E-TRAIN

Most rappers find inspiration in booming bass lines or James Brown breaks, but Chicago-bred and Los Angeles-based rapper and producer E-TRAIN isn’t most rappers. For his The DJBooth debut, America, E-TRAIN finds inspiration and musical kinship with Charles Bradley, the 62-year-old Brooklynite turned internationally acclaimed blues and soul singer. Pulling double duty on the mic and behind the boards, TRAIN grabs the instantly compelling horn line and organ chords, along with Bradley’s soul-shaking hook, to lay down America‘s sonic foundation. Lyrically TRAIN proves that he’s been through enough hard times to make him a hip-hop bluesman in own right: “...forever fight for the Wrath of Roxanne, my gift and my curse / for the love that I’ve had and the loss I’ve endured.” Fans eager to hear more impossible-to-categorize music like America should be sure to check out TRAIN’s recently re-released album WRATH OF ROXANE+, available for free stream now. - DJ BOOTH

So anyone who knows me knows I love E-TRAIN, production outfit out of LA. I've been bumping their tunes for over a year now. I know that doesn't give me og status or anything, but whatever, I love the music.

In anticipation of a new album coming out November 10, called Imagination of Mr. Malo, E-TRAIN has released a few tracks for his followers on Soundcloud and abroad.

The first track is a remix done of Ratatat's track Cherry, as remixed by Broke For Free. It's a laid back tune with E-TRAIN supplying chill vocals to a chill tune. It's very enjoyable and very downloadable. So do it!
- The WaxHole

Download FREE Music from E-TRAIN before his show at Debonair this Thursday
By Sgt. Tibs at GoWhereHipHop (Chicago's #1 Hip-Hop Blog) --

Chicago, IL. September 21, 2009 -- 'Ladies and gents, we are proud to spotlight another positively unique artist based in Chicago, a producer/singer/songwriter with some hip hop and "Nintendo-Pop" flavor by the name of E-TRAIN. You should definitely take the time above to grab his mixtape, or at least sample two of the standout records on it featuring abstract RMXs of songs with the likes of Lil' Wayne, The Game, and The Beatles?! E-TRAIN shows off his ridiculous flow on the "Throw Water On 'Em RMX", even tossin' in a Bill Bellamy reference, all while remaining easy to understand. And you should be immediately intrigued to see Lil' Wayne and The Beatles on the same song as E-TRAIN meshed the 2 together brilliantly and jumps on the song himself, based on The Beatles' classic "Help". Both E-TRAIN's and Wayne's verses sound great over the RMX, which is another testament to E-TRAIN's skills as he arranged not only that record but also the "Show Me What You Got RMX" on the mixtape that I particularly enjoy as well.

Get familiar with E-TRAIN so you can head over to Debonair THIS THURSDAY night. You're guaranteed to enjoy a great show, sponsored by GWHH, hosted by Hussle Simmons, and featuring live performances from E-TRAIN above, our own LA & Mr. Music, as well as A&R, Young General, J Gatz, and a DJ set from Atari Ferrari. For more information on the show, simply peep the flyer below, head over to our Upcoming Shows page for more on the latest shows in the Chicagoland area, and hit the jump for more info on E-TRAIN. Enjoy!

http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/gowhere-hip-hop/2009/09/download-free-music-from-e-train-before-his-show-at-debonair-this-thursday.html - GoWhereHipHop (Chicago's #1 Hip-Hop Blog)

Chicago, IL. August 3, 2009 -- ... Last but not least, check out the dynamic sounds of E-TRAIN, a Chicago-based producer and singer-songwriter who has a unique brand of hip-hop and Nintendo-Pop that is creating a huge buzz for his forthcoming album, The Wrath of Roxane which was inspired by his late mother. E-TRAIN has already garnered radio exposure with his first single DAMN and his current single, the explosive WRECK THE DISCOTECH which features the Minnesota Monster, Young General. Next up, is the super-jazzy, Yo Dance Floor, which is currently being mastered by world renowned engineer Eric Yoder at Horse Drawn Productions. Be sure to also catch him on tour soon to get the full experience. To get more of this kinetic, electro hip-hop check out his Myspace at http://www.myspace.com/eTRAINrap. Hop aboard the TRAIN and feel the WRATH on Sept. 5th. - by David Leonard (fmr. Interscope/Geffen/A&M Midwest Regional Promtion Director)

Chicago, IL. April 17, 2009 -- There is a big buzz surrounding this talented, cerebral rapper and it only takes one listen to find out why. We are very impressed with the depth of his productions, and can only imagine what a live show would be like! The E-TRAIN can take you anywhere you want to go - standing room only. Enjoy the ride! - By Johnny Medley at Dance Music Authority

Chicago, IL. October 15, 2007 -- E-TRAIN, north side Chicago icon, dropped a couple of tracks today. You might have seen his short set right before KRS-1 last time he stopped by at The Underground in Bucktown. Check the lyrics- I havent heard many match his skill at verbal wordplay. And considering that he produces and mixes his own tracks himself, E-TRAIN has become a one man army. Keep an eye out for his next release, and give him a holler on his Myspace page. Below are some of his new tracks to dig on that will be featured on Wrath of Roxanne 2.5?. Shits hot! - By Nick Andrews at [Red Threat]

Chicago, IL. January 23, 2009 -- {excerpt from the interview} Jack: Do you feel like E-TRAIN is a different person than Erich Malo?
....When I think Erich I just think about the past, because before people called me E-TRAIN they called me Erich. Maybe from right before my mom died... Before she died, things were just different for me. My entire life was different. And afterwards, um, the drastic-ness of everything, I almost did feel like a different person, like I was starting from scratch as someone else, because my life was so good, and then all of a sudden it was so bad, and I had to start from that whole badness this new life where I was expected to be Erich without Erich-resources. So I had to be someone else...... People are like, [Oh, youre E-TRAIN the rapper,] and Im like [No. Im E-TRAIN -- And I rap.] I was just E-TRAIN. And the rapping came along with the package... - By Jack M Silverstein at [ReadJack.com]