Mass Appeal’s web series “Rhythm Roulette” has paid its respects to the Detroit hip hop community by featuring artists such as Black Milk, SKYWLKR and now – a double-dose – Detroit-based producer Filthy Rockwell and Mass Appeal-signed rapper Boldy James.
“Rhythm Roulette” is truly a test of a producer’s on-the-spot ability to take samples and create a track in a single sitting. Each “webisode” features a producer who is blindfolded, instructed to pick three records from a local record shop and then asked to create new music.
The Detroit matchup makes for a truly talented collaboration, as Filthy Rockwell has contributed to projects alongside Kanye West, Big Sean, Slaughterhouse, Esham and countless others, while Boldy James has taken Detroit rap by storm with his latest release Trapper’s Alley: Risk Vs. Reward.
After selecting his three records at Peoples Records (Albany Park by Lani Hall, In Collaboration with the Gods by Detroit keyboardist Michael Quatro and Barry White’s Greatest Hits Vol. 2 by Barry White), Filthy Rockwell peruses his selections, finding some instrumental gems within Michael Quatro’s 1975 album. As Filthy crafts the rhythms, Boldy James arrives (toting a stack of bills and a baby bottle), bringing the new creation to life with fresh lyrics.
Watch the “Rhythm Roulette” collaboration between Filthy Rockwell and Boldy James below: