Black Eddie’s Clash of the Titans

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Originally published in Through the Lens Magazine on January 10, 2016

Article and photos by Melodie Yvonne Ramey

COLUMBUS, IN – The year was definitely rocky for the Hoosier State when taking a glance back at the headlines from 2015. The Religious Freedom Bill was signed into law, and then immediately following came the birth of the Church of Cannabis. Southern Indiana had the needle exchange program while central Indiana was besieged with a drastic rise in violent crimes. Unfortunately, when there are things of such importance going on in the world around us it’s easy to forget to take a minute to stop, and enjoy the little things. We forget to stop, and smell the roses, not realizing that the sweet perfume could be the only thing keeping our sanity intact. It could be the singular smell of that rose, a favorite sculpture, or even a special melody that keeps a person from tumbling over the brink. Some people chill to classical, others dance their frustrations out in a techno frenzy, yet there are those special few who do it with rhymes. In my own search for serenity from the tremulousness of the world I stumbled upon a new track from one of those special few people, hip hop’s Black Eddie aka Rashaad the God. “Clash of the Titans” is the name of his newest track, and whether a person is into hip hop or not this cut demands respect.

Black Eddie is a self-proclaimed Hip Hop Hobbyist working with Cut Camp and Strong Roots out of Columbus, Indiana. He released “Clash of the Titans” on September 9, 2015, and it slid under the radar with not nearly the bravado that it deserved. The song is presented by Wormusic and features Richard Cook. Somehow Black Eddie manages to bring a certain peace and positivity to rap that is so lacking in today’s day in age, and that holds true in this newest joint. When asked his thoughts behind writing the rhymes, and the message behind it Rashaad recounted, “Actually, I wrote the lyrics years ago. I just put it with a more up to date beat. It’s just that true school boom bap hip hop. Basically, I’m just rappin’ about rappin’. Some cats say that’s played out, but I think everything doesn’t need to have a super deep concept or story telling vibe. The remix version is my favorite, though, ’cause it’s got that real boom bap beat.”

I listen to the original cut first. I can’t sit still when these hard hitting rhythms and rhymes start pouring out of my speakers. Somehow, though, no matter how much I bounce with the beat I never get tired. It’s evident why he is called Rashaad the God as the lyrics fly out into the airwaves like lightning electrifying my world. If it’s possible for a song to actually re-energize you this one does it, and my legs are like pendulums in perpetual motion. This could also be brought on by the skills brought to the beats by Richard Cook. Richard also lent his talents to the vocals delivering a fantastic 3rd verse. I listen to the instrumental and a cappella tracks next. Both the vocals and music can easily stand on their own without the other creating two more extraordinary songs. The remix delivers everything that Black Eddie promises and more. It flows with a whole new level of chill which is unbelievable considering the original was already sky-scraping. The only thing wrong with the last cut is that it doesn’t last long enough. The remix clocks in at just a few seconds less than the original, and I’m not ready to let my mind leave the music to rejoin today’s palpitating world. “Clash of the Titans” is definitely a track to put in the favorites, and on repeat. Taking a look behind the headlines was a fun way to revisit 2015. Hopefully the upcoming year will be just as blessed with even more lyrical genius from Black Eddie aka Rashaad the God.

Check out Clash of the Titans on Band Camp at blackeddie.bandcamp.com/album/clash-of-the-titans

Check out more by Black Eddie aka Rashaad the God on Band Camp at blackeddie.bandcamp.com

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Melodie Yvonne

Melodie Yvonne, lead photographer and owner of Photographic Melodie, grew up in the small southern Indiana town of North Vernon. She picked up her first camera at the age of 5, and was immediately hooked. By the age of 15 she began to turn every trip, even just to the local park, into a fantasy scene of her own imagination, and started mentoring with many local professionals. Melodie received an Associates of Applied Science in Visual Technologies majoring in Photography from Ivy Tech in 2002 after studying under acclaimed professors and many other masters in the field.

Melodie’s main focus has always been music photography. Growing up listening to many amazing musicians inspired her dream to create visual images that made people feel the way they do when listening to music. Her goal was to help people SEE the music.

Melodie has done numerous jobs around the country ranging from working for bands to being the official photographer on many southern Indiana Poker Runs. Her specialties are in nature, music, and candid event photography. She published her first print work, a collection of images & poetry, in 2011, and has since published many more print works. Melodie currently acts as owner & lead photographer at Photographic Melodie, House Photographer for Purdue Theatre, and Tour Photographer for multiple Billboard Charts topping bands as well as freelance work with many other media outlets, venues, and musicians.

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