Alex Ludovico

Passion Play is a sometime column designed to highlight exceptional unsigned acts. This does not mean you should send me your demo. In all honesty, I probably won’t listen to it. Unless of course, you are in EPMD and the demo includes the song “Please Listen to My Demo.” In that case, rock rock on.

Who: Ill Eagle the Anti-Rapper

What: (The story of Ill-Eagle in his own words) Ill Eagle has never been shot. In fact, at age 21 he’s never even been shot at, which is extraordinary for many young Black males from Gary, Indiana. Ill Eagle didn’t intend to be such an exception, a virtual weirdo in a town once called the Murder Capital of the United States.When you’re avoiding gangs and ignoring poverty from the world around you, sometimes all you can do is turn inside and embrace the creative world within. With tastes that stretch from Tiesto to Tchiakovsky, Tech N9ne to The Sex Pistols, Ill Eagle brings a fresh approach to hip-hop that defies common comparison. This is rap for a new generation: diverse, irreverent, real without pretention yet honest and humorous. This is music for the soundtrack of life, sometimes serious, sometimes fun, always memorable.

Where: Gary, Indiana.

When: Ill Eagle’s debut LP, The Wilhelm Scream dropped earlier this year to praise from the likes of 33 Jones, Souled on Music, and Model Minority. It remains unclear whether the record has anything to do with Kaiser Wilhelm and/or The Scream.

Why:Say what you want about a guy like Kanye West (and believe me, I think he’s as overrated as anyone), you can’t dismiss him because the way of the way in which he defies easy labels or categorization. It’s that same reason why I think Ill Eagle is one of the most promising MC’s to debut this year. Everything about the guy resists easy descriptor tags: he’s from the hood but he doesn’t front like a gangster. He’s a self-described “reverse wigger” who lists Nirvana, Wu-Tang, Bjork and Daft Punk as his heroes. Many of his songs rail against crack-rap’s lies and the lying liars who tell them, yet many of his raps come over beats that wouldn’t sound out of place on a Young Jeezy record.

A common knock against most underground records is their conservatism, with most underground producers solely trying to recycle neo-Tribe Called Quest coffee-shop beats or 9th Wonder/Kanye West soul loops. Most underground rappers spend their 50 minutes of screen time describing themselves only in opposition of what they’re not. By contrast, The Wilhelm Scream seems remarkably forward-thinking, with beats ranging from bass-heavy Southern bangers to year 3000 space-rap beats a la Automator or Timbaland-lite. Lesser MCs would struggle with such challenging soundscapes but Ill Eagle handles them admirably, preternaturally understand whether to fall back into the pocket of a beat and ride it out, or when to step up aggressively to smash it over the head like a game of Whack-A-Mole (no The Mole.)

The album isn’t perfect. Some of the hooks could be better and some of the beats are just a bit too abrasive. But when Ill Eagle isn’t wasting his time railing about crack-rappers and focuses the attention inward, he’s a uniquely compelling artist. Sort of like Murs if he’d grown up in the Midwest and really liked Bloc Party. It’s an impressive debut, particularly for a kid just out of his teens living in the middle of nowhere. While the best may be yet to come, Ill Eagle has the potential to be a three-dimensional personality, someone with something to say, one who figures to be worth paying attention to for a long while. - passionweiss.com

Passion Play is a sometime column designed to highlight exceptional unsigned acts. This does not mean you should send me your demo. In all honesty, I probably won’t listen to it. Unless of course, you are in EPMD and the demo includes the song “Please Listen to My Demo.” In that case, rock rock on.

Who: Ill Eagle the Anti-Rapper

What: (The story of Ill-Eagle in his own words) Ill Eagle has never been shot. In fact, at age 21 he’s never even been shot at, which is extraordinary for many young Black males from Gary, Indiana. Ill Eagle didn’t intend to be such an exception, a virtual weirdo in a town once called the Murder Capital of the United States.When you’re avoiding gangs and ignoring poverty from the world around you, sometimes all you can do is turn inside and embrace the creative world within. With tastes that stretch from Tiesto to Tchiakovsky, Tech N9ne to The Sex Pistols, Ill Eagle brings a fresh approach to hip-hop that defies common comparison. This is rap for a new generation: diverse, irreverent, real without pretention yet honest and humorous. This is music for the soundtrack of life, sometimes serious, sometimes fun, always memorable.

Where: Gary, Indiana.

When: Ill Eagle’s debut LP, The Wilhelm Scream dropped earlier this year to praise from the likes of 33 Jones, Souled on Music, and Model Minority. It remains unclear whether the record has anything to do with Kaiser Wilhelm and/or The Scream.

Why:Say what you want about a guy like Kanye West (and believe me, I think he’s as overrated as anyone), you can’t dismiss him because the way of the way in which he defies easy labels or categorization. It’s that same reason why I think Ill Eagle is one of the most promising MC’s to debut this year. Everything about the guy resists easy descriptor tags: he’s from the hood but he doesn’t front like a gangster. He’s a self-described “reverse wigger” who lists Nirvana, Wu-Tang, Bjork and Daft Punk as his heroes. Many of his songs rail against crack-rap’s lies and the lying liars who tell them, yet many of his raps come over beats that wouldn’t sound out of place on a Young Jeezy record.

A common knock against most underground records is their conservatism, with most underground producers solely trying to recycle neo-Tribe Called Quest coffee-shop beats or 9th Wonder/Kanye West soul loops. Most underground rappers spend their 50 minutes of screen time describing themselves only in opposition of what they’re not. By contrast, The Wilhelm Scream seems remarkably forward-thinking, with beats ranging from bass-heavy Southern bangers to year 3000 space-rap beats a la Automator or Timbaland-lite. Lesser MCs would struggle with such challenging soundscapes but Ill Eagle handles them admirably, preternaturally understand whether to fall back into the pocket of a beat and ride it out, or when to step up aggressively to smash it over the head like a game of Whack-A-Mole (no The Mole.)

The album isn’t perfect. Some of the hooks could be better and some of the beats are just a bit too abrasive. But when Ill Eagle isn’t wasting his time railing about crack-rappers and focuses the attention inward, he’s a uniquely compelling artist. Sort of like Murs if he’d grown up in the Midwest and really liked Bloc Party. It’s an impressive debut, particularly for a kid just out of his teens living in the middle of nowhere. While the best may be yet to come, Ill Eagle has the potential to be a three-dimensional personality, someone with something to say, one who figures to be worth paying attention to for a long while. - passionweiss.com

I could post a review, but Weiss already did a much better job then I can, so go check it out:

PASSION PLAY-ILL EAGLE THE ANTI-RAPPER


And get over to Ill's MySpace page and download the album:

ILL EAGLE @ MYSPACE


It is nice to hear an anti-mainstream record that isn't full of organic-sounding, dirty drum filled, 9th Wonder knockoff production. Even the few songs I didn't care much for at the beginning, once recognized for what they are and the point they're making, are a refreshing change of pace. And the strongest endorsement I can give, coming from a habitual track-skipper, actually comes from my friend Ashley:

"This is the longest I've ever heard you listen to one album."

- kalibleek.blogspot.com

I could post a review, but Weiss already did a much better job then I can, so go check it out:

PASSION PLAY-ILL EAGLE THE ANTI-RAPPER


And get over to Ill's MySpace page and download the album:

ILL EAGLE @ MYSPACE


It is nice to hear an anti-mainstream record that isn't full of organic-sounding, dirty drum filled, 9th Wonder knockoff production. Even the few songs I didn't care much for at the beginning, once recognized for what they are and the point they're making, are a refreshing change of pace. And the strongest endorsement I can give, coming from a habitual track-skipper, actually comes from my friend Ashley:

"This is the longest I've ever heard you listen to one album."

- kalibleek.blogspot.com

In a world where rap has been over taken by glamor, jewels, alcohol, and abusive slang terms. One artist still stands true to what hip-hop means to the world. Ill Eagle (The Anti-Rapper) is the infamous man I am speaking of. This kid form Illinois is ripping up stereos across the world with his newest release, “The Wilhelm Scream.” I just happened to get this album by chance… He’s offering it until it’s released, then I suggest all of you go out and buy this album, because it’s completely amazing.

Something everyone has to question is, “what sets Ill apart from all today’s hip-hop artists?” The answer to this is pretty simple, he’s got an amazing flow, which really pulls through on this album. And it gets deeper than that. I believe, one of the biggest things that sets him apart form most musicians in his genre today is the fact that he has originality. Something that todays music scene is seriously lacking. I can’t say that this artist sounds like anyone. With his insanely true way of ragging on today’s “talent” in the industry. As I stated before, he is clearly a unique individual, with a style of his own, entirely.

I’ve reached the point, with this artist, that I feel as if he is what hip-hop needs now. Like, Notorious BIG, Tupac Shakur, and Big L, he’s got an amazing gift to give to the world. Let’s hope he doesn’t reach a fate like all three of those amazing influential artists.

As for this album; I found that it was amazingly well written. This kid pours his heart out into his work, for all of us to hear and dispute over. I feel like the lyrics are nothing like modern day rap, he laid them all out. Took time to write each song individually, unlike a ton of other people in the industry today. Every thing was well worked over.

As for the flowing and beats on this album, I was completely blown away by everything. When I came across this artist on MySpace, I expected to hear some played out beats, with some whack flow played over them, I was very wrong. Ill Eagle spits like no artist I’ve ever had the privilege of hearing.

Like the flow and lyrics, the song writing, by this, I mean the way the songs were put together, in case any of you weren’t aware of what I was going for with that. These songs were put together very well. It’s completely clear that they didn’t just piece this all together, just hoping for a hit or two. All of this album is solid gold. Definite hits to todays more in depth fans of hip-hop. As well a CD that will to appeal to fans of other genres as well, not just fans of rap and hip-hop.

Again, I reccomend that everyone orders this album May 15th when it’s released. Until then, go over to his MySpace and listen to the tracks up on there.

Tracks:

1. Sheb Wooley (The Intro)
2. Crack Rap Vs. Hip-Hop
3. Sorry It’s Not Catchy
4. He-Man Woman Haters Club
5. cRap Music *Recommended*
6. Warhol Superstar
7. Silence Is Platinum
8. I Am Jack’s Destroyed Liver
9. Learned It From Cheaters
10. Burn Out > Fade Away *Recommended*
11. Afropunk (Killer Kid of Kolor) *Recommended*

As for this albums entire rating, I am going to have to give this one of my highest ratings ever recorded. I’m giving, Ill Eagle - “The Wilhelm Scream” a 9-10. Mainly because I feel this album really deserves it. Not because I’m trying to make friends. Everything I’ve said about this album is everything I’ve actually really felt.
- Jason Shipps (jasonshipps.com)

This MC isn't too PC.

Hip-hop artist Ill Eagle calls himself the "anti-rapper" to protest the shallow state of his chosen genre.

"There's a schism between rappers and MCs," Ill Eagle said. "An MC cares about what he's putting out into the world as opposed to a rapper, who's just saying whatever."

Not your typical hip-hop story, Ill Eagle grew up in Gary, Ind., listening mostly to grunge bands, particularly Nirvana.

"I know that's a weird choice," he said. "But they're the reason I started making music."

When he found himself writing hip-hop, Ill Eagle's diverse musical influences--A Tribe Called Quest, Radiohead, Bjork--gave him a lot to work with. And he enjoys exploring this strange twist in his racial identity.

"It comes from how I grew up, and even though it's not in every song, I like exploring it musically," he said.

Nowhere is his blend of influences--as distilled through raw hip-hop--more apparent than on the track "Burn Out Fade Away."

The title comes straight from Kurt Cobain's suicide note and describes Hargrove's own struggles with depression.

"Growing up, I was so different," Ill Eagle said. "And in the black community, no one addresses mental issues, no one takes them seriously. It's a song that's very personal to me."
- http://redeye.chicagotribune.com/red-chitunes-illeagle,0,3660738.htmlstory

A couple of weeks ago, I received an e-mail with nothing more than a link to an album from an unsigned rapper out of Gary, Indiana calling himself Ill Eagle. With no other details to go on, I downloaded the album, The Wilhelm Scream, not knowing what to expect. That turned out to be a good thing, as the album contradicted much of what I've come to expect from a hip hop album in 2007. Living up to his self-proclaimed title of "The Anti-Rapper," Ill Eagle headed in a very different direction from the current trend of rap music with this release.

On the surface, Eagle would seem to be far removed from most definitions of what constitutes "hip hop." He dresses more hipster than hip hop, a style he describes as "emo/punk/gangsta." Among his musical influences, he lists Bjork, Nirvana and Mitch Hedberg. And Eagle's music itself ventures deep into other genres, with several songs built around beats that would sound more at home at a rave or as the background music to a mosh pit.

Yet having said that, at its core The Wilhelm Scream is most definitely a hip hop album, and a very good one at that. Eagle handles himself quite well on the mic, flipping spaced-out, often comical, metaphors into lyrics that touch on some fairly deep issues - the current state of hip hop, mental illness and racial identity are just a few of the topics covered in his rhymes. It takes a lot of risks and though its not without its flaws, there is a whole lot done right on the album.

Here are two tracks off of The Wilhelm Scream:

Ill Eagle - Crack Rap vs. Hip Hop
Ill Eagle - Afropunk

Ill Eagle's album is available on his MySpace page (along with a free preview of all the songs). If you're only checking for boom-bap beats, this may not be the album for you. Give it a chance, though, because there's some pretty innovative stuff on here.

And for those of you wondering, the name of the album is a reference to a widely-used recording of a man screaming. Now you know. - 33jones.com

I have to out-right say that the DJ King Midas The Stendhal Syndrome Mixtape featuring Ill Eagle (the Anti-Rapper), is one of the best underground mixtapes I've heard this year. There was only one other mixtape that I've EVER listened to from beginning to end and enjoyed myself enough to listen to it multiple times (That would be Rhymefest's Man in the Mirror). With that being said, I could be smoking basil or telling the truth...you be the judge...Track below...Take the Encore Poll. - http://encorestatus.blogspot.com/2008/08/encore-polltrack-of-week.html

I have to out-right say that the DJ King Midas The Stendhal Syndrome Mixtape featuring Ill Eagle (the Anti-Rapper), is one of the best underground mixtapes I've heard this year. There was only one other mixtape that I've EVER listened to from beginning to end and enjoyed myself enough to listen to it multiple times (That would be Rhymefest's Man in the Mirror). With that being said, I could be smoking basil or telling the truth...you be the judge...Track below...Take the Encore Poll. - http://encorestatus.blogspot.com/2008/08/encore-polltrack-of-week.html