Inspired by the WWE, this new EP From Loyalty Digital Corp links the worlds of Pro Wrestling and hip-hop. Artists featured include Skyzoo, Torae, Sadat-X, Livin Proof, Punchline, Fokis, Cortez, Maffew Ragazino, and more.

From VladTV: “EMC sat down with VladTV to share their favorite battle stories from when they were coming up in the culture, with Masta Ace saying one was from high school when another student and him went back and forth with 50 other students watching them.

Make sure to cop their new EP, “The Turning Point” in stores now.”

To use a cliché, Masta Ace is like a fine wine. As with the best that the bottle has to offer, he has become better with age. Most emcees of his era have steadily declined, usually coasting on their name and past merits, and lacking the ability to create anything relevant, choose good production, and deliver the lyrical masterpieces of their youth. Ace, on the other hand, has created two masterpieces (Disposable Arts and A Long Hot Summer), paired up with another veteran that gets better with time (Edo G) to form A&E, rock on MF Doom’s beats on MA Doom, and create a new crew with eMC. It’s the later unit that is back after a handful of years. A relaunched label (Penalty) and reformed unit (Ace, Punchline, Wordsworth, & Stricklin), bring forth an EP with an LP to follow in a few months.

On The Turning Point EP, the crew picks up where 2008’s The Show left off. What you are treated to has all the regular trademarks of an Ace project: the M3 sound bite to set off the album, and skits that tie the tracks together and fuel the narrative. In the case of the narrative, you have Ace being contacted on Super Bowl Sunday by Penalty Records. This leads to having to link everyone else back together, in a scene that isn’t what it used to be, and with the kids, families, and other life responsibilities sharing a chunk of everyone’s time. Everyone is a little older, a little more weathered by what the years have brought, and this is perfectly expressed on the title track where they all look back to where they’ve been, and look ahead to where they are going.

In terms of production, Ace is one of the few that can rock over a more mainstream-sounding production and make it his own, and not the other way around. From some of the tracks on Sittin’ on Chrome to some on the new project, he has been able to walk the fine line without ever abandoning who he is for a radio hit. The Turning Point includes several examples of this, from sung hooks and choruses on the majority of the tracks, to the reggae chorus on “The Coolest”, and some of the beat choices. Despite some of these elements, the lyrics, song concepts, and emcee’s styles all shine through, which might be one of the biggest strengths of this release. All four members of the group have distinct voices, delivery styles, and personalities that they bring to the mic. They all balance each other, creating perfect balance.

At the end of the day, if you enjoyed The Show, you’ll probably think highly of The Turning Point EP and eMC’s upcoming sophomore release. If you didn’t like the project, there’s not necessarily anything that will change your mind on this project. But like they say on the title track, “eMC is a movement, but we’re here to stay.”

From Str8OutDaDen: “Allow me to introduce Masta Ace, Wordsworth, Punchline & Stricklin, collectively known as eMC. The crew talked with us about their return to music and broke down a few records from their latest project, The Turning Point EP. In addition to all of that, eMC spoke on the importance of having a solid catalog to hit the road with. Plus we managed to get a couple of bars out of them. So you know the drill…sit back…Relax and Listen!”

Masta Ace, Strick, Punchline and Wordsworth reunite as eMC, whom together will drop their new EP, The Turning Point, on May 20th, following a six-year absence. Stream that bitch below.

The Turning Point is available for pre-order today, and will be released on May 20 via M3/Penalty Entertainment/RED on May 20. In various skits,The Turning Point takes the listener through the group’s decision to record a new album after almost 6 years. Reminiscent of John Belushi’s character in “The Blues Brothers,” Masta Ace calls each member asking them if they are interested in reuniting. The result is a 6-song offering with stand out tracks “Stay Busy” featuring and produced by newcomer Pav Bundy, and “Verified” featuring Birmingham England sensation Lady Leshurr. The title track “Turning Point” features east coast crooner Range Da Messenga, as well as production from UK’s very own Quincey Tones.

Formed in 2007, eMC is comprised of four lyricists including the Milwaukee born phenom Stricklin, the widely respected NYC duo and “Lyricist Lounge” emcees Punchline & Wordsworth and the legendary Brooklyn-bred and former Juice Crew member Masta Ace. eMC plans to tour the US and Europe this summer, as well as Canada later this year.

The Turning Point Track Listing
01-SuperBowl Sunday (skit)
02-Stay Busy
03-New School Nursery (skit)
04-Charly Murphie
05-Gotchu (skit)
06-Sweet Potato Fries
07-Verified
08-Firehouse Lounge (skit)
09-The Coolest
10-Body Shots (skit)
11-Turning Point
12-AMG-PSA (skit)

Hip Hop super-group eMC announces the release of their forthcoming EP The Turning Point via M3/Penalty Entertainment/RED on May 20. Formed in 2007, eMC is comprised of four lyricists including the Milwaukee born phenom Stricklin, the widely respected NYC duo and “Lyricist Lounge” emcees Punchline & Wordsworth and the legendary Brooklyn-bred and former Juice Crew member Masta Ace.

The Turning Point will be available for pre-order on May 6, and fans who purchase the EP in advance will receive the lead single “Charly Murphie” as an instant grat track on iTunes. Produced by Detroit’s own 14KT and featuring Agallah Don Bishop (8-Off the Assassin), “Charlie Murphie” is eMC’s antithesis response to the current trend of radio friendly songs being named after famous individuals. Masta Ace explains “Charly Murhpie epitomizes the hardcore, aggressive, punch in the nose mentality which is a stark contrast to those other songs.”

In various skits,The Turning Point takes the listener through the group’s decision to record a new album after almost 6 years. Reminiscent of John Belushi’s character in “The Blues Brothers,” Masta Ace calls each member asking them if they are interested in reuniting. The result is a 6-song offering with stand out tracks “Stay Busy” featuring and produced by newcomer Pav Bundy, and “Verified” featuring Birmingham England sensation Lady Leshurr. The title track “Turning Point” features east coast crooner Range Da Messenga, as well as production from UK’s very own Quincey Tones.

eMC will release the video for “Charlie Murphie” next month and plans to tour the US and Europe this summer, as well as Canada later this year.

Rappers Masta Ace, Wordsworth, Punchline and Stricklin reunite as eMC for this new track produced by David E. Beats.

New visuals from Ruste Juxx & The Arcitype’s 15-track ‘V.I.C’ album out now on AR Classic Records/Duck Down Music Inc. Directed by Hi-Lite Reel Boston.

AWKWORD, Shabaam Sahdeeq, Punchline & Beretta 9 (Killarmy) join forces for “The People’s Champions”, a revolution-inspired cut produced by Harry Fraud. This song will appear on AWKWORD’s forthcoming 100% for-charity global Hip Hop project ‘World View’.

All proceeds from World View will be donated to Guns 4 Cameras (A.K.A. Aim to Live), a 501c3 registered nonprofit dedicated to eradicating gun violence through the Hip Hop-inspired education and empowerment of our innercity youth. For more information, visit: http://AWKWORDrap.com

Here is a new freestyle from eMC rapper Punchline. This is the second freestyle in the past couple weeks from Punchline. This time Punchline goes in over the Marco Polo and Ruste Juxx track of the same title. Check it out below.

Punchline (of eMC) – “My Execution” (MP3)

New Punchline freestyle courtesy of Punchline himself.  A new eMC LP has been talked about for a 2010 release but is still only rumors.

Punchline (of eMC) – “Set It Off Freestyle’” (MP3)

Finally, the Mona Hip-Hop imprint has taken the responsibility of releasing a project from this crew, in hopes to settle the anxious fans down. Unfortunately, what’s discovered when listening to the EP, is that there probably isn’t a more mismatched duo in hip-hop today than Punch & Words. Unlike other yin-and-yang groups like Outkast or Public Enemy, the opposites attract rule doesn’t apply here. Punchline seems like a serious street cat, while Wordsworth has a more light-hearted, humorous rhyme style. The only problem is, the two don’t compliment each other, as Words steals the show every time.

But how big of an accomplishment is stealing the show, when the beats aren’t much to speak for either? The overall song structure of this EP is all over the place, whether it’s the ridiculous “I-95″, emulating the ludacris bounce stlyes of down-south, or the hint of N.Y. City thuggery that looms over tracks like “So What”. Bad hooks also taint the project, such as the ill contradiction of backpack emcee Wordsworth screaming about “War”, or the monotony of “Watching Me”.

Its clear that everyone involved here is out of their element. While Kurt Gowdy and Punchline may make a decent team up for average underground street records, Wordsworth’s funny-style has no business over these kinds of beats. We’ve seen Words shine on MTV, and even brighter with worthy opponents like Q-Tip and Mos Def. Even this EP’s “Mistress” offers a glimpse of what Words can offer the audience, so maybe solo careers are the move for both emcees.