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Man found dead at Eminem's former studioMan
slain in studio linked to Eminem
He had recently put it on eBay to auction
January 5, 2005
BY FRANK WITSIL and ZLATI MEYER
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITERS
Just a few weeks ago, Amjed A. Abdallah garnered national media
attention for putting his Ferndale music studio up for sale
on eBay, advertising it as a place where Eminem once recorded.
On Tuesday, he was found dead in that studio, lying in blood
and shot twice. Well-known on the local music scene for his
percussion work with the popular bar band the Howling Diablos,
Abdallah was found at about 11:30 a.m. by a customer of the
studio at 430 W. Eight Mile, said Ferndale Police Lt. Norm Raymond.
Based on the condition of the body, Raymond said Abdallah could
have been dead for as long as two days, and might have been
shot on Sunday. Abdallah, 36, -- known to friends as A.J. --
worked at the studio and lived above it in an apartment, Raymond
said.
So far, police said, the most likely motive is robbery because
recording equipment appears to be missing.
Abdallah's last known conversation was on the telephone with
a friend on Sunday, Raymond said. Police said three shots were
fired in the studio from a .357-caliber handgun.
Abdallah was well-known in local entertainment circles.
"He was a great musician, a great entertainer," said
Tino Gross, the front man for the Howling Diablos. "He
was a very colorful character whom people loved, a fun-loving
guy, very soulful."
Abdallah came to the United States from his native Jordan about
15 years ago, first settling in Cincinnati, where he got married
-- and divorced -- and had a son, Gross said. After about five
years, Abdallah moved to Detroit, where he became part of the
music scene.
He played percussion and sang backup for the Howling Diablos
after jamming with them at the Bear's Den in Berkley, where
the band was a Sunday night fixture.
"He came in one night with a conga and started jamming
with us," Gross said. "He added this beat, a mystical
rhythmic groove, which we immediately recognized. He's one of
us, regardless of where he comes from. It was great chemistry."
Using what he learned in engineering school in Jordan -- where
his brother had a successful recording career -- Abdallah got
involved in studio work and produced Middle Eastern music, Gross
said. He also married a woman he met at the famed Berkley venue
and then divorced a second time.
Faster-paced New York appealed to him and he briefly relocated
to Brooklyn, where he owned and operated a studio. He returned
to Motown three years ago, Gross said.
"The Detroit music was really happening and he wanted to
be a part of that and he bought the studio he was killed in,"
Gross said. "Music was his main love. He liked technical
things, which is real common with people who open studios. When
we were on tour, he'd have his head buried in a text manual."
The 1,500-square-foot studio, advertised as "Eminem Recording
Studio" on eBay, was put up for sale in the online auction
Dec. 15. It was built in 1950, according to the Internet auction
Web site. There was one offer for $215,000 on it and bidding
was set to close on Jan. 14.
There also is sign on the front of the studio with a real estate
agent's number, and a small yellow placard above the door that
reads: "Recording Studio, Eminem's First Album."
Still, despite claims that tied the studio to the metro Detroit
rapper, it was not where he recorded his major label breakthrough,
"The Slim Shady LP," most of which was recorded in
Los Angeles.
Fawazi Yousif, who owns an auto repair shop down the road from
the studio, said he had repaired Abdallah's white Volvo just
before Christmas, and was shocked to hear that he had been killed.
"I came to work today and someone said there had been a
shooting," said Yousif, 50, of Madison Heights.
The Howling Diablos will dedicate their next concert -- Jan.
23 at the Attic in Hamtramck -- to Abdallah.
Ferndale Police are asking anyone who might have information
about the shooting to call them at 248-541-3650 anytime.
Contact FRANK WITSIL at 248-351-3690 or witsil@freepress.com.
Source: Detroit Free Press
Isabelle Esling
2/01/05
Eminem's "rap rival" Lickety Split
to release his first LP
313, Fuck Free World; 313, Fuck Free World, B Rabbit! »
Most of you probably remember the hot atmosphere
of the three 8 Mile battles…replace yourself in the 8 Mile
movie context and picture Lickety Split trying to battle B Rabbit,
spitting his racial slur against him.
The funny thing is that Strike aka Lickety Split will release
his first CD in collaboration with his 8 Mile rival, Eminem
and with some other Detroit well known artists like D12, Obie
Trice, Royce da 5.9, Miz Korona…
Strike is a member of Detroit group «
Mountain Climbaz ». You will learn more about «
Mountain Climbaz » on their official website:
http://www.mountainclimbaz.com/
Many people might be curious why Eminem chose
Strike as his rival in the 8 Mile movie. Take the answer directly
from Strike’s mouth:
« I think Eminem picked me to be his rival
in the 8 mile movie because at that time before 8 mile, it was
a lot of groups in Detroit making noise but a lot wasn’t
making noise like us you know what I’m saying and how we
stayed on top of everything doing shows and you know the competition
of shows between us and D12 it was like after so long they wouldn’t
even put my group on a show you know what I mean. Because it
was like when we stepped on stage it was hard for somebody else
to come on behind us. » (Strike)
The 8 Mile battles are the more intense part
of the movie.
By hiring rap rivals like « Lickety Split, Eminem’s
strategy is clear: it is all about Detroit artist’s promotion.
The Detroit underground scene is full of talented artists.
Check out Mountain Climbaz, their music is worth it and give
« The Freeworld Lp » a chance. You won’t regret
it.
01/05/05
Shady Year 2005 might be full of surprises!
Eminem might surprise his fans and come up with
a different and brand new Cd at the end of 2005.
I don’t know how reliable the info I discovered
on the « Stimulate Ldt forum » is, but it has been
rumored that Marshall would come up with a brand new Cd entitled
« The Funeral LP ».
In the « Funeral Lp », Eminem will
use his well known three persona and « put them to rest
», because he wants to work on a new style for his music.
One thing is sure: Encore has definitely given
an end to the Slim Shady persona.
According to the same rumors, Eminem’s
new album will feature tracks from all of his personas. It is
supposed to include 4 tracks: "The Funeral - featuring
Bizarre", "The Funeral - featuring Dr. Dre",
"The Funeral - featuring Obie Trice" and a brand new
Dre produced track "Where I'm Standing (In the Game)".
Eminem will then open the door for a brand new
style:
« I feel I've reached the point of my
career where I need a new 'fuel' to create tracks. "So
I'm putting all my old shit of the first half of my career on
this album and getting ready for a fresh start on my next half.
» (Eminem)
Marshall is determined to « kill »
his three personas:
"I'm not really on any of the tracks named
'The Funeral'. Those tracks just signify the death of each persona."
Symbolically, this album will be like «
death » and « resurrection ».
It will be divided in three parts separated
by a « Funeral » track. Bizarre will rap about Slim
Shady, Dr Dre about Marshall Mathers while Obie Trice will be
busy rapping about Eminem.
The last track of the album will let appear
a reborn Eminem, symbol of his new musical style.
Sounds mad interesting. The only trouble: I
have no confirmation of this rumor, but I promise to keep you
updated and to post a link as soon as I get some more info about
« The Funeral LP ».
I eventually found a link to this precious info:
http://shadycenter.com/index.php
Source: shadycenter.com
01/05/05
Happy New Year everybody!
26/12/04
Another tribute from Eminem to rap legend Tupac,
"Loyal To The Game", came out recently.
Here is an interesting review of the album I
would like to share with you:
"Not many artists can pull off the thug
poet persona. But the late, great Tupac Shakur was perhaps the
best at it, if not its creator. On his seventh posthumous release,
Loyal To The Game (Amaru/Interscope), the legendary lyricist
ignites the same fire that incited his living works. The self
professed "West Coast 'til I Die" emcee breathes additional
life into his latest opus—another notch added to an already
stellar discography. If not for Eminem's signature, generic
beats—handclaps and thumping bass—ruining the experience,
another masterpiece would be born.
As executive producer, along with Pac's ma Afeni
Shakur, Em works with Pac's vast catalogue of studio material,
and the outcome is impressive at the least. But Em's monotonous
production often curtails Pac's rebellious lyricism, as on the
opening track, "Soldier Like Me," which stays regrettably
faithful to Em's bass-heavy production. The same goes for "Out
on Bail" and the overly-sluggish "N.I.G.G.A."
(Never Ignorant About Getting Goals Accomplished), featuring
Jadakiss. On "Black Cotton," with its alluring piano
and guitar instrumentals, Pac depicts the struggles of being
black in the '90s, as Em sings an addictive hook: "Nobody
don't care/Seems like my dreams/Drowned in by screams/No answer
to my questions." Kastro and Noble of the Outlawz supply
their own nifty verses.
The Elton John-sampled "Ghetto Gospel,"
an extremely poignant blend of Pac's lyrics with haunting gospel
vocals, sounds like it was recorded in Pac's earlier "I
Get Around" stages; his voice is higher pitched. Nevertheless,
Pac tells an enthralling story of the streets while repudiating
his role model status when he says, "Never forget/that
God isn't finished with me yet/I feel his hand on my brain/When
I write rhymes, I go blind and let the Lord do his, thing."
Pac talks of his tribulations and trust issues
with women on "Don't You Trust Me," which like its
sister song "Stan" (by Em), features Dido's airy vocals.
In "Thugs Get Lonely Too," Pac expresses his love—and
lust—for females and gangster crooner Nate Dogg imparts
yet another one of his melodic refrains. But once again, Em's
excessive bass (think "In Da Club") is all too familiar
by now. Thankfully, the Scott Storch-produced remix, "Po
Nigga Blues," featuring R&B legend Ron Isley, is soulful
as Pac's insightful verses on living in the slums fuse seamlessly
with the beat: "I'm a fool for my nigga and my pockets
stay empty/To my brothers in the barrio/You're livin' worse
than the niggas in the ghetto, so/I give a fuck about the language
of complexion/You got love from the niggas in my section."
In the captivating chorus, Pac discourses with himself, "Why'd
you slang crack? / 'Cause I had to…A nigga gotta pay the
fuckin' rent."
Raphael Saadiq, Red Spyda and DJ Quik lend quality
production assistance on bonus tracks/remixes, but a more diverse
team would have alleviated Em's homogeny. Despite a few shotty
songs, Pac holds it down with his inflected flow—if one
can get past the sub-par beats to simply observe Pac's poetic
genius and acute storytelling. Em ultimately fails in his attempt
to inject his own vision into Pac's unruly, complex personality.
But what producer has been able to fully resuscitate Pac's vivacity
since his untimely death? Loyal To The Game, if anything, remains
devoted to Pac's mastery for detailing the gritty accounts of
'hood reality, the warrior mentality and a raw truth that is
utterly unmatched. "
Source:allhiphop.com
Isabelle Esling
25/12/04
Shady Christmas to all of you.
Hailie Jade is celebrating her 9 th birthday
today. Happy birthday to Eminem's little girl:)
Isabelle Esling
18/12/04
Battle emcee Eminem had also to battle racial
prejudice to get the recognition he deserved.
Some people don’t seem to see it, but Eminem
had it really hard as a white emcee in the world of rap that
is lead by a majority of black men.
Eminem couldn’t be just average as a rapper. He had to
challenge himself all the time and to be brilliant. That was
the only way to get noticed in a major black audience.
It was far from easy for Marshall Mathers to
get some recognition as a white rapper.
I admit that I wasn’t convinced in the beginning when my
eldest son came home and talked to me for the first time about
« some white guy named Eminem » who was supposed
to rap. I was also like ‘White guys can’t rap’.
But I am grateful to my son for insisting so much for me to
listen to Eminem: when I started listening to him, there was
no doubt left in my mind that this man was gifted for rap. Much
more than that: a rap genius.
Eminem encountered a lot of racial prejudice
in his past and there are still some racists on his way:
"There's always going to be critics and
racists. That's the type of person I am and the type of people
I represent. I don't get into this whole white, black, Latino
thing. It doesn't fucking matter." (Eminem)
I guess Eminem will always have some enemies
on his way.
But Eminem has fully proven his talent. People shouldn’t
care about his skin color, but about his talent.
Whatever you may say against him, you cannot deny Eminem’s
talent.
The way he raps, his high level of skills, his widespread imagination
and his sense of humor are several of the many components that
make Marshall Mathers unique in the world of rap:
"That's why, when I started out, I wanted to bang all the
motherfuckers in the head, because I wasn't going to listen
to no bullshit about color. I mean, regardless of whatever you
want to say about me, the one thing that you can't say is that
I can't rap. You can't say that I ain't got the talent, the
skills or that I suck. That's not an ego trip, that's the truth."
(Eminem)
Marshall, you are so right about it. You are
one of the most positive contributions to recent hip hop history.
Isabelle Esling
16/12/04
The D12 are mad at the Australian authorities
The D12 emcees are mad at the Australian authorities and it
is understandable.
The Australian government seems to be composed of a bunch of
narrow minded, old fashioned and conservative people.
Can you imagine that the five emcees were stopped and lectured
by immigration officials before starting their show?
The Australian officials have taught the D12 rappers about the
Australian « do’s » and « don’ts
», because they were worried D12 could be a bad influence
for the Australian youth.
Those measures were not really appreciated by
D12 nor by their tour manager who expressed on the subject:
"They gave them a lesson on what not to
do in Australia. It was utterly ridiculous.
"We are back to the dark ages."The D12 members have
complained to the authorities.
A Department of immigration spokeswoman stated:
« If anyone believes they have been unduly
lectured, then we take those allegations seriously and will
investigate. »
Why do people always have to see something bad
in D12’s music and in their shows? Moreover why do the
Australian authorities expect from people from the 313 to behave
like Australians?
This story is, more than ever, an urgent call
to keep fighting for freedom of speech and the liberty of artistic
expression.
Isabelle Esling
14/12/04
Eminem's former studio selling on ebay
FERNDALE, Mich. The suburban Detroit studio
where Eminem laid down his hit "My Name Is" for "The
Slim Shady L-P" is going on sale on e-Bay:
http://www.woodtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=2689127
The C-D came out in 1999. It has sold about
five (m) million copies.
Studio Eight in Ferndale was used by Eminem
in 1997. The real estate company listing the property says the
recording studio is intact but the equipment isn't part of the
sale.
The building will be auctioned for 30 days.
The minimum bid is 215-thousand dollars.
Source: woodtv.com
Isabelle Esling
EMINEM: 'I'M NOTHING WITHOUT DR DRE'
Hip-hop star EMINEM has paid tribute to his
mentor DR DRE for "saving my life", insisting he would
be nothing without the rap mogul.
Dre has produced many of Eminem's albums and
singles and the two stars remain close friends as well as work
colleagues.
Eminem says, "Dre saved my life. When we
first got together we just clicked. We have a chemistry, where
every beat he makes damn near inspires me to rap over it.
"When I met Dre, he showed me how to realise
my vision, how to take my music where I wanted to take it. That's
what rap should be about - it should be about challenging yourself.
"I don't care how fresh a beat is or how
good it is, if an MC isn't saying good shit over it, then I'm
not going to listen to it, even if it's the greatest beat ever
made. Also, an MC could be rapping his ass off, but if the beat
ain't fresh, I'm not gonna listen. It's got to be about the
whole package and that's what Dre and I've got."
Source: contactmusic.com
Isabelle Esling
13/12/04
Megan Williams seems to despise Eminem and his
fans. Here is her article:
Eminem Fans Are A Bunch Of Crackheads
By Megan Williams
Dec. 13, 2004
This website has turned into a warzone with
everyone complaining about being "offended" by someone
else's articles. "Well, I'm an atheist, and I think that
under god should be taken out, blah blah blah" Do me a
favor, shut the hell up. Okay? I'm glad atheists are so shallow
that they complain about someone else's lyrics or words that
they wrote down years ago. Why is everyone so bent out of shape
about BS like this? Maybe these atheists should go out and find
a job, work for a living, go out on a date, you wonder why these
people don't believe in God, because they don't really believe
in themselves.
What is with some of these columnists that can’t
seem to stop complaining about certain things in their life?
Eric Schomburg just can’t stop writing columns about how
his preacher refused to read his book. Get over it, Eric! Who
cares? It’s almost like Eminem rapping about his mother,
okay Eminem, we get it, you hate your mother, move on. Eric
even repeats himself in two of his articles. Talking about the
different sins. Okay, Eric, we got it, stop beating the dead
horse already.
I’m also getting sick and tired of receiving
emails by idiotic people who have nothing relevant to say. I
received one logical email regarding my column with Eminem.
I would always get emails with people saying, “you’re
a b— h!” “you’re a moron!” That would
be it. Nothing logical, nothing relevant to prove my point wrong.
I am going to say this, just so these people can get it through
their heads. Eminem is an untalented piece of garbage that doesn’t
deserve the recognition, nor the revenue he’s getting from
his so-called music. Stick that in your pipes and smoke it,
because as we all know Eminem fans are a bunch of crackheads
anyway.
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About the author Megan Williams: I'm from Memphis,
Tennessee, and I am a school teacher who teaches history.
Email: redheadmegan@yahoo.com
Source: useless knowledge.com
And here is my response towards her unintelligent article:
In response to Megan Williams's article
Not everybody in this world likes Eminem. That’s
ok to me. You don’t have to. You don’t have to listen
to his music either if you don’t want to. I am very liberal
with anybody’s musical tastes.
But I simply hate it when some bored columnists
compose some whack articles stereotyping Eminem and his fans
just to write something for their newspaper.
I recently crossed through Megan Williams unintelligent article
and I admit being more than shocked by the way she dares talking
about Eminem fans in particular:
http://www.useless-knowledge.com/1234/dec/article197.html
You’re an atheist? Good for you. Who cares
anyway? We all have the freedom of our beliefs.
You’re sick of Eminem talking about his
mom? Why don’t you just listen to him, then?
You despise his music? Good for you. No one in this world tied
you up and forced you to listen to it.
Mrs Williams, the way you talk about us Eminem
fans is just despicable. So we are 9 million of idiotic people
who have nothing relevant to say?
Today I am addressing to you. I am one of those numerous Eminem
fans you dare insulting, calling us « crackheads »
and « idiots ».
You are calling us names and you certainly expect us to call
you names in return-in order to prove your point.
I am perfectly qualified to talk about Eminem and -guess what-
maybe much more than you. I am a graduate with a masters degree,
an Eminem biographer and a freelance music journalist who gets
deep into Eminem related subjects. I happen to enjoy his music
very much and I have studied his lyrics in depth from Infinite
to Encore.
You judge Eminem as a « piece of garbage with no talent
». Can you anwer my question, Mrs Williams: can you combine
syllables the way Eminem does? Can you rap like him?
No? Then it’s your turn to shut the hell up…
Do you realize that you are calling 9 million people in this
world « crack heads » and « idiots »,
just because they enjoy Marshall Mathers’ music? Isn't
that more than a stereotype?
You’re calling us idiots, but, frankly
I doubt your intelligence. Also, sorry to disappoint you, because
I have something relevant to say.
I won’t waste my time calling you names.
I havebetter things to do. Like opposing some criticism to the
article of an obviously bored journalist who has nothing consistent
to say.
Isabelle Esling
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