The Regiment

Reviewed on Thursday, April 30, 2009 by James Shahan
It is pretty safe to say that Christianity usually doesn't mean much in hip-hop. Either an artist raps about shooting enough people to consist of a small village and then praises the lord when handed their Grammy or they hit today's market with lines like, "Eatin' Lucky Charms out of the bowl/ Jesus savin' marshmallows like he savin' my soul.". Luckily, OSI and IseQold (aka The Regiment) peg themselves into neither hole; their faith comes through here and there, but it never makes things corny or "undope." Actually, they manage to bring something to the table that many artists struggle with: diversity. Optimism, truth, confidence, bangers and sad stories are all interlaced on A New Beginning. From track one, it's apparent that anyone who enjoys some good 'ole boom-bap is in for a treat. With production from New York (Big Tone), Michigan (Pig Pen) and even the UK (Ghosttown), it's clear that The Regiment is not afraid to do things their own way. The track "Old School Vibe" definitely lives up to its name, offering listeners nothing but pure, quintessential hip-hop music. That is what a lot of this album is. For the most part, it discusses how the game has changed, glimpses of their own lives and the occasional lyrical acrobatics. "World We Live" tells the tale of two friends who take very different paths in life and is a story that ultimately ends in death. While the motives behind the actions of certain characters could have been explained a bit more in depth, the duo still does a good job of portraying the situation. The two songs after this one are just as creative. On "Home (Detroit)," The Regiment spits from the perspective of the state itself (or for the sake of the song, "herself") while on "Soul to Keep," Satan, Jesus and man all lend verses. All in all, there are points on A New Beginning where they could have come a little harder or really dug deep with their simile/metaphor game (i.e. "Humble Arrogance") but due to their style being focused more on the message behind the lyrics, it's understandable. No matter how it's sliced, The Regiment make quality music and take many of today's rappers to church.
- Urb Magazine

"It is a beautiful thing to see two young MC's shoot for the moon with such abandon – they haven't landed yet, but if they can improve gradually, year on year, they COULD be bloody good by their mid-20's. More than this, they are trying to make good music, and in swimming against the tide, deserve some praise for at least trying to go with what they love. They have a long, hard road ahead of them, but time is on their side – although any future sophomore LP from The Regiment should find them stamping their own personality in a more meaningful manner."
The young men of The Regiment have only had a couple of years to age since we heard from them last, but the talent that Padania found in their debut is still on loan from God as we return for that much anticipated sophomore LP. While the group declares this album "A New Beginning" it's fair to say they've more or less picked up right where they left off. Taking a stab at the random button produces surprisingly pleasing results, as every song reveals another hidden gem that only needs more exposure from critical light. Take the Apollo Brown produced "They Don't Know" for example, laced with multiple layers of horns, keys and strings that compliment each other perfectly and an uncredited singer on the hook who croons effectively but doesn't steal the spot - and you wouldn't want to with two rappers this talented on deck either:
"I can remember (uh-huh)
Growin up poor January through December
Thinkin there'd never be an end to (yeah)
the pain and the stress, the struggle and these rainy days
Never really thought that I could enter
the game with these wannabe thugs and killers
So many times thought that I would give up
But pops came and said 'Dawg keep your chin up'
Cause see he was a rook, I was more like a bishop
He held the four corners, I just played my position
Tryin to cut angles to get by opposition
Gettin out the hood, yeah baby that's the mission!
But it ain't easy - I let the streets be my witness
Imagine me spittin somethin other than realness"
Let alone imagine someone spitting something else that clever on the same beat - chess metaphors even GZA would be impressed by. Finding things to be impressed with is not hard on "A New Beginning" though. Hitting random again we stumble onto "Bounce," a track which embodies that J Dilla sound Padania was referring to. Not surprisingly the song is produced by a man named Pig Pen from Lincoln Park, MI.
"Uhh, I got my microphone check
Tall slick and fresh and yes I guess
You can label us one of the best, so be cautious
Peace to my conscience, givin me light
Speak though of bread when I write
Kryptonite to the thieves in the night overseen
for real now back up off this team, flame on kerosene
Stack cream, style mean while I fiend on the mic
Bright lights scar stereotypes"
There's nothing simplistic about the bars of Iseqold and O.S.I. They purposefully stack their rhymes between bars, challenging you to follow the flow, and rewarding you when you do so with superior punchlines and compelling storytelling. One more time let's hit that random button and see if The Regiment can hit the jackpot - and by coincidence we land at the end of the beginning as Regiment vow to "Take it Back" with a little help from Apollo on the boards:
"I'm tired of the madness, tired of the sadness
The views of the fascists, following the masses
Acting like we still got slavemasters
Now average becomes common practice

I'm tired of being tested, tired of being questioned
Being labelled second, played and rejected
Neglected, by these fake gangsters
Claim they hold figures, say they hold triggers
CAN I GET A WITNESS?"
I'll testify! I'll do it time and again because "A New Beginning" wins over and over. Songs on this album actually live up to their titles. "Old School Vibe" takes you back just like the lyrics say on the track to "that old school Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth, but mixed with a twist of that Lupe cool." While a song title like "Humble Arrogance" may seem contradictory, the backwards notes fit the concept perfectly as Regiment and their guest Miz Korona define it perfectly - "y'all dudes two steps behind, I'm movin in light years." If you're that far ahead of the competition, you SHOULD be arrogant even as a God fearing man, because it's not arrogance when you can back it up. "Cocky ain't the word, my dude I can't lie/I'm arrogant, it's true, you too if you was I!" That's WORD son. At some point there's no point to giving you more examples, because unless you want to be the aforementioned two steps behind you should have already put the mouse down, turned your monitor off, and gone to the store to cop this album. Can't find it outside the 313 area code? Then turn it back on and cop it online. Do not wait. For once Jesal Padania may have actually understated his case. They're not only J Dilla meets Little Brother, they're De La Soul and Royce Da 5'9" thrown in for good measure.
- RapReviews.com

Detroit is known to many a Hip-Hop head, especially after such luminaries as J-Dilla, Royce Da 5’9”, Black Milk, Eminem and countless others have properly thrust the town into its respective spotlight. Enter OSI and IseQold, known as the Regiment who originally came to prominence as being a part of the Rawkus 50 which put out their debut record. A New Beginning is their second time out, and needless to say, it is worthy of the praise.
Kicking it all off with “Real Talk”, which prefaces with a Barack Obama speech snippet, they get right into it, providing a reflective and head-nod worthy beginning with properly placed horns and flutes. The production itself on A New Beginning is very much from the East Coast side of things, the beats are very reminiscent of Just Blaze, Pete Rock and 9th Wonder, yet similarly utilize a Midwest aesthetic as noted by the sped up samples, which are from the school of Kanye West before 808’s & Heartbreaks. But it’s the way that OSI and IseQold make them work in their favor by kicking lyrics of braggadocio and blending them with a touch of everyday man grinding analysis.
One would think at an astounding 19 tracks, that this album might have more of an earful. However clocking in at 52 minutes is a huge advantage for the overall fluidity of the album and makes it a cohesive listen. Add very minimal guest appearances (Buff1 guest stars on “Abstract”) and you’ve got quite a total package here for a sophomore effort. Many a standout come on 20 questions-esque “World We Live”, the hometown anthem of “Detroit (Home)”, and “Every Stripe”, which cleverly could come off as a Pete Rock B-side.
The only misstep of this record comes in the form of “Bounce”, which sounds very rustic, which isn’t a bad thing, but not when the tempo is very much in the vein of the club. Consider that as the only misstep from the Detroit duo, who continue to create cohesive records about being everyday hard-working craftsmen from the 313.
- Potholes

-The Regiment "A New Beginning "Abstract feat.Buff 1 made Hip Hop indie spotlight for May 2009

-Old school vibe made The Nicest - Indie Hip Hop, Vol. 1 on iTunes

May 20, 2009 placement this week on the germany and france itunes store. Big brick on the main hip hop page (near eminem and black eyeed peas) and in the new release section as well.

Also in new release section in Switzerland, UK, Netherlands, and most of the other EU stores. We also got an indie spotlight highlight on the US store which is a real good look. All of these will help sales a lot.

The blast for “old school” via foundation media went well. A lot of good feedback, and have seen it on a number of djs playlists for the past week or two, should only grow from here.
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- Google Music

There’s a new feeling and vibe on The Regiments second album, A New Beginning, as there have been monumental changes in the group’s lineup. With a new member in the group and original member C. Reid going solo, Osi and Ise qold carry on the movement and pick up where The Regiments first release, Come Up, left off.

“Once we had a chance to sit back and analyze previous projects it is only natural to progress and evolve to what we have created in the second project,” Osi explains.

A New Beginning packs the soulful production of Apollo Brown, Big Tone and others. Downriver producer, Pig Pen stands out with a bang! Osi states, “This project is most definitely an integral part of our movement and a catalyst for hip-hop in our eyes” Pick up your copy of the group's latest record at their website, theregimentcrew.com.

From April 18 to 25, we at WHFR.FM ask our listeners, to donate to our pledge drive “Radiothon.” Help continue our mission of exposing non-commercial independent music. Station info is below. | RDW
- The Zone - Real Detroit