Journalist 103

Abdul-Jalil Rashawd, best known by his stage name Journalist 103, is a hip-hop artist from Detroit, and is best known as one-third of the hip-hop group The Left, with fellow Detroit artists Apollo Brown and DJ Soko. When it comes to emceeing and the essence of hip-hop, Journalist 103 showcases the form of an emcee evolving from a person who simply puts words over beats, to a speaker in tune giving life to his tracks. One of the sole survivors of a dying breed, 103 has emerged from a student studying the art of emceeing to teacher of hip-hop fundamentals. He started professionally emceeing around 1997. After 'spittin' in a few cyphers and open mics around the city (Ebony Showcase, C Note lounge, Napoleon retreat, to name a few) he eventually bumped into Strike who was currently 'putting in work' with a group called "PMO" (Poor Mans Orchestra). Journ and Strike inevitably formed the legendary group Mountain Climbaz. Mountain Climaz is renowned as one of Detroit's most respected live performing Hip-Hop groups. Accompanying his group efforts 103 has graced a number of mixtapes that have gained worldwide recognition. Such as underground classics like "Broken", and "Broken Again" featuring Mu, Proof, and Marvwon which received an award for best hip-hop group song of the year (2003-2004). Displaying master crowd control and lyrical delivery, that captures and elevates listeners to new heights 'the' Journalist entertains the audiences, bringing back that true feeling of genuine emceeing. Just like any great artist; Picasso or Van Gogh his work is a timeless classic leaving us in awe of his precise delivery, dominant voice, and dynamic ability to 'ride a beat'. You'll fall in love with hip-hop again listening to his 'old school' work ethnics which many 'so called' lyricist lack today. Journ's hard work, dedication, and intense studying of the art form brings the materials which leads to teaching the 'new skool' the values of being a true lyrical emcee. Journalist 103 is without question a valuable asset to today's Hip-Hop culture. After releasing one of the best albums of 2010 Gas Mask, Journalist 103 takes you back you a few years prior to his Merging with Apollo Brown and DJ Soko to form The Left, with his mixtape K.R.A.M. (Keep Rap Alive Movement) . Honing in on the modern man’s struggle, Journalist 103 uses his words to paint vivid pictures of peril, inspiration and overcoming hardship. As the lyricist behind The Left's critically acclaimed 2010 opus, Gas Mask, Journalist maneuvered through obscurity and rose to infamy as one of Detroit’s most celebrated narrators. Throughout the years, he has shared the mic with legends such as Kool G Rap, and even lent his voice to the opening track on Proof's out-of-print Detroit classic and now collector’s item, Electric Coolaid Acid Testing. As his name suggests, Journalist 103 is able to articulate his point of view like a true professional, never relying on cheap frills to captivate listeners. “Journalist is a perfectly-titled MC because his raps have no gimmicks….but keep the listener coming back for more because they’re expertly-arranged, compellingly delivered, and contain real substance,” declares RapReviews.com. The past two years have been incredible for Journalist, as his album alongside producer Apollo Brown and DJ Soko, collectively known as The Left garnered a 92 (out of 100) from OkayPlayer.com, reached the number 1 position on KevinNottingham.com’s staff picks for the Top 10 Albums of the Year, and has earned select spots in both DJ Premier and HipHopDX’s rankings for top albums of 2010. Journalist 103 continues his investigative report on the human psyche and charters new territory on his solo debut, Reporting Live, which was released worldwide via Babygrande Records on October 30, 2012. “It is definitely a privilege and an honor to be putting this album out on Babygrande Records” remarks Journalist. “Sharing the Roster with the likes of Freeway and the legendary GZA/Genius makes everything up to this point all worth the while” he adds. Featuring guest appearances from Freeway, Saigon, & Fashawn, and production from Snowgoons, Apollo Brown, Oddisee, The Audible Doctor, and more, Journalist 103 returns to boast lyrics straight from the headlines of an eye-opening periodical. The album’s first single, "Danger", was released on August 23, 2012, and is produced by the notorious Detroit beat battler Marc Byrd and features Philadelphia legend, Freeway. “Danger” is a room-filling banger that showcases Journalist and Freeway trading verses, heeding a warning of the severity of street life. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.