Some albums don’t just age well — they reveal more of themselves over time. For Elzhi, the Lead Poison album was a turning point; a deeply personal record that captured the Detroit lyricist pushing through one of the most difficult chapters of his life.
Now, a decade later, the project returns with new life and added weight. With a remastered sound, refreshed visuals, and exclusive physical editions for collectors, the anniversary rollout brings renewed attention to one of Elzhi’s most important works.
Most recently, Elzhi teamed up with Astray and DJ Los for “A Beautiful Mess.”
Check out the full press release below.
Released in 2016 after years of anticipation, Lead Poison stands as Detroit lyricist Elzhi’s most vulnerable and rewarding album. Known for his razor-sharp wordplay and elite penmanship, the former Slum Village emcee fought through a heavy cloud of depression and writer’s block to complete the record, ultimately delivering a project that balances lyrical brilliance with raw emotional honesty.
Across 16 tracks, Elzhi navigates self-doubt, isolation, and resilience while reaffirming his place among hip-hop’s most gifted writers. Highlights include “Alienated,” “Two 16’s,” and the fan-favourite “February,” with production from Karriem Riggins, 14kt, Bombay, and more.
Released for Record Store Day 2026, this 10th anniversary edition of Lead Poison is remastered by D-Sane at Digital Age Sound and features a reimagined cover and layout by Jelle Smid, based on c.BARR’s original artwork.
Now available through our online store, we’re pleased to unveil the reissue on CD and cassette, alongside signed test presses featuring one-of-a-kind hand-drawn illustrations by Elzhi, each titled after a song from the album and accompanied by his signature, plus a full range of clothing merch including two t-shirt designs, long sleeves, sweatshirts, snapbacks, and bucket hats.
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