LUPE FIASCO!!

I almost forgot...yo! tomorrow's blog JUST MIGHT NOT HAPPEN! lol Just know that when i do return to your screen...there will be LOTS of pics and many words of how Thursday night was probably one of the best concerts i had gone to.

In case you didn't figure it out..I'll be attending the Lupe Fiasco concert tomorrow evening at 9pm..The Fillmore, on South Street...blah blah..the most important part of that was Lupe..

But back to what i was saying...i hope that this concert will be added to the list of GREAT music moments...the first was:

* AfroPunk-the BEST energetic show i had ever been to..was in the mosh pit and everything!
*Floetry-hmmmm, yea! couldn't stop starring..i was truly in love..great artists
*Mos Def, Talib, NAS, ERYKAH BADU, WU-Tang: courtesy of the best friend..i attended this joint. A 6.5 hour concert yo! hmmm music, margaritas..and the bff...couldn't have gotten better than that.


...there are a couple more in between that definitely had me on a musical high...but, yeah...i shall add a track by Lupe..my favorite song by him from the 1st album...if you do not have it...get up and buy it! You won't regret it.

and so it begins...

So, i guess you can say that this once a day blogging is something you have to dedicate yourself to. I know the first day i started this joint, i posted like 12 times :) But, it's been a couple days since my last post..I'm working on this everyday thing... promise

HELLO! to all my visitors..thank you

I'm really excited about this new form of communication. Already my encouragement and I have put our heads together for a blog she's going to start...all about the nightlife and entertainment scene in different cities. Basically, it'll be an excuse to get OUT and mingle..get into something new
:)

but, what I'm really excited to announce is that I'll be leading SchemeMag.com's March issue..that will be dedicated to female artists of all types. The running lists looks a little like this:

Erykah Badu
Amel Larieux*
M.I.A.*
Tiombe Lockhart
St. Juste
Younglao
Ladessa
Lorna Williams
KYLA: Black'n'Bling
JOI
Alice Smith
Brinae Ali

*=possible interviews! Editor is working on those

...and i'm working on some more. So, keep out for that..should be Niiiice! if i say so myself ;)

Alright, alright! so all who know me, KNOW that i'm always in front of my computer.."researching" as i like to say..but basically listening to music..finding new talent to cover and albums to purchase...it has lately become my social life..and semi love life :/ but ummm...i'm working on leaving the pc alone a couple hours a day and gettin' out there...perhaps that blog you're supposed to start Krys..needs to happen asap ;)

...what i'm trying to get to is this.

my bff and I were talking last night, and discussion turned to passions and how do you know what it is..or if you even have one. After thinking a bit..i realized that I was blessed to have found my passion. Not only did writing become a skill and not only a talent..but i added my love for music. I'm no novice to music however, I'm a classically trained flautist. But to enter the world of hip hop and other genre bending classifications..you gotta have love for the craft. And, trust me, I do! I'll drop anything to hit up a good show...(friends know that)..Any artists worthy of my dollar sees me in the crowd. :D

But, yea...writing and music. That's where it ends..or should i say begins. I'm going to put it out there that my good friend Kendra and myself are going to finally START our own female art and music collective/magazine/website..i say this now because i want to believe it. Shoot! I want you to believe it. It's been long enough..and we both feel like it's time....you'll know when it officially happens..TRUST!

I leave you with this tune however...Noel Zancanella..he's hot..he's from L.A. the city of lost loves :( but anyway..get a taste of something new ;) until next time...ahem! tomorrow

Erykah Badu!

ERYKAH BADU RETURNS TO MUSIC SPOTLIGHT WITH NEW SINGLE "HONEY".

New Album In Stores February 26, 2008
(New York, NY - Nov. 15, 2007)

Universal Motown's multi-platinum-selling, Grammy award-winning singer/songwriter/actress Erykah Badu returns to the music limelight with her debut single "Honey." Laced with Erykah's bluesy grit and MC style vocals, the song is bolstered by producer's 9th Wonder's razor sharp hip hop beats. Badu describes the song as "an old school track with some funk on it." Praise for the single is already rolling in, with tastemaker DJs in NY, Chicago, Dallas and other cities already declaring their love for the innovative song.

The release of "Honey" on November 20th also marks Badu's 10th year in the music industry. To celebrate, the gifted trendsetter prepares the release of her much anticipated new album on her birthday, February 26th.

Badu has enlisted some of the most talented, groundbreaking underground producers and engineers in the hip-hop game to support her breakthrough return, including Grammy Award winning producer 9th Wonder (Jay-Z, Nas, Mary J. Blige), Madlib, Mike "Chav" Chavarria and R&B singer Bilal. A special, 12-inch pink wax edition will be available only to DJ's next month and will feature album tracks, "The Healer" and "Real Thing." "The music is the star," says Erykah, "I just laid down my vocals and let the music breathe while the melodies tell the stories."

Erykah Badu, a Dallas native emerged in 1997 with her masterpiece debut album Baduizm as a primal force of nature connecting old school soul with contemporary R&B. The album garnered her numerous award nominations, pulling 2 coveted Grammys (Best Female R&B Vocal, Best R&B Album) and multiple Top spots on critics' Best-Of-The-Year Lists. In 2000 she followed up with the critically acclaimed platinum selling album, Mama's Gun. In 2003 the EP World Wide Underground was awarded Gold certification.

Erykah most recently performed a Diana Ross Tribute on the BET Awards and the hit show Girlfriends and received rave reviews. The highly regarded upcoming project will be Badu's first full length album in 7 years.

Lorna, the artist...

As humble as she is...i had to do this. Her work is amazing! Hailing from New Orleans, to Boston, now residing in Phila.

She says that she is still in the process of getting to know who she is as a woman, artist, friend, lover..what's her purpose?

Will she affect or should I say, whom will she affect with her art??..these are the many questions she expressed. Her idea of generating a mental movement through her art was satisfied by first glance of the art posted on her myspace page.

See for yourself...www.myspace.com/lornawilliams

my encouragement..

hey hey! so you know i had to shout you out! This was your idea... :)

okay, ahem! Back to being professional ;)

Amanda Diva

she's a personal inspiration...
i just might tell her when i interview her, but she's a woman of all sorts. I can't help but to broadcast her good works. She has personality..and that's an aspect you don't encounter too often ;) Poet, Writer, Emcee; newest addition to Floetry...she represents hip hop well, especially for the ladies!

Plus, she's a painter..

youtube.com/ImAmandaDiva

Allow me to introduce myself....

lol this probably should have been the first blog. But, I was so eager to post my published material..i forgot to say Hello! :)

This is new to me. The idea of blogging seemed so odd at first, because i write for me on a daily..and that journal doesn't leave my sight. But, for my other passion, which is music. I don't mind sharing the many conversations I've had with some amazing artists and also to advertise the two publications I contribute to; RebelCityMusic.com and Schememag.com

So, let's allow this to be a mental journey; fun, thrilling, informative. Or in the words of Rozzi Daime..“It's got to sound like warm cotton candy on a Ferris wheel, the first day of summer after you just lost your virginity that night. Doesn't that just sound delicious?”

;) Ciao!

RebelCityMusic.com

Tracey Amos Interview

By: Simóne Banks

“..Music is without boundaries to me, and the definitions of it tend to detract from the expression more and more.” Spoken from the lips of a true revolutionary; Tracey Amos is the new voice of reason, the reason of who we really are.

Her debut album, Who Are We Really, answers the many questions about life, love and why we do the things we do; to ourselves and the ones we love. With establishing roots in L.A. by way of Philly, Amos breaks the barrier of music with an album that transcends through any genre or classification.

Sensitive and inviting, one could only imagine what it would be like to sit across from this beauty and inquire why such songs like; Sleeping with Addiction is one of her favorites. “That is a heavy song for me, one of my favorites to perform. It is very personal as it is about the most pivotal relationship in my life; but it is also more than that. I like to make my lyrics open to interpretation because we all share the same experience in different forms.”

Her inspiration is life; the everyday, the known and unknown, the experiences from interactions that cause joy, pain, happiness and fear. Respectfully, this is why her album is titled Who Are We Really. “I’ve wanted to know ever since I was little why we are alive? What are we doing here, and what really is the point? I have my perspective but I want to know where others are coming from.”

Her musical roots began in a small east coast town, where she states was part hippie. Born to conservative parents that encouraged her and her sisters to sing and dance, she began to experiment with song writing and later formed a rock band, The Cherry Project with friends in junior high. When asked what attracted her to rock and roll then and if it is the same for her now, she expresses that it is the honesty of the pain and passion of letting out all the angst minus the candy coating. Her expectation of realness through music stems from her discovery of jazz music. She explains that jazz music opened her eyes in understanding that music is universal. “Songs usually come to me when I am driving or showering or playing etc., so I try to stay in the zone and get all the goodies while I am flowing. Also break-ups and hard times bring out a lot, though, I try not to do that too much, but I get great songs then as well.”

Her sincerity is displayed through her lyrics with songs like Definition of Love, and Standing but overall you feel her passion and energy in songs such as Prepare to Die and Tear it Down. Tracey Amos, the mere definition of passion, struggle, and success.

Check out Tracey Amos at www.traceyamos.com or www.myspace.com/traceyamos to hear tracks or to purchase music.

SchemeMag.com

DJ Ultraviolet Interview

By: Simóne J. Banks

The Lady loves Hip Hop

In a time when music has become very redundant and consistently boring, you can’t help but to appreciate the classics. When it comes to hip hop, there is nothing like hearing real music being played in a room full of true hip hop heads that fear nothing but the sounds of Crime Mob and MIMS.

You won’t hear “pop, lock and drop it” on the turn tables of DJ Ultraviolet. The Harlem, NY bred hip hop DJ knows what real hip hop is, and she’s not afraid to display her playlist. Residing now in Philadelphia, she is the well respected female DJ that can spin with the best of them. But on the flip side, she’s here for the females. Ladies love hip hop too!

“I started djing in my room and at first I wasn’t aspiring to be a club DJ, but as a DJ you want nothing more than for people to hear your selection.” Ultraviolet, however hasn’t always been into Djing. While growing up, the piano was her turn table and the sound was more classical then edgy. Hip hop was always present and eventually she grew to not only enjoy the culture but appreciated the freeness and flexibility. The one thing about hip hop is that women aren’t always respected. But determination and skill has allowed Ultraviolet to change the game, no sloppy seconds here!

“In the short time I’ve been in the industry, I’ve seen the
ugly side of dealing with some men. They'll invite you to things and
want to work with you and show you love but they have another
agenda. It’s heart breaking because they make you think that they
genuinely care about what you do and how you do it; but then later
the truth surfaces when they try to hit on you. Not every male in the
industry is like that though. I have made some great friends through
the process. When I first started, I didn't have that issue but the
more involved in the scene I became, the uglier things got at times. I
heard stories and I was like "oh that won't happen to me" but it has
and it’s happened to some of my home girls as well. It’s made me sharper in a sense. I keep me eye out for things like that.”

The art of hip hop was the initial attraction for her. Ciphers, Adidas, break dancing; it was a very individualized yet inclusive culture. Everyone is more or less expected to bring something to the table. However, New York’s hip hop scene is very different than Philly’s. “I feel that Philly and NYC are so different when it comes to parties and music. You could go out during the week in NY and find a packed party that will go to 4am. NYC is the birth place so a lot of those artists still live there and you can go check them out at anytime. Here the market is a bit different. You have to promote a little bit more and NYC is a lot bigger than Philly. People here love the underground. I think they love it in NYC also. It’s just easier to get folks to come out in NYC.”

But Ultraviolet hasn’t had much trouble creating a crowd. There isn’t a minute that you get bored with her DJ sets. She consistently plays music that keep you saying, Ohh yeah! I remember that! She’s classic and has already made a name for herself in the Philly underground music scene. One of her most noteworthy events she has developed is the Ladies Love Hip Hop annual party. She’s had guest such as Bahamdia, Monie Love, Dj Roxy, Ethel Cee, and this year will feature Jean Grae.

“I started LLHH out of frustration of folding jeans and t shirts all
damn day! The idea literally popped into my head and I called
some friends and asked what they thought about it and it just kind of
went from there. I wasn’t really getting any gigs at the time so I
decided to do my own thing and have a few other female DJs I knew spin
with me. Basically, LLHH is for ladies who really do love hip hop.
There are very few of us out there. The night is dedicated to classic
hip hop so you'll hear anything from BDP to Big Daddy Kane, Nas, Tribe
Called Quest, etc. It’s a great time! About 2 years ago I met Monie Love at a party and my friend, DJ Tactics told her about what I was doing and she loved the idea. She’s been down with the event for the last 2 years. I was lucky to get Jean Grae for next one. It’s a dope event that I would like to bring to other cities.”

Breaking into the business wasn’t always easy. Intimidated? No she states, she just did it. “I just went and did it. Philly is a DJ city. Some of the worlds best DJs are from here so I knew I couldn't come out and be on some wackness! I learned a lot by watching and hanging out
with other DJs. My first gig I was super nervous though but it turned
out to be fun and things kind of rolled from there.”

She’s rubbed elbows with the Illvibe Collective of Philly, a group of DJs that include DJ Statik, Lil Dave, Panek, Phillee blunt and Skipmode who eventually took her in under their wings. “They're all dope turntabalist and producers as well. They play everything from hip hop to house to bossa nova; everything! They were the first DJs that I became friends with and were genuine about it.”

Philly’s been loyal to DJ Ultraviolet. If you get the chance to catch her spin you’ll know why Philly has welcomed this lady of hip hop. This summer she’ll be featured at the Bboy BBQ which is held every 2^nd Saturday in June @ the Hawthorne Recreation Center and in July she’ll be sharing the spotlight with DJ Cash Money at her newest event called Living Legends. “The first one I did was with DJ Scratch; shouts out to him for being so humble and killing the party! The next one will be with 9th Wonder, be on the look out for that one!!”

To check out more information about DJ Ultraviolet, visit www.myspace.com/djultraviolet

SchemeMag.com

Stacy Epps Interview

By: Simóne Banks

The Art of an Emcee

Controlled art besmirches artists’ identities.

A true artist knows who they are and their convictions are displayed through their music. When it comes down to artist representation, outer depiction is reflected from an inner experience. In other words, what’s flowing in both mentally and spiritually will determine the value of your lyrical flow.

“With me it’s all about reality, being down to earth and knowing that we all share so many experiences and emotions. Through our shared reality we can come together and unite to make positive changes in society. That is why I dedicate my life to the art of emceeing, because I am a messenger of light and love and hope that I can touch even a few people,” this being the manifesto of Stacy Epps.

Who is she? She’s the new voice of hip hop. A female icon that brings lyrical value yet with a respected image, she still has to experience the struggle to stand firm as a female emcee. “Unfortunately, the women are not put in the forefront and have to struggle to get heard and get signed within the industry. Historically, labels do not see women as profitable & therefore do not sign them. But many female emcees have shown the potential we have to create universal music that all people can enjoy. We need positive role models now more than ever, and especially women; people that our young girls can look up to and hear speak their mind. The current image of women in Hip Hop in the commercial industry is as “groupies” or very sexual scantily clad models. This is our dominant position right now. I say this to mean that you will see more women in this role than you will in the role as a female emcee or leader within the movement.”

Can you name five female emcees? Most rattle off the typical three, Lil Kim, Foxy Brown and Trina. But when you suggest naming female emcees that have contributed something positive to the culture, is when you really see people begin to struggle. “Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, Roxanne Shante, Salt n Pepa, Lauryn Hill, Bahamadia, Mystic and countless others have shown the ability of dope female emcees to shine and make their voices heard. This is more important now than ever. I know so many dope female emcees that just don’t get the attention they deserve like Bahamadia, Invincible, Mystic, Emoni Fela, Tiye Phoenix and more.”

In the midst of hip hop, representation is definitely controlling the growth of our present generation, and in regards to female emcees, their image reflects a lot more than on themselves. There is a responsibility that female icons have. Who will lead and where are the values we see coming from? “It is on us as female emcees to make this an issue and raise our voices to contest this series of events and not just let it continue on. I am committed to be a part of this effort.”

Epps was introduced to hip hop at an early age. Like many, she was attracted to the freedom and strength of the culture. It was the expression that gave a voice to the community many artists’ spoke of. Issues such as gang violence, poverty, education and family life allowed the culture to become a very precocious community. “When I was younger, I was drawn to the strength of the vibe and culture, the ‘freshness’ and the unique sound. There was a freedom in Hip Hop that existed nowhere else. Hearing emcees like KRS 1, MC Lyte, Queen Latifah, I was inspired by the message, the words, and the style. I knew this was a higher level of communication. Very spiritual and a direct response to the difficulties our communities were facing due to so-called “reganomics” i.e. crack, guns etc. It showed me that we had a voice and could speak to the people about exactly how we were feeling and that people would listen. It had such a pride and good energy towards it you couldn’t help but be drawn to this music. The lyrics man, wow, they really moved me, and from then on… well… it’s been on!”

Her focus is on the most high and her drive is nestled within. Her talent could be determined as natural though she’s insatiable when it comes to knowledge and sharing it. Despite the fact that she hasn’t been in the game long, she’s worked with many artists and producers alike that all have the respect from the music community. “I have been blessed to work with some very, very talented individuals worldwide. Scienz of Life really groomed me on learning the indie biz and the art of recording and doing for self. I am forever indebted to them for the strong foundation they shared with me. I was on their Project Overground album on about 4 tracks (some of my earliest work! ;-) Then Lil Sci and I created the group Sol Uprising and we did an album called “Sol Power.” I also did a track with the Prophetix a dope group from ATL. I was blessed to work with MF Doom on the King Gheedorah “Take me to Your Leader” album also featured on the album he did with Madlib, the Madvillain Project. Worked with OH NO (madlib’s lil brother) on his Album the Disrupt. Did a lot of work with Wildchild, we have a project in the works right now. I recorded songs with Madlib and also worked with Jneiro Jarel on his Dr. Who Dat “Beat Journey” project and also his upcoming album. I work very closely with Apex a dope producer out of DC, he did like 4 of the tracks on my upcoming project. I recorded some songs with Georgia Anne Muldrow, the gifted and talented!! Muhsinah as well, she produced a song on my album. Flying Lotus produced a joint on the project. Goodness, there are so many dope people I worked with, I guess I’ll just start listing, Bilal Salaam, S1, Pharcyde, Baatin, Cris Prolific, Invincible, Finale, DJ PudgEmcee, Amdex, Jazz Liberators, Bembe Segue, Emoni Fela & the Epsilon Project. I’m sure I’m forgetting someone, but all are fresh!”

Upcoming is her first solo project entitled Eppisode 1: The Awakening that is expected to drop winter 2007. No mainstream diplomacy, just pure hip hop to enlighten the listener. In her words, hip hop is alive and flourishing; on the independent tip however. “Hip Hop is evolving like every other form of music. I feel that the whole “hip hop is dead” thing was a big publicity stunt. Although I think it was healthy for us to sit back and reflect on the art form and see its current contributions to society. Yes, on the mainstream/commercial/major label side of things Hip Hop or should I say rap (that’s a whole other debate) is polluted with a lot of negativity and lack of creativity and progressiveness. But this is what happens when art is controlled by money, because at the end of the day these major labels have to make their bottom line, they have to pay their CEO $500,000 to $1 million/year… they have to pay their bills… so for them that is a very controlling factor. But on the independent side, I see Hip Hop alive and well. I see fresh talent worldwide flexing their skills and contributing to Hip Hop culture. There are so many positive community organizations working in the name of Hip Hop. So it’s definitely not dead. But the evolution is coming, music and culture is an ever-changing entity, so it is important to embrace the changes that arise. I see music moving to amazing new heights, an amalgamation of all types of sounds and the destruction of all rules and boundaries lines to create mind-blowing music for all people…soon come.”

Being influential isn’t easy. Sometimes we influence others unknowingly. On a recent trip to South Africa, Epps was able to get first hand the experience of seeing how influential she really is. “Wow, that trip truly changed my life!! I have never had such a beautiful experience as I had visiting Mother Africa. I was blessed with the opportunity to travel to the homeland and it still affects me so deeply. I look back on that trip with love and still miss it. To actually be on a land that was HOME for people truly. People were truly connected to the land in that they knew, their ancestors had walked that earth. There was a deep spiritual connection to nature and the incredible abundance of nature in that space. I was taken aback at how huge Hip Hop was out there and how much of the independent music they were into. It amazed me that my first night at a Hip Hop club, a young brother came up to me and was like, “excuse me are you Stacy Epps?” I was truly blown away!! But it really showed me how far our music travels and the importance of our voices throughout the world. This music we create is a serious thing!”

Saul Williams

I can't help but stress the need for minds like Saul Williams...he is another great thinker..writer, artist, poet! In conjunction with this novel, ahem letter i just posted lol here's a track for your mind..Scared Money..also, download his newest album at www.NiggyTardust.com

An Open Letter to Oprah

Dear Ms. Winfrey,

It is with the greatest respect and adoration of your loving spirit that I write you. As a young child, I would sit beside my mother everyday and watch your program. As a young adult, with children of my own, I spend much less time in front of the television, but I am ever thankful for the positive effect that you continue to have on our nation, history and culture. The example that you have set as someone unafraid to answer their calling, even when the reality of that calling insists that one self-actualize beyond the point of any given example, is humbling, and serves as the cornerstone of the greatest faith. You, love, are a pioneer.

I am a poet.

.....portion was deleted

I had not yet begun writing poetry. Most of my friends hardly knew that I had been an emcee in high school. I no longer cared to identify myself as an emcee and my love of oratory seemed misplaced at Morehouse where most orators were actually preachers in training, speaking with the Southern drawl of Dr. King although they were 19 and from the North. I spent my time doing countless plays and school performances. I was in line to become what I thought would be the next Robeson, Sidney, Ossie, Denzel, Snipes… It wasn't until I was in graduate school for acting at NYU that I was invited to a poetry reading in Manhattan where I heard Asha Bandele, Sapphire, Carl Hancock Rux, Reggie Gaines, Jessica Care Moore, and many others read poems that sometimes felt like monologues that my newly acquired journal started taking the form of a young poets'. Yet, I still noticed that I was a bit different from these poets who listed names like: Audre Lorde, June Jordan, Sekou Sundiata etc, when asked why they began to write poetry. I knew that I had been inspired to write because of emcees like Rakim, Chuck D, LL, Run DMC… Hip Hop had informed my love of poetry as much or even more than my theater background which had exposed me to Shakespeare, Baraka, Fugard, Genet, Hansberry and countless others. In those days, just a mere decade ago, I started writing to fill the void between what I was hearing and what I wished I was hearing. It was not enough for me to critique the voices I heard blasting through the walls of my Brooklyn brownstone. I needed to create examples of where Hip Hop, particularly its lyricism, could go. I ventured to poetry readings with my friends and neighbors, Dante Smith (now Mos Def), Talib Kwele, Erycka Badu, Jessica Care Moore, Mums the Schemer, Beau Sia, Suheir Hammad…all poets that frequented the open mics and poetry slams that we commonly saw as "the other direction" when Hip hop reached that fork in the road as you discussed on your show this past week. On your show you asked the question, "Are all rappers poets?" Nice. I wanted to take the opportunity to answer this question for you.

The genius, as far as the marketability, of Hip Hop is in its competitiveness. Its roots are as much in the dignified aspects of our oral tradition as it is in the tradition of "the dozens" or "signifying". In Hip Hop, every emcee is automatically pitted against every other emcee, sort of like characters with super powers in comic books. No one wants to listen to a rapper unless they claim to be the best or the greatest. This sort of braggadocio leads to all sorts of tirades, showdowns, battles, and sometimes even deaths. In all cases, confidence is the ruling card. Because of the competitive stance that all emcees are prone to take, they, like soldiers begin to believe that they can show no sign of vulnerability. Thus, the most popular emcees of our age are often those that claim to be heartless or show no feelings or signs of emotion. The poet, on the other hand, is the one who realizes that their vulnerability is their power. Like you, unafraid to shed tears on countless shows, the poet finds strength in exposing their humanity, their vulnerability, thus making it possible for us to find connection and strength through their work. Many emcees have been poets. But, no, Ms. Winfrey, not all emcees are poets. Many choose gangsterism and business over the emotional terrain through which true artistry will lead. But they are not to blame. I would now like to address your question of leadership.

You may recall that in immediate response to the attacks of September 11th, our president took the national stage to say to the American public and the world that we would "…show no sign of vulnerability". Here is the same word that distinguishes poets from rappers, but in its history, more accurately, women from men. To make such a statement is to align oneself with the ideology that instills in us a sense of vulnerability meaning "weakness". And these meanings all take their place under the heading of what we consciously or subconsciously characterize as traits of the feminine. The weapon of mass destruction is the one that asserts that a holy trinity would be a father, a male child, and a ghost when common sense tells us that the holiest of trinities would be a mother, a father, and a child: Family. The vulnerability that we see as weakness is the saving grace of the drunken driver who because of their drunken/vulnerable state survives the fatal accident that kills the passengers in the approaching vehicle who tighten their grip and show no physical vulnerability in the face of their fear. Vulnerability is also the saving grace of the skate boarder who attempts a trick and remembers to stay loose and not tense during their fall. Likewise, vulnerability has been the saving grace of the African American struggle as we have been whipped, jailed, spat upon, called names, and killed, yet continue to strive forward mostly non-violently towards our highest goals. But today we are at a crossroads, because the institutions that have sold us the crosses we wear around our necks are the most overt in the denigration of women and thus humanity. That is why I write you today, Ms. Winfrey. We cannot address the root of what plagues Hip Hop without addressing the root of what plagues today's society and the world.

You see, Ms. Winfrey, at it's worse; Hip Hop is simply a reflection of the society that birthed it. Our love affair with gangsterism and the denigration of women is not rooted in Hip Hop; rather it is rooted in the very core of our personal faith and religions. The gangsters that rule Hip Hop are the same gangsters that rule our nation. 50 Cent and George Bush have the same birthday (July 6th). For a Hip Hop artist to say "I do what I wanna do/Don't care if I get caught/The DA could play this mothaf@kin tape in court/I'll kill you/ I ain't playin'" epitomizes the confidence and braggadocio we expect an admire from a rapper who claims to represent the lowest denominator. When a world leader with the spirit of a cowboy (the true original gangster of the West: raping, stealing land, and pillaging, as we clapped and cheered.) takes the position of doing what he wants to do, regardless of whether the UN or American public would take him to court, then we have witnessed true gangsterism and violent negligence. Yet, there is nothing more negligent than attempting to address a problem one finds on a branch by censoring the leaves.

Name calling, racist generalizations, sexist perceptions, are all rooted in something much deeper than an uncensored music. Like the rest of the world, I watched footage on AOL of you dancing mindlessly to 50 Cent on your fiftieth birthday as he proclaimed, "I got the ex/if you're into taking drugs/ I'm into having sex/ I ain't into making love" and you looked like you were having a great time. No judgment. I like that song too. Just as I do, James Brown's Sex Machine or Grand Master Flashes "White Lines". Sex, drugs, and rock and roll is how the story goes. Censorship will never solve our problems. It will only foster the sub-cultures of the underground, which inevitably inhabit the mainstream. There is nothing more mainstream than the denigration of women as projected through religious doctrine. Please understand, I am by no means opposing the teachings of Jesus, by example (he wasn't Christian), but rather the men that have used his teachings to control and manipulate the masses. Hip Hop, like Rock and Roll, like the media, and the government, all reflect an idea of power that labels vulnerability as weakness. I can only imagine the non-emotive hardness that you have had to show in order to secure your empire from the grips of those that once stood in your way: the old guard. You reflect our changing times. As time progresses we sometimes outgrow what may have served us along the way. This time, what we have outgrown, is not hip hop, rather it is the festering remnants of a God depicted as an angry and jealous male, by men who were angry and jealous over the minute role that they played in the everyday story of creation. I am sure that you have covered ideas such as these on your show, but we must make a connection before our disconnect proves fatal.

We are a nation at war. What we fail to see is that we are fighting ourselves. There is no true hatred of women in Hip Hop. At the root of our nature we inherently worship the feminine. Our overall attention to the nurturing guidance of our mothers and grandmothers as well as our ideas of what is sexy and beautiful all support this. But when the idea of the feminine is taken out of the idea of what is divine or sacred then that worship becomes objectification. When our governed morality asserts that a woman is either a virgin or a whore, then our understanding of sexuality becomes warped. Note the dangling platinum crosses over the bare asses being smacked in the videos. The emcees of my generation are the ministers of my father's generation. They too had a warped perspective of the feminine. Censoring songs, sermons, or the tirades of radio personalities will change nothing except the format of our discussion. If we are to sincerely address the change we are praying for then we must first address to whom we are praying.

Thank you, Ms. Winfrey, for your forum, your heart, and your vision. May you find the strength and support to bring about the changes you wish to see in ways that do more than perpetuate the myth of enmity.

In loving kindness,

Saul Williams

RebelCityMusic.com

SANTOGOLD Interview

By: Simóne Banks

New Yorkers love to play the role of whatever stereotype non New Yorkers categorize them in, you know, the usual unapproachable, detached, isolated loner in the city of creativity and opportunity. I believe Russell Lynes explains it best, “Any real New Yorker is a you-name-it-we-have-it-snob whose heart brims with sympathy for the millions of unfortunates who through misfortune, misguidedness or pure stupidity live anywhere else in the world.” So since this is the mistaken reality we non New Yorkers obviously are missing out on, there are artists like Santogold that break down the misunderstood mindset of a New Yorker very nicely.

“..You don't know me
I am an introvert an excavator
I'm duckin' out for now
a face in dodgy elevators
Creep up and suddenly
I found myself
an innovator...”

(Excerpt from L.E.S. Artistes)

“Got no need for the fancy things, all the attention that it brings, tell me no, I say yes, I was chosen and I will deliver the explosion.” (Excerpt from Creator vs. FreQnasty) If you’ve never heard Santogold; Santi White and John Hill, you’re missing out on the next dynamic duo to rule the new wave, psychobilly disc jockey turntables. Their beats and lyrics will give you more than just a good time. As most real music junkies would agree, music should be felt not only physically, but also appreciated mentally. Santogold tells it like they see it; “L.E.S Artistes is about the Lower East Side hipster aesthetic, about little arty scenesters in general and how often it's more about looking the part than anything else. It's also about wanting anonymity sometimes in NY and in life in general, about seeking out anonymity in order to observe for yourself where you fit in it all. And it's about how that can be hard when you’re traveling in creative circles and part of the gig is to be seen. But most importantly, that song is about feeling vulnerable in a really hard town, at a really hard time, and wanting so badly to make something important of it.”

Santi the lead singer, originally from Philly illustrates the formation of Santogold as a fallen idea out of the sky. “It wasn’t premeditated. It was originally supposed to be the next record for my old band Stiffed, but Stiffed fell apart, and then the project just completely about faced and took on a life of its own. I was just following behind with my eyes closed.”

Eyes may have been closed but ears were definitely opened. Noting that most mainstream music of today is cheap. She prides in her aim of making Santogold a legendary new form for musical expression. “I want good music to be mainstream music too. There's no reason why "most people" should have to listen to empty crap music. That's what I'm aiming for. I don't think that all music should be any one way. There's a place for everything and clearly an audience for it to. I don't really buy any mainstream music right now because I think it's cheap. Nothing that will have any relevance to me a couple months after it's out. Some of is fun though. Some of the production is amazing. It's too bad they're not talking about shit (specifically in hip Hop). I find mainstream music depressing overall for its lack of creativity.”

Her music however, doesn’t lack creativity. “Me, I’m a taker, know what the stakes are, can’t roll it back, it’s understood, got to play our cards.” (Excerpt from Creator vs. FreQnasty) Her words shoot fire and she’s ready to handle the pressure. “Yes, a lot of times they are (drawn from personal experiences). Though sometimes I role play a bit around an idea that just comes into my head. Even in those instances, I think that whatever you write comes from some place in your psyche, however frightening that may be at times.”

Santogold releases their debut album May 22, 2007. A scheduled tour is in the works as well, though the UK will get a taste first. Plans for 2007 appearances could be found via www.myspace.com/santogold, so all you fans can expect the most from Santogold; as stated by Santi, “Im’a be all up in your area!”

RebelCityMusic.com

Rozzi Daime Interview

By: Simóne Banks

The Glamorous Dame

“It's got to sound like warm cotton candy on a Ferris wheel, the first day of summer after you just lost your virginity that night. Doesn't that just sound delicious?”

Delicious indeed! Daring, provocative, magnetic, graceful and intelligent are only a few of the many different ways you could describe her sound. Rozzi Daime is the artist responsible for allowing you to remember your first time, every time. Why shy away from what matters the most; sex, lust, love, envy, desire. She’s an open book, candid and unapologetic. Her music is lyrical freedom and she has no problem stating the things you mean to say, but are too afraid to. “Authenticity is the most important thing when it comes to music. I have songs about everything from my ‘cock’, to my God; all are pure expressions of my emotions at that time.”

Six years and counting, she has been recording what she considers, Avant-Glam music; a fusion of experimental and unorthodox art with a flair for the glamorous. Or to be more precise, she would be the prodigal child of Josephine Baker and David Bowie. When asked what would be equivalent to experiencing her live, she simply states; a forty-five minute orgasm. Enough said!

This temptress isn’t only musically talented; she’s also working on a comic book. As Rozzi Daime as the main superhero, she illustrates the beauty as being a character with thoughtform projection; or the capability of possessing an advanced version of telekinesis. “Any image created in my mind, becomes a 3 dimensional reality for anyone in range of my frequency, in person, or via TV / radio airwaves. A very provocative and powerful gift only to be used at times when it’s absolutely necessary for the survival of mankind, (or of course during live shows!) Her philosophy is that creativity is the source of evolution, and everyone should be free to contribute.”

Contribution is necessary; otherwise you won’t get the full effect. To be creative minded suggests that one must gain innovation from others; both physical and emotional. The true test is consistency. “The set I do for my peers and a fan is the same set that I do when my parents and grandmothers are in the club, you're right, I don't apologize.” Her track record displays the likes of many artists we might categorize as unapologetic and outspoken. “I have worked with Common, Bilal, Erykah Badu, and Sa-Ra also some amazing musicians Chris Dave, Rob Glasper, Steve “Thundercat" Bruner, DJ Jahi Sundance, to name a few.” Some artists she’d like to share energy with in the studio are Outkast, Snoop Dogg, Fiona Apple, Kanye West, The Rza and many more.

Her music is even more fascinating than her current artist log. Tracks such as Ride, White Cloud, Babies or even Cock Teaser all make it very simple to understand why Rozzi is considered CANDID! Her song Tracy is a track she swears gets mentioned more than she does; perhaps because she literally makes feel good music? “Tracy is your typical attractive, sexy girl who likes to party, she's got great style, everything is a current designer, flawless make-up and great taste in shoes, she has one man for money, another for sex, and another for her 'party favors'. She enjoys her freedom, and never takes no for an answer. She is independent, a hard worker during the day and the life of the party at night, if you knew Tracy from the office you would never believe that was her taking shots behind the DJ booth on a Tuesday, and in every picture in the nightlife magazines. She's the kind of freak you COULD take home to mother. Sigh, the question is if Tracy is real or not...”

In most cases, we all know a Tracy; however, the game is only fun if it’s played right. Rozzi couldn’t agree more. When it comes to music, classifying music according to the ethnicity of the artists limits the potential of the artist and their listener. “It is very challenging categorizing artists now, because the lines of clear division have been blurred beyond your a-typical genres. The sound today is a fusion of rock, jazz, hip-hop, soul, funk, live instrumentation with synthesizers, and beat machines and samples. There is no one kind of music that is of the original mold of classification. Calling it "Black Music" is a double edge sword; it’s informative and exclusive at the same time. Yes, Black people invented this music, these rhythms, these timings, and this freedom in music. White people know about our musical movements. And although culturally, we have always set precedent on what is the new happening thing in America, and now the World, even cultural lines are being blurred what with the internet and satellite TV, so everyone is exposed to everything all of the time. It is going to take myself and my musical peers to come up with a new system. It would be like trying to use the dewy decibel system for the internet, outdated and not as effective.”

To be effective, playing the part gets you in the game. Staying around, is a different story. “The name of the game is "Show Business". My Grandfather would always say any news is good news. Keeping your name in this business is key. Different people use different approaches to maintain their status, or even to create their name in this business. We as women have to prove ourselves twice as hard just to break the glass ceiling in this industry. I am a firm believer that anyway you choose to market yourself to gain respect and notoriety, (or gossip, as they seem to be synonymous at this juncture in music), is up to the individual.”

As for Rozzi Daime, she’s synonymous with success. 2008 will be the year she sheds her comfort zone of L.A. and ventures out to ears wider than her MySpace page. She plans to release her album Avant-Glam, shoot about five videos, record more music and continue to write for more artists. “There is a sampler floating around in the ethers as we speak, generating the proper buzz, increasing fans and getting the right people interested. I am currently working on a release for late spring, early summer 2008. The material has been recorded, just a few live inflictions are needed and the right engineer to give it the tone I want.” Along with her busy music career, she’d like to buy property in either L.A. or NYC. Probably to guarantee a place to rest her head for this fall’s Avant-Glam World Tour; The Cosmic Masquerade of Rozzi Daime. Definitely look out for this one! www.myspace.com/rozzidaime

RebelCityMusic.com

Nola Darling Interview

By: Simóne Banks

The Nola Darling Challenge

How significant is it for a musical artist to remain authentic? Many struggle with the choice of being true to their music or signing to a mainstream label with the option of sacrificing their passion for a check. Lately, the hip hop community has been the target of questionable moments of authenticity. In regard to the female emcee, many of the questionable moments of authenticity has been associated with images reflecting women of color. How are they represented in lyrics and videos and more importantly, how are they representing themselves? The answers aren’t always easy to pin-point. Many look to blame male counterparts, and many blame the female artists. But, for emerging female artists that work hard to represent themselves and want to be judged by their music first; where do they fit in? How do they enter into a music community that doesn’t pride in lyrical and musical critique initially for the female emcee but rather focus on physical image? There are five reasons why the duo Nola Darling will be the new sweet faces of hip hop and why they are working hard to earn their respect; and aren’t willing to receive it based on image.

Honest:

Their names are Alex and Jaq. Covering grounds from L.A., Miami and New York by way of Haitian roots. They are cultural observers and all that they represent is reflected through their music. Coining the name Nola Darling from the Spike Lee movie, She’s Gotta Have It, conveys their knowledge of how easy it is to live cognizant of the freedom to be a woman of many choices.

Jaq: We draw from a lot of different places. Where we are from and where we are in our lives. In hip hop, women are not allowed to express themselves fully; there is no freedom present between the subculture and mainstream. Within ourselves, we try to embody the fusion of a valley girl flavor, bad girl flavor, flirty flavor and not being limited because we identify with hip hop.

Alex: There are typical roles that are set aside for women in hip hop. The typical look and statements and objective views; we are fully clothed and that’s just how we choose to be free and not to conform.

Grounded:

Maintaining a strong exterior and a much softer interior is only one approach by the Darling ladies. Soft spoken, many equate them as singers before they step on stage and rock the mic. Fully clad, their look is much classier than the typical mainstream female emcee.

Jaq: There are definitely choices but it depends on what is presented to you on one hand and how you choose from what’s presented. My dad says he’s a feminist; he always encouraged me to notice multi-cultural women that were always doing something positive in society. We have so many role models out there, but it’s a choice to go look for them. Like Kelis; I commend her because she is her own person and has maintained who she is throughout her career in the mainstream industry.

Alex: Our parents provided and encouraged us to seek out examples of who we wanted to be. We know our worth and there are a lot of pressures in the industry we must overcome.

Courageous:

Artist responsibility is more like an obligation for Nola Darling. What comes out their lips must reflect their reality and the things they believe in. They don’t want to be a wasted skill. There is nothing more annoying to the ladies than an artist that comes into the game with passion but remains stagnant once they reach their high.

Alex: First I want to talk about fantasy vs. reality. I think everybody knows that Al Pacino is not Scarface, he is not Tony Montana. He is an actor. I feel like, for musicians it’s different. Usually you are bringing yourself and your own personality. It’s your voice, your words. It’s your personality that you are selling. Not the directors or the producers. Not to say that there aren’t images that are crafted by the labels, but at the end of the day, it’s you. I think that everything we rap about may not be everything we have experienced, but as artists that interpret the world…if it feels right to us, than we can only speak our truth. How can we speak someone else’s truth? When you are in the lime light and your voice is heard to the masses, you can’t waste the power you have to change minds or to create change. We have a responsibility to talk about what is going on in the world. Those that don’t want to step up to the plate, are childish and need to step the fuck up!

Jaq: Be real with yourself and it’s nothing new. People want to sell so badly, and that’s not what we are influenced by. We are cultural observers and it’s going to come out, naturally. At the end of the day, we are undeniably us. As a society, we want the myth of Young Jeezy and Lil Wayne. I feel like that is part of the game and I’m not saying that that’s how it should be and there is nothing wrong with violence and sex because if that’s your story…I’m not mad at you. Thank you for surviving it. But, why not use your power to steer people away from the life you lived and use the power wisely, but in retrospect.

Provocative:

History has brought many images of female emcees; MC Lyte, Queen Latifah, Lil Kim, Lauryn Hill and many others. Each artist has their own image and their own form of representing who they are and how society associates or categorizes them. But, when you compare the choice of how each artist may have used their moment of power to influence their listeners, there are obvious contradictions. How important is it to use the power you have as an artist once it’s in your hands?

Jaq: There is nothing wrong with being popular, it’s just, do your own thing! In artistry, you put yourself in a place where you shouldn’t be…you can’t be complacent. When you are in that position of power, you can’t be ignorant and waste that position of power. Personally, I don’t want to waste it and throw it away. What are you going to do to change the world around you? There is a lot we can do to change the greater world, but in your own community that’s where the impact is.

Alex: There are artists that come up from the “hood” and they go on and on and on about it. But, now that you are out of it, what are you going to do about that same little boy of today that is going through it. It needs to be thrown in their face about their responsibility. We as Black people have a responsibility to nurture and protect hip hop. We need to keep it strong for social change, because that’s what it was intended for.

Jaq: There really is no tool for social change. There is not standard to what you do once you have that power. Like in sports, they have organizations that gear the players as an orientation into their change of lifestyle because it’s a family sport and their image must be protected. But, you can’t say that you don’t know anymore, because you know! So, step up! Not everyone can create a foundation. But, it’s so easy to say why you don’t say something, but if all we hear is “I’m so hood” and I don’t want to be anything else, what else can we gain? It is entertainment, but at the same time we are perpetrating the same negative images. The images America is rooted on anyway.

Optimistic:

Nola Darling can be seen as history makers. They are challenging music and demanding respect. The image of the female artist needs to be protected. It’s okay to have a slick tongue and an elegant profile, just be wise on how you use your fire when directed to your listeners. Their music will be available early 2008 for your personal pleasure. Titled The Pretty Gritty Mix Tape will be a chronicle of the past two years of their lives. There is something for everyone they state, and you won’t be disappointed at all by their team of production and collaborations. A mini tour is in the works, but some details you’ll have to wait for. To hear and learn more, www.myspace.com/whoisnoladarling

SchemeMag.com

J*Davey Interview

By: Simóne J. Banks

Introduction:

J*Davey is a sound. It could be equated as a movement; the revolution in music. It’s the beginning to the end of mainstream bull that lacks spontaneity and personality. J*Davey is feel good music and to be put in no category. Ohh and the artists that make up J*Davey, they’re cool too! J

Enter Jack and Brook:

The girl is Jack and the boy is Brook. They live in Los Angeles and music is what they do. She’s the singer and he’s the producer. They create music for people that think outside the box. Their skin may be brown, but they aren’t R&B or hip hop musicians. They are transcending the idea of the so-called “Black music” category, and don’t care what you say. They make music for all colors, ages, shoe sizes, it doesn’t matter. “And by the way, that’s like another tiff for people to stuff in the box; male and female, Black kids, doing some weird music. We’re not the same and we’re on totally different planes, but I think it’s obvious for people to make that judgment. Just because we are Black doesn’t mean we live in the same towns, listen to the same music or drive the same cars. I understand the claims, but I feel that people say these things for no real reason.”

Their Music and You:

No real reason is right. Music lovers that love J*Davey for what they create is all Jack and Brook care about. They have already created a fan base on both coasts and internationally. “Having an audience is important period. Whether they are Black, White or green people it doesn’t matter. We have a little bit of everything for everyone. Music is our goal; we don’t make music for one specific type of person. Music is universal.”

Daring, free and sexy are just a few of the ways Jack and Brook would describe their music. Come open or stand to the side (because they want you to come!) would be the rule to seeing them live. Their music is for the people that take risks and aren’t afraid in being who they are. No carbon copy material is accepted. It’s a musical experience and like many icons such as Madonna, Prince and David Bowie whom are always reinventing themselves; their fans look for J*Davey. They are ready for whatever J*Davey brings on a musical front. “I appreciate that people appreciate our music. It has no boundaries, it’s always changing. We’re always surprising and exciting ourselves.”

To hear them speak on music is like watching an artist paint his/her own portrait. An artist knows where their facial features are placed, what they should look like and resemble. J*Davey may not be played on the radio just yet, however they know that the music being played today is missing something. “Music still exists, even though the record industry is collapsing. Especially with them having control of what people want to express. It’s becoming more of an artist’s driven kind of community. I appreciate people trying to step out the box more often from people being mundane and average. People are afraid to take risks and in often cases they don’t have talent. People are dancers. They aren’t even good performers. It’s just a lot of manufactured talent. Like an assembly line. They put the artist in there with a producer, a stylist, a voice teacher and they make an image for you. They write all your songs and you don’t even know who you are. I think that’s why so many artists go crazy because they are crafted in a record label replica. We want to be a true representation of who we are and that we aren’t doing this to fool people.”

To be J*Davey:

To remain true to the sound of J*Davey and what it represents is why their music will be timeless. So many question authenticity of an artist; from how they speak, their lyrics, even how they dress. For Jack and Brook, all those questions will be answered in their music and especially if you get to see them live. They are open books to a degree. They care about their messages and want to not only influence, but also affect you musically. “We want kids 20 years from now to pop in the CD or pull up the mp3. It’s important to have music that will cross all boundaries and all decades. For us it’s not just a cool thing to do in the meantime. It’s our careers, our livelihoods. It seems like most people are using music for immediate consumption. It’s like the McDonalds hamburger right now. In order to make timeless music it has to contain substance, something that is nurturing and that takes time. Once you put that energy into what you do. That enables you to transcend timelines.”

As a woman, the idea of authenticity is another side of the music culture. Women have always been put in boxes, and most of those boxes have something to do with physicality and not talent. For Jack, her love of mystery goes beyond her physical image. But instead, she wants you to wonder about her as a whole package. “I just do what I always do. I don’t want to ever feel like I’m posing. My image has been my image and that’s how people know about J*Davey. I don’t want to be confined, I don’t want to come across as Mohawk girl…I don’t want people to ever figure me out, because when people figure you out, they get over you fast. My goal is to keep reinventing myself. When I go through a personal reinvention, my music will change and I’m open and candid, but I still regard a little bit of mystery. I’m not up for the gimmicky, contrived bullshit. If anything, I want to stay free of that. As a woman, I will attempt to be a role model for younger girls, but at the same time I’m a grown adult. I want to be free to be who I am and touch people of all ages, colors, etc. I don’t want to be put in any category; I want people to always wonder.”

The Albums: present and future

J*Davey takes chances, and those chances are taken while creating their records. They state that during the process of evolving into J*Davey, their creative process was like throwing darts at a wall. Whatever stuck was what worked and whatever fell, well…it just didn’t satisfy. “While growing and experimenting into J*Davey, it was important for us to throw things at the wall and see what worked and what didn’t. Beauty in Distortion was simply just that, throwing darts on the wall and seeing what stuck; just a compilation of our start. Land of the Lost takes that a little further. We showcase a little more talent. It’s a bigger idea. And on the Warner Bros. debut, we’ll take it a little further.”

Pressing the buttons of music is why J*Davey is a genius sound. Music should be taken a little further. Like hip hop, the many facets of it were done by simply taken it to different levels. For Jack and Brook, there’s no point if you don’t try because the end result could be amazing! “We are always attempting to fine tune and develop what we do. We aren’t polishing it to make it more like what’s already out there. But just refining what we do and how we do it.”

Tune In:

The future is blinding right now for J*Davey. You may purchase their double disk; The Beauty in Distortion and Land of the Lost from Amoeba Records, www.amoeba.com if you are in Hollywood, CA and if you aren’t, a new extended version is coming soon. “Right now we are just doing spot shows in a few cities. A major tour will happen after our Warner Bros. project is finished. After that is done, we will probably open for somebody. Spring/Summer we’ll be doing some more things.”

There are so many avenues to experience J*Davey and though the west coast is getting a taste of the experience more than the East coast, you can still check out their music via www.jdaveybaby.com.

SchemeMag.com

Female Artists Slept on in 2007
By: Simóne J Banks
A list of the most deserving women of 2007 doing what they do best.



Peanut Butter Cookiez: Artist gets their inspiration from many things; people, places and sometimes things. Simply stated, these are the nouns of life that can drive a spirit or hinder it. Peanut Butter Cookiez is an artist that used her environment to create beauty through visual art. Reality in its rawest form might seem a bit distorted but the artistic expression still resembles a realistic approach that’s appreciated.
Born in the Philippines, but raised in Law Vegas, this half Filipino and Jamaican beauty found herself caught up in the arts. Drawing, anime, and graphic design were just some of her developing skills. However, she attributes music as the foundation to her growing desire to create art.
In a recent interview with voicesmagazine.com, she states that music helps her to build on her creativity and spontaneity. “I want to inspire minds. I want people to recognize their limitless potential as individuals by constantly creating and challenging to improve themselves as I have with my art. My art is very personal. My art describes my personality and it’s a visual translation of my emotions and thoughts.”
In the meantime, PBC has teamed up with the clothing company, Konform. Her art will be displayed on items such as T-shirts, skateboards and hats. She’s currently working on all new designs, but you can check out her published material and other pieces at www.myspace.com/iveyp



Ledisi: "I know I have something...some kind of power here, and I worry about misusing that or saying the wrong thing more than I worry about whether I'll have a voice tonight." Stated in a recent interview with http://www.soultracks.com/, how can you not expect the most sincere music from an artist that is more concerned about her message and usage of power than her voice?
Ledisi, which means “to bring forth” form the Yoruba language of Nigeria has obviously been a blessing to her. Based on her lyrics and singing ability, she only knows how to produce quality, mind blowing vocals conveying messages of the realities of life and love.
With tracks such as Best Friend, I Tried, You & Me and Joy; understanding her pain and her most pleasurable experiences will touch you deeper than expected. Ledisi’s voice compares to no other artist that is currently out. Soul music is making its appearance again and it’s beautiful when artists represent the genre so well.
Her first single, Alright, off her latest album Lost and Found tells a story of self love and faith. As stated in her bio; “I make my music to be timeless...so it can never be dated." She has definitely mastered that. She recently was named one of the top 10 faces to watch in 2007 in Billboard Magazine. Check her out. http://www.ledisi.com/



Emily King: For Emily King, growing up in New York City could be attributed to the growth of her wide-spread curiosity for her musical influences and musical tastes. As the daughter of two jazz musicians, music was always around her and eventually became her savior. From first glance, King seems precious, almost too gentle to be the creator of such lyrics that her bio states reflect her life and personality. Half African American and Italian, her song Colorblind is a song that hits close to King’s heart the most. "It sums up what I'm about, where I'm from, and gives an idea of the passion behind what I'm doing. I wanted it to be like a bio of myself."
Her album, East Side Stories is a timeline of King’s life. What has shaped her; enabled her to grow and allowed her to feel confident enough to share her story musically. Her single, Walk in My Shoes and It Was You displays her compassion towards her parents. But, not every song describes her past, she also lets loose in Hold Me and Ride and pays tribute to legends such as Bill Withers in Ain’t No Sunshine.
Experience her. In the midst of our musical and culture division where everyone is still trying to decipher if hip hop is truly dead, there are artists that just want to influence and make change through song. "I'm just finding my own culture within myself," she says. "We have a lot of division in our society, but I was never raised like that. I feel like what I'm doing right now is going to bring a lot of people together.” Check her out, http://www.emilykingonline.com/



Alice Smith: Unapologetic with a four-octave range, Alice Smith will relax you, move you and consume your thoughts. Her first solo album, For Lovers, Dreamers and Me is a testament of life in its purest form. According to Fader Magazine; “Smith is like a movie that departs radically from a familiar plot halfway through, Smith uses pop conventions to lead you to moments of genuine revelations in all the places you never expected” Some say she’s soul, and others refer to her as the new R&B, getting away from the classic love ballads and ringtone choruses. But, Smith simply states that soul to her is not a category; it’s a feeling.
Growing up in Washington, D.C. as an only child, she refers to her childhood as having a lot of “me time”. Never really thinking about the act of singing, she would just always sing. Escaping the urban lifestyle would be summers spent in Georgia. There on her family’s 69-acre farm Smith’s appreciation for music grew and later would shape her deeply rooted lyrics you hear today.
On her ten track album, she wrote four of the ten songs; Dream, Love Endeavor, Do I and Gary Song. “Half of ‘em are my songs,” she states in her bio, “the other half, I found ‘em. Mine sound like me. But, I think I’m actually surprised when people say they can tell mine from the others. Whatever, I love ‘em!”
Not sure if her album will be the initial foundation for other female “soul” artists to come forth and renew the tradition of female soul singers, but instead she equates her 1st solo album as a record she just wanted to record. “It would be nice if this stuff got to be some other, some new shit. I would be so happy. I think it would be great if this is where we’re going. I would love to be the person to do it. But I almost want to say that I didn’t intend that, but that wouldn’t be right, not exactly. What I intended was to make a record. You know?”
It’s like the saying, “You’ll always get what you’ve gotten, if you always do what you’ve done.” Smith is that change, bringing soul back into music that is often referenced as soul music. Perhaps what listeners were missing was the passion…its back. Check her out, http://www.alicesmith.com/


Ayo: Beauty in its purest form, her voice is like the kiss on the back of your neck. This German born musician equates her nomadic lifestyle to her free form singing range that surprises you with every note she reaches. Her musical identity, she states could be summed up from her living between Paris and New York. Both cities shaped and molded her into the Ayo you must encounter.
She’s eclectic. Her taste in music was influenced by artists such as Pink Floyd, Fela Kuti, Soul Children, Bob Marley and more. “I’m definitely Bohemian by nature, preferring a nomadic lifestyle. Not having a home? That is freedom.” According to her bio, her life has been an emotional rollercoaster. As a little girl, she left for Nigeria with her father due to his desire not to follow customs even though her grandmother wanted her to stay, and to her, that was the first “blow” to her spirit. Her middle name, Olasunmiboi in Yoruba means; She who is born elsewhere, but who will come back full of prosperity. Each time you hear her voice, it’s a new beginning for her. Each song tells a story, a piece of her life that might have been painful or joyous, but whatever it may be, its truth.
Her album was finished in five days and recorded entirely live. “I need to feel the musicians to really thrive…I feel at my best when I’m performing live. Whether you’re solo or accompanied by a group, you can’t lie.” She’s bittersweet, beautiful and simple. Her debut album Joyful: Ayo is a composition of 12 tracks that will feed your spirit and leave you open. Check her out, you will not be disappointed! http://ayomusic.artistes.universalmusic.fr/


Amanda Diva: You might recognize the name Amanda Diva. Many knew her as “the face of hip hop” for MTV2, as a member of the Atlanta based DJ crew "The Aphilliates,” her morning show “Breakfast at Diva’s” on Sirius Satellite Radio’s HipHopNation/40, on air Monday through Friday from 6am-12pm and as a contributor for XXL Magazine and AllHipHop.com. But, what some didn’t know is that she stepped in as the new face of Floetry after the “floacist” Natalie Stewart left and joined the “songstress” Marsha Ambrosius for the Floetry Remixed Tour. Many that attended the concerts didn’t like the change, but I say welcome it!
Amanda Diva not only brings a different vibe to Floetry as the “Lyri-Sista”, but her approach is so down to earth that she ends up captivating you before you have a chance to judge her. You may have seen her performing on Russell Simmons’s Def Poetry Slam stage, or heard her wicked fusion of rapping and singing on her It’s Bigger Than Hip Hop, The Mixtape Volume 1 (2004) or her Still Sucka Free Volume 1 Mixtape.
But, if you are still unaware of who this brilliant woman is, check her out; http://www.amandadiva.com/. She brings the realities of politics, education, social awareness and activism to hip hop. With all those qualities combined, is the reason why hip hop is not dead! As stated in her bio, “Amanda Diva puts them (lyrics) in an explosive rhyme/song format that forces the highest sadiddy to come down to earth, and the most thorough thug to awaken his intellect.”
December 7th will mark the release of LIFE, the 1st part of The Experience Trilogy; a three part series of EP’s. She’s dedicated to making music that people can live to. Along with her long resume as an emcee/poet. She is also a painter and her abstract depiction of hip hop, her love of Black people and life in its rawest forms can be seen and purchased on her website as well.
The hip hop community is ready for a female emcee like Amanda Diva. There aren’t too many females representing an image that is beyond the physical and in this delicate time where music is being critiqued more than ever, having someone true to their word represent for the ladies is a fresh start.


HEAVy: “My bite’s venomous!”
This will be a rare addition to the list of ladies slept on during 2007 because HEAVy is a duo. Front singer, Nicky Guiland and producer Casey Benjamin are geniuses when it comes to creating sounds so grave, a live show will leave you jaw dropping and worn out. In short, you will find yourself playing their album on rotation, because their music is that good!
As lead singer, Nicky is an icon in her own right. She’s determined and her music reflects her love and passion for the art of words and the fusion it has with a melody. She’ll play with you, mold your thoughts and keep you vulnerable with her voice alone. She came up with the name HEAVy based on the responses they would receive after performances. Their music was always equated as being heavy and amazing live. Tracks such as Time, Venomous and Countdown and Can’t Be the Way display sheer funk, ease and an intensity of a rock and roll/ hip hop fusion. It’s in your face, direct and you can’t help but to press repeat.
Representing Jamaica, Queens, NY, both artists are no novice to music or creativity. Their myspace.com bio sums up their sound pretty well. “With Nicky drawing favorable comparisons to a young Chaka Khan (and of course Minnie), and Casey playing off Nicky's etherealisms on keys and with his distinctive production, HEAVY updates the Groove Theory model of the 'power duo' to fantastic results with seemingly limitless possibilities.”
Their album, JAzzmonEY$$ dropped October 2007. They have no boundaries and their sexy, unapologetic sound has to be one of the freshest sounds released in 2007. Their message; take risks, live, love and learn. Do something different and check out http://www.heavymusic.net/