Dezert Eez

Might as well call him the 10th member of Wu Tang Clan. Mike Williams, aka 5-star from the Kalamazoo, Michigan hip-hop group Dezert Eez, has even crossed the pond to open for these rap legends, but don’t be surprised when you see Dezert Eez step up to headliner position in the near future. These former Bronco’s just signed with Universal records and their debut album “Ghettoboxx”, featuring Game and Killah Priest, drops October 5th. Check them out that same night at the Y-Bar in Kalamazoo for their record release party, and maybe if you’re lucky a certain someone will make it rain Jager Bombs.



The Black Sheep: First off, being that you guys are from Kalamazoo, do you identify more with hip-hop from Detroit or Chicago?

Mike Williams: I would say Chicago, but really a little bit of both. One member is from Chicago, and another one is from Flint. As far as the Chicago scene goes, I would say Common and Kanye are definitely the good ones over anyone else. From Detroit, I mean there’s Black Milk; that kind of sound, that underground sound is definitely what we connect with. Basically underground hip-hop is what we love, and it’s a great scene out there but commercial rap is really leaving a bad taste in peoples’ mouths. But there’s so much good talent, like the Cool Kids, Dead Prez, it’s just a good scene, and hopefully we can start building momentum and picking it back up so hip-hop’s back where it needs to be.



TBS: What was it like opening up and working with members of Wu Tang?

MW: Well we first opened up for them back in 2004. But when they got back together and did “8 Diagrams” we started that tour with them in Chicago, playing at The Metro. That was their last album, and that was back in 2008. But we also did a mini-tour of about five shows with Inspectah Deck. We’ve done shows with Ghostface and Killa Priest, about 16 with him. So a lot of touring has been because of Wu Tang.

The first time opening for them was pretty overwhelming because Wu Tang at that time, like seven years ago, was huge. And we were right before them, there were other people before us. So that was monumental, out of all the things we’ve done. Actually after that Raekwon, Inspectah Deck and Ghostface Killah took me overseas with them, and over there it was just insane. The fact that they let me open was incredible.



TBS: So what have you guys been up to lately?
MW: We actually just signed with Universal as our distribution partner which is huge. Someone out in California actually heard a mixtape that we did and they brought it to Universal and they picked it up. So we have our first album coming out October 5th, that’s going to be huge and since it’s under the Universal umbrella we’ve got some support. We’ve got Killa Priest on the album, we’ve got one of GZA and RZA’s producers from Detroit on the album. It’s definitely going to be a big thing.



TBS: Do you have any shows coming up in the area?

MW: We’re having an album release party at the Y-Bar in Kalamazoo on October 5th. We’ve been set to do something with the Cool Kids here in Kalamazoo but they just haven’t confirmed the date, so we’re working on that. Wayside said that we could perform there on that Saturday, we may bring in Black Sheep [hip-hop group from New York, although Brendan Bonham would make a fine rapper] to go on the bill with us. We’re all about the whole college scene, and the party scene here is pretty crazy.



TBS: Speaking of the party scene, are you more of a beer or liquor person?

MW: I am… liq-oh… I am…. oh that’s tough. I’m going to say beer.



TBS: And what kind?

MW: Red Stripe.



TBS: A good heavy beer.

MW: Yeah, one of the guys in the group is a big Oberon fan, but I am a Red Stripe loyal. Negro Modelo, that’s another one.



TBS: But if you’re at the bar getting shots for a bunch of people, what would you get?

MW: Jager Bombs, probably. Those go over well. That fact that you get to do something, drop it in and get it all together.



TBS: Yeah, no one’s going to turn down a Jager Bomb. Alright, last question. In your opinion who’s the greatest rapper, dead or alive?

MW: I’m going to say Nas. I know there’s a lot – Tupac and Rakim are right there. Tupac’s versatility to be political and gangsta and to be actually be lyrical and do tracks with Snoop, it’s incredible. Rakim, lyrically, is one of the best I’ve ever heard. But Nas, I mean, his poetry, his lyrics, it’s incredible. He’s very political, he’s street, he’s everything you’d want to be in an MC. Definitely the best.

- Jessica Sommers

New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ SRC/ Universal) - Dezert Eez's new album is an amazing mix of underground music, pure hip hop and important messages for the world. Their incredible album will be released on N-cendiary Entertainment distributed by SRC/Universal. Featuring members of hip hop's legendary Wu-Tang Clan, Ghostface, Raekwon, Method Man and even Killa Priest makes an appearance! Venturing to the west coast, Game also gets a feature in and the tracks are produced by Bronze Nazareth (Wu Tang producer that has done tracks for Rza, Gza and more). Another producer that shows up to wreak havoc behind the board is Khrome, who has also worked with Obie Trice, Sean Price and Kool G. Rap.)
Their single "Ghetto Life" is out now and the single has a classic hip hop sound with gritty, reality tinged lyrics that transport and elevate the listener to a new state of consciousness.
To hear this life changing single for yourself and get more music visit their official website www.dezerteez.com. You can also find their previous releases on www.CDBaby.com.

Dezert Eez is an amazing rap trio heralding from the Midwest and they are already making a lot of noise on the web with all of the hip hop sites, bloggers and any true rap believers. The members of the group, O'nill (Jerron Mosley), 5-Star (Mike Williams) and Nivek (Kevin Williams) all met in college while attending WMU. They formed Dezert Eez a few years ago to provide a fresh alternative to what was going on with rap music.

The name, Dezert Eez (Desert Eagle) is symbolic of a weapon created in Israel that was later brought to the states to be manufactured. This is reminiscent of the history of the Original Man and Dezert Eez infuses this spirit and philosophy into all of their music. With a number of successful mix tapes the group continued to perform, tour and work on their debut album. In the interim one member of the group, 5-Star teamed up with hip hop heavyweights C-Rayz Walz, and Wu Tang affiliates Killah Priest and Bronze Nazareth to form a supergroup the Almighty and they released one critically acclaimed album Original Sin on Babygrande Records.
To schedule an interview with the group please contact Zenobia Simmons zenobiakay@aol.com - Zenobia Simmons

New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ SRC/ Universal) - Dezert Eez's new album is an amazing mix of underground music, pure hip hop and important messages for the world. Their incredible album will be released on N-cendiary Entertainment distributed by SRC/Universal. Featuring members of hip hop's legendary Wu-Tang Clan, Ghostface, Raekwon, Method Man and even Killa Priest makes an appearance! Venturing to the west coast, Game also gets a feature in and the tracks are produced by Bronze Nazareth (Wu Tang producer that has done tracks for Rza, Gza and more). Another producer that shows up to wreak havoc behind the board is Khrome, who has also worked with Obie Trice, Sean Price and Kool G. Rap.)
Their single "Ghetto Life" is out now and the single has a classic hip hop sound with gritty, reality tinged lyrics that transport and elevate the listener to a new state of consciousness.
To hear this life changing single for yourself and get more music visit their official website www.dezerteez.com. You can also find their previous releases on www.CDBaby.com.

Dezert Eez is an amazing rap trio heralding from the Midwest and they are already making a lot of noise on the web with all of the hip hop sites, bloggers and any true rap believers. The members of the group, O'nill (Jerron Mosley), 5-Star (Mike Williams) and Nivek (Kevin Williams) all met in college while attending WMU. They formed Dezert Eez a few years ago to provide a fresh alternative to what was going on with rap music.

The name, Dezert Eez (Desert Eagle) is symbolic of a weapon created in Israel that was later brought to the states to be manufactured. This is reminiscent of the history of the Original Man and Dezert Eez infuses this spirit and philosophy into all of their music. With a number of successful mix tapes the group continued to perform, tour and work on their debut album. In the interim one member of the group, 5-Star teamed up with hip hop heavyweights C-Rayz Walz, and Wu Tang affiliates Killah Priest and Bronze Nazareth to form a supergroup the Almighty and they released one critically acclaimed album Original Sin on Babygrande Records.
To schedule an interview with the group please contact Zenobia Simmons zenobiakay@aol.com - Zenobia Simmons

I had just performed two nights in Chicago at the Metro with GZA, Priest, Dreddy, Cappadonna, and Dezert Eez and Priest and I had been talking for a few weeks about doing a track. I thought we were going to be able to knock it out then and there in Chicago since I had one of the guys from Dezert Eez already make studio arrangements for the track “Alpha Omega” that we were prepping and had the majority of “The 11th Hour” beats with me. In Chicago, Priests manager kept wanting to talk about money and really a bunch of shit that I wasn’t trying to hear so I called Priest and Dreddy both after the Chicago shows when I was back in Indianapolis and they were back in New York and said I’ve never been to New York, I’ll pay to fly out there, I’ll pay for the studio costs, and I’ll put a little cash rule in both your pockets as well but let’s do this between us. The more you get managers and other 3rd parties involved that’s when you start to take the spirit of hip-hop out of the music and turn it into something straight industry. They were both cool with that and I flew out there like a month later. I stayed out there for like 48 hours and really got the most out of the visit. We recorded “Champions” and “Romantic Gun” at Planet 2 Planet Studios in Manhattan which was incredible being that “Romantic Gun” wasn’t originally planned and that track is a classic in my book. I got to kick it with GZA and City Rich the night I landed and listen to some unreleased GZA and Prodigal Sunn tracks and let them listen to some cuts off “The 11th Hour”, I went to a Rangers hockey game with my guy Casey who does all my graphic design, met up with Rhymefest at Mark Ronson’s studio where he was recording the track “Buttercup” with Ol’ Dirty (R.I.P.), hit up a couple clubs just to get a taste of the NY night life, and some how was able to catch my flight home in the early morning. I think I listened to “Champions” and “Romantic Gun” over and over the whole way from NY to Indianapolis with nothing but a huge smile on my face.

- M-80

Phenomenal Hip Hop Group Dezert Eez Is Preparing To Take Over The Rap Game!
Dezert Eez is an amazing rap trio heralding from the Midwest and they have already generated a huge buzz in the on line community. The members of the group, O’nill (Jerron Mosley), 5-Star (Mike Williams) and Nivek (Kevin Williams) originally they formed in Kalamazoo, MI. in college while attending WMU. They formed Dezert Eez a few years ago to provide a fresh alternative to the commercialized, mainstream rap music that seemed to dominate the rap scene.

The name, Dezert Eez (Desert Eagle) is symbolic of a weapon created in Israel that was later brought to the states to be manufactured. This is reminiscent of the history of the Original Man and Dezert Eez infuses this spirit and philosophy into all of their music. They have been recording for months, perfecting their craft and channeling their raw, underground sound. Grinding out numerous performances on the local hip hop circuit Dezert Eez soon transcended that scene and started doing shows on the national level which led to an opening slot for Wu Tang’s Capadonna on his tour. Hot on the heels of that tour the gigs started lining up with opportunities to perform for KRS-1, Dead Prez, Slum Village, and a mini-tour with Inspectah Deck.

Following up their tour experience with a number of successful mix tapes the group continued to work on their debut album. In the interim one member of the group, 5-Star teamed up with hip hop heavyweights C-Rayz Walz, and Wu Tang affiliates Killah Priest and Bronze Nazareth to form a supergroup the Almighty and they released one critically acclaimed album Original Sin on Babygrande Records.

After reflecting on all their individual and collective experiences and successes Dezert Eez has teamed up with N-cendiary Entertainment and is finally ready to release their single “Ghetto Life”! The song will be available through N-cendiary Ent. distributed by SRC/Universal. This single has a classic hip hop sound with gritty, reality tinged lyrics that transport and elevate the listener to a new state of consciousness. To hear this life changing single for yourself and get more music visit their official website www.dezerteez.com. To schedule an interview with the group please contact Zenobia Simmons zenobiakay@aol.com.

- Zenobia Simmons

Phenomenal Hip Hop Group Dezert Eez Is Preparing To Take Over The Rap Game!
Dezert Eez is an amazing rap trio heralding from the Midwest and they have already generated a huge buzz in the on line community. The members of the group, O’nill (Jerron Mosley), 5-Star (Mike Williams) and Nivek (Kevin Williams) originally they formed in Kalamazoo, MI. in college while attending WMU. They formed Dezert Eez a few years ago to provide a fresh alternative to the commercialized, mainstream rap music that seemed to dominate the rap scene.

The name, Dezert Eez (Desert Eagle) is symbolic of a weapon created in Israel that was later brought to the states to be manufactured. This is reminiscent of the history of the Original Man and Dezert Eez infuses this spirit and philosophy into all of their music. They have been recording for months, perfecting their craft and channeling their raw, underground sound. Grinding out numerous performances on the local hip hop circuit Dezert Eez soon transcended that scene and started doing shows on the national level which led to an opening slot for Wu Tang’s Capadonna on his tour. Hot on the heels of that tour the gigs started lining up with opportunities to perform for KRS-1, Dead Prez, Slum Village, and a mini-tour with Inspectah Deck.

Following up their tour experience with a number of successful mix tapes the group continued to work on their debut album. In the interim one member of the group, 5-Star teamed up with hip hop heavyweights C-Rayz Walz, and Wu Tang affiliates Killah Priest and Bronze Nazareth to form a supergroup the Almighty and they released one critically acclaimed album Original Sin on Babygrande Records.

After reflecting on all their individual and collective experiences and successes Dezert Eez has teamed up with N-cendiary Entertainment and is finally ready to release their single “Ghetto Life”! The song will be available through N-cendiary Ent. distributed by SRC/Universal. This single has a classic hip hop sound with gritty, reality tinged lyrics that transport and elevate the listener to a new state of consciousness. To hear this life changing single for yourself and get more music visit their official website www.dezerteez.com. To schedule an interview with the group please contact Zenobia Simmons zenobiakay@aol.com.

- Zenobia Simmons