Esham

Smith smiling in his automobile.

Esham (born Rashaam Smith on September 20, 1977) is a hardcore rapper from Detroit, Michigan. He calls his style of rock-influenced rap "acid rap". He released his first album, Boomin' Words from Hell, at the age of fifteen.

That same year he teamed up with Detroit natives TnT and Mastamind and formed the group Natas, whose controversial debut Life After Death has been blamed for the suicide of a Tennessee youth. After another EP released in 1992 entitled Hellter Skkkelter dropped, Esham's most recognized and most controversial album 1993's KKKill the Fetus hit stores. The cover of this album depicted an unborn fetus and the title track was a song explaining why unfit, drug addicted mothers should chose abortion over birth. Esham followed up with Natas' Blaz4me and another solo Closed Casket. This was all a prelude to another controversial release, Doubelievengod. Tracks such as Pop Pop, Sunday School, and Heaven set and unprecedented mark for evilness in rap music. Esham later released his final album on RLP, Dead Flowerz. This was a transitional period into Esham's new Gothom label. Bruce Wayne/Gothom City introduced the world to the new age Esham. After this release the head nodding, trunk rattling Multikillionaire was released.

After a 2-year break, E hit the scene with the colorful Mail Dominance CD. This CD had everything from slow jams, retrospectives on lost ones, wickedness, to 50's samples. The next release is what many feel was the critically acclaimed WWW.com. In 2001, Esham released what would become his smoothest album, Tongues. Followed by Natas 6th release Godlike. Esham resume of albums includes 10 full albums, 4 EPs, 3 greatest hits compilations, and 6 releases with Natas. Not to mention working with and producing for Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Ghetto E, Kool Keith, Insane Clown Posse, and the Dayton Family. From 1989 to 2005, Esham has given fans his heavy doses of Reel Life, Heavy Mental music. Esham truly revolutionized Detroit's rap sound and is a local legend.

Eminem has listed Esham as an influence, as he mentions on his debut album, The Slim Shady LP. Esham's next album, A.1. Yola, was released April 19th, 2005 by Psychopathic Records. Included with the album was also a DVD with videos to almost every song, but there is no evidence that Esham was the first artist to make a music video for every song on an album. Towards the end of 2005 Esham could no longer be a part of Psychopathic Records. His last concert under the label was at the 5th Annual Gathering of the Juggalos. He contributed to the Soopa Villainz project and later left. The split was on bad terms according to acidrap.com. The reason, also according to acidrap.com, was that Psychopathic Records did not allow him to use the name The Unholy,The Black Devil or the group NATAS. Esham also was quoted on acidrap.com, saying "Fuck The Juggalos".

Other Appearances

Sticky Icky Situation -

Anybody Killa - Hatchet Warrior

Enjoy Life -

Bedlam - Bedlamitez Rize

Skatin' -

Believing in Detroit

Murda Ride -

Black Hippiz - Dead Residentz

Shotgun -

Blaze Ya Dead Homie - Colton Grundy

Climbin -

Blaze Ya Dead Homie - Colton Grundy

Roll -

Breed - The New Prescription

Player Haters -

Dayton Family - F.B.I.

Poemz -

Dice - Theneighborhoodshittalka

Still Goin' Thru A Thang -

Ghetto E - Ghetto Theatre

Taste -

Insane Clown Posse - Carnival of Carnage

Chop Chop -

Insane Clown Posse - Beverly Kills 50187

Ain't Yo Bidness/Soopa Villains -

Insane Clown Posse - The Wraith: Shangri-La

Thug Pit -

Insane Clown Posse - Hallowicked 2003

New Chicks -

Jacky Jasper - Keep My Shit Clean

Aftermath -

Know Good - Illegal Hustle

Dark Vader -

Kool Keith - Spankmaster

Yes Yes Y'all -

Kool Keith - Spankmaster

Don't Be -

Lavel - Nutty

Bad Influence -

Mann - Opposition

Bitcheshate -

Mastamind - Likkuiddrano

In This Life -

Moebadis & Snake P - Thugz Millennium

12 Bitches -

Moebadis & Snake P - Stockz N Bondz

Outta My Way -

Monoxide Child - Chainsmoker

Turbulance -

Murder Dog Magazine's Best of the Best 10 Years

Oldie But Goodie -