil ½ Dead, a rapper that the overwhelming majority of people either do not know or have already forgotten, still has one of the best-produced albums of all time, even 30 years later and 1000’s of years later. and 1000’s of albums were created. That’s a feat in itself; I still return and hearken to “The Dead Has Arisen” since it sounded SO good in 1994 and 30 years later it hasn’t lost any of its musical luster.
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Robert Flack, a valued singer, songwriter and pianist, died on February 24, 2025, at the age of 88. The legendary singer, whose velvety voice again defined the soul and R&B, stays a everlasting icon of elegance, emotions and artistry. With timeless classics, resembling “Killing Me Softly with His Song” and “The First Time Ever and Wis See Your Face”, the singer died the audience captivated the audience along with her ability to weave delicacy and power in every note. Not only will we take heed to her repetitive music, but we won’t stop eager about its most iconic moments of beauty.
In the 70s Robert seriously swayed Afro – a daring statement of being black and proud – during performances at live shows, including the famous Newport Jazz festival. Two years later, she honored the scene of Ronnie Scott in London along with her hair drawn into the band, combined with dramatic long eyelashes, which defined her characteristic appearance. Always to experiment with hair, she also accepted braids decorated with beads, without effort combining style and cultural pride.
Just a few many years quickly forward, and Robert was still turning her head. While playing in Gillette Civil Rights 2010 between Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals, she stunned the navy blue eye shadow, a dark light highlighter and daring red lipstick. The following yr, she performed at Bideawee Ball from 2011 with full rhythm – eyeliner, mascara, highlighter and its characteristic red lips. And in 2020 she performed unforgettable during the 62th annual Grammy Awards, wearing a beautiful curly crown and the same red lipstick that we met and loved.
In honor of her everlasting legacy, we glance back at some of the most iconic beauty moments of Roberta’s incomparable flack.
Joe Freshgoods selects five years and counts with New Balance because of his latest version 992 “Arged Well”, a tribute to his creative partnership with a characteristic brand of sportswear, which still supports his design talents and a contagious passion.
After Debut On the Joe Freshgoods New Balance 992 website, Chicago Creative is preparing for a wider version of February 28 via newbalance.com and chosen retail sellers. The new edition of the sneakers means the fifth anniversary of Joe of New Balance, milestone after almost stood before closing his now widely beloved and known brand.
The document coming in June 2025 is shared within the history of Joe’s success, from his start as an area Streetwearus brand in his hometown of Chicago to providing New Balance partnership in 2020, when he wasn’t sure find out how to keep his business.
“He examines how the partnership influenced the global culture of sneakers and development transparency”, Joe common In the announcement on Instagram, “which was more important to me than just doing it about tennis games. This is a real life. ”
The trailer of the documentation offers access to Joe’s journey, presenting his modest approach to success and its influence on the Boston brand of sportswear founded in 1906. Since joining New Balance, Joe Robinson (higher referred to as Joe Freshgoods), a champion with a young history.
Five years later, with 20 Sneakers Publishing House and counting the most recent cooperation of New Balance Joe Freshgoods is a love letter for his creative journey with the Boston brand.
“Sometimes I feel that I shouldn’t be here. But I am here and say, “Oh, I’m good at what I do,” he says within the film.
Project 992 “Agnish well” attracts the inspiration from the primary cooperation of Joe Freshgoods from New Balance – the edition of New Balance 992 “No Emotions”, also referred to as “heart anatomy”. It was a right away hit and celebrated in the course of the NBA All-Star weekend, and now charges resale prices around $ 3,000.
While the explanations for the New Balance revival may vary, many consider the primary release of Joe 992 to be a catalyst that enlivened the brand. Sneakers have pink and red suede silhouettes placed on an olive mesh base and accented saddle skin on the tongue and rear card.
Four sets of lace are attached, and the box is decorated with unique details reflecting the theme “aging well”. In addition, Joe Freshgoods designed the “Championship Dreams” leather university jacket to commemorate his five -year success as a designer.
“I wanted this jacket to capture the essence of the last five years – each project was a milestone, another closed chapter, another dream,” Joe signature Post on Instagram. “Over time, I had the honor to tell culturally important stories, and this jacket reflects this travel project according to the design.”
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This is a cloudy day in Los Angeles, but the shining stars of the city brought light to the annual black Essence women in the Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza. At the 18th 12 months, the show we celebrated extremely talented and galvanizing distinctions, akin to Cynthia Erivo, Tyana Taylor, Raamla Mohamed and Marla Gibbs.
Before the event, Black Beauty took a red carpet. The Essence cover star, Tyra Banks, got here in a neutral rhythm – with voluminous hair matching her makeup. Meanwhile, each of the Cynthia Erivo nails found a press release – drawing black and white stripes with decorative greens. And, Teyana Taylor, in the most perfect shadows to eye shadows and lips, she had black, half -burned pixie cutting.
Then Laverne Cox arrived with chopped and cropped bob-made by Jodie Turner-Smith-with a round blush to animate her cheeks. Speaking of hair, Taraji P. Henson immersed his ends in the bleach, which consumed shine on nails, mouth and eyes. To close the carpet, the butt appeared in a brief, curled cut and a thick black French tip.
Below is the best beauty of Essence black women in Hollywood Awards.
Tyra Banks
Cynthia Erivo
Teyana Taylor
Laverne Cox
Jodie Turner-Smith
Taraji P. Henson
Silence
Nzyda Nash-Betts
Fish
Crystal Stewart
Danielle Brooks
Karrueche Tran
Zoë Kravitz
Meagan Good
Tia speech
Tasha Smith
Yvette Nicole Brown
Jackie all the time
Dominique Fishback
Kandi Burruses
Muni long
Storm Reid
Ryan Destiny
Danielle Pinnock
Arnold in China
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