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Axios
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Detroit music icon Amp Fiddler remembered with street sign
Joseph Anthony "Amp" Fiddler, a revered Detroit icon who collaborated with Prince, Parliament Funkadelic and others, now has a street named after him. The big picture: The city is commemorating the legacy of Fiddler, a musician and producer across jazz, funk, soul, rock and hip-hop who mentored local legend J Dilla. He died in 2023 from cancer at age 65. The latest: Detroit unveiled Amp Fiddler Avenue on Friday at 7 Mile and Revere Ave. in Conant Gardens, where Fiddler grew up and began his career. May 16, the musician's birthday, is now Amp Fiddler Day. The alternatingly somber and joyful celebration starred musicians who knew Fiddler, government officials including U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, academics and Fiddler's wife, Tombi Stewart-Fiddler. What they're saying:"(Fiddler was) for many of us the very pulse of the block, the very pulse of Detroit," music media personality Chris Campbell said at the event. "Artists from all around the world came to his door. They left better, whether it was making beats, producing," Campbell said. "Amp gave you his time, he gave you his knowledge. But most of all, Amp gave you his love." Flashback: Fiddler started learning the piano as a kid and studied music in high school and college, said council member Scott Benson, a P-Funk fan who read a short biography of Fiddler's life during the event. Fiddler worked with greats, as well as conducting his own solo career — one speaker shouted out his song " Possibilities." He was known for his personal style, once landing a gig off the street because he was recognized for it, per the Metro Times. Mentoring was a quintessential part of his life, Benson said. Fiddler nurtured the careers of many local artists who went on to success, like Waajeed and Urban Art Orchestra's De'Sean Jones. Fiddler taught J Dilla how to use an MPC, a key piece of equipment in hip-hop and electronic music. And he made an introduction that helped launch J Dilla's career — to Q-Tip from A Tribe Called Quest. Zoom out: Dozens of streets spanning the city have been given secondary names to honor Detroiters.
Axios
27-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Boldy James is Detroit's hardest-working rapper
Detroit rapper Boldy James, known for telling cold street tales over atmospheric beats, has released three albums in 2025 already, with two more on the way. Why it matters: Since a near-fatal car accident two years ago in Metro Detroit, Boldy's reputation as a tireless rapper has reached new heights with the quality and pace of his latest music. State of play: Boldy's next two releases — "Alphabet Highway" (out next Friday) and "Conversational Pieces" (May 2) — landed on Pitchfork's new list of spring's 50 most-anticipated albums. "It might take an extraterrestrial attack to stop Boldy James from making albums," writer Matthew Strauss quipped. Catch up quick: When he was 8, Boldy moved in with his father, a police officer, on the city's west side, per Metro Times. "My neighborhood was a drug zone," he said in a 2023 interview. He began pursuing music in the early 2000s with his cousin, rapper/producer Chuck Inglish, who grew up in Mount Clemens. His 2013 album, "My 1st Chemistry Set," caught the attention of hip-hop icon Nas, which led to a deal with Mass Appeal Records. Between the lines: While many rappers employ a stable of producers for a single album, Boldy often works with a single producer — hip-hop legend The Alchemist, most notably — giving each project a unique yet consistent soundscape. Inside the room: He's said his albums can be made in a matter of days during intense studio sessions. In this clip, Boldy can be seen in his socks on a couch, writing on a notepad while The Alchemist fine-tunes the music over which he'll rap. "I don't feel like I can ever oversaturate the market as long as it's a quality product," he said in 2022. "If the music wasn't hot, then we wouldn't even be having this discussion right now." Zoom in: Boldy's gift for storytelling pays extra dividends for local listeners. His music frequently places him on streets like McNichols and the Lodge Freeway. Songs are sprinkled with references to his "crib in Hazel Park" ("Telephono"), wearing Gucci pants at Flood's ("Janky"), and business calls with former NBA player and Benton Harbor native Wilson Chandler ("Unapologetic"). 💭 Joe's thought bubble: Boldy's music reminds me of when I heard Mobb Deep's " Hell on Earth" for the first time in high school. His lyrics are engrossing, with Easter eggs you might not discover until the 10th listen: " Royal Oak on my wrist, screaming 'f— Oakland County'" he raps on "Lop Sided," playing off the shared name of the Detroit suburb and luxury watch. What they're saying: Boldy says that his reality raps are meant to have a scared-straight effect on the listener, rather than glorify life on the streets. During a stop in Germany during 2023's Six Million Dollar Man Tour, he marveled at the unfamiliar ambulance sirens, the kindness from local fans and his motivation to keep representing Detroit. "Keep putting on for all the real ghetto boys worldwide who didn't let being from the ghetto get in the way of them making sure their dreams came true," he said before signing off with his signature two-word catchphrase that captures his relentless nature: "What else?"
Axios
06-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Things to do this weekend in Metro Detroit: March 7-9
Spring is getting closer, and it's time to start making warm-weather plans. This weekend's camping and wedding expos might be a good place to start. 🚙 Camping World's Ultimate RV Show starts today and runs through Sunday at Huntington Place downtown. Free! 🎤 Rick Ross and other rap stars from the 2000s are bringing the Millennium Tour to Little Caesars Arena on Saturday at 8pm. Tickets start at about $70. Ross is also scheduled to perform at an afterparty at the strip club Legends, per the Metro Times. 🔊 Kash Doll, the local rapper who was spotted recently with Lions defensive end Za'Darius Smith, is performing at the Masonic Temple on Sunday at 7pm. Tickets are going for $175 and up. 💍 Getting hitched? Ford Field is hosting the Bridal Celebrations expo with wedding professionals, products and trends on Sunday starting at noon. Tickets are $12. 😆 Comedian Mike Epps is hosting the We Them Ones comedy tour stop at Little Caesars Arena on Friday at 8pm. Other performers include Kountry Wayne and Lil Duval. Tickets start at $65. 🎭 For comedy in a more intimate setting, check out Caleb Hearon's show at the Fillmore on Saturday at 7pm. Tickets are available on the secondary market starting at about $35. 🛍️ Women-owned vendors selling pottery, skin care products and other goods will be at Batch Brewing on Saturday from 2-6pm for its first-ever International Women's Day Market.
