The Black Ghost - The Crossroads Of Life

The Black Ghost - The Crossroads Of Life

Alvin Ray, better known as The Black Ghost, is a rapper that represents from the revolting boroughs of Oak Cliff in Dallas, TX. He is also a former football player for the University of Arkansas. It was at this acclaimed university where he met Derrick Dansby, a local DJ who goes by the alias of, DJ-D. The two of them decided to work on an album and officially enter the music industry. The Crossroads Of Life is their debut album and it was released in 2002 on Uniq Records. Production is guided by DJ-D, who tends to keep things simple for the most part. The beats are all derived electronically and are free of any sampling. Their originality oozes style which gives the record an overall refreshing feel. At times the rhythms can get a bit passive and lethargic but that's only because of their straightforward approach. Lyrically the album is at a stable and steady level. The Black Ghost can surprise the listener with his unique word play and technique. His flow is conveyed with a thick southern accent and is delivered at a fair pace. The rhymes show a lot of promise and are also quite intellectual in nature. Guest appearances are provided by G-Style, Fred T., Dahlia Evans and DJ-D. The album closes out with an ample total of sixteen tracks with varying subjects and topics. Overall this was a solid effort from the Oak Cliff native and while it won't break any barriers musically, it is still worth a listen. Since this is an underground release that hardly got any attention in its' heyday, one can only imagine what the artist can accomplish with a full fledged label and an experienced production team.

Deadly Verses
 The Crossroads Of Life


Album Notes
* A big thanks goes out to golfcoast for providing this one.

M.C. E-Rock - One The Hard Way

M.C. E-Rock - One The Hard Way

M.C. E-Rock is a rapper from the notorious neighborhood of Oak Cliff in Dallas, TX. Although he might not be known outside of Texas, he has been in the rap industry since the late eighties and is still active today. He started off battling in the underground and going toe to toe with rappers from the city. He ended up being discovered by DJ Pauly Pee of McRawlic Records and immediately debuted in 1988 on that label with the LP, "Down For Mines." After getting a taste of the industry and how cruel it can be at times from the business aspect, E-Rock returned after a three year hiatus. This time he was a lot more mature and had also developed proactively as an artist. One The Hard Way is his second EP and it was released in 1991 on Serious Records, Inc. It was also remastered and re-released with addition of two tracks coming from the "Vitamin E" Promo in 2013 by Dope Folks Records. Production is magnificently handled by Mark Adams, T-low, BLU, and C.R. Broadus III. They rely heavily on sampling as the foundation for the beats. While at times this could be a recipe for disaster and the producers are definitely walking on a very thin line; they still somehow manage to do it with precision and perfection. The end results are tracks that sound crisp and have a distinct theme to them. E-Rock is quite proficient on the microphone and displays that with ease. His rhyme pattern is unique and is filled with clever word play. He also fires them with rapid succession without suffering any loss to his pitch or tone. All in all this was a valiant effort by the Dallas native and one that seems to withstand the test of time. Not only did this record help establish E-Rock as an artist, it also made his foreseeable future a whole lot brighter.

Deadly Verses

Learn how to make a free Electronic Press Kit

Dirty Red - Gift Of Gab

Dirty Red - Gift Of Gab
Dirty Red is a rapper who hails from the notorious neighborhood of Oak Cliff in Dallas, TX. He also holds membership in the Starvin' Artists family. Gift Of Gab is his debut solo album and it was released in 2005 on Mob Muzic Records. Production is provided by Ivan Benson, Pimp C of UGK and Rashard Hall. The beats are a blend of the new wave of southern funk and they certainly compliment Red's style of delivery. Although the classic southern sound might be a little absent, the artist more than makes up for it with a healthy dosage of steady rhymes. He possesses a decent amount of lyrical dexterity and his flow is mostly well rounded. The album contains a total collection of eighteen tracks, many of which are quite notable while some happen to be mundane fillers. Guest appearances are made by UGK, Six Two, Shogun, Young Muhammad, Sky, Deion, Zac, Hump and Lil' Flip. Overall the record is a solid offering from a fresh and upcoming artist. Even though some may discard the album and deem it as passable, it still deserves to a honorable mention.

Deadly Verses
Get The Greenboy ft. Pimp C & Six Two

Oak Cliff Assassin - 1992: Murder Or Muzik?

Oak Cliff Assassin is a rapper and producer from the notorious neighborhood of Oak Cliff in Dallas, TX. He got his name from a song he recorded called "Oak Cliff Assassin" back in the late 80's when he was a member of the group known as the Eliminators. In 1989 he started his first company with DJ Dark Fader known as Lock Down Productions. Then in the early nineties, O.C.A. teamed up with Henry Peeples to form their own label known as Lock Down Records. This album was released in 2000 on Lock Down Records and is produced by DJ Dark Fader. The beats are pretty much synthetic while the samples have been put to good use. Lyrically O.C.A. is really aggressive and remorseless. His tone is dark and he keeps the rhymes roguish. This album contains early recordings from the 90's. All of them are unreleased along with 4 bonus cuts, 2 of which are chopped & screwed.