Da Insider Magazine 14

Da Industry Hotspot for New Talent-Music Publication

BEST NEW ARTISTS, A&R's, NEW FASHION MODELS & MORE

Da Insider 14

Magazine

'

FINEST

EXCLUSIVE NEW GRLA

THE POOR MANS COPYRIGHT:

&

What's it really worth

ARTISTS

NEW FEATURE STORIES

CLOTHING

BRAND EXCLUSIVE

?

January 2017

Krate Kollective

ISSUE

CONTENTS

#14

EXCLUSIVE

FEATURE STORY

50 CENT

It's clear that he's here for a real reason...

GRLA Exclusive

Clothing

BRAND

MODEL RECAP

Follow Us

FEATURED ARTISTS DC Stylez MC Crisis Datta Boy Bari Blocca DJ Alpha Dotcom TrappinAzzSneed Cuttaman RodJUDAH

?

THE POOR MANS COPYRIGHT:

What's It Really Worth

www.CreativeSpaceProductions.com

Datta Boy From his personal sense of style to the name which he goes by, this artist is unique in every sense of the word.

Not following the trends of others, but setting trends of his own, the LA rapper known as Datta Boy is making waves on the music scene and thriving in his originality.

With the hopes of spreading life-lessons through his lyrical storytelling, Datta Boy shows fearless perseverance and determination on his musical path to greatness.

Growing up in West LA, this California kid was raised in a pretty good neighborhood and grew up with a good foundation. With a name derived from his Grandpa Norman Upshaw, who would often yell out at his tap dance recitals, "That-a-boy, That-a-boy, That's my son", Datta Boy had love and support from the from the very beginning from the man he called his father. His saw his neighborhood as being motivational, often walking around to different blocks for creative inspiration in writing new music. He began rapping back in 2003, the very same day that 13 year-old Shad "Bow-Wow" Moss released his first album. Fifteen year-old Datta Boy began recording on acid pro with long time friend Ronnie Bueller, and has been sharpening his skills ever since.

Inspired in his early years by Ludacris, Method Man and Redman, Datta Boy worked hard honing his craft, and in high school he and Ronnie Bueller rocked the stage in a black history program performance, one that helped him realize his musical potential. Although Datta Boy realized he could have a promising future in music, he put his rap career on hold in pursuit of a higher education, and attended both the University of Nevada and Southern Utah University.

Not only did he play football for both schools, but he also walked away with a wealth of knowledge which he was able to infuse into his music, making his new music better than ever.

Da!a Boy

In an industry where artists' music usually revolve around drugs, sex, guns, money, cars and clothes, Datta Boy stands out from the rest by creating music that everyone can relate to.

Knowing that most people love a good story, but don't want to pick up a book, he considers himself a storyteller, and tries to incorporate a message in every song he writes. In fact, he often tells people that he doesn't rap, he simply "spits thoughts to a melody". Ideally wanting to make music the listeners can enjoy, Datta Boy mixes anecdotes with a little creativity and a lot of originality, and comes up with a masterpiece.

Datta Boy's first mixtape "Black Ink" is available for free download on DatPiff and can be streamed on Spotify as well as other streaming platforms.

His recent music videos, all shot by good friends Ralph Mariano and Jose "No Face" Quintanilla, are titled "THREAT", "A Wave of My Own", and "Fell So Far" and are all available on YouTube.

Datta Boy is working hard on some upcoming ventures as well. He's preparing to bring down the house at TAP2018 coming up, and he's also working to release his newest project called, "The Duke Ellington Project". It's scheduled to be released in January and, according to Datta Boy, it's "something you will not forget". And it's clear that once you get to know Datta Boy, he's surely an artist the listeners will never forget.

Photographer: Ralph Mariano

IG: DaRealDattaBoy Twitter: DaRealDattaBoy

SoundCloud: Datta Boy DatPiff: Datta Boy

Listen on SoundCloud Now!!

TRAPPINAZZSNEED

Many aspiring hip-hop artists aim to stand out from your typical "cookie-cutter" rapper, but don't want to be so far outside the box that their sound is just completely unrelatable to rap fans. Well this artist has managed to bring both factors together seamlessly. With a name that was passed down from his dad to him by way of the hood in his hometown Detroit, Michigan, this artist's moniker has a history in their city. Now he's prepared to make even greater history under the name. Ladies and gentlemen, meet TrappinAzzSneed.

Comparing the creative process of musicmaking to the art of cooking, TrappinAzzSneed mixes the perfect recipe of ingredients, a dope beat, a catchy chorus and verses that are in harmony with the

beat, plus visuals to go along with the finished product, to produce the perfect final work of art. But he hasn't always taken musicmaking so seriously.

For a while it was just freestyles and minor projects here and there, until one day a close friend asked him if he wanted to start recording professionally, then hooked him up with another guy who had a hand in music. This new

connection definitely gave TrappinAzzSneed the boost he needed to jump to the next level, but it wasn't until he recorded his song "Easy2Me" that he realized he had found his calling and had tapped into his true talents.

Now recording seriously for a solid year, TrappinAzzSneed is focused on solidifying himself as an artist while maintaining the unique qualities that set him apart from the rest. Inspired by hip-hop pioneers Run DMC and Slick Rick, as well as more current rappers like Future, TrappinAzzSneed creates a sound he calls "a unique form of the diversity in Detroit".

Although his music reflects the things he's seen, heard and experienced in his city's past and present, he also speculates about where he thinks the city's headed in the future. His music is diverse in that there is something for everyone, from the raw music for the culture, to the more familyfriendly tracks that even Grandma can listen to.

For TrappinAzzSneed, it's important not to be seen as just another rapper who fits the bill or who's riding the current wave. He distinguishes himself by pushing the boundaries and going outside the box. He's an artist who stands out way more than he fits in, because he does what he wants to do, hence his album title, "I Do What TF I Want", available now on iTunes, Amazon, Tidal, etc. with visuals on YouTube.

This dope project features must-hear songs

like "Da Intro", "You Know I'm Thuggin" and "War w/ Us". Now working on his next release, which he says will be just as epic, TrappinAzzSneed continues to make music that offers insight into his life and the city of Detroit, and the echo of perseverance through it all. So, determined to change his life and the lives of those around him, TrappinAzzSneed vows to go as far in the music industry as God will allow him to.

TrappinAzzSneed on YouTube

KIMSHA WEAR

TWITTER INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK

INSTAGRAM HIPHOPCOMIC/TIDAL

UNSIGNED ONLY Music Competition

www.unsignedonly.com

TRAPPINAZZSNEED

"I DO WHAT TF I WANT" CHECK OUT TRAPPINAZZSNEED ON YOUTUBE NOW!

CUTTAMAN 100GRAN "Passionate rap", "soulful R&B" and "melodic pop" this is how this next artist describes the types of music he creates. His name is Cuttaman 100Gran, and he began his musical journey back in 2011.

Originally called "Yung Cutta", he was given the name by one of his basketball teammates in college because his "crosser was like knives". One day his teammate said "Cuttaman 100Gran", and Cutta just ran with it.

Originally from Charlotte, North Carolina (Los Angeles, California in his mind), Cuttaman learned early on that he could come up with rhymes quickly off the top. He also found that he was able to dissect the songs of any type of artist, which played a part in recognizing how talented he actually was. In the process of finding himself and his sound as an artist, Cuttaman has drawn inspiration from various hiphop artists, each for a different reason. "Lil Wayne, because he's the GOAT" (Greatest of all Time), "Future, because it's like I'm in a church service listening to a preacher", "Lil Uzi Vert because he makes jingles that you have to dance to", "Young Thug because of his vocal versatility", and "Von Bost because he is me..."

Now recording professionally since 2014, Cuttaman has been putting in serious work. He's been on tour with DJ Blaze and Uniq Magazine, and he's also won second place in a Coast 2 Coast competition in Charlotte. Cuttaman has released multiple projects and songs and is continuously working on new music. His album "Your Dreams" is available now on iTunes and Spotify, and "Still Cookin' 2" the mixtape is on Spinrilla as well as Cuttaman's YouTube channel. "Binocular Flow", featuring Von Bost, is just one of the fire songs available on his SoundCloud. He has a mixtape scheduled to be released soon called "Blame It On Blaze", a single on the way with Coast 2 Coast, a show in Miami in January, and an album coming in 2018. The grind never stops for Cuttaman 100Gran, and hopefully the world is ready to go along for the ride.

"Still Cookin' 2" Mixtape "Your Dreams" EP

Instagram:Cuttaman_100gran Twitter: Cuttaman100gran

exclusive r u o o t e m o lc e W ip-Hop's H f o e n o n o e r u feat and most successful ists to ever controversial art k ethic of r o w e h T . ic m e t ou c h t h oticed, n n u s e o g n e ft o a true icon e finished as we only see th lieve the e b e s a le p t u b , t produc is what is e n e c s e h t d in h grind be Curtis "50 g in t t e s ly e t a im ult from his rap t r a p a n o s k c Ja " Cent competition.

The story of rapper Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson never gets old, starting from his birth in the borough of Jamaica Queens, NY. Curtis was raised by his mother, Sabrina until she died in a mysterious fire when Curtis was 8 years old. After his mother passed away and his dad's departure Curtis was raised by his grandmother.

He began boxing at age 11, and when he was 14 a neighbor opened up a boxing gym for the local youth. At age 12, Jackson began selling narcotics when his grandparents thought he was attending an after-school program. While in the tenth grade, Curtis was caught by metal detectors at Andrew Jackson High School and at that point he stopped hiding the fact that he sold drugs from his grandmother.

June 29, 1994, Curtis was arrested for selling four vials of cocaine to an undercover cop. Three weeks later, the police searched his home and found heroin, crack cocaine and a pistol. Even though Curtis, aka Booboo, was sentenced to three to nine years in jail, he served only six months in a boot camp and earned his GED. Booboo adopted the nickname "50 Cent" inspired by Kelvin Martin, a 1980s Brooklyn robber known as "50 Cent".

50 began rapping in his friend's basement over instrumentals, and in 1996 he was introduced him to Jam Master Jay of Run-DMC, who was starting JMJ Records. Jay showed 50 valuable lessons on counting bars, writing hooks, and song structure. 50's first appearance was on a track called "React" with Onyx, for their 1998 album Shut 'Em Down. Jam Master Jay was credited for improving upon 50's ability to write dope choruses. In 1999, 50 moved on to work with the platinum-selling producers Trackmasters and landed a record deal with Columbia Records. There he was sent to an upstate New York studio, where he recorded thirty-six songs in two weeks, eighteen of which were included on his 2000 album, "Power of the Dollar".

Jackson's popularity began to skyrocket after his controversial underground single "How to Rob" hit the airwaves. The song comically explains how 50 would rob and steal from famous artists. Rappers like Jay-Z, DMX, Wyclef Jean and the Wu-Tang Clan responded to the track, and Nas invited 50 to join his Nastradamus tour.

Although "How to Rob" was intended to be released with "Thug Love" (with Destiny's Child), two days before he was scheduled to film the "Thug Love" music video, 50 was shot and hospitalized.

It was May 24, 2000 when 50 was attacked by a gunman outside of his grandmother's former home in Jamaica, Queens. After getting into his friend's car, he returned to the house to get some jewelry, but when he returned to the back seat of the car, another car pulled up nearby and an assailant walked up and fired nine shots at close range with a 9mm handgun. 50 was shot in the hand, arm, hip, both legs, chest and left cheek. They were driven to a hospital, where Jackson spent thirteen days. The alleged attacker, Darryl Baum, Mike Tyson's close friend and bodyguard, was killed three weeks later.

After using a walker to get around for six weeks, Jackson was fully recovered after five months. When he left the hospital he stayed in the Poconos with his girlfriend and son, and his exercise regime helped him develop his muscular physique.

While still in the hospital, 50 signed a publishing deal with Columbia Records before he was dropped from the label and blacklisted by the music industry because of his song, "Ghetto Qu'ran". 50 decided to go to Canada with then business partner, Sha Money XL, and he recorded over thirty songs for mixtapes to rebuild his reputation. 50 basically took all the hottest beats of that moment from every hot artist and rerecorded them with harder hooks. They got them to all the right mixtape DJs, and they all wanted to play his music. Jackson's popularity skyrocketed, and in 2002 he released the mixtape "Guess Who's Back?" He then released "50 Cent Is the Future", backed by the G-Unit.

In 2002, Eminem heard 50's Guess Who's Back? CD, received from 50's attorney (who was working with Em's manager, Paul Rosenberg). Eminem was very impressed and invited 50 to fly to LA to meet with him and Dr. Dre. After inking a $1 million record deal, 50 released his "No Mercy, No Fear" and the mixtape featured one new song, "Wanksta", which also appeared on Eminem's 8 Mile soundtrack. 50 was also signed by Chris Lighty's Violator Management and Sha Money XL's Money Management Group.

50 Cent dropped his debut album, "Get Rich or Die Tryin" in 2003 and it could easily be described as one of Hip-Hop's most classic albums ever. His album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, selling

872,000 in only four days. The first single, "In Da Club" set a Billboard record as the most listened-to song in radio history within a week.

Interscope Records gave 50 his own label, G-Unit Records, in 2003. Not long after, he signed Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo and Young Buck as members of G-Unit, and The Game was later signed in a joint venture with Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment. In March 2005, 50's second commercial album, "The Massacre", sold 1.14 million copies in its first four days and managed to hold a number one spot on the Billboard 200 for six weeks. He became the first solo artist with three singles in the Billboard top five in the same week with "Candy Shop", "Disco Inferno" and "How We Do".

After The Game left, 50 signed Olivia and rap veterans Mobb Deep to G-Unit Records, along with Spider Loc, M.O.P., 40 Glocc and Young Hot Rod, but they all eventually departed from the label. In 2007 he dropped his album "Curtis" and It debuted at number two on the Billboard 200, selling 691,000 copies in its first week (behind Kanye West's "Graduation", released on the same day). He released his "Before I Self Destruct" album on November 9, 2009.

On June 20, 2011, 50 announced the release of "Before I Self Destruct II" after his fifth album. Although he planned to do a music video for the fifth album's lead single, "I'm On It", the video was never filmed. Jackson's fifth album, "Street King Immortal", was initially scheduled for a summer 2012 release and postponed until November 13. In January 2014, 50 said he planned to release "Animal Ambition" in the first quarter of the year, followed by "Street King Immortal" but on February 20th he left Shady Records, Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope, signing with Caroline Records and Capitol Records.

According to 50, although he owed Interscope one more album, he was released from his contract because of his friendship with Eminem and Dr. Dre.

Meanwhile, he maintained a strong presence in hip- hop with the release of the album "Animal Ambition" in 2014, although the reviews were not particularly warm and it sold just over 100,000 copies. It was a far cry from his glory days. Some would say that on-going feuds he had with Ja Rule, Rick Ross and The Game took his eyes off the prize.

Fast forward to today, 50 has not missed a beat, from producing successful shows like Power and 50 Central to big film projects like his latest addition to the silver screen, "Den of Thieves". Now as far as music goes, 50 seems to have tapped into his higher creative side because the music is reconnecting with old and new listeners. His latest merger with another controversial rapper, Uncle Murda, looks to be a good fit for the Brooklyn MC. 50 Cent has never stopped making headlines, but lately its been more for his social media antics and television endeavors than for his musical output, but thankfully that seems to be changing. The G-Unit rapper has come through and officially released his new single with Jeremiah called “Still Thinks I'm Nothing,� and it's exactly what his fans have been waiting for to draw them right back in. With so much strength surrounding this kid from the South Jamaica section of Queens, it all makes sense why he was able to get rich before he could die trying.

If you think you have what it takes to be featured in Da Insider Magazine Submit your MP3, music link or photos of what you do to dainsider500@gmail.com for review for a feature spot today!!!

YOUR TALENT IS

RELEVANT Readers are always interested in what and who is on the come up!

DJ

ALPHA Here's your chance to get to know an amazingly talented creator of music. From Brooklyn, NY, this producer extraordinaire has been perfecting his craft for many years now, and his higher than ever skill level continues to grow. But this Puerto Rican-born musician is not just your average producer. As a Marine Corps veteran, Mike Antonio Almeida, otherwise known as DJ Alpha, wants to lead by example and inspire others to work hard and follow their dreams.

How'd you come up with the name DJ Alpha?

I got my name from the fact that I have always been leader. I take charge and step up when others can’t. I believe in the concept of a wolf pack - you have alphas and betas and I label myself an Alpha. I’m not arrogant or cocky, but more so confident. I stand up for others and I humble myself in being one who people can look up to and follow. I believe with guidance, wisdom, knowledge and experience, we can all lead healthier, more successful lives.

How long have you been producing music?

I've been producing music for 14 years now. With constant change in technology, I still continue to learn new things everyday. I strive and work hard to perfect my craft. It has been a remarkable journey from when I first started making music. I look back now and see how different my music was then compared to now, and I only continue to progress.

Although I had to put music aside due to serving 10 years in the military (Marine Corps), I was still able to do music. It never deterred me from what I felt so passionate about.

What would you say inspired you to start making music?

Music has always been a way for me to express myself. Just the sounds of certain instruments would take me away from reality, sending me on this voyage where I could be

anyone I wanted to, do anything I wanted to. It was a way for me to escape, but also translate how I felt. There were times when I felt alone, and certain songs would make me feel like I wasn’t the only one going through troubled times. It connected with me, music spoke to me.

At what point did you realize you were good at making music?

I honestly, in the beginning never really thought I was good, but I wanted to do what I loved regardless of what anyone else thought, even myself. Music was all I had, so I continued to pursue it. Being as competitive as I am and feeling like I have to be the best, is what drove me. But once I started hearing positive feedback from others, it encouraged me to push even harder and further.

What genre of music do you create? How would you describe your style?

I create all kinds of genres from Urban, Hip-Hop, Trap, RnB, Pop, Latin (Reggeaton and Dembow to be exact) House and EDM. My style varies, I usually like to create art based on the artist's interests and likings. When it comes to creating original work of my own, I base it on emotions, feelings, settings, scenarios, and experiences. Painting a sound in which you can connect to, and feel. When someone has no other means to communicate how they feel to others, we lean on music. I want the music to be intimate with the listeners, no matter the topic of the specific song.

How does where you were raised or where you're from affect your music?

How I was raised, and were I’m from reflects the struggle I endured growing up.

With a single mother of 5, I saw the hard work and dedication my mother displayed to raise us. My passion is driven by the actions of living, the experiences. I don’t take music for granted. To me, it's about more than just being known, having money, and being famous. It’s about self-expression.

What are some of the things you have accomplished in your career so far, and what goals do you have for the future?

I've worked with a couple of local artists, from FL, NC, NJ and NY. But I’m hoping to network and expand more, branch out to others, and be able to work with major labels and artists. My future goal is to be recognized for my craft on a larger scale, and to be an example to others who strive to chase their dreams and show them that anything is possible with hard work and dedication.

Instagram- @iamdjalpha Twitter- @iamdjalpha Youtube- @DJALPHA

GLRA

EXCLUSIVE Layout

www.instagram.com/grlafashion

www.instagram.com/grlafashion

www.instagram.com/grlafashion

www.instagram.com/grlafashion

www.instagram.com/grlafashion

www.instagram.com/grlafashion

EXCLUSIVE

-NEW-

ARTISTS

TO

MC CRI$I$ Doing big things out of Staten Island is a dope MC who goes by the name MC Cri$i$.

Inspired by some of rap's heavyweights, this hip-hop stunner makes music that reflects life's experiences. Creating what he calls "feel-good" music, his songs actually elicit all types of dierent emotions. From joyful vibes about having fun, to songs describing pain and suering, MC Cri$i$ has it all covered.

With fire-starter music videos like "Up Next" and "New Level", he's showing listeners exactly why he should be next in line on the come up. Not only is he putting out dope MC Cri$i$ YouTube MC Cri$i$ SoundCloud new music, MC Cri$i$ is also lighting up the city with performances all throughout NYC. Getting his messages across through his music in hopes that others can relate to them in their own personal situation is just one of his goals. MC Cri$i$ also wants the people to get to know him and what he's been through, and to know that he is serious about his music. We love to see upcoming artists heavy on their grind, and that's why MC Cri$i$ is definitely an "Artist to Check 4"!

DCSTYLEZ 92

From Milwaukee, Wisconsin comes a young, talented musician who goes by the name DCstylez #92. The list of genres this prodigy can master goes on and on, including Hip-hop, R&B, Reggae, Dancehall, Latin, and more. To call him versatile is an understatement. Making music with positive vibes and good messages, DCstylez strives to be different from the rest and instead of doing what everyone else is doing, sets out to do his own thing his own way. With musical inspiration coming from various artists including Usher, Smokey Robinson, El Debarge, Lecrae and Romeo Santos, DCstylez is well-prepared to take the world by storm in almost any genre of music.

He's now ready to get back in the studio to work on his upcoming EP titled "Out With the Old... In With the New", and like any music from DCstylez, he hopes to simply make people feel good with music that they can relate to. And in the words of the man himself, he wants to make the people say "...you know what, DCstylez is different and I like it..."

DCstylez92 SoundCloud

Instagram: @dcstylez92

ROD JUDAH

Meet Rod Judah, a multi-talented musician from the sunshine state, Miami, Florida. A recording artist and music producer, Rod Judah has been doing music since the age of fourteen. Born and raised in Liberty City, he moved to Miami Gardens as a teen. In school he would always rap against people or just spit stuff he had written, until one day a friend took Judah to his studio and he recorded his first song in ten minutes! That first studio session sparked a flame in young Rod Judah, and he hasn't looked back since.

Now, as recently as two years ago, this musical prodigy has been recording and producing music on his own. His project "Underwater" was recorded, mixed and mastered by Rod Judah himself, and was a turning point for his career in that he began to realize how far he could go with his talent.

Being from the South has laced Judah's music with a Southern flavor, not to mention the fact that he grew up listening to Miami's own Trick Daddy and a lot of Atlanta-based rap music.

The South is home for this up-and-coming rapper, and it clearly shows in the music he puts forth. Hip-hop with a dash of R&B is the style of music Rod Judah makes, a style he refers to as "hip-hop soul". Bringing listeners a variety of different material and concepts in his rhymes, Judah has something for every hip-hop fan. Inspired by 2pac because of his message and how serious he was about his craft, Jay-Z because of his style and the way he finesses his words, and Wiz Khalifa because of the player vibes in his music, Rod Judah uses inspiration to improve his own repertoire for success.

Twitter: @RodJUDAH Instagram: @Soflorod Rod Judah SoundCloud

These days, Rod Judah's focus is on expanding his creativity and continuing to make good music. His goal is to work with other creative individuals and to perfect his craft to a point where he can be of use to other artists and producers in the game. But most of all, his aim is to never stop creating, which is something that he seems to have no problem doing. He just released his new project titled "Low Key", and he has plenty of songs to come in the new year, including a new collab project with multi-talented artist and producer Dre Keeley (check out his feature in issue #12!).

DATTA BOY IG: DaRealDattaBoy Twitter: DaRealDattaBoy SoundCloud: Datta Boy DatPiff: Datta Boy

LISTEN TO HIS MUSIC NOW!

EXCLUSIVE

MODEL RECAP

d l i W a k y s @Je Photo by: Waldo

@Bodybyiza007

Lucy Simental

SYLVER

Photo by:@ashtonxbenjamin

@Mari__Dee

Photo by: @Photosbyned

Photographer: @tacit_illustrations

The Poor Man's Copyright: What's It Really Worth?

Imagine creating and releasing a hot, new song, your best work

ever, only to find out soon after, that another artist has just released a song with your same hook, or melody, or even pieces of your exact verse. In order to put themselves in position to deal with this type of situation effectively, artists are encouraged to copyright their music for protection. The most official way to cover yourself is by formally registering your work with the U.S. Copyright Office. However for many years, people have promoted the idea of what's called a "poor man's copyright" as a cheaper alternative to paying the fees associated with officially registering your work. But how effective is the poor man's copyright in protecting your precious work, and is it even worth it to pay for the real deal?

So what exactly is a poor man's

copyright? The act of creating a poor man's copyright is when you take a copy of an original piece of work that you created, seal it in a self-addressed, stamped envelope, and mail it to yourself. It's as simple as that.

When you receive the envelope, you leave it sealed until time to open it in front of a judge in a copyright infringement case. It's a widely preached method of avoiding the dreaded copyright fees. But the truth about the poor man's copyright technique is that it's the biggest copyright myth ever. It's simply not a valid strategy for protecting your precious work. It's a waste of time and gives artists a false sense of protection. So where did this idea even come from, and why doesn't it work?

The idea of the poor man's

copyright likely comes from an interpretation of the Copyright Legislation that took effect on January 1, 1978, which states that all works are automatically copyrighted from the time they are created and “fixed” in some recognizable way. And since envelopes are stamped with the date they are processed through the mail system, it is said to serve as "fixed" proof that you were the owner of that work on that date.

However there are several factors that are unsupported by this pseudo-copyright system. For starters, the federal copyright office explains on its website, “The practice of sending a copy of your own work to yourself is sometimes called a ‘poor man’s copyright.’ There is no provision in the copyright law regarding any such type of protection, and it is not a substitute for registration.” Since you didn't register your work, you cannot sue in federal court, only in state court, which means you're only eligible to receive either the amount the infringement made or the amount you lost, which in most copyright matters, is equal to exactly zero.

To date, no case in the history of the U.S. has ever been aided by a "poor man's copyright".

Not to mention, there's the risk of minor mishaps such as

the postmark becoming smudged or unreadable, therefore erasing your main object of proof, or the slight chance that your work could be damaged or lost in the mail system. Another reason why the poor man's copyright isn't accepted as adequate proof of authorship is because of the simple fact that anyone can mail any piece of work to him or herself and claim it as their own. The courts are aware of that, just as they're aware of the fact that envelopes can be steamed open and re-sealed without indication, so pretty much anything can be placed into an already postmarked envelope.

So what can we conclude about the poor man's copyright? It is

simply an insufficient strategy for protecting your music against infringement. If you want to protect your work, there is no substitute for the U.S. Copyright Office. You need to register your work so you can be eligible to take advantage of the statutory damages rule that allows courts to fine people who violate your copyright. And what's the point of claiming a copyright if you can't be compensated when someone steals your work? If being able to claim ownership of your music is important to you, then the fee of registering with the copyright office should be viewed as an investment in yourself and your music. Because once you've created a work of art that's as unique as your own, you don't ever want another person cashing in on your ideas without you being compensated for it.

DOTCOM Jay-Z, Drake and Meek Mill are just a few of the heavy hitters that have inspired this next artist. From North Philly (Philadelphia), meet Dotcom, an up-and-coming rapper who's been recording now for nearly ten years. Given to him by a good friend a few years ago, the name Dotcom represents his dream of being "known worldwide like the internet". Now Dotcom's focus is on making that dream come true through his music.

Growing up in North Philly and being a part of the culture has played an influential part in the music Dotcom creates. Initially inspired to do music by a group called Warpath, Dotcom began to explore and discover his musical talent, and soon became comfortable with harmonizing, thanks to Warpath and a friend of his named Vito. Although this lyricist has always had an ear for music, it wasn't until he was incarcerated for six years and witnessed people's

confidence-boosting reactions to his music that he realized he was good and began to take musicmaking seriously.

Now Dotcom is in a league of his own, creating music that is unique, original, and according to Dotcom, not to be labeled into any specific genre. Ultimately he wants to land a publishing deal and one day build his own empire, not just with music, but with his clothing brand as well, DaChosen 1s. With his goals front and center, Dotcom is making things happen to turn those dreams into reality. He has a number of things lined up for the near future, including performing in Hip Hop Seazon's Rookie of the Year Showcase and the scheduled release of his first mixtape in February of 2018. With hard work and perseverance, Dotcom will definitely accomplish great things in his future.

Dotcom Instagram

"Grown Man"

Dotcom Video

"My Own"

BARI BLOCCA Hailing from South Jamaica, Queens is a rapper aiming to be the next big thing out of New York. He calls himself Bari Blocca, also known as Yung Block, and the energy that resonates from his head-bopping music is contagious. His witty delivery and lyrical flow is New York to the core, and his ability to create great music is a testament to how far Bari Blocca can go in this industry.

Soundcloud: Bari-Blocca Twitter: BariBlocca Instagram: younge_blocca Song: New Single "JuggSeason"

Since the age of six, this young prodigy has been immersed in the world of music. Having uncles that were rappers, Bari was introduced to the studio at an early age. He began making songs with his friends for fun, but once he saw how much people liked the music, he realized his potential and in 2015 he got serious about music and began focusing on making it a career.

Now creating what he calls "Block Music", Yung Block's focus is laser sharp and so is his music.

Growing up in the hood in NYC has made this young artist a tough contender, and it shows in his music. His gritty songs are dripping with the flavor of the streets, but his music is not just inspired by the block. Bari Blocca listens to and finds inspiration from many different genres of music, which is perfectly fitting since his ultimate goal is "to take over the world". His first EP titled "Finesse God" is available on ITunes and Spotify, in addition to other sites, and it's a must-hear project. His new single "JuggSeason" is a true banger, and "JuggSeason" the EP is scheduled to be released this January, which is sure to live up to the hype. So music lovers get ready, 'cause Bari Blocca's taking over and he's reppin' New York all the way.

MR. BLANCO

www.jonyblanco.com SoundCloud:Jony Blanco Facebook Artist Page:Jony Blanco Youtube:Jony Blanco

@beardsinharmony Instagram, Twitter, Youtube, soundcloud, and facebook