Elzhi is hip-hop royalty. He cut his teeth during one of Detroit hip-hop’s most fertile eras, frequenting the open mic nights hosted by Proof of D12 at the legendary Hip Hop Shop, which was also where Eminem honed his skills. Elzhi also earned the attention and respect of the most innovative, and perhaps most influential, hip-hop producer of all time, J Dilla. When J Dilla stepped away from Slum Village in 2002, he recruited Elzhi to take his place, ultimately remaining with the group until 2010. Over the past 12 years, Elzhi has released critically acclaimed solo albums and mixtapes, and worked with everyone from Drake, Danny Brown, Pete Rock, Little Brother, and more. Perhaps his most audacious work is 2011’s Elmatic, his reinterpretation of the Nas classic, Illmatic. Recently, Elzhi returned with his latest album, Seven Times Down, Eight Times Up, giving notice that he’s still on top of the game.

The following interview has been lightly edited. 

What are some of your current influences?

My recording equipment at my spot. To be able to get up at any time of the day and make a song is definitely the way to go. Knowing that I have all that at my fingertips influences me to want to create music.

What are some all-time influences that continue to shape your music? 

I would have to say: Rockstar Games, the makers of the Grand Theft Auto series; Shel Silverstein’s poetry books; Quentin Tarantino, a true master of his craft; Radiohead; and taking walks through busy downtown areas.

What’s the most overrated? 

Roller coasters are the most overrated. I mean, they’re cool and all, but at the end of the day, all they do is jerk you around and drop you, putting that little funny feeling in your stomach. They’re cool while they last. I mean, I guess they’re still poppin’, but I’m straight on ‘em [laughs].

What’s the most underrated?

Most underrated is coffee ice cream. I’m a big fan of coffee flavors, but I don’t like coffee. I’m not a big fan of the coffee drink itself, although… let me take that back, I do like an iced coffee. But other than that, I’m straight on coffee. But coffee ice cream is the joint, and the reason why it’s the joint is because it tastes so good. When you pair it up with a delicious pastry or a cookie, then you got an à la mode classic. So, yeah, it’s the joint.

What are you most excited about right now? 

I’m most excited about my new release, Seven Times Down, Eight Times Up. The feedback so far has been dope, and I’m excited that people are enjoying the music. I’m excited to be able to give new music to the people.

What’s next for you? 

The sky’s the limit, you know, movies, books, etc. I’ll say, right now, more music. I’m constantly working, and I have the equipment at the spot, so I’m cranking ‘em out like hotcakes now. So yeah, expect more new music from me.

Bonus Question: Over the last few years, there seems to be a lot written about the “rise” of Detroit hip-hop. Why do you think Detroit hip-hop is continually being “discovered” while the longer history remains unknown or ignored by the casual observer? 

When we were coming up in the open mic scene, and the Hip Hop Shop was in full effect, you had people like Proof, Royce da 5’9”, Fat Cat, myself, Slum Village, Obie Trice, Guilty Simpson, and you name it, I don’t really think it’s been overlooked.  I don’t think the history of it is overlooked. Like when I’m doing songs with Conway The Machine, or Westside Gunn, or Big Sean, it doesn’t feel like it’s overlooked. When people like Drake notice the movement as well as other big-name artists who are doing their thing right now, it’s not overlooked to me.

But I can see how it would seem that way because Detroit, as a city, we’ve always been fighting to get in. Back in the day, there was a group in Detroit called Last Ones Out, but we kinda all took that name and fell up under that umbrella because we felt like we weren’t really being heard. So as MCs and producers, we went 120% all in, even more than that actually, just to be heard. I feel like the same goes for today. But it’s starting to be a better look when you have cats like Boldy James, Sada Baby, Courtney Bell, A Minus, and Nolan The Ninja. I think it’s starting to get a look, but it still isn’t where it should be because there are many talented artists in the city. But I don’t feel like the past is overlooked.

With your new album, what do you want listeners to come away with? What knowledge are you looking to impart? 

What I want listeners to come away with, especially people who’ve supported me for a long time, is that I want them to know where I’m at with it, as far as the craft and what I’m trying to do. I want them to understand that this is a new beginning.  This is the beginning of something that’s going to bring forth more music. Those who know my journey know that it hasn’t been an easy road for me. I want people to know that they should never give up, especially if they’re passionate about something. They should go for it, and I will gladly be the example of that.

Seven Times Down, Eight Times Up is the perfect title when it comes to my life, especially right now because it’s an “up” period. But really, I’m just trying to put out there that you might get knocked down seven times, but you get up eight. It’s always important to get up, dust yourself off, and keep moving because every level you go to, it’s gonna be a new beginning. It’s like starting a new level of a video game. You might beat that one level, and now you’re on a whole other level, and you’re right at the beginning again. There’s a lot that you have to learn, a lot of obstacles to cross, but at the end of the day, it’s always important to never give up and to keep going.

@elzhi