Music
Press
I know what to expect from Custom Made musically but after one listen to Element on this project one word comes to mind...POWERFUL. Powerful lyrics, powerful voice, powerful presence on the MIC. Element brings all that to the table on this project. I don't think I've heard a more focused MC this year so far. He has this borderline angry vibe going on but he's def not angry, he's empowered to get his voice heard by any means neccessary.
"Club Epidemic" is my shit! I had this on the Rapmullet Ipod a couple weeks ago. Element broke down the ills of the club scene to perfection. "It's a thin line between crime and being on your grind"...oh shit. Element dropping jewels on "The Dark Knight". I was diggin' the signing in the beginning but the beat kind of laged to me. The flow on "The Element Project" will bend steel; Element is focused man. Words were flipped like crabby patties at the Krusty Krab on "Devour the Game". And I quote: "I need a skull and cross bones tat'd on my back to symbolize the entrapment of havoc when I rap." Ahhh man I need to throw this into heavy rotation. "My round table is now fatal this styles able to snipe angels and take 'em down for the round halo"....get the fuck outta here, that shit is potent people. Tell me that shit isn't powerful. The hook of the year so far has got to be off "I Am". Peep it..."I am man, suff-er-ing, must o-ccur, for me to win, we are one, we will strive, we live now, we will rise, I will never, give up ever, listen to my voice and listen to the song, tell me what I can't do and I can prove you wrong". Like I said people...poweful. "Lay 'Em Down" has the crazy sample flip man. I wasn't really fucking with the hook like that but Element consistiently devours the bars.
Its funny to me man that there can be such good music out there that the masses sleep on. Element lyrically is right there near the top of the food chain. He brings a smart, introspective ideal of what's real to the table with no filler and delivers it as raw as possible. A lot of times cats have the bars but they don't have the production to match and that's where the "street certifed" rating comes into play here. Element knows his sound, knows what he wants to say and how he want's people to hear the message...that shit is rare man...fo real. If you're a lyrically cat and can sit down and really peep what Element has to say you will hear exactly what I heard. (3/07/08) - Rapmullet.com
Discography
Element and Abstrakt Soundz has worked together on other projects before but only have 1 project as a Duo on the market and in circulation at the moment and thats ''Great Expectations". Only a couple songs have gotten radio airplay such as "Im Sorry", which has gotten love from Power 106.0 FM and 93.5 KDay FM. Other songs such as Chucks and "Before i Wake" have been doing well on Shade 45 Sirius XM radio.
But with all the love that the duo have been receiving from the Great Expectations Mixtape, they have decided to work on a series of projects such as "The boondocks" Mixtape, The "Kirt Cobaine Tribute" Mixtape, the "Long Story Short Ep", and The Official LP Titled "Battle Cry".
Photos
Bio
Element
Biography
"I think its very spontaneous that I am not afraid to hold anything back. You have the few artists that
are actually real. I'm real to myself and my music."? - Element
Born December 16, 1986, in Los Angeles, California, Element (Jeremiah Sojourney) is the
consummate rapper. As the son of an avid R&B singer, Element grew up in a household that
influenced and nurtured his passion for music and rapping. His father, Oliver Johnson, would
frequently play the piano and sing at home. Although Element received constant exposure to music,
life at home was not so easy. Elements mother was very abusive towards him. To escape the
physical and psychological abuse, Element turned to reading to escape the tortured reality of his
youth. He also wrote poetry as a therapeutic method of coping with his pain.
This tradition of exploring his psyche through poetry continues today. By the age of 15, Element was
well on his way to perfecting his rap style by writing, listening to music, and rapping incessantly. By
2001, Element was making his presence known in Los Angeles hip-hop underground scene by free
styling and battling at every event he could attend. That year, he also entered the World Rap
Championships (WRC) with Franco, an emcee from Northern California. At the WRC, Element
competed against some of the best emcees in the world.
While pursuing his rap career, Element also began delving into the Los Angeles street culture. At this
time, a bond had formed amongst a group of friends equally interested in making music. Scoobs, Six,
Aneek, Bluff, and Element formed Custom Made. Together, they traversed the streets of L.A. to better
appreciate the challenges and struggles of the people living there. This time of exploration was also
fraught with peril. They encountered dangerous situations and had many altercations in the streets of
L.A. Most of Custom Mades members ended up in jail because of those dangerous situations and
altercations. Despite these setbacks, Element and the remaining members continued creating music
incorporating their life experiences into their rhymes.
In 2005, Custom Made signed their first record deal with Babygrande Records. Custom Made were
now label mates with legendary artists such as GZA, Hi-Tek, Canibus and JedI Mind Tricks. Custom
Made soon released their debut album Side Walk Mind Talk as a CD and DVD. In 2007, Custom
Made signed with Rawkus Records to release their second album Truth Be Told. Elements debut
solo project is Great Expectations. His solo project features production by Abstrakt Soundz. Element
and Abstrakt Soundz also worked together on Elements junior album release Battle Cry.
Battle Cry explores a wide range of issues including poverty, politics drugs, and everyday situations.
The concept behind Battle Cry is to discuss pressing issues that everyone can identify with while
keeping the music distinctly hip-hop. The music along with the lyrics are designed to inspire thought
in the minds of the listeners. Element explores a wide range of issues in his songs: From grappling
with his personal demons, discussing the ubiquitous struggle of a young man growing up in Los
Angeles, to analyzing the dynamics of relationships, politics, and the economy. But of course, as a
battle emcee, his creativity flourishes most when expounding on the greatness of his talent.
Yet, every song contains the right balance of ferocity, contemplation, and wit. Element also stands
distinguished from most emcees because he also draws influence from artists such as Canibus,
Eminem, Bob Dylan, Jimmie Hendrix, Metallica and many more. These influences are in addition to
the influences of his father who exposed him to groups such as the Temptations, Earth Wind & Fire,
Blue Magic, and the Isley Brothers. The confluence of all of these artists from different music genres,
his struggles, disappointments and successes, and other life experiences make Elements music one
of a kind. In addition, Element appreciates the power of music. He wants to use his music to unify
people of every race, social class, and nationality in order to make a better world. With such a selfless
goal, Element is certain to leave a musical mark on the world.
Featured Highlights
Featured on URB Magazine in 2006-2007
Element was featured on Power 106 "The Wake
Up Show"? for an Interview and debut of a
featured song called "Original Dynasty"?
Featured on Xcelerator Magazine in 2006-2007
Opened up Hip-Hop shows for Lupe Fiasco,
Common, Wu-Tang, Little Brother, Cypress
Hill, Dilated Peoples, and many more
Element was featured on Vlaze.coms "Hip Hop
Delight" Show
Working on a new album called "Battle Cry"?
Reviews
"Elements ability will grab you will blow you away; and I must
admit, I'm somewhat of a fan." Reviewer at Dubb Cnn.com "Element certainly
does justice with I'm Sorry? by fulfilling his soulful
matter of the chorus and the beat."
Sean Deez, KevinNottingham.com
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