TRACKLIST
Intro (The Preface)
The Leak (feat. Ayah)
Guessing Game
Motown 25 (feat. Royce Da 5’9”)
Brag Swag
Colors
Fire (Remix) (feat. Black Milk, Guilty Simpson, Fatt Father, Danny Brown, and Fat Ray)
D.E.M.O.N.S.
Save Ya (feat. T3)
Yeah (feat. Phat Kat)
Transitional Joint
Talking In My Sleep
The Science (feat. Fes Roc)
Hands Up
What I Write
Growing Up (feat. Aaron Abernathy)
DESCRIPTION
- Elzhi’s classic debut solo album "The Preface" has been out of print for years before this reissue.
- "The Preface" features appearances by Royce Da 5’9”, Danny Brown, Guilty Simpson, T3 of Slum Village, Phat Kat, and more.
- Acclaimed Detroit artist Black Milk produced 13 of the album’s 16 tracks.
- As a solo artist, Elzhi has worked with Westside Gunn, Ghostface Killah, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Conway, Masta Ace, Little Brother, Your Old Droog, Diamond D, and more. As a member of legendary group Slum Village, he worked with the likes of Kanye West, J Dilla, Dwele, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, John Legend, Marsha Ambrosius, Questlove, and more.
- In recent years, Elzhi has been profiled by Billboard, XXL, Bandcamp, Noisey, HipHopDX, Vibe, and more. His music has also been covered by outlets like Pitchfork, Okayplayer, RapRadar, Exclaim, BrooklynVegan, The Source, HotNewHipHop, and more.
- Elzhi's music has appeared on several Spotify editorial playlists, including Jazzy Bars, Beats & Rhymes, Orbit, and Crisp.
By the time his 2008 solo debut "The Preface" was released, Elzhi was already recognized as one of hip-hop’s most gifted lyricists. The Detroit emcee was still a member of Slum Village at the time, having replaced hip-hop icon J Dilla in the legendary group earlier that decade. "The Preface" showcases Elzhi’s undeniable talent and impressive creative flair, foreshadowing the exciting solo career that would follow. With a young Black Milk supplying pounding, drum-heavy production on 13 of the album's 16 tracks, Elzhi’s dense verses electrify the mic, announcing the arrival of a truly special artist. Whether riffing on color-themed wordplay, playing a lyrical game of “fill in the blank”, taking listeners on a dream logic adventure, telling his personal story, or simply showing off his scorching rhyme skills, Elzhi's flawless flows animate the highly conceptual collection. A thoroughly Detroit affair, "The Preface" features appearances by Motown rap gods like Royce Da 5’9”, Danny Brown, Guilty Simpson, Phat Kat, T3 of Slum Village, and more. After years of scarcity, the album is finally receiving a proper reissue on CD and vinyl.