Guilty Simpson

For years Guilty Simpson has been a rock on the Detroit hip-hop circuit alongside those such as J Dilla, Slum Village, Eminem (whom Guilty still calls “Marshall”) & D12, Obie Trice, Proof, Phat Kat and Black Milk. A member of the Almighty Dreadnaughtz crew, Guilty emerged as a sound to be reckoned with after linking with producer Dilla in 2001. In the midst of recording an album’s worth of material on the MC – including the recently released duet “Take Notice” off of Dilla’s heralded Ruff Draft album – Dilla gave Simpson his first appearance on disc with “Strapped” (from 2003’s Jaylib album).

2006 marked his allegiance with Stones Throw Records – at Dilla’s behest – and appearances on both Chrome Children installments and subsequent tour. It’s taken years, but finally Simpson’s full-length solo debut, Ode to the Ghetto, brings him worldwide, chronicling a life led in the rough-hewn city that birthed him.

Featuring an all-star cast of producers normally reserved for those signed to six-figure deals (J Dilla, Madlib, Denaun Porter of D-12), Ode to the Ghetto marks an evolution, incorporating a more topical and thought-provoking persona in addition to the extra-savage braggadocio Simpson is known for. “I want to make the consumer care about the music again,” the 31-year-old explains.

Guilty’s testosterone-charged, inner city themes possess of a sense of humor at times so side-splitting, it only proves how serious he really is. This rapper was raised on the field of battle and he has more to say than just how fresh he is and how fresh “they” are not. As a matter of fact, he’s found that he’s here to remind the hip-hop world – currently captivated with that manufactured freshness – that life in the ghetto is real.

The evidence shows excessive use of double entendres, too much flavor on public grounds, microphone assault, and verbal harassment of an officer of the law. On the counts of freshness AND realness: The Court of Hip-Hop finds Mr. Simpson to be Guilty.

Tracklist
1. The American Dream - Produced by Madlib
2. Robbery - Produced by Mr. Porter
3. She Won't Stay At Home - Produced by Madlib
4. Footwork - Produced by Oh No
5. Ode To The Ghetto - Produced by Oh No
6. Getting Bitches - Produced by Mr. Porter
7. I Must Love You - Produced by J Dilla
8. The Future - f/ MED - Produced by Madlib
9. Pigs - Produced by Madlib
10. My Moment - Produced by Black Milk
11. Run - f/ Sean P & Black Milk - Produced by Black Milk
12. Kinda Live - Produced by Mr. Porter
13. Yikes - Produced by Madlib
14. The Real Me - Produced by Black Milk
15. Kill 'Em - Produced by DJ Babu
16. Almighty Dreadnaughtz - f/ Super MC, Krizsteel, Konnie Ross - Produced by Konnie Ross