Interview: Tha Soloist

1. Peace family! Who are you & where are you from?

Peace. I go by Tha Soloist, and I’m from Jersey City, New Jersey.

2. What inspires you?

I’m inspired by so many things. Inspiration can come from anywhere…

but if I had to choose a few of them it would have to be film,

instrumentals, and everyday life. The good and the bad times.

My music usually comes from a deep place, so I’m always inspired by

the events that are life changing. One more thing that inspires me is

the fans that hit me up every day to tell me that I inspire them.

That’s the best feeling in the world, just knowing that they can

relate to the joy and the pain. It makes it all worthwhile.

3. If you could work with any producer who would it be & why?

I’d have to pick two, not one. Mr. Green and Apollo Brown.

They both have mad soul. You can’t fake that. My stuff is soulful too,

so it’s only right. Green is very talented, and Brown’s beats fit me

just right. Check out my track with C-Lance, “Heart of Justice”

so you can get a better idea.

4. Top 5 Dead or Alive?

I don’t really like to pick five flavors out of the melting pot,

but I’ll give you a list of five emcee’s that are great to me.

Nas

DOOM

GZA

2Pac

Eminem

and I gotta add ODB!

5. Greatest musical group of all time (outside of Hip-Hop)

I like Bob Dylan, Billy Joel, and Elton John. As for groups though

I’d have to say The Beatles. I also like Aphrodite’s Child, The Beach Boys,

and Green Day is up there as well (I grew up listening to all their stuff)

As for soul singers, I really like The Stylistics, The Miracles, and The Isley Brothers.

I almost forgot Johnny Cash! Sorry, I could go on for days.

I know I’m forgetting a lot of them.

6. Who is your favorite upcoming MC right now?

That’s a tough question. I like what Focus is doing right now.

Ron-Ron was dope too, but he disappeared. But yeah, Focus got lyrics.

The boy can spit. Trust me. I gotta throw Coal in there. I know he’s been

doing it for a minute, but he’s extremely gifted. Shout out to Dead Rabbits.

7. I admire your drive. Do you have any advice to give other artists?

Thanks. I’m always busy. I’m dead if I’m not creating. It’s as simple as that.

My advice is this…NEVER get too personal with anyone right away.

Take your time. A lot of these guys are out for blood. A lot of them want

to see you fail. It’s that crab in a bucket mentality. Just do your thing,

work hard, and be kind. Never give up on your dreams. And remember this,

a lot of the artists you admire are watching, so handle yourself like a

professional. Don’t do anyone dirty in this game. There’s enough of that

going around anyway. Try not to jump the gun, paying for verses right away.

Earn your respect and pay your dues first. Let them come to you. I’m not

saying it’s bad to support the artist, but try to build a catalog.

8. What project’s should we be looking forward to in the near future?

I’ll be on Disturbia Music Group producer Sultan Mir’s debut album dropping

in the winter (Sultans Empire)

I’m working on an LP with Focus (untitled)

I got an EP with Tone Liv on the way (Spill Ritual)

Rated R is another emcee I’ve been working with.

Me and Trilian need to get back to work on our LP (Exit Thru Gift)

and I got an album already out (The New Terrah) with Mark Deez,

Edd Bundy and DJ TMB

You can download my free LP on Audiomack (The Glorious Bastard)

Last but not least, got some tracks with Joell Ortiz, Planetery,

Death Star and more.

9. Any last shout outs?

Shout out to every DJ, Emcee and Producer that’s keeping Hip-Hop alive.

I had a good time answering your questions. “Be kind, for everyone you meet

is fighting a hard battle.”

P.S. Appetite and Mister Digital are two of my favorite producers right now!

Plus massive respect to Billy Ballantine for putting me on stage last minute

at Diabolic’s listening party. Shout out to Ixion Form, Pryme, Godilla, Eff Yoo,

Ghetto MC, UG, Lord Digga, Maze, Cliff, Coal, Tabs, Grim, Dro, Mercy Gang,

and Tones.

Peace to TMB, Madhandz and Trickalome

Interview: AWKWORD

  

1. Now for everybody out here in the digital universe, what’s your name & location?

AWKWORD. I recently moved from NYC to Upstate NY to be with my new wife and kids.

2. What inspires you to be who you are?

My mental illness, my mom’s (RIP) heart and activism, my love for nature and the innocent youth, my lifelong guttural disdain for injustice and inequality, my allegiance to and love for Hip Hop culture, and my need to write and record rap. And ILL BILLand Remedy helped me realize this could be possible.

3. Before the age/era of “super producers” most Hip-Hop album’s were handled by a DJ/MC & one “producer” (occasionally being the DJ themselves). If you could do a whole project with one producer who would it be and why?

Because he’s the GOAT, DJ Premier. But because he’s the future and a long-time friend and collaborator, I would choose the incredibly talented SRFSCHL captain Harry Fraud.

4. Where was the first show you ever rocked?

I performed at my high school when I worked with the Anti-Defamation League to create and host the first-ever/now annual Diversity Day. I performed in my hometown in Connecticut for MLK Day. I rocked mad parties and entered freestyle battles at Vassar College, while earning my degree in Sociology and English. But my first REAL performance was probably Don Hill’s in NYC or Tuxedo Junction in Danbury, CT. Can’t really remember. But I ended up doing shows a lot, opening for BLESTeNATION and The Cool Kids, J Live, Masta Ace, Grandmaster Caz, and many others.

5. How did the collaboration track “Bars & Hooks” (Produced By Harry Fraud, and featuring Sean Price, Shakespeare & The Kid Daytona) come to life?

Fraud has been producing for me for more than a decade. He and I chose the beat and agreed on Sean Price as the main feature. We got our verses recorded. And Shakespeare was in Fraud’s studio with me, so it made perfect sense to ask him to do the hook. His voice and his writing are great. And then not long after that, on Halloween I think, I was at a club in the Lower East Side of Manhattan with Statik Selektah and ATG, and we ran into Daytona, who I had never met before that. He loved the idea and recorded his part at Fraud’s studio within a day or two. And that was the start of their relationship — now Daytona is signed to Fraud’s Surf School label.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RxMJ43kdlw&hd=1

http://awkword.bandcamp.com/track/bars-hooks-ft-sean-price-the-kid-daytona-the-incomparable-shakespeare-prod-by-harry-fraud-2

6. What made you want to do a project for charity? Was that your initial plan from the beginning?

I have been an activist, community organizer, volunteer and philanthropist for years, and since I am no longer as active on the streets and in the community centers, I wanted to give back — specifically to the youth in the neighborhoods that birthed Hip Hop and keep it alive and fresh today — through my medium: rap music.

Doing this album, World View, for charity was actually was not my original plan. The concept really started through myspace more than 5 years ago. I dropped my solo debut LP ‘See the Light’ (no longer available), and DJs and producers from all over the world were contacting me on myspace asking for acapellas so they could create remixes. That gave me the idea of publicizing on myspace a remix contest, with the best submissions being used for a free remix mixtape. Realizing the global nature of this, how worldwide Hip Hop has become, I thought of the name “World View”, as the album would essentially illustrate the world view of Hip Hop. What ended up happening though was that I continued to make more and more new music and receive more and more positive press, so I expanded ‘World View’ to include 38 songs across two discs. The first, featuring mostly new music, was released February 2 through DJBooth, with all proceeds going to a 501c3 charity fighting to eradicate street violence through education and empowerment of “at-risk” youth (Guns 4 Cameras). The second, featuring a lot of new music and a number of remixes, was released March 17 through DJBooth as a FREE thank you to my supporters.

http://AWKWORDrap.com/World-View

http://djbooth.it/wrldvw

http://djbooth.it/wvbonus

7. I’ve heard from an MC I respect before say something along the lines of “Don’t let your name describe you”…Are you really awkward, Awkword?

My name is more than anything about being a tragic personality — accepting, owning, taking pride in my problems. One of them was feeling like an outcast, an outsider, uncomfortable and awkward within a community of people who were conservative, Christian, rich, racist, homophobic and misogynist. So when I chose the name AWKWORD it was a direct response to all of them, and who I used to be, as well as a celebration of being different, and overcoming the awkwardness. Today, I am anything but awkward around others. But I will always be different, never following trends, perpetually pushing boundaries.

8. If you were in the middle of nowhere, on a deserted island, and could have one THING with you what would it be?

Sunscreen or sunglasses. My partial Palestinian Jewish heritage doesn’t help — I am not a fan of sunlight or heat.

9. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

http://lyricallyfit.com/breaking-news-is-awkword-retiring-talks-working-w-legends-

In the home studio, recording with my talented wife and daughters. And in my library, writing.

10. Any last shout outs?

Rest in peace, my brother Praverb, who we lost yesterday completely unexpectedly. He had a wife and baby child. And he was one of the good guys in this perverse rap game. Help us pay for his funeral costs at bit.ly/Praverb-Fund

CONTACT:

[@AWKWORDrap]
Rap Singer. Activist. Sociologist. Gonzo Journalist.
NYC x Upstate NY x Worldwide

AWKWORDrap.com

DOWNLOAD THE ALBUMS:

djbooth.it/wrldvw X djbooth.it/wvbonus
AWKWORD.bandcamp.com/album/World-View x AWKWORD.bandcamp.com/album/World-View-Bonus-Disc

AWKWORDrap.com/World-View

FOLLOW, SUBSCRIBE & CONNECT:

http://twitter.com/AWKWORDrap
http://facebook.com/AWKWORDrap
http://instagram.com/AWKWORDrap
http://youtube.com/AWKWORDvideos

Interview: Rich Quick

1. Peace! Who are you and where are you from?

I go by the name of Rich Quick+I’m an emcee in the Philly Hip-Hop scene hailing from South Jersey.

2. How long have you been rhyming for?

Way too long!  I started in Elementary School around second grade and took it more and more seriously as time went on.  I grew to learn the different aspects of the game, like freestyling, counting bars, recording and eventually performing.  Part of the reason that I’m so polished as an artist is because I’ve been doing it for so long.

3. What motivates you to create?

I’m not only motivated, but determined.  I have said time and time again that I’m going to make this rap thing work for me.  And I’ve accomplished a lot, but I’m not quite there yet.  That’s what keeps me going.  Knowing that I haven’t reached my ultimate goals yet.  It motivates me to go further.

4. I know you have worked with some pretty credible names in the industry…If you could work with any producer or MC who would it be and why?

I’ve always wanted to work with Busta Rhymes.  He’s a total genius and has managed to maintain his relevancy year after year after year.  I think that would be a great artist to spar with lyrically on a record.

5. I noticed yourself, and other south Jersey artists have a close association with Philadelphia. I also noticed northern Jersey artists having a close association with New York City…What do you think stops NJ from having a bigger music scene and/or major media market of their own?

Well, there’s a lot of reasons for that. I can only speak for myself in saying that; I’m not quite sure why, but in South Jersey, Hip-Hop venues are few and far between.  I can’t even think of one off the top of my head.  I was sort of forced to cross the bridge into Philadelphia in order to have more opportunities to perform. Once I stepped on the scene though, I realized the opportunity to succeed in Philly was far greater than South Jersey.  There is a much more tangible Hip-Hop culture.  And I’d assume it’s the same in North Jersey currently, in terms of New York.  But with all of that being said; I’ve still performed really awesome showz in both North Jersey and South Jersey.  It’s absolutely possible to make it work.

6. You have quite the track record..What are you working on right now that we should be expecting in the near future?

There are so many things in the works that I’m not even certain if I can speak on all of them.  I have a project in the works with CORFU Am Down brother ASK? Produced by Rob Devious.  As well as two other projects with some real heavy hitters.  More info on that as it becomes available!  We haven’t made any official announcements yet, but I’m stoked to get the ball rolling on these.  Be on the look out!

7. Any last shout outs?

Shouts out to CORFU Am Down.  That’s my clique!  And my main man Skrewtape, his album No Filter is dropping soon produced by US Natives and I’m fortunate enough to be featured on it.  Stay tuned!

Interview: Pryme Prolifik

1. Let the people out there reading this know your name and what city you’re repping!

Pryme Prolifik aka Treetop Assassin, aka Space Creature P aka Pryme Pro the Rhyme Pro, prepping Keansburg Nj and the whole entire Rotten Garden 732, 201, 908, 973

2. How long have you been rhyming for? What was the first song that inspired you to write rhymes?

Over 20 years  since 1993 and hearing Kool G Rap “Brother On The Run”

3. Favorite producer?

Sultan Mir, Fourth Assassin, Nemisis, Rich Mahogany etc.

4. Who would win in a fight, Macklemore or Drake?

I would..next Question Please, Drakelmoore

5. I’ve heard from a very reliable source you are a master in the kitchen. What is your favorite dish to cook up?

Eggplant Parm

6. Top 5 Dead or Alive?

Kool G Rap, Ras Kass, Killah Priest, Canibus, Ghostface Killah

7. Any projects you’d like to promote?

Be on the lookout on Facebook..I will release more info soon until then look me up on DatPiff.com PEEP Out “Radient Skullz” video with Kromeatose and Squeegie O

8. Any shout outs?

Disturbia Music Group, Rotten Garden Records, Team Tall Cans, Battle Axe Warriors, BaxWar East Coast, Tre-L, Meta4 Nation, Meta4, Illiam Child, Rare Seed, Grym Galaxy (Billy Ballantine and Nick Jackelson), Laureen Wagner, Kromeatose, Squeegie O, UG (Cella Dwellas), PH, Diabolic, Block McCloud, Fresh Jones, Lord Digga, Sultan Mir, Starkastik, Ea, Feet Crack, Doc Ahk, GID Radio, Jay Drilla, Joe Bodega  & the whole staff , Lotta Bars, Staten, Jersey, Worldwide, too many to name.

CHECK OUT “LYRIKAL ARCHER” PROD. BY DJ IZZY (DIRTY CRATES, LOS ANGELES, ETC.)

 

Interview: Ice Rocks

1. For those who aren’t familiar with you, what is your name & where are you from?

 

I’m Ice Rocks and I am from NYC.

2. How’d you get into production?

Well my homies Brian and HB used to make beats and I would watch them and then a dude from my crew DXA named Dface was like “yo you always had a ear for music and you been collecting records for a while so why don’t you produce for the crew” so I went to town.

3. You really have a grimey NYC sound. What equipment are you using?

I use a SP1200 and a s950, some outboard gear and pro tools mostly.

4. First vinyl you ever bought?

Damn! the first vinyl I ever bought, shit.  I’m not sure it gets blurry after I reached a few thousand.  I wish I could tell you though cause I would prob frame it and put it up on the wall for inspiration.

5. Favorite new MC?

There are a few but if I had to choose one I would say Droog.  He is doing the damn thing right now.

6. Greatest producer of all time?

I have to pick 1?  It is way to hard to narrow it down to one.  I have a list of at least 10 for hip hop alone, haha.  I listen and love way too much music to pick one producer.

7. Best place to eat in the city?

I have spots for days but a place that I have probably frequented the most in the past 10 years is Pita Hot in Astoria.

8. If you could work with any artist in the game who would it be?

That’s a hard one, freeze but it would have to be Slick Rick and we would do a album that told a story all the way through with skits and all.

9. Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

“In mansions and benz’s givin ends to my friends and it feels stupendous tremendous cream…”  Haha na hopefully traveling the world doing what I love on someone else’s dime.

 

10. Any last shout outs?

Gotta give a shout out to my whole DXA and Those Guyz families(way to many people to name), my homie Meyhem Lauren and the whole Outdoorsman squad, my FTV family, my actual family (Pops, Ma Dukes, my little sister Simone) and everyone I’ve meet along the way that has believed in what I do and kept me from quitting.

FOLLOW ICEROCKS ON TWITTER

Interview: Ras Ceylon

Photo: Majtabah Walai

1. Peace! For those not familiar with who you are, state your name & location.

Greetings in the Spirit of Liberation! I am Ras Ceylon, eMCee x educator x organizer based in Oakland, CA by way of the island of Sri Lanka!

 2. Indeed. When did you first start creating music?

I used to write poetry in elementary/junior high and eventually formed a DJ crew with some homies around 1995. At our parties, I would take over host/MC duties and eventually that turned my poetry into raps/bars/rhymes.  My first time recording original music was around 1997/1998 when I was still in High School. By spring of 1999 I released my first album which was called “Ceylon – The First Lesson” EP and it was an 8 song red cassette tape with production from June22 and even featured DJ Exile (of Emanon/DagSavage) rapping and scratching on it. We ended up moving over 500 units of the tape, slinging them everywhere from Melrose Ave. in L.A. to Telegraph in Berkeley. Since 1999, I have released a bunch of music, a few 12″ singles, mp3s, videos, mixtapes and one official label release in 2008 on Throwback Records called “Scientific-Non/Fiction.” When I was living in Sri Lanka, I found out that prior to 1999 no other Rapper of Sri Lankan descent had ever released an album, which technically made me the 1^st Sri Lanka rapper!

3. That is pretty dope fam, must be a great feeling. If you could work with anybody in music, who would it be and why?

I must say I am humbled by the fact that I have worked with some of the people that I grew up listening to, including Tragedy Khadafi, Askari X and even traveling around Jamaica with Sizzla Kalonji. In fact, my new single that is out right now is called “Mind Control” and is the 1^st release from a collaboration album I am doing with Tragedy called “Full Medal Jacket” produced by Dawit Justice for Medal Gear available @ www.fullmedaljacket.bandcamp.com. Working with Hiphop legends like Trag, who goes back to Juice Crew era as Intelligent Hoodlum, is definitely inspiring and there are many other artists out there in Hip-Hop and Reggae I would love to work with. Also a lot of the new producers in Hip-Hop are coming with some dope new sounds so I would be into collaborating with them too.

4. I know you are involved in many conscious efforts and stand for Freedom, Justice, & Equality. What is your stance on the Israel-Palestinian conflict?

#FreePalestine oh no wait that hashtag was an accident, I apologize if that offended anyone! Nah, real talk though..I’m not Dwight Howard or Rihanna and I think that it is pretty obvious the injustice that the people of occupied Palestine have to face is madness. As a student of history I know that colonial type of occupations always have adverse impacts on the colonized people that have to deal with their land and resources being stripped from them. The horrific, genocidal ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in Gaza right now is deplorable and as a U.S. citizen it is upsetting that my hard earned tax money is going to support the state of Israel because of this government’s foreign policy / politics. Traveling around north and east Sri Lanka during the civil war also showed me a bit about what war really looks and feels like first hand. Prayers up for Gaza right now and I hope the world wakes up and we can do something to stop all the killing and destruction that is going on over there.

5. What inspires you to do what you do?

I am inspired to do what I do by my Creator, my family and the People in general. Life itself is the greatest inspiration and I recognize that this life is a test and we will all return to the Essence so it is crucial to life with Love, Truth, Peace, Freedom and Justice as the guiding forces in every thing we do. I have been working with youth in different capacities for the past 15 yrs here in Oakland and they definitely inspire me to keep doing positive works out here & maintain a righteous lifestyle.

6. Top 5 producers?

My personal top 5 would probably be (in no particular order):

1) Bomb Squad 2) DJ Premier 3) RZA 4) J-Dilla/Soulquarians 5) Organized Noise

7. Favorite MC to ever come out of California? & why?

My favorite rapper of all time is 2Pac, for mostly revolutionary political reasons while he repped the westside though he was from the east coast originally so, I will say my big comrade         Ansar El Muhammed s/c Askari X!  Not a lot of people outside of Oakland know much about this West Coast legend who is currently on lock down in these California concentration camps         i.e. prison industrial complex..so it’s Free Askari X, Free’em all! He had some of the most Revolutionary music to ever come out of the Bay & it was his crew RBG (Righteous Black Guerrillas) that used the term “RBG” before it became popular nationwide, in fact Dead Prez had to come to Oakland & ask permission to use “RBG” for their “Revolutionary But Gangsta” album. Everyone reading this go look up Askari X and soak up game from my OG! Uhuru!

8. Anything you’d like to promote to the world right now?

The People should know about our monthly event Zulu Nation Thursdays, which takes place every first Friday of the month at One Fam in historic lower bottoms of West Oakland. The new video “Here&Now” features some scenes from Zulu Nation Thursdays.

Also check out www.chairmanfredjr.blogspot.com to support some real revolutionary work going on.

Finally, you can download my music at

www.rasceylon.bandcamp.com

www.soundcloud.com/gideonforce

AND, check out www.AliaSharrief.com

Alia is an amazing artist coming out with some very important music &she [also] directed my last two music videos.

9. How can the people out there reach you?

Twitter/IG @RasCeylon

Facebook

YouTube

10. Thank you for doing this interview family. Any last shout outs?

Give thanks to Liberation Live for doing this & I wanna big up all my Calafia Zulus & UZN fam around the world, Revolutionary Love to Chairman Fred Hampton Jr & the POCC/Black Panther Cubs, peace and blessings to all workers of righteousness on this planet..the struggle of good over evil will be won inshAllah so hold the faith and keep it movement!

Interview: Ricky Ramses

1. My G! What’s good? State your name and where you’re representing.

        What’s up bro. Ricky Ramses from Cliffwood, NJ.

2. Coming up in New Jersey do you feel the pressure of being overshadowed by NYC? 

        Not at all actually man, I pretty much feel that I have my own lane in this music so I don’t really feel “pressure” from anyone. They should probly feel pressure from me though Hahaha.

3. Where did you perform your first show?

       Church, when I was like 11. Haha nah but I performed at the VFW in Neptune,NJ.

4. If you could bring back any MC from the dead who would it be and why?

       Tupac, definitely Tupac. He was more than just an “MC” in my opinion. I mean, he died when I was like 5-6yrs old so of course when I was younger I only recognized his music. But now looking in retrospect as a man, and seeing how this world really is, and the moves he planned on making, he was an activist … A revolutionary. He wanted to make moves bigger than music, he wanted to make change for the people, that’s bigger than hip-hop to me.

5. Favorite spot to eat in NJ?

   Wendy’s haha I’m a simple brother, or coldstone or something like that.

6. Are you working on any project’s right now that the people should look out for?

       Yeah, I’m actually wrapping up the production of my next mixtape, ‘A New Beginning’ which will be dropping within the next couple months so look out for that. Also, I just shot the music video last week, for my 1st single off the mixtape, “Bounce” which will be dropping August 5, 2014, so definitely look forward to that!

7. Any last shout outs?

      Yes of course, my bros, Snacks, Bop, Phamee. Everyone at Paradigm. The women in my life. The almighty woman. My man Rich Mahogany, and last but not at all the least, me! Haha follow me on IG @rickyramsesthegreat. Twitter @rickramthegreat. Hit me on Facebook, Ricky Ramses. Subscribe to my YouTube channel, Ricky Ramses. Much love, respect, and blessings to Liberation Live Radio!

FOLLOW RICKY RAMSES ON TWITTER

Interview: AG Da Coroner

1. Peace fam. For the people reading this, who are you and where are you representing?

I am AG Da Coroner and I’m representing East New York Brooklyn and New York in its entirety actually.

2. I assume you’ve been doing this for a while. What inspired you to start rhyming?

Well it has been a while actually…18 years to be exact.

What inspired me was watching the all time greats of the culture do what they do so well that people would become intrigued on so many levels and give them that respect…no better feeling than earning the respect of not only your peers but legendary MC’s,producers and harsh honest fans.

3. How did you originally link up with Outdoorsmen?

Through J-Love….met Meyhem through J-Love as well as Animal, Jay Steele, Science, Take-it, Killa Sha, Prince Original and Bam Bam Bronson….things just kept moving from there.

4. Who is your Top 5 Producers of all time?

Havoc, Premo, Buckwild, Alchemist And Just Blaze.

5. Word that Top 5 is really similar to mine family. Word. So yo, I know you’ve been doing some travelling. Out of everywhere you’ve been where is your favorite place to go? and why?

Los Angeles is hands down my favorite, the great weather, laid back vibe…it’s like New York, except there’s Palm Trees, no tall buildings and everyone seems high.

6. Your favorite DJ of all time?

That’s a tough one but I’d have to say Its a tie between DJ Kast One and my homie DJ Get Live.

7. If you could do a record with anybody, dead or alive, who would it be?

The Matrix himself Jay-Z…only so that I can test my own metal against him.

8. What project are you working on right now? Are you still with Man Bites Dog Records?

Still with Man Bites Dog. Those are my people, This album is big, so it’s been a little difficult getting it together but we’re on track for a late 3rd or early 4th quarter release, so “Sip The Nectar” is coming soon.

Also working on some very special collaboration projects with some homies whose names I can’t reveal just yet but stay tuned.

9. I really appreciate you taking the time to do this interview man. Any last shout outs?

Appreciate you guys for having me…shout out to the whole universe and everything living….

Free SAG…Peace.

 

FOLLOW AG DA CORONER ON TWITTER

FOLLOW MAN BITES DOG RECORDS ON TWITTER

LISTEN TO “CRUSHED GRAPES” BY AG DA CORONER

Interview: Squeegie O

1. Peace fam! What’s your name & where are you from?

Peace peace they call me Squeegie O. Live from the slums of New Shaolin, Staten Island, NY

 2. How long have you been rhyming for?

Lets see. I started around 13/14
So I’ll say about 15, 16 years.

3. Who’s your biggest inspiration?

Honestly I respect a lot of dudes in the industry but the people is what keep the bars going.

4. Coming from Staten Island, I imagine Wu Tang had a lot of impact on you.

Do you feel there will be another movement that will put S.I. back on the map?

Yes. We are that movement; Altered Beast / New Shaolin … the new age of the boom bap.

5. Favorite spot to perform in NYC?

I like Lit Lounge. It has this shitty grunge but it’s live. Another spot I like is Sullivan Hall that’s another dope spot.

 6. What did you think about 5 Pointz being painted over?

I think it’s wack shit to take something that’s a milestone in Hip-Hop/Graffiti and make private housing out of it. But, in these days and times, if there’s no fight for what’s right, how can you expect a dope spot like that to survive. Hip Hop is only as strong as the people who support and show respect to it.

7. I appreciate you taking the time to answer these questions bro. Any last shout out’s?

New Shaolin
Altered Beast
Dangeroom
MMOB
State land
Everybody out here grinding
Staten Island
Richmond hood
The whole NYC, all 5 boroughs, Long Island and upstate
Big up my Jersey peoples. Team Tall Cans, Morning Starz and all that dope shit
Brown Paper Bag coming soon

9. How can the people get in touch with you?

Facebook.com/deandabean
Soundcloud.com/itsobitch
Twitter.com/squeegie_o
Instagram: @squeegie_oblong
Daolockman@gmail.com

Google me lol

Interview: NiGE HOOD

1. What’s your name? What city are you representing?

A: My name is NiGE HOOD, and I represent myself by way of Charlotte, NC.

2. As a lyricist, who would you say is your number one influence?

A: Nas, I would say the foundation of my flow came from him.  Nas had a slow delivery, he used the multiple syllables of words, broke them apart, and smoothly lays them down over the beat to construct his verses.  I adopted that flow early as a youngin’ because it allowed me the room to fit all of the deep ideas in my head over a beat.  As opposed to me rapping like Ludacris or something, lol, my songs would sound a lot different.

3. Top 5 Dead or Alive?

A: I’m gonna cheat and instead give the 5 pillars of what made up great Hip-Hop for Myself as a fan:
Nas, UGK, Outkast, Eminem, The N.W.A. lineage (Cube, Dre, Eazy) and A Tribe Called Quest

4. Do you feel Charlotte is going to get the attention it deserves in the industry?

A: I believe that attention is attained via talent, presentation, luck and hard work.  Charlotte definitely has the talent to entertain America and the larger world.  More and more rapidly, the quality of our projects, videos and overall presentation of our artistry is improving.  If we continue to work, work HARD, all we need is the will of God and good timing.  That’s how every movement gains force.

5. Best place to eat in Charlotte.

A: I rocks with Maddie’s Diner and of course I’m getting dessert at Amelie’s French Bakery. Jack Beagles in NoDA has some DANK Mac n Cheese!

6. Are you working on any projects? What do you have out now?

A: Right now I am promoting my recent release, “THOUGHTS Vol. 2”, available on iTUNES, GooglePlay, Amazon and Spotify.

You can find my past projects at www.Soundcloud.com/NiGEHOOD/Sets

7. Any shout outs?

A: Shout out to my team at BLVCKUNIVERSE.com!  The Charlotte music family, Mic Iver, King Callis, Joe Sig, Elevator Jay, Jay Pluss, Quent Young, SeniorYr, Tim Stack$ just to name a fraction of the talent that we have out here in the city.

Shout out to Domo from iKnoDomo.com who holds me down on her site whenever I have a new release or update.  Shout out to my incredible videographers Devon Jackson (@Dev_ShotYa) and also Tyler Cox (@SkyboxVisuals).

Shout out to Durham, NC, Virginia, California and Washington, DC.  I have major support in those spots just to name a few.

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