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Features -
Hip Hop Artists
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Written by Paige Vermillion
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Thursday, 22 October 2009 17:12 |
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Going it alone is always a gamble and the outcome is never really certain. For an artist, it takes talent, hard work, perseverance and a lot of luck; but if the work that Lil Flip has done so far is any indication of future success, it is fairly certain that he has is seeking to redeem worldwide recognition.
The strength of his true motivation, though is, as he says, “Family, God, and fans”, going on to add “Without the fans, I really don't know where I would be. In October through November he will be touring cities throughout Texas. After that he will be adding another smaller tour to coincide with the album drop December in December world.
Lil Flip's repertoire includes most everything in the business, from releasing hit single's, to being signed, and now as an independent artist,
His latest project to be released is called Respect Me. On this record, Lil Flip makes his intentions known. It is clear that he is working very hard to hold on to and solidify that independence, making a name for himself his way. He is quoted as saying, “I'm really just working on how lyrical I can really be. And a lot of people don't think southern rappers can be lyrical, so I'm really trying to focus on that the most. And this is going to be raw and uncut; what I really know in the rawest form.”
But this new project isn't the only thing he's been applying his talents. He has stated that he will be putting out 12 mixtapes even before his real album comes out. The album will be entitled Ahead Of My Time and is scheduled for release in December 2009.
In addition to dividing his time and efforts between the 12 mixtapes and his album, he will also be making music videos for all his singles and coming out with a video album as well. In response to a question about why he markets his music the way he does now, he stated. “With record sales being at a all time low, the Internet is a great way to get your music out there and for it to be sold.”
On some of the mixtapes that are scheduled for release, he will be rapping over beats to other artis's music. Reasonable Clout is one of those mixtapes where he can be heard rapping over Jay-Z's beats. On another one, called Ready To Fly, he will be laying down his rap over beats by B.I.G. With All Eyes On Flip, you'd probably be right to guess that it will be done over 2Pac beats as well.
In the end, Lil Flip is, if anything, energetic and driven. He is also full creativity and new ideas. He seems to truly enjoy the challenges of being independent and seems to have no ambivalence about his decision to have no major record label supporting him.
Some might see his single minded focus and confidence in himself as egotistical, but it is the music which will ultimately determine how fans and music history will judge this artist.
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Features -
Hip Hop Artists
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Written by Paige Vermillion
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Tuesday, 20 October 2009 00:00 |
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Could girl groups be making a come back? We can't be sure yet, but it just might happen with these girls. And this group of three young ladies is definitely making some noise.
Shanquilla “Shan Q” Robinson, Chanel Ross and Jasmine “Jazzy” Kearse make up Krave. Meeting in high school, they already knew what they really wanted to be. Their sound is described as party music and something that can get you on your feet. Soon Devyne Stephens signed these very different, but very close girls to Upfront Megatainment. Writing all there own music, their lyric relate to anyone and everyone out there, singing about the way they have gone through the same up's and down's as their audience. These ladies must be doing something right because the have work and performed with some pretty big artists. They're really just trying to make there name clear and build that Krave Empire. To find about these three girls check out the interview we had with them and definitely keep an eye out.
OSHHS: When did you ladies sign to Upfront Megatainment? And what made you choose that label?
Shan Q: We signed with Upfront Megatainment about 2 and half years ago. And once the deal was brought to us it felt like home. Devyne Stephens is from the “A” and he has worked with so many different artists like P.Diddy, Mary J. Blige, TLC, Ciara, New Edition just everyone. But he really just had the eye of the tiger and it was bound to happen that we would be working with him. I think it was really god's answer and we're like one big family here at Upfront.
OSHHS: What was it like working on your self-titled album? And were there any up's or down's during the process?
Chanel: This is our first album and it's our baby. We had a lot of fun doing this album and we put a lot of time into it as well as a lot of work and long hours in the studio. We got to work with a lot of different artist. We have our two singles, “Go Crazy”, featuring Flo-Rida and also “Up & Down” featuring Akon, Nelly, and Twista. And those are the people that have been in the industry and have a lot of success, so to work with them it was definitely an honor. And the album should be out early 2010, so everybody make sure you go look for it. It's definitely going to be a banger.
Jazzy: Dealing with anything in the industry there's gonna be up's and down's or something unexpected, but nothing that could tear us apart. It just comes with territory and nothings going to come easy so we expect there's gonna be some blows. I mean there's gonna be disagreements and there might be some people that wanna break us down, but our bond is so solid and we're so focused on our goals we don't let the negativity affect us.
OSHHS: Tell us, what was it like working with these mainstream artists?
Shan Q: It was definitely a blessing and a dream come true. Akon is like our big brother, and one thing we learned from him and he told us specifically, “Yo, always be yourself and do what you wanna do. And go ahead if you wanna talk about this just try it. And don't hold back.” So we use that with everything we do; respectfully of course. Everyone else though was an honor and they were all dope. Nelly is crazy dope. Twista and Roc City are dope. Roc City, those are like brothers too. It's just so surreal to us and we still can't believe it to this day.
OSHHS: Well there have been many successful and unsuccessful girl groups. How do you ladies plan to make a name for yourself? Something that is unique and competitive.
Chanel: Well like we've said we work really, really hard. We're trying to create a Krave brand. We want to branch out and do clothing lines and perfumes, movies, cartoons; so what we're trying to do is create a big empire that anyone can join on the train and move with us. We are still babies but we wanna take everyone with us. Our families and fans to know what were going through and to feel our music. Music is so powerful and it's able to change your mood no matter how you're feeling. We basically wanna make sure our fans can relate and we stay relatable.
OSHHS: Who are some of your influences whether it is in music or outside of music?
Jazzy: One of our biggest inspirations was Michael Jackson. We look at him as the ultimate artist and he really had the whole package. We actually like a lot of different music from Aerosmith, Pink, Lauryn Hill, Outkast, TLC, and Jodeci. We all have such a wide range in music. Country, Gospel as long as there is a little bass to it we can really get into it. And even our families inspire us; my mom has been a big inspiration to me. I see her working and grinding so she's definitely one of mine.
Chanel: I agree. Like Jazzy said, family is a big inspiration and is my driving force everyday. We are in a recession and things aren't as perfect as they should be but when you see your family struggling and you know your in a good place it really pushes you to work harder so your family doesn't have to go through that. And we are three completely different females from three completely different backgrounds, and we all love different types of music and we all have so much depth to us. We just put that all together and that's what makes Krave.
OSHHS: How did you three ladies come up with the name group name Krave?
Shan Q: Devyne Stephens actually came up with the name. Krave is actually spelled C.R.A.V.E. but we had to put a little twist on it. In the dictionary the meaning of Crave is desired, but to us Krave is the respect and confidence. It's everything we feel a person, especially a woman, should have. We just want everybody to be Krave, everybody to Krave, Krave.
OSHHS: Do you ladies have any other projects coming up besides the album you're working on now?
Jazzy: Well after the album drop's we do have a tour in the works. But as of right now, were doing a high school tour here in Atlanta. And next month we will be on going outside of Atlanta to other states. And we actually just did a mixtape with Dj Mami Chula and you can find it online. It is called Ladies Only. And basically we've just been recording and you're bound to hear some Krave on the Internet.
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Lyfe Jennings: Sooner or Later |
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Features -
Hip Hop Artists
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Written by Brandy Varnado
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Monday, 21 September 2009 01:23 |
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After spending several years in prison being known by the digits 268-192, it is no wonder that since the inception of his career Lyfe Jennings has consistently worked to make a name for himself. He’s worked with everyone from Fantasia, Fabolous, Jim Jones to former G-Unit artist Young Buck to name a few. While his personal life has in now way been perfect, his music has inspired a generation of people who were on the verge of giving up hope. Lyfe’s music is about truth, change and how the two help to reconcile each other.
Now, working toward the release of his fourth and final album, Lyfe wanted to leave his past behind him and focus on making the best music possible. His new album Sooner or Later, takes the singer away from the soulful sermons we are accustomed to and shifts to a more carefree, lessons learned approach to life. His latest single “Haters” produced by the Trackboys, is a friendly confrontation letting all the haters know, he’s tired of the foolishness.
Known as a community activist, a loving and devoted father and a musical conjure man, Lyfe Jennings may be putting down the mic, but his story does not end here.
OneStopHipHop: From your first album until now, what has changed with you musically. How was making the first album different from making this last album? And why?
Lyfe: Well, um it’s a whole process coming up to your first album you’re developing your style and stuff like that. I think, from now, people want to see something new and growth in your style so it doesn’t become old in sense, but you have to keep reinventing some aspect of it.
OneStopHipHop: Your first album was primarily featuring yourself. I’m noticing on your new project you have several features. What was the reason for going in that direction?
Lyfe: Again, the reinventing. I wanted to make it better music quality-wise. Although I’m a musician, I know people that do that for a living; specifically for that. I kind of just wanted the best. If I do a track and its best for that then that’s what I want. If somebody else does a track and it’s the best for that, then, you know. Cuz this is my last album so I want it to be the best it possibly can.
OneStopHipHop: Why is this your last album?
Lyfe: Well I have two boys who are at the age right now where they need me. You know, I just can’t be on the road 7 or 8 months out of the year anymore. So, you know.
OneStopHipHop: In your biography, you credit your stay in prison with really motivating you to do music, but where did you get your start and your training in music? Who helped you with that?
Lyfe: My first appearance was on Showtime at the Apollo. I did that and won a couple of times. That lead to different record deals. At the beginning it was just trial and error. In prison, I kind of taught myself.
OneStopHipHop: A lot of your songs seems to be very critical of women. Where does that come from and what is the message you’re trying to send?
Lyfe: Hold on, you say very critical of women. Wow! Why would you say that? (He laughs). Most of my fans are women, so why would you say that?
OneStopHipHop: Well I didn’t mean critical in a negative way, I meant that you seem to have a message you want to deliver to women; something you want them to learn, change or discover. For example, in your catalog you have songs like “S.E.X”, “She’s Got Kids”, “Greedy” and others. So, it just seems to me that your music is geared toward women in a very critical way.
Lyfe: No ma’am. When you look at songs like “S.E.X” it’s actually celebrating women. You know, its telling the women the pitfalls to look for when dealing with a dude. You know, protect your S.E.X. basically letting them know somebody else understands what you’re going through. Even if you listen to the end of the song it says “he’ll tell you everything to get in your pants” just explaining to these young girls the games guys are playing. When you look at “Greedy” its definitely talking about those kinds of women, you know. But then you look at a song like (hmm what’s a another song on there), like “Let’s stay together” its saying you made some mistakes and really it was your fault. So, you know, I’m definitely not critical of women. I love women.
OneStopHipHop: Okay, well thank you for clarifying. Um, awhile back I saw you on the Judge Hatchett Show and you were mentoring a troubled young man. Ia lso know that your very involved in HIV/AIDS prevention through the RapItUp campaign. What other community projects are you involved in and what inspires you to get involved with them?
Lyfe: I’m definitely involved in AIDS prevention and other organizations involving youth, definitely going to prisons. Really, anything I’m called on to get involved with. Cuz I’m like the street level guy. It’s difficult to get a cat that really industry but to get a cat in there that’s actually still on that level to communicate with these kids on their level. I feel like I’m an important figure and I feel like I got something to tell them. So that’s why I do it.
OneStopHipHop: Are you ever concerned that your reputation or your honesty about your reputation would hinder your involvement in any of those projects you just mentioned or even your career?
Lyfe: Nah. I don’t think that. I think that people can appreciate realness so to speak. Plus, I don’t know how to do it any other way.
OneStopHipHop: Okay, so we know this will be your last album. After your kids grow up, do you plan on returning to music at any point?
Lyfe: I love music. I’m not never saying never. Just for the moment, you know. I’m still planning on writing for certain artists. My label is up and running and we have some artists we’re working with. I know you’ll be hearing my artists and hearing songs I sang and wrote hooks on. You just won’t be getting an actual album from me.
OneStopHipHop: Those are all my questions. Anything else you’d like people to know?
Lyfe: I just want to add that even though this is my last album we still have one more round coming up. It’ll be released later on this year. I want to say thank you for all the support I’ve bee given throughout my career. I mean because it could’ve been different. It could’ve been really different actually. The fans really support and allow us to take care of our families so thank you. Thank you.
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David E. Beats: In A Positive Direction |
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Features -
Hip Hop Artists
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Written by Paige Vermillion
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Sunday, 20 September 2009 19:33 |
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This rapper/songwriter is really beginning to make some noise and a name for himself as well. David. E Beats started making noise early, at the age of 15. Growing up in a rough area of Washington D.C. wasn't easy for him, but he did more than just survive.
His initial interest was in being a rapper. Beginning as a battle rapper in school, he later found his interest in music expanding and was soon into producing, putting his beats up for sale on sound click and putting his grind in motion. Now 21 years old and residing in New York, working out of the Bronx, David. E Beats proclaims “It's a great city for opportunities.” It seems now that he taking his opportunities and transforming them into reality.
With this latest album (David. E Beats Blvd) getting great feedback, he is bringing himself and contributing a new sound to hip-hop; a sound that fans just can't seem to get enough of.
Currently he is inspired and driving himself relentlessly at both rapping and making beats and he shows no signs of slowing any time soon. Being such a young man still, we have the feeling he's going to be making quite the noise and be around a long time.
Check out this interview David. E Beats recently gave to OSHHS.
OSHHS: I understand you grew up in a pretty rough part of Washington D.C. What was it like growing up there?
David. E Beats: Well it's amazing how New York has conditioned me to a lot of that stuff. It was weird, though, at the time it felt normal because that's all you know. People shooting each other and seeing your cousins or relatives take crazy drugs. But it's not until you get outta that environment that you realize how utterly insane you were to be born into that.
OSHHS: I read that you got started in music at the age of 15. Who were some of your influences at such a young age and who are some of your influences now?
David. E Beats: Well I was really into Rock & Roll and Michael Jackson because that's all I listened to growing up to that point. Then my first rap cd was Jay-Z's Blueprint. And he was my influence from that point forward. Then I just went back and studied all the classics and I mean any rapper you can name I pretty much know there discography. That's how much I love Hip-Hop. So I pretty much get my influences from everyone including Soulja Boy, Lil Scrappy because you can learn something from pretty much anyone.
OSHHS: I know you rap as well as produce. What do you find yourself doing more of and do you like one more then the other?
David. E Beats: I actually find myself rapping more then anything. Usually, most of the time there's little modes that I have where one minute I'm producing and that might last a week to three months, but then if I feel like I'm in a rapping mode. I might do that for about a week to 6 months. Right now though, I've been kinda in a rapping mode.
OSHHS: What do you do in your spare time when you're not doing music?
David. E Beats: Uhhh I don't think I have spare time. (Laughs) I mean hanging out with my girlfriend is what I mainly do. I really don't have any spare time. But if I ever do get the chance I read comics either online or marvel comics, or just watch anime and eat popcorn; have a fat day. There's maybe one day outta the week were I can just sit around and be fat.
OSHHS: How would you describe your sound?
David. E Beats: Everyone asks me that. I don't ever really know. I kinda go off from everybody: Like on my new album I've been listening to a lot of South music and with the accent we have down there I'm trying not to lose that and trying to bring it out more. For the next album I've slowed it down a bit. But my sound is just what I'm feeling at the time.
OSHHS: What do you think about the direction of hip-hop today?
David. E Beats: Well I just heard that Diddy & Dirty Money track Angels, and just listening to that and listening to the Blueprint 3, I feel like a lot of the new stuff that's coming out that hip-hop is becoming to be a little more creative. And they're letting more artists do what they want on a creative side and especially for me, because if I had come out back when crunk music ruling the world I could only be underground. And now I have the chance to show my side. But it is what it is and I think hip-hop is moving in a positive direction.
OSHHS: Have you been working on any new projects? And can we expect something soon from you?
David. E Beats: Yeeeah, you can expect a new album called Exit coming out October 15th I believe. And that project is basically about my journey into New York and everything in between. I've been in New York for almost a year now and all the b.s. I've had to go through dealing with New York artists and I just feel that some of them are lazy. It's like you're in the greatest city on the planet and yet you're always making excuses or you can never get anything done. And I've dealt with that for a long time until I just buckled down and decided to make David. E Beats Blvd. and really do my own thing. That's what really the new album Exit is about, just me kinda running away from my problems.
OSHHS: Lastly, are there any plugs you want to say so your readers and fan can check you out?
David. E Beats: Everyone can check me out on www.davidebeatstv.blogspot.com that's kinda like my little blog where I semi-update things. If you wanna everything that I've ever done in the history of David. E Beats and it is a lot go to www.iampragency.com she is literally tracking my whole life on that website. But other then that just Google me or go to www.twitter.com/davidebeats or www.davidebeats.com and that's about it.
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Brian Angel of Day26: So Good |
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Features -
Hip Hop Artists
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Written by Paige Vermillion
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Monday, 14 September 2009 10:02 |
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From being on a popular reality show to making hit albums and going on tour, these boys are doing anything but slowing down. Day 26 has made its way to the top and isn't stopping to rest any time soon. OneStopHipHopShop.com recently had the opportunity to chat with band member Brian Angel about the group's project and inside details on Day 26.
OSHHS: I want to say congratulations on the video album Forever in your Eye's released everywhere today, correct?
Brian: Yes mama, its available on Itunes right now and I've already purchased three myself.
OSHHS: Who came up with the idea of making a video album?
Brian: It actually started off with us shooting our videos and so that we could stay relevant on the internet when we were in between singles. But originally our second single was not So Good it was really suppose to be Heels. We put a fan poll up to see what the fans liked and it was a real close race. But So Good came first. We really sat down though and thought what would be cool and different for the fans so we thought why not put of a video album. So we approached the label and the label Bad Boy/ Atlantic thought it was a really good idea, so hence Forever in your Eye's.
OSHHS: Who thought of the title Forever in your Eyes? And do you have a favorite video on the album?
Brian: Surprisingly our manager did. We were all coming up with different names and the one that stood out the most was the one that our manager, Screwface, came up with. And yes, my favorite video on the album is Truth is a Lie, only because it's very different and something that really hasn't been done before. It's kinda like the movie, City Of Angels. If anyone's seen the movie, it's kinda weird but, if you have seen it you will get the concept, and it's just really deep.
OSHHS: What was it like making Forever in a Day? Were there any up's and down's during the process?
Brian: Yes, I mean of course the world actually got to see a little bit of it from Making The Band. Unfortunately people didn't get to see much, but people got to see a lot of the drama aside from creating Forever in a Day. Once we got in our rhythm of everything it went smooth even though I'm kinda sad and it's a shame that the world didn't get to see the magic of making the album. When the cameras were off we were listening to each other and taking each other's advice and I think Forever in a Day came out wonderful. I honestly think that this album is, well I'm not trying to toot my own horn, but toot toot; its one of the best r&b albums I've heard in many many years.
OSHHS: Do you miss being on TV, or would you rather be on the road and focus on the music?
Brian: Wow. That's like a catch 22. I mean I definitely miss being on Mtv and watching us act like crazy men, but for the most part, I think we most importantly wanted to get respected as real artist because you know we want that respect like normal artist and what I mean by normal is that they come in the game the regular way. As for us, we did it through a reality show. I think also people tend to look at us a little different and we don't get as much respect as we should. But the work and music speaks for itself. And yes I'm thankful for the camera's, and yes, I'm thankful for Mtv and making the band, but at the same time we wanna live as real artist and want people to love us and respect us, not because of a television show but because were great artist.
OSHHS: Can you share with us anything that might be in the future as far as the Making the Band reality show goes?
Brian: Uh. It's possible. It's possible, but I can't really disclose too much information. But there is a possibility that we might be coming back. But who knows? Only God knows, and just keep your eyes pealed to the TV. You might just see Making the Band Four.
OSHHS: I heard that you guys will be going on tour soon with Trey Songz. Are you pumped about that?
Brian: Yes. I'm really excited about that. I think this was something that was well over due. Trey and Day 26 were all really close, and Trey is like a brother to us. He really makes great music and we're all really excited.
OSHHS: I have to ask this, but who is single, dating or married? What's everyone's status?
Brian: Well, of course Que and Dawn, they have a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful relationship and there so in love. They are two wonderful people and they make each other happy, and that makes me happy to see them like that. But as for the rest of us, I can't say everyone else's status, but we are what you want us to be. I can say this; its really hard being in a relationship and doing what we do. It's very stressful at times and some of us came into this situation with relationships and some of us aren't in the same relationships, so I can say that.
OSHHS: Aside from your most recent video album, are there any new projects that Day 26 is working on?
Brian: Well, collectively our new single, So Good, that's out, we're really just trying to push that and we hope everyone goes out and supports the new single as well as the new video album. And individually we're all kinda doing different things and kinda tied in together. Willie has a female clothing line coming out soon by the name of Rip It Off, and its very, very, very sexy. So check that out soon. Robert is an amazing writer, his song writing is ridiculous and he's been writing stuff himself. As for myself, I have my own record company by the name of Ambassador Way Ent., and pretty soon I'll be releasing some of my own artists. We all tie in together, though, in one way or another because the guys will either be getting a share of my company or working within my company. If it weren't for Day 26 we wouldn't have any of this and kinda in a way, we're giving back to each other.
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