Dezert Eez
Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States | MAJOR
Music
Press
When the Wu-Tang Clan debuted in 1993, its mission was ambitious and revolutionary: The group would become one of rap’s most significant, and each of its nine-member crew would have a successful solo career.
There is no doubt that the Wu achieved their first goal. On top of that, more than half of the crew made good on the second portion of the Clan’s initial agenda; RZA, Method Man, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Ghostface Killah, Raekwon and GZA/Genius all had at least one gold album. But what may be more impressive is that the Wu-Tang Clan’s offshoots continue arriving and delivering high-quality material nearly 20 years on.
One of the latest is Detroit-based trio Dezert Eez (5-Star, O’Nill and Nivek), whose new single “Figure 4” features Bronze Nazareth. The selection appears on Dezert Eez’s “Ghettoboxx” album, which is now available in a deluxe version and includes appearances from Game and Inspectah Deck, among others. - redbull.com
If you go to the rap group Dezert Eez’s website, (http://dezerteez.com), one of the first things you’ll notice are the quotes by rap greats such as Dead Prez, Chuck D, Doug E. Fresh, and Lauryn Hill. Why these artists? Well, according to the group, which was formed at Western Michigan University, these artists “represent what we represent in hip hop. It’s important for people to know hip hop is more than rap music. It’s a culture.” That’s exactly what you get when you hear the single, “Ghetto Life,” off their latest body of work, Ghettobox (dropping November 9th). I sat down with the trio to discuss this single, the group’s writing process, what hip-hop culture means to them, and much more. - Don'tRushtheStage.com
Michigan Hip Hop trio and members of the Wu-Tang affiliated super-group the Almighty Dezert Eez have announced the release of their upcoming mixtape Call of Duty: The Black Ops for a February 15 release on Ncendiary/Soulkrush.
According to the group's press release, the mixtape is slated to feature a host of emcees, including Nas, Raekwon, Killah Priest, La the Darkman, Bronze Nazareth, among others. The mixtape will also find the group rocking beats from the likes of One Be Lo, Khrome and fellow member of the Almighty Bronze Nazareth.
In addition to the mixtape, Dezert Eez is preparing to host a series of three benefit performances with Keith Murray, Black Milk and the X-Clan. For every 500 downloads of Call of Duty: The Black Ops, the group will donate the proceeds of their shows to a fan-chosen cause.
In order to help decide the charity cause to which they'll contribute their concert proceeds, Dezert Eez asks that their fans email at angryheroes@yahoo.com with "Call of Duty" in the subject line and a message describing their cause of choice. Updates about the shows and their charity of choice at their website. - www.hiphopdx.com › News
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.
- Blacksheep Mag
Discography
Declaration of War
Realness (mixtape)
Realness VSOP (mixtape)
Angry Heroes (mixtape)
Ghettoboxx (featuring Game and Wu Tang)
Photos
Bio
Dezert Eez formed at Western Michigan University, located in Kalamazoo, Mi. All three members had known each other since 2003, but O’nill (Jerron Mosley) and 5-Star (Mike Williams) were the only 2 members of the group at the time. They performed on a local hip-hop circuit for a year before adding Mike’s cousin Nivek (Kevin Williams) to the team in 2004. The trio worked together, during a watered down rap era, with a common goal of the resurgence of underground hip hop.
The name Dezert Eez (Desert Eagle) is symbolic of a weapon created in Israel and then later brought to the states to be manufactured much like the Original Man. Their first recording together was "Declaration of War,” a rugged, up-close look at street and global affairs, which set the tone for much of their early material.
Over the next few months, they developed enough of a repertoire to start performing live outside the area, and quickly earned a following. When the group made its music available for download on the Internet, a substantial buzz built outside of Michigan, and it eventually earned them a opening slot for Wu Tangs Capadonna tour in 2004.
In early 2005, Dezert Eez released its first mixtape, The Realness, which won widespread critical praise that focused especially on the group’s lyrics. The buzz helped them earn a raft of high-profile outside gigs, including shows with KRS-1, Dead Prez, Slum Village and a mini tour with Wu Tang Clan’s Inspectah Deck.
Dezert Eez leapt to a bigger stage in 2008 when 5-Star teamed up with C-Rayz Walz, Killah Priest (Wu Tang), and Bronze Nazareth (also Wu Tang) on Indie heavyweight Babygrande Records to form The Almighty. The album also featured hip hop legends Canibus, Keith Murray, and Planet Asia. In late 2009, as Dezert Eez was finishing up their next release, Ghettobox, they joined up.
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