On June 20,2006, fellow rapper Jesse Jones was shot in the back by the city of Banning Police.
While the police determined that the murder was justified based on the presence of a fiearm
(not registered to Jones, friends and family knew him as a kind, non-violent soul who had his
future ahead and his young daughter left without a father.
IZ & HEN (DERELIKS) return almost as if only to bring this unfortunately timely message. No
strangers to serving the mass "Better Place (I'll Fly Away) begs the question, are they coming
from, or leaving to a Better Place? Hen's nostalgic sample like performance picks up where they
left off, as if they never disappeared almost 20 years ago. Undoubtedly a more mature and
complete production this selection reminds fans what was missing. The DERELIKS highly
coveted release "A Turn on the Wheel" originally widely criticized due to its non-conforming
themes and illegal samples, challenged popular music in a way never seen. IZ or I-Z, some say
way ahead of his time, pays tribute to his fallen protege Jesse Jones. Jesse as 1/3 of the
underground group Lakadaisical IZ’s opening reference to their song (People Know My Name)
"People know the name, but the fame is an illusion". Jesse was also part if a much larger
collective PHAM EPH or Family Effort along with the DERELIKS in the 90’s. Several members of
the group went on to have individual success. Traxamillion as producer and rapper, has been
heavily involved in rebranding the Bay Area sound with his mega hit "Super Hyphy" featuring
Keak Da Sneak.
DEM-One brilliantly anchors the second verse of "Better Place" by using quote from the
DERELIKS A Turn on the Wheel EP. DEM-One opens his verse with the skillfully ironic line "as he
handed me the pen". His verse and wordplay suggest that one’s past is inescapable and
relevant to the future. Though these entities: IZ, Hen, and Dem-One go back decades, this is the
first known, collective recording of the trio. But that wasn't enough. Producer/ Engineer Jerry
Dalalo of Insolence and as well as many other Bay Area & Worldwide artists, lends his expert
ear and pool of young talent, employing Leena Nelson to accompany IZ on the Hook. In its true
form "Better Place" (I'll Fly Away) is a beautifully melodic track inspiring reflection and change
in the listener.
Cleverly written and dynamic performances stick to glue the souls us all. Fans familiar with the
DERELIKS sound are pleasantly treated to their return with this message for change in uncertain
times.
All sales proceeds of Better Place (I’ll Fly Away) will go to the song donated in full to Color of
Change which helps individuals like you and me do something real about injustice by designing
campaigns powerful enough to end practices that unfairly hold Black people back, and
champion solutions that move us all forward. Until justice is real.