Flipping through the FM dial these days, it’s difficult to recall a time when integrity was pervasive in hip-hop, when lyricism and “commercial viability” were neither conflicting nor mutually exclusive. In 2004, with crunk music aspiring to airwave dominance, a movement was brewing in Detroit amongst a collective of disenfranchised, yet impassioned emcees. Ardent followers of early original hip-hop such as the Wu-Tang Clan, Rakim, Nas, Ice Cube & even the inimitable Kool G. Rap, The Wisemen was born equally from necessity as well as to an underlying purpose: a revival of the enlightened aesthetic of the so-called “golden era” of hip-hop. Spearheaded by Bronze Nazareth, a Detroit producer/emcee with deep ties to the RZA of the seminal Wu-Tang Clan, the group is rounded out by Detroit stalwarts Kevlaar 7, Phillie and Salute (the Kid).
The name 'Wisemen' refers to the individual member’s commitment to prudence in the face of adversity, an ideology spawned from each emcee's proven perseverance in the face of hardships. Like most inner city youth, for years the members of the Wisemen subsisted by any means necessary.
Originally planned as a 7 man collective entitled 'The 7 Wisemen' led Bronze and to search for worthy constituents. Discovering Phillie in the streets of Southwest Detroit while circulating his business card to prospective clients/members, Bronze elaborates: 'We met on the numbers streets, and Phillie told me he rhymed, so I played him some beats and we went back and forth freestyling, and we just seemed to connect on the same mental plane. Growing up on the infamous 'numbers' streets, a rough set of blocks in Southwest Detroit, Phillie learned to use his intellect and innate street savvy to contend with the daily hazards of street life. Before becoming Wisemen, Phillie drifted in and out of several groups and label scenarios, unable to identify people, or entities, worthy of his raw talent until he met Bronze.
Meanwhile, on the east side of Detroit, a chance meeting led Bronze to Salute (the Kid). Salute and Bronze also experienced an instant connection: "We felt the same way about things and since that day, we always looked out for each other" says Salute. Growing up in the Diggs projects, Salute embraced a string of self-described wild years, garnering street experience and eventually finding himself experiencing the tragic loss of his mother.
Bronze initiated Salute's introduction to Kevlaar and Phillie and from this tight-knit unit would evolve the core of The Wisemen. Recognizing that the four captured a unique dynamic, the prospect of a 7 member group was abandoned and in 2004 the Wisemen started to plan their underground ascent.
In 2005, Bronze Nazareth's beats and rhymes were highlighted on the underground smash Think Differently Music: Wu-Tang Meets The Indie Culture. 2006 saw the release of Bronze's solo debut, The Great Migration, to both critical and commercial fanfare. 2007 saw the release of The Wisemen's first full length effort 'Wisemen Approaching'. Released on NY indie labels Kings Row Music Group/Babygrande Records (home to GZA, Hi-Tek, Jedi Mind Tricks, Immortal Technique, etc.), the album was heavily critically acclaimed. The cerebrally menacing Wisemen unleashed their debut aural assault, drawing generously from a blueprint of pensive soundscapes, mesmerizing beats, bleeding, emotive piano riffs and sprinklings of soul.
"Wisemen approaching" featured a slew of guest appearances including GZA/Genius of the Wu-Tang Clan, Sunz of Man core constituents Killah Priest and Prodigal Sunn, Vast Aire of Cannibal Ox, Planet Asia. Produced entirely by Bronze Nazareth, & Kevlaar 7, all four Wisemen shared mic time effortlessly. Wisemen Approaching is a historic snapshot of four emcees guided by a common purpose, hardened by experience but optimistic about hip-hop’s future. Currently The Wisemen are on the road doing shows, and in the studio working on several different projects including their sophomore effort, "Children of a Lesser God". In an effort to bring the masses back to reality, they’re fighting hip-hop’s noble fight: a return to the fundamental pursuit of beats, rhymes and life.
Peace to the wisemen!!!!! da illest clique half men half terrorists. u guys just too much. all the releases hip hop classics. bronze be choppin them beats like a swordsman. insanely ill beats real rhyming!!!! whoever is searching for something he will find it. 1
New collaboration track w/producer Infidel just posted! We know you like ill beats & serious wordplay/lyricism...TRUST US, you will NOT be disappointed. Share your thoughts/comment! We're on the same page in regard to raising the bar (pun intended) on these fake-ass, mainstream rap clowns w/no skill. Keep doin' your thing. Def check the track and KIT. Peace and respect from Verbal Poets.
Gin Joints & Simon Frank - En Historisk Tilldragelse
Discotheque ála Carte & Mikro12 2005-2009
theque02
Funk, Electro, Freestyle & other 80’s junk in the mix. Guestraps by Planeten jorden(Aka. Movits), Zacke, Johnny Redskin & Rapper Ted. Mashups and more by Gin Joints. Re-edits/mixes by Simon Frank.
From the 80’s with love!
Prelude to the upcoming Gin Joints mixtape ”Got my eyes on your thighs”. With crazy guest verses by the likes of Adam Tensta, Young Ivy, Kid Colt, Supersci, Prop Dylan and more. Mashups and turntable wizardry.
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